Zaab Der — Restaurant in Houston

I came here because some friends recommended it. I called in my order of Thai Fried Rice with beef, and Pad Thai right before I pulled out of my driveway. I only live 4 minutes away. The person on the phone said it would be ready in 15-20min. I drove straight there thinking I would have time to review the menu and see what the inside was like. I got there in about 5 minutes and my order was already waiting on me, which was the first red flag. Nothing good can be cooked in 5 minutes! In addition, when the handed me the bill it also included a $25 order of Thai Fried Rice with “lump” crab, which I did not order. That was the second red flag. I started to have them remove it from my bill, but after considering some of the reviews I went ahead and paid for it. Huge mistake. So they prepared 3 entries in 5 minutes?? WTH? I get back to the house to eat dinner. The Pad Thai was not that great. Small amount of crushed peanuts in one corner. A tiny amount of bean sprouts in another, which should be a major component in the dish, not a few pieces off to the side. It was simply OK. I’ve had much better from most any other Thai place. The Thai fried rice with beef was honestly the worst Thai Fried Rice I’ve ever had. No flavor whatsoever, no spice whatsoever, and the beef looked and tasted like it had been boiled or steamed at some other time. it definitely was NOT cooked with the rice. There was no Thai basil. It was so bad I fed it to my dogs. The Thai Fried Rice with “lump” crab was a $25 joke! Again no flavor, no spice, no Thai basil, just rice and a small amount of crab meat that tasted very fishy. The dogs got that too! What a waste of my money and time. I won’t go back or...

This place has a nice lounge-vibe and decor. I ordered the Tum Tad which is was delicious and they were generous with the portion. The papaya salad is not too salty like other Thai restaurants. The veggies were fresh. The panang curry was very good. I knocked off one star because of the chicken (overcooked) and smells (like old wet towel) when I first walked in.

*UPDATE: I came back for the 2nd time and I have to give this place 5 stars. The smell didn't bother me this time. I have my kids with me. We ordered:

-CRISPY TOFU - my daughter finished this BRUSSEL SPROUTS - not too salty and the crunchy topping was sooo good. CRAB FRIED RICE - they were very generous with the crab meat (which is did not have a fishy smell or taste). My 6 yo son almost ate all of it. COCONUT SOUP with chicken - not too heavy and perfect with mushrooms DUCK CURRY - perfectly cooked AND BEST OF ALL - SEABASS PANANG - the seabass was cooked with perfection and the outside was slightly crispy. If you're in the mood for seabass, this is the place to go!

Now this is my favorite Thai restaurant...

This is always my favorite spot for Thai food, but today (12/13) is the only day that I have disappointed about this place about customer service. When I walked in with a group of 6, I requested the waiter to sit on the other side of the room because he told me to sit to the table that right next to other large group table (maybe cause it was closer to the kitchen) ; i was just afraid of sitting to close with other table, we didnt mind if we were going to squeeze in the boost chair. He refused me with an attitude and we sat at the table he requested us. I always love the customer service here because of the other older waiter, and he always cheer me with a smile. The young guy we had tonight wasnt nice with us at all, i can feel the big negative energy from him an entire time,we just took a bright side that, think he just had a bad day. But he didnt ask us how spicy the tum lao we wanted as well as brought out wrong order. We paid and tipped then go home, but we are not happy. I am still coming back because of the good food and all nice...