Basil Leaf Thai Cuisine - Mechanicsburg — Restaurant in Lower Allen

I’m surprised that nobody notices the little things that are apparent to me. I ordered the pad Thai with shrimp from their lunch menu. When filling out the form online, it asks for special instructions. I noted to please include chopsticks and napkins. When I went to pick it up, I grabbed the bag and almost went out the door until I felt around the bag and noticed that there were no chopsticks or napkins, like I had requested. So I walked back towards the waitress and asked her for them. She was busy serving the other tables as she was the only worker in the front. I waited patiently until she was able to hand me the items. The dish isn’t nowhere near authentic. It’s very bland and catered to the western palate. The flavors aren’t blended well. The peanuts are too chunky and not grounded like other places do it, which makes it hard to eat. The tofu pieces were spongey and dry. My shrimp tasted a bit undercooked. It had a weird aftertaste. There was one shrimp that looked like it had been chewed off, but later I found the rest of it so I guess it broke into pieces. The scallion were chopped very thick, which also makes it harder to eat, considering they were still undercooked and hard to bite into. Overall, the food is subpar. I wouldn’t recommend it as your first choice. Only if there’s no other options. I chose this place because it’s close to my workplace and I was craving Thai food. It’s sad that there’s no decent Thai restaurants around here, but you have to settle for less. That seems to be the consensus for Central PA. There are no restaurants here that are awarded for their excellence in cuisine. They’re all just average restaurants serving...

I actually first heard about them while doing some food deliveries. After the 2nd delivery, the food smelled so good I had to try it out. I really like Thai cuisine, and obviously the staple Thai dish is Pad Thai. So any new Thai restaurant I try the Pad Thai first. I was not disappointed at all.

One thing I noticed is it was very fresh, not just fresh like made fresh, which it was, but it wasn't very processed. There weren't a lot of sauces covering up the flavors, and it wasn't greasy. It was just the noodles, the meat, and the heat. I got medium (2 I think) and it was plenty hot. I also got some Shumai and Potstickers, and again, the same experience, the flavors of the ingredients shined through, and not grease or sauces. Although, with that said, the garlic soy dipping sauce was very good, so not all sauces take away from the experience!

The staff is also very friendly. On both my deliveries and as a customer, they were very quick, confirmed everything, and were friendly in all occasions. I really recommend Basil Leaf Thai, if you want a good, hearty Thai meal. I look forward to trying some other dishes...

A Hidden Gem That’s Worth Every Mile!

It had been years since I last had a fresh spring roll, and Basil Thai Cuisine brought that memory back to life in the most delicious way. From the very first bite of the appetizer, I knew we were in for something special—and I wasn’t wrong. Every dish that followed was nothing short of outstanding, beautifully plated like something straight out of a high-end culinary magazine. You almost hesitate to take the first bite because the presentation is just that gorgeous.

The flavors? Incredible. Every ingredient tasted fresh and perfectly balanced. The dessert—peanut cream—was unlike anything I’ve ever had. Creamy, unique, and completely addictive. I left already looking forward to my next visit.

Although we’re not locals, we will 100% be making the hour-long drive at least once a month just for this place. The commute is absolutely worth it. Basil Thai Cuisine is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. If you’re considering trying it, don’t wait. I have no doubt that once you do, you’ll become a loyal customer...