Thai Orchid Restaurant — Restaurant in Mehlville

The menu here is a lot broader than other Thai restaurants in the area. We were pleased to find Som Tum, Sticky Rice, Laab, etc. They even serve Mango + Sticky Rice for dessert. The problem for me, however, is the food just simply is not authentic enough. I live in Thailand but was staying in the St Louis area for a couple of months. Thai food is probably the best cuisine on Earth. But when Thais bring it to the USA, they change it by adding loads of sugar to it. This is also true at Thai Orchid. I spoke with the owner about trying to make it taste more authentic, but she said that they pre-make their sauces, so it was not possible. Even more peculiar, they did not have any Thai chilies. The chili is the most essential ingredient in many dishes, and you can buy them locally at Jay International Foods, and they are not expensive. The chilies are also necessary to serve Prik Nam Plar (fish sauce with chili), which is the most important condiment with a Thai meal. On a later visit to Thai Orchid, I brought along my own Thai chilies and asked the the staff to cut a few and mix them with fish sauce. They were nice enough to do this for me, although they charged me $3 for doing it haha. That's OK. Anyway, this is a pretty nice little spot and I'll go there again when I'm in town, but I hope they will consider making it...

Thoroughly disappointed after calling in a take away order of vegetable Pad Thai; explicitly stating NO PEANUTS on the dish. Upon pickup service was prompt & pleasant however; when I got to work ready to devour my dinner…low & behold PEANUTS on the dish! Disgusted, I immediately tossed the dish and called Thai Orchid to discuss this issue. The you gladly seemed apologetic yet confused at the “old ladies in the kitchen” (her words not mine). As she clearly informed them NO PEANUTS but stated they heard “EXTRA PEANUTS” which explained the side container of additional peanuts. Anywho, after I explained I was now 25 minutes away & working I’d have to return at a later day/time. She took my name & number to give to the owner and apologized again.

Fast forward 4 days later I call to replace my order only to be ridiculed & dismissed. According to the manager the owner has had too many issues with this & wants the old Pas Thai dish (from 4 days prior containing peanuts) returned in order to remake my CORRECT order. No worries, no back & forth…especially over a $10 dish. I simply will not return or spend 1 red cent in this establishment...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Went in thinking “level one spice can’t be that bad” — left with a runny nose and a newfound respect for chili peppers. My date had the spicy basil with fried rice and was sweating like we’d just finished a marathon in Bangkok. Food? Absolutely phenomenal. Pineapple curry was sweet, savory, and dangerous enough to make you question your life choices in the best way.

Service was like being welcomed into someone’s home—if that home was run by the sweetest couple who somehow keep your water full, your glass clean, and your food coming without missing a beat. Decor is modest, but that just means they spent their budget on the good stuff (the food).

The strawberry boba milk tea was delicious—could’ve used a few extra napkins for the boba-induced happy tears and curry sweats, but that’s on me for underestimating the spice gods. This is a true mom-and-pop gem, and I’d fight someone in the parking lot for their pineapple...