Tung Thong — Restaurant in New York

The place only has four tables and two tiny corner seats. When I walked in I stood there for ten minutes and no one acknowledged me or the three other people that had come in. Two more people came. Two people left upset that no one helped them. When I went forward for help the waitress wrinkled her nose at me. The young lady looked me up and down frowning at me, then she seated the people that came in after me. I'm not sure if that was to punish me for having the audacity to attempt to sign in. I ended up stepping outside and called in my order for pickup. Fifteen minutes later the frowning girl motioned me forward. I went to pay and once more I got the frowny face as if I was too close to her. I apologized and as soon as I paid another waitress made shooing motions to get me back toward the door and away from the credit card machine. I got home and the food was hot and the food was good until I hit something that looked like raw salmon in my fried rice. The egg rolls were awesome! The cashew chicken was awesome! The fried rice was bland and as above freaked me out. Their rice is perfect. Maybe this is just a New York cultural thing. Back home people in the service industry smile and make you feel welcome. I felt awkward and bothersome for wanting a seat. I'm not fat but my BMI is 28; I wouldn't have even tried to fit into a table...even if I had been offered one. I would suggest delivery. I spoke to the delivery guys on the way out and they were pretty nice and much more helpful than...

Whew! I was about to put this place on BLAST cause at first the service was not the best. They seemed to be rushing and not very attentive to their customers. From their demeanor seeming uncaring, to me having to wait before anyone attended to me to be seated, to the waitress leaving and cutting me off before I was able to finish my order to the point in which I had to call her back, I was about to put the worst review everrrr! But then the staff got better about halfway thru my meal. They started smiling and were very attentive. Soooo yeah, I don't know what the change was. Maybe they felt I was going to put a bad review. :)

But the food here was very good. Nice flavoring to all the dishes. I had the spring roll, marraman chicken curry and Thai iced tea. Yes, very good.

But 4 stars due to the worst first...

Sad to say, I won’t be dining here ever again. I’ve never been to an establishment where you’re being harassed to tip. Last time I checked, tipping isn’t mandatory, especially when only a lunch special is ordered. A server rudely asked for a tip, and when I told her I didn’t have enough, she told me “well next time just order take out, if you want to dine in you have to tip”. I didn’t like her response when I asked her what she said again to make sure I heard her correctly. Usually when I don’t tip, on my next order, I leave a hefty tip to cover the previous tip in addition to the current amount I plan to give as a tip. Harassing customers to tip for a small order leaves a bad impression...