Thai Woodhouse — Restaurant in Ormond Beach

Was looking for something different for lunch today and when I saw the sign, I knew I wanted some good homemade Thai! I had only eaten at the Thai Woodhouse once, right after they opened a while ago, and had a great experience so I decided to give it another try. I would have returned sooner but I live/office out of Port Orange and was in Ormond today and stopped in. At first I was a little concerned that at Noon they were a little busy and with only one server (the owner), I wasn't sure if I would be able to get served and out in 30 minutes. Also the menu seemed pretty pricey for lunch. I usually like to pay my $10 for smaller portions at most restaurants and go. When it comes to Thai food, I am not very adventurous and was craving a chicken satay, a ginger salad and some mild noodles. When I added all of these up on the menu, I realized I needed to modify my cravings to avoid a $30 lunch tab. Again, they should have a lunch menu of small combos, so you get your taste fix at a lunch budget. That may be the #1 reason they only had a few tables occupied at 12:30, when otherwise they should be busier. At these prices (for lunch) it is a special occasion lunch place, not an everyday one. When I looked at the menu (literally dozens of choices) and tried to figure out how to afford the lunch I wanted; I noticed that chicken satay was not on the menu? What, a Thai place doesn't have chicken satay - they certainly had it the first time I had been there? When the waiter/owner approached, I told him I was craving chicken with the peanut flavoring of a chicken satay and he suggested that he could make something special (not on the menu) that I would like. Not food adventurous AT ALL; I said OK. What followed was not only one of the BEST THAI dishes I have ever tasted; it was one of the best meals I had ever had (of any cuisine) PERIOD! The plate featured thin shaved chicken breast, sweet onion, Thai peppers (on the mild side) broccoli and some other vegetables (I can't recall or name); tossed in this sublime, translucent glaze of peanut, coconut and Thai curry flavors that defies adequate description or adoration. I am giving the Thai Woodhouse 5-Stars, forgiving them the higher lunch prices and not having my favorite go-to chicken satay; principally because the owner listened to what I really wanted and delivered a dish off-the-menu that rocked my world! I will be back much more often - most likely for dinner. Ask him for his NEW chef's special: Chicken Pra Ram - he might just...

THE BEST FOOD IN ORMOND BEACH! Four days ago I was talking to some friends at the local tennis club about the food in NYC and Boston where I have spent the majority of my life enjoying food. Volusia County has been a disappointment.

They both told me that the best, freshest, reasonably price food is at the Thai Woodhouse Restaurant. My husband and I went there last night. (I worked all day today and came home to find a note from my husband that he had gone back there for take out for dinner tonight!)

When we arrived, we noticed the table next to us had beer. My husband asked what kind of beer they have. They don't have beer or wine...but you can bring in your own! They suggested the liquor store next door My husband went next door for a bottle of wine . They brought us two wine glasses and a cork screw. Are you kidding? You can drink as inexpensively as you can at home????

The food was AWESOME! I listened as every table was asked if their dinner was okay and I heard Yummm, Mmmmm, absolutely and I must admit, I was delighted. I have high expectations. My husband is an awesome cook so we go out infrequently because the food at home is better than the food we have out. FINALLY, we have a place to go where the food is fresh and delicious.

THAI WOODHOUSE RESTAURANT!!!! ...

The laziness and misery of this food is something I had to write about. I ordered tofu pad Thai and fresh rolls. The fresh rolls had exploded out of their wrapping, basically forming a salad. The peanut sauce felt like it was watered down to cut costs. The noodles in the pad thai were improperly cooked and stuck together or seriously stuck to the plate. I would say the tofu was flavorless but that would be insulting lack of flavor. For nearly $20 for just tofu pad Thai and tofu fresh rolls I truly expected a better experience. The cook should be ashamed of himself. The ambience was cold and uninviting, I felt like the lady at the front would rather swallow hot coals than take care of me. I thought I was treating myself to a delicious lunch to end a hard week’s work, but just wound up struggling to finish my food so I wouldn’t feel like it was a total rip off. I would rather eat a dirty diaper than ever, EVER return back to this sham of a restaurant. If Gordon Ramsey came to do an episode of Kitchen Nightmares he’d have a heart attack and die screaming at the owners. Do yourself a favor, drive a little further and save yourself the misery and disappointment of...