Eastern Classic Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Redlands

I was looking for a luncheon after my father's funeral, and this was referred to me by my cousin 1. (i will call them by numbers lol) I didnt know that the owner was one of my other cousin 2 best friend, while my cousin 1 told me to talk to cousin 2 so i can get a discount.

as much as she has good intentions, im not there to ask for a discount, i will treat this restaurant like a normal restaurant that i go to. first of all, i met the owner, Chai, he's a pretty cool and nice guy, i know i asked him such a short notice but im glad that he was able to accommodate at least 30-40 people, but i dont think we had at least 30 people in the funeral which is also good.

and also the funeral ended an hour early, so i was able to call Chai to get there an hour early instead, and he was ok with it, i didnt mean to rush his employees but im glad they were able to cook everything on time, when we got there.

2nd of all, i gave him the orders that we wanted ahead of time, so they can serve it when the people arrive there. we were suppose to use the back place, but he said the AC didnt work, so we were seated at the front with all the other guests. i think we ordered about 5 dishes, per table so were stuffed.

the food was delicious and im hoping to go back when im in the area, so thanks Chai for the wonderful service. i wish i took some time to take pics of them but i was too hungry to take them lol but i give this...

Clean place, reasonable prices. Staff was very nice and friendly, the water kept being refilled.

Once I got my plate, it was different than what I expected.

I got the beef salad, the beef was tender but not fresh. The salad came with grill onions, cucumbers, and lettuce. The beef portion was very generous but there was a certain powder ( grounded bone?) in the beef that made it hard to eat. The rice was ok but tasted old. I have to say that I didn't enjoy it very much, which is a shame because it was recommended as very good.

Overall I came in wanting a Thai experience but the salad dish I got lacked the typical Thai flavors and veggies.

I think my mistake was asking for the salad (since salads are not my forte) but it tasted like any other beef salad not much difference.

Please have more pictures of the plates to make selecting easier and avoid being dissapointed.

I am willing to come back and try other entrées. I have watched enough Kitchen Nightemares to know that small restaurants struggle and sometimes have to recycle items from one day to the next but customers always can tell when this happens and it doesn't make a very...

Eastern Classics will always be my #1 favorite Thai restaurant, although for some specific dishes I do enjoy others in the area (Phad Woon Sen & Orange Chicken at Mu for example).. All of my favorite dishes at Eastern Classics have a sweetness to them that is so pleasing; the Phad See Yew is sooooooo addicting, the Chicken Sate with that PEANUT SAUCE (omg), and they used to make their Thai Lemonade so sweet too (it’s tangier now, meh).. I’ve never found another Thai restaurant that tastes anything similar to Eastern Classics. Peanut sauces elsewhere are always spicy and strong, while EC’s is sweet and almost like a dessert. Phad See Yews can sometimes be more oily and salty, while EC’s noodles are moist and tender, tasting of a wonderful sweet soy flavor… I just can’t recommend these two dishes enough. And their Thai Iced Tea is the best I’ve had anywhere. Anyways, just go there already lolol Also, Nick (the owner) is so dang nice. I’m definitely thankful to him for being such a kind friend and providing such good service all these years :) always a smile on his face, and a relaxed demeanor when helping customers :) please be...