Thai Gardens — Restaurant in Rimrock

Not a shabby spot if you're searching for freshly cooked Thai/ Asian food on the fly because basic road trip fast food is terrible, repetitively (especially if you're from out of town [Twin cities])! However, there's Thai personnel and chef/ cook(s), when in the restaurant there's not a mild aromatic and authentic smell nor the good tasted how Thai food should be (sweet, spicy & sour). Wouldn't visit again.

*Smartest thing about this location vs other major locations is that if your appetizer calls for a dipping sauce, a sauce spoon is provided. I don't like re-dipping because the filling spills out so i airways have to get one at other restaurants. ** When I state a small portion, it's enough for your adolescent child (kid-sized portion).

Food was average, just above bland in seasoning, but edible. The serving size for the price is very overpriced. Definitely ask for sambal, fish sauce, and powdered chili- you'll need it. Salt, black pepper and soy sauce on the table. Although it is pleasant because we needed home-cooked Asian food, it won't hit the spot for flavor, and you'll be okay because it is familiar food.

Service was great for us. Arrived at 11:02 am on 12/28/2022. The open sign was off, checked the door, and it appears someone is in the kitchen. Called, and a lady said, "We open, not now". I asked when, she said 10 minutes. I replied okay and visited the thrift store down the block. That pitch line, "We open, not now" became our joke and inside family joke for the rest of the day ( and forever).

The middle-aged Thai lady greeted us immediately and did an impeccable job serving us and three guests that arrived shortly. There was a winter storm so travelers were stopping. The food was timely and hot. She continued to serve tables, refill water, helped the chef and repeat. Amazing. Headstrong because she speaks cut English e.g. lady walks in, sees us, asks Thai lady if we're open. The Thai lady says, "Why you ask if we open? Sign open. You see people sit here." Guest lady asks, "What? You are open?: Thai lady says, "Yes, people here already.". Hilarious.

Thai Boat Noodle $13 - 2/5 Below average, basic, pho with vegetable medley and a few meatballs and beef. Not traditional. Regular-sized bowl with lots of veggies, a few slices of meat, and small portioned rice noodles. No side of herbs or lime.

Yum Woon Sen $14 - 2/5 Below average with a funky bitter, almost tamarind but bad lime juice tang, after- taste. Small portioned & taste was bland with a hint of sweetness. Main ingredients sat on a large chunk of iceberg lettuce so the photo appears regularly sized (noticed when eating).

Spicy Thai Pasta Stir-fry $13 - 2/5 Below average. Expected Pasta noodles, like a fusion, but large- flat rice noodles were used. The Rice noodle texture was on point! The spice in heat level is undetectable (ordered medium). Lots of vegetable medley. Bland. Small portion. Lots of vegetables underneath so it appears regular-sized (noticed when eating).

Potstickers $8- very good. You can tell it's frozen and re- Steamed. Expected deep-fried but it's okay because this was the best dish, flavor-wise. Very delicious thick, Nuac Mam sauce. Size: 6 small dumplings. Decent regular appetizer size.

Tempura Fried Shrimp $12- 1/5!! 4 regular-sized shrimp and again a medley of vegetables. All flour battered and deep fried. The best bite is the broccoli. Crunchy. Not...

We just ate lunch and it was too early for dinner. We were in the middle of nowhere (Wet Beaver Creek Recreation Area) and needed some re-heatable take-out for tonight. It's Sunday, nothing's open. My wife found an open restaurant - Thai Garden in Rimrock. Thai food reheats nicely, and it's on our route home. OK, except Rimrock is the middle of the middle of nowhere. We wheel in to this hidden little gem. It's clean and we're the only customers (usually not a good sign) but then a local wheels in and orders to-go (usually a good sign). Waitress is prompt and friendly. We order to-go and wait in a booth. I ordered pork pad prik, spicey. My wife ordered a curry dish. We also ordered a salad with Thai peanut dressing. We could hear the cook hustling in the kitchen. Food came out prompt. We paid and headed home. The only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is they use cucumbers and frozen meats. I love cucumbers. But, this place is 90 hot miles from Phoenix and cucumbers have a shelf life of hours. In the middle of the middle of nowhere, only frozen meats will suffice. Otherwise, I don't know why other reviewers mentioned lack of flavor -...

Update 2025: This time I ordered papaya salad and Curry. Papaya salad was not quite authentic but tasted great (nice and spicy). It is nice that they offer this dish, many rural Thai places don’t have papaya salad. The curry was typical “Thai-American”, pretty creamy and heavy, but was also good. They now have a young waiter, he was a very good guy.

Original Post: The first time I was here the service (lady) was very friendly. The second time it was more packed and a few tables were occupied. She didn’t bring out my Diet Coke and wasn’t ready to take my order for about 10 minutes, while all other tables got attention and even got their drinks refilled. I left without ordering/eating. Food (Pad See Ew) was good, but not as good as the other Thai places I...