Big Blue Thai BBQ — Restaurant in Salem

I recently visited this local food truck in Salem after being curious about their offerings since 2017. I was excited to finally try their food again, as I had fond memories of the taste from a previous visit.

This time, my husband and I ordered a couple of salads, Thai iced teas, and cups of soup, which totaled $90 for the two of us. Honestly, this price point felt unusually high for a food truck experience, especially compared to dining in a higher-end restaurant, where you’d usually expect more amenities, ambiance, and service.

As for the food itself, the flavors were decent, with good seasoning and a nice balance of veggies and proteins. However, the ingredients didn’t feel particularly premium or organic; the texture was quite tough, and some bites were chewy enough that it felt tiring to eat.

Service-wise, I noticed it’s run by a husband and wife team. The husband, who takes orders, was very friendly and welcoming, but I found the overall experience a bit lacking in customer interaction, especially from the wife, who was focused on her tablet and didn’t greet customers. Even a small gesture of hospitality would have made the experience more enjoyable, given the high prices.

Overall, while I appreciated the taste and effort, I felt the prices were higher than what I expected from a food truck and the overall experience didn’t quite match the cost. I hope this feedback helps others set their expectations.

UPDATES 7/27/2025 Reply to Owner:

Thank you for taking the time to respond, though I was genuinely surprised by the tone and content of your message. I’d like to clarify a few things in a respectful and factual manner:

Parking Situation The area where I parked is a shared public space, surrounded by several businesses. I did not obstruct your service window, nor did I violate any regulations. Suggesting that my parking spot reflected disrespect is unfounded.

Customer Behavior & Phone Use I was on my phone while waiting. Yes, but that does not equate to rudeness. We were not in a sit-down restaurant expecting prolonged conversation. I placed my order, paid, and waited respectfully. It’s quite common for customers to use their phones while waiting for food, especially in a food truck setting where interaction is typically minimal and transactional.

Food Quality & Pricing My review specifically acknowledged that the flavors were decent, and I appreciated the freshness of ingredients. My concern was with the overall price-to-experience ratio. Spending $90 at a food truck. That’s not a complaint, but a fair customer observation. It’s valid for any diner to assess whether the quality and service align with the pricing.

Furthermore, while I understand the pride you take in your equipment and ingredients, citing a high-end charcoal oven or local sourcing doesn't necessarily justify premium pricing on its own; especially when many other establishments using similar tools offer comparable food at more accessible price points. A customer is evaluating the total experience, not just what’s behind the scenes.

Personal Commentary & Privacy What I found most inappropriate was your reference to the vehicle I drove and assumptions about my lifestyle. Mentioning such personal details in a public response feels like an overstep and has no relevance to the quality of food or service. A customer’s car or appearance should never become part of the dialogue. I respectfully ask you to consider the importance of protecting customer privacy in your communications.

Tone & Professionalism Rather than addressing my feedback constructively, your message was defensive and emotionally charged. Dismissing criticism by painting customers as “unreasonable” may offer short-term catharsis, but it deflects from an opportunity to reflect and grow. Businesses that endure tend to embrace feedback, even when uncomfortable; as a chance to improve.

I wish you success and hope future responses are more measured and...

Later in the evening. They told me to stay warm in my car and brought me my order. The Moo Ping. There are only so many ways to perfectly prepare food. This is one of them. My only regret is forgetting to ask for a side of the tamarind sauce. My failure

You get 4 skewers!

About 60% through trying the entire menu. You can't miss. The moo ping and beef skewers are the most popular but I've taken a liking to the spicy grilled pork salad. The papaya is great but I dig the mint.

The coconut shrimp aren't tempura light but nearly. Still got that flakiness but with just a bit more batter but all the crunch.

Their "very hot" isn't killer. But if you chow down it builds up (not a strong hit but a full mouth heat). If you order regularly (once a weekish) at very hot they may Even toss in a side of their pepper mix. Tip well, the food is worth it.

I'll start taking pictures... I just always start eating immediately. Even the picture I have...

Prices are not high, sorry. 😵 apparently people miss that higher quality ingredients means food won't be as cheap as other places. The food is high quality with moderate portion size, and it is cooked and prepared properly. 😀 which if you've ever cooked Thai food(I have), is NOT as easy as you'de think. 😨 I've had a lot of Thai food and this is extremely affordable and is very authentic. 😀 this is far and away the best Thai restaurant in Salem, by a very wide margin.

God Bless ~Amy

PS: If you can't eat an item on a menu, who's fault is that? Yours. I used to have beyond severe food allergies, so this is speaking from experience. Now I'm not talking when the food is ill prepared, I'm meaning because of a dietary restraint or personal preference. I used to have those, they suck, but having them, you should understand your opinions are limited & eating out if...