Thai Pavilion

Entering Thai Pavilion evokes bygone sentiments with a feel straight out of the 90s: plastic flowers in vases on each table, black chairs tucked into pink clothed tables, with white floors and white walls adorned with nondescript framed paintings. A faded photograph of a young Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford decked out in sunglasses and enjoying some beers on their off time from the 1997 thriller The Devil’s Own hanging on the doorway completes the picture.

interior of Thai Pavilion

interior 

interior

Past era décor aside, Thai Pavilion offers fresh, delicious food at very affordable prices, with a speed that cannot be matched. Located on the bustling 30^th Avenue, sandwiched between the newly re-opened hotspot Flo, and newcomer Butcher Bar (each garnering their unique clientele), Thai Pavilion stands its ground. The real estate at Thai Pavilion is huge for Astoria restaurant standards, with ample seating and a deep interior. Thai Pavilion also recently opened another Astoria location near Astoria Park on 21^st Street. 

On a recent visit, my friend and I ordered the Beef Pad Khow-Pow On and the Chicken Pad Ka Na, each served with a pyramid of rice. The Beef Pad Khow-Pow On is served with baby corn, mushrooms, onions, and scallions (amoungst other vegetables), and tender, juicy beef.  The Chicken Pad Ka NA consists of chicken sautéed with Chinese broccoli, garlic, and oyster sauce. The Chinese broccoli was perfectly firm and fresh, and the oyster sauce gave the meat and vegetables a rich flavor.  While nice and savory at first, the sauce ended up tasting excessively salty as I ate the dish. The portions are sized as portions should be, unlike Leng, whose dishes can be made into two meals. A steady stream of patrons came and ate at Thai Pavilion, and many others came in for takeout. 

Beef Pad Khow-Pow On

Chicken Pad Ka Na

I believe Thai Pavilion deserves its location on 30^th Avenue. Amongst many trendy, new, and ever evolving restaurants, Thai Pavilion has stayed rooted in its slot, offering inexpensive, tasty Thai cuisine. 

It's good to have somebody around here who can pee standing up