grumpyoldman

Bier Chang tank top, swim trunks, black socks and shoes, and we'll see you at Nana.

Hello all,

Well I just felt this was a good place for a plug,

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Our selling point is that it is "Real Mexican food by Real Mexicans".

I have tried a couple of Mexican restaurants all over Thailand and it always ends up being Tex-Mex or Cal-Mex, which are good cuisine in themselves, but I would crave real Mexican food, as in the type of food I would eat in Mexico.

So I saw a need and am trying to fill it.

We make everything ourselves, fresh every day, from our corn tortillas, to our salsas, and refried beans. People are really liking it, and fans of Mexican food are really surprised at how different it is from what you get at say Sunrise Tacos or Coyotes.

<snip>

Thanks.

One more thing, its just my opinion, but i have tried Coyotes, Sunrise Tacos, and La Monita (all of them in BKK) and by far I would say La Monita was the Best.

Just an FYI for the board here, I PM'd Hugo regarding where his restaurant is as I was interested, he was very polite and let me know he's in Hua Hin.

Hi Dave,

can I ask which hotel/resort you are staying at in Lanta? Cheers, GOM

At least you guys in Phuket have some newspapers to talk about. Up hear in Chiang Mai the count is ZERRO

Can't really call them "newspapers" as much as you could call them "advert guides" as they have more advertising than news. I think of the coupon bags you can get (for free!)when going through baggage claim at the airport when seeing these papers.

Just ate some excellent Indian food at Sabai Sabai restaurant in Kata.

If anything, their food has got even better since last year.

Curries are less than 100 Bt.

Naan breads are 50 - 60 Bt.

Great value for excellent food.

KB, is that on the backroad where Red Chair and Rugantinos are?

Sorry, don't know where they are.

Coming from Chalong to Kata, turn left at the PTT station into Thaina Road.

Sabai Sabai is almost opposite the Kata Pharmacy.

About four, or five shops before the Bluefin Restaurant.

Hope that helps.

Got it thanks !

That doesn't mean either of them are better or are the best... But these and other facts do provide a basis for evaluating these places, beyond people who merely like to spout off their opinions and offer skewed ratings...

Touche'

Wow jfchandler I sense either bitterness or some kind of inside info. Also, not sure, but the discussion (in my humble opinion anyway..) seemed to be food-centric and some things you have brought up rating wise are about particular hours and overpriced spout produced margaritas. I still think food-wise SO's ratings are pretty spot on.

I really thank Jorge for posting some of those dishes he is offering, time for me to give that a try as been going to Los Cabos but time for some variety.

I don't know if it's been finished yet but there was a new fitness center going in just behind Los Cabos Mexican off Soi 14. Met a guy at The Los Cabos bar who was putting it together.

For some good inexpensive Thai food and beers, try Kates on the way to Yannui from the Rawai Orbitor's. I had the Penang chicken and it was excellent !

From the Rawai Orbitor go towards Yannui and when the street starts to curve left, go straight and it's 20 more meters up, on the left, white sign.

For sure I give Kates a Thumbs up as well......

Has a Real home kitchen feel, CLEAN and if you want something not on the menu just ask and they will try to make for you...

great little place.. :jap:

Cool glasssdude007 !

I was there again last week but didn't try anything extravagant, noodle soup and khao pad. My friend had the Mango Chicken, Kate was trained at the old Don's and the dish was exactly how it was at Don's, my friend said very tasty.

Just ate some excellent Indian food at Sabai Sabai restaurant in Kata.

If anything, their food has got even better since last year.

Curries are less than 100 Bt.

Naan breads are 50 - 60 Bt.

Great value for excellent food.

KB, is that on the backroad where Red Chair and Rugantinos are?

Slow news day.

All I know is that some new newspaper in Phuket has been spamming my message inbox on my cel. Extremely annoying. I wonder if it's the OP's new paper. Next time I'm going to take the name of this outfit, ring them up and tell them to p**s off as their bugging the hell outta me with the texts. Totally unnecessary.

No need to get personal.

Actually I'm trying to get an answer to a perfectly legitimate question. Instead of offering insults maybe you could give me an answer to the original question, as nobody else seems to want to.

Chainsaw, are you getting the Google ad at the bottom of the page "Russian Love match" with a picture of a blonde on a scale of 1-10 who is a 12? Well, for clarification purposes, if she shows up and is not a member, I'm pretty sure she'll get in, otherwise, your typical bloke, I forsee a kick in the nuts and thrown to the gutter.

Going from no service-limited service-to o.k. here in Chalong all day.

14:27 now o.k.

One buffet I haven't been to in a long time is the Metropole Hotel (Phuket Town) lunch buffet, can't remember what they get, but used to be some really great Thai food there.

We often have the lunch buffet at the Metropole. About 200 baht all up and great value for money. Choice of dozens of dishes. Thai,Western, Korean. Starters, soup, salad, main, deserts. Water free. I rate it the best value for money lunch buffet in all Phuket, and it's a 4 star hotel.

Thanks LIK, I didn't remember it being THAT cheap, for all those different choices (?) that is the big bargain.

If i remember correctly, the Meridien at Karon has a BBQ on Saturday night. it's 800 baht plus pp but it's terrific food.

It was a while ago though.

was at Le Meridian on Monday

fantastic Thai Buffet with all u can eat BBQ

great setting in the middle of a rai or two swimmingpool, beachfront, high end service and cutlery, Lanna show until 9 and then band

980 baht pp ++ and drinks at a price

980++ comes to what, something like 1140?

These places kill it on that as how much food can you really eat? I guess that's why I'm not big on these buffets, I mean, I'm already overdoing it with two plates of food, so that's something like 550 a plate, can get a decent plate of food in most restaurants at 550. I think these buffets at 350 and below are more reasonable.

KBB understood there though you're getting the ambiance and show too.

One buffet I haven't been to in a long time is the Metropole Hotel (Phuket Town) lunch buffet, can't remember what they get, but used to be some really great Thai food there.

there are Minibuses leaving for Lanta according to the aircraft arrivals, and from what i remember, the cost per person is not more than 350 Baht. hassle-free. the Minibus will send you straight to your accom on Lanta. I did that in 2009. just ask Mister Google and I am sure you will find all information u need.

Hassle free except for when the minivan breaks down on the way and you all have to get out and push! Ahh the memories....

2700 Baht seems like a rip off btw....probably more like 1500 Baht would seem reasonable to me.

Maybe the OP can negotiate with that hotel price?

Dave, tell the hotel you feel 2700 is over the top and see if they won't do it for 2000 even.

So no need to make a reservation for the bus.

What about taxi? The hotel said they could arrange a car for 2700 THB for the two of us. It seems a bit steep, but sometimes I prefer the hassle free option where I'm not crammed into a minibus.

If the taxis at the airport charge that amount (and I decide it is worth it to pay it), then I'd rather just get one of those on the spot rather than pre-arranging a taxi from the hotel. Any idea on the cost of a taxi?

Sorry buddy, I don't have an exact taxi price for you as I typically drive myself down there, but for sure that price from the hotel is way over the top, that's almost 90$ US, outrageous.

I have to think just arriving and getting a private taxi you can get that done for 2000thb, and really, go ahead and put up with the van share, it's not that cramped and you're talking an hour at most (unless stuck in a holiday or weekend ferry queue), for the two of you should be able to get that done at about 1000thb. Good luck and sorry I don't have the exact figures for you.

On a recent exploration ride up to Phang Na about 10 minutes north of Phuket I turned left off of 4 at Klok Kloy, following the "Hot Springs" signs. We followed the road all the way to the beach. Powder white sand as far as the eye could see in both directions. It made me think of what Phuket must have looked like 30 years ago. Not a sole in sight. I plan on heading back up there again soon.

As for the springs, it seems there is more than one "hot springs", but the one we saw had a resort built around it. Needs more exploring for sure.

I have also recently found a very secluded small beach on the west coast of Phuket that, due to it's remoteness (20 minute hike), it is usually completely empty.

I'm with ya there SB, I once scouted that Hot Springs Resort for business walked down to the beach and was amazed at how desolate and beautiful it is. Will look to take Mrs. Right up there for a weekend one of these days.

BTB-regarding Nai Harn being a tourist beach, I agree due to the amount of hotels right near there, but one thing, as I am down there most weekends, toward the lagoon end where I hang out generally are more Thais in the water than tourists. But agree a lot of people on a high season weekend for sure.

Hi Spoilarama: I get this feeling like you may actually be very familiar with Mexican food (far more than 99% of the posters here).

Thailand-wide

1. Los Cabos/Tacos & Salsa tied (Bkk)

2. El Barrio Bonito (Koh Chang)

3. La Monita (Bkk)

3. Miguel's (Chiang Mai)

4. El Diablo (Chiang Mai)

5. Charley Brown's/Senor Pico's/Sunrise tied(Bkk)

6. Coyote (Bkk)

Truly excellent post SO and would wonder if your rankings couldn't get pinned under restaurants or something.

I would slightly disagree with your # 5, the Mex I had at Charley Brown's was marginal at best, sides cold, maybe just bad luck, but the burrito with my combo plate was child-size, that for sure wasn't just bad luck. I would rate Sunrise over CB's, just a personal opinion.

On that note, looking forward to a marg (or three) and combo plate at Los Cabos Friday night. Cheers and an early happy Frijole Friday to all, remember it's the "magical fruit"!

I thought it had been like that for a long time? Don't forget, it will look a lot worse when the tide is high, as it sounds like it was.

I love Nai Harn, but almost never swim there. We normaly just have a picnic in among the trees, and it's nice to sit and look at the boats as the sun goes down.

Even though it is one of the better ones, it still too 'touristy' for me to want to swim there.

Its the first time for us that there has been no beach left to sit on.

4 years ago there were just a few chairs and each year there are more

The tide was not high if it was you would not have been able to walk along the beach.

We take chairs and sit under the trees also, now its the only place left to sit

Hi Peter and BTB,

last weekend I was there both Saturday and Sunday, plenty of sand down front, many people not using the chairs. Granted, been working the last few days have not been down there, but again over the weekend plenty of room.

BTB, I'm curious, as typically Sundays I swim one length of Nai Harn (reminds me I need some goggles, been opening my eyes underwater....) why would you not swim there? Do you feel the yachts in there are dumping? I know the Puravarna end is questionable as they run their plumbing right into the water but mostly the water there is pretty darn clear.

Hi Dave,

best to just jump a shared minivan from the airport direct to Lanta, don't bother with a sea route from there. I think six of you can get a one way van for about 3000thb.

Otherwise catch the airport shuttle into Krabi town, get to soi 6 where about halfway down there is an hourly shuttle to Lanta. Best of luck.

from wikipedia:

Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, and sometimes fresh pickled cucumber.[1] Traditionally, they are small, measuring one half inch in diameter. In the United States, there are a number of variations, based on the assimilation of Swedes in the Midwest.

Not sure, but in the US at least the gravy uses sour cream in the sauce and normally served with a broad egg noodle.

Hmmmmmm.......and here I thought a Swedish Meatball was just a Swede with no manners.

Learn something everyday !

from observation at new years....fox guarding the chickens came to mind...no binoculars..towers un-mannned, no lifesaving gear no rope drums /belts/ RIBS/surf skis/jet skis/radios....a la Aussie beaches..jet ski rental cowboys out of control in swimming areas...better off without 'em methinks

They did have RIBS, rope drums, radios, floats at Kata Beach, and just today I noticed that there were bouyed off areas for swimmers at Kata Beach. I thought that this past high season had the best equipped lifeguards I had even seen. Although I have no idea how well trained ...

LIK you are absolutely correct. This last year is the best lifeguarding I've ever seen in Thailand. They were actually working out swimming, had practice sessions pulling each other out with the board, would walk the beach regularly.

I'm under the impression a lot of these posts are coming from abroad, as opposed to people here on the beach every weekend.

Now that it's high season calm waters, these guys aren't so useful, but come June I sure hope they put them back in place.

its not a scam, that lady's only customers are from the immigration. Her location makes sure that she wont get any other business. Of course she has to ask for more money. I feel that its a fair price seeing as its ON premises

And it's a service being provided, imagine how you would feel if they just turned you away and said it was not complete. "Get outta here and go somewhere to get some copies".

So Sadie1975 comes to Phuket, then throws out three posts saying she will not be back. Interesting......................

"Having visited Phuket recently it is something that I am only too much aware of."

Really, so when you were here did you recycle your plastic bags from the minimarts, use the same ones multiple times or did you just throw them in the hotel garbage and get more, being so aware and all. Do you or any of your friends smoke cigarettes (?), if so did you always find a receptacle for buts, or like many of the idiots visiting and living here figure the beach is one big ashtray?

"Phuket is not an industrial place, it is a place that people save hard to visit."

Really, so no one actually lives here.............sorry but garbage is a worldwide problem, check the landfill situation in many states in the U.S., things might appear to be "clean" on the streets but not too far away ground water is being contaminated by overfilled landfills.

Please advise on your next vacation destination, we'll be interested studying the way garbage is handled there.