Members Choice Pattaya -Hit And Run Restaurant "review" topic

[Tom A Hawk]

On 2/21/2025 at 11:56 AM, Jingthing said:

There is new Mexican in town!

Buenos in the Jomtien Complex (gay nightlife area).

Not open for lunch but open late, they are in the soft opening phase.

It appears to be a very promising place going for more of an "authentic" experience than usual. 

No, I haven't been yet. I usually try to avoid very new places getting their sea legs.

 

But some of you may be interested in this free sample party.
I'm assuming they're going to want you to buy a drink or two though.

 

 

Thanks for the update.  I'll give it a few weeks to settle in and I'll go and try it. 

 

I am still surprised there is no Mexican restaurant in Central Pattaya.  There used to be about four of them. 

[Jingthing]

5 hours ago, TaaSaparot said:

There was me, thinking this was a "review" thread 🤔

You're welcome to post your own reviews and also restaurant news, etc. But you choose to only snipe. Sad.

[Social Media]

Post with broken image link has been removed. 

[Centigrade32]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Yes the menu does suggest that they are attempting a higher level of authenticity than we're used  to seeing with Pattaya Mexican. Of course the proof is in the testing. I'm please to see chillaquiles. I'd like to see mole and pozole.

 

Personally, I go to Beefeater at the weekend for my Tex-Mex 'fix'.

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

Personally, I go to Beefeater at the weekend for my Tex-Mex 'fix'.

I looked at it. Didn't bother. I could tell it wouldn't do it for me. I like https://www.hotmeals2u.com/ for Tex Mex delivery.  Especially the super burritos with steak.

[Centigrade32]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I looked at it. Didn't bother. I could tell it wouldn't do it for me. I like https://www.hotmeals2u.com/ for Tex Mex delivery.  Especially the super burritos with steak.

 

I don't like rice and beans and bread all together. I find it unpalatable.

 

Beefeater is good for me and the price is right. Let us know how you find Buenos.

[Jingthing]

24 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

I don't like rice and beans and bread all together. I find it unpalatable.

 

Beefeater is good for me and the price is right. Let us know how you find Buenos.

Outside of Mexico, "Mexican" food is mostly antijitos. Buenos is no different in that. That's what international people mostly want. Unfortunately, it does give a false impression of what Mexican food actually is -- much more than that. 

 

www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-mexican-antojitos

What Are Antojitos? 15 Types of Mexican Antojitos - 2025 - MasterClass

 

Burritos though are much more popular internationally than in Mexico. In Mexico they are a Northern Mexican food and generally much more basic than what was developed in the U.S.

 

[Centigrade32]

Just now, Jingthing said:

Outside of Mexico, "Mexican" food is mostly antijitos. Buenos is no different in that. That's what international people mostly want. Unfortunately, it does give a false impression of what Mexican food actually is -- much more than that. 

What Are Antojitos? 15 Types of Mexican Antojitos - 2025 - MasterClass

Burritos though are much more popular internationally than in Mexico. In Mexico they are a Northern Mexican food and generally much more basic than what was developed in the U.S.

 

 

Thanks, but I didn't ask about any of that. I simply stated that I'm happy to go to Beefeaters at the weekend for my Tex-Mex fix. 

It's a quick review thread and that was my review. 

 

[Jingthing]

Menu of Buenos:

[champers]

Not a review, just news of an upcoming opening that might interest some.

El Gaucho are opening a branch at the bottom of Pattaya/Naklua Rd by the Dolphin Circus.

Has anyone tried the Jontiem branch yet?

[Jingthing]

6 minutes ago, champers said:

Not a review, just news of an upcoming opening that might interest some.

El Gaucho are opening a branch at the bottom of Pattaya/Naklua Rd by the Dolphin Circus.

Has anyone tried the Jontiem branch yet?

To clarify, restaurant opening and closing news items are very welcome here as well as any sort of review.

El Gaucho has a good reputation in Bangkok but it is super expensive. 

[Jingthing]

Kitchen Story

Grab Delivery

"Home Cooking" western and westernized Korean

 

OK, I don't think this place is an actual restaurant that you can go to, but they've got meals that you pay for, so close enough.

 

They have a variety of western dishes covering the standard proteins served with rice, fries, or pasta. Koreanish dishes too.

 

What's remarkable?  A number of things.

 

Low prices

Generous portions (especially with the protein portions, I mean really really large)

Obvious cooking talent in the kitchen offering satisfying flavors

 

This is the kind of place where you might think, why bother ever cooking? I think great for single guys stocking up on ready to warm up meals. I would rate the quality level at something like business class airline meals. Definitely decent, not looking for Michelin stars. Main dishes between about 90 baht and 150 (for a salmon vodka cream sauce pasta). Soup only 50 baht!

 

Dishes I've tried so far --

 

Vegetable soup

Beef stroganoff with rice  

Korean chicken noodles

Salmon penne vodka cream sauce

 

Downsides?

No vegetable dishes except for the soup. 

The beef was too tough

Only one fish option, no shellfish

 

I'm not sure how long this place has been around, but they're giving such obvious good value for money that I think as long as they keep their current standard, they'll be doing very well, as most people who try it once will become regular customers.

[candide]

On 1/24/2025 at 6:08 PM, Jingthing said:

Some might remember the SHA XIAN SNACKS type of casual Chinese restaurant which was thriving on 2nd road north of Klang until Covid hit which clearly led to its untimely demise.

In case you don't know SHA XIAN SNACKS is a sort of anarchic international chain out of China of course, presumably with many copy cats.

It's known for lower cost, casual, everyday dishes focusing on their regional style.

They have never presented as selling gourmet level food.

Anyway I did like the old place.

I found a new place doing this style of food also on 2nd road, but this time a short distance north of Pattaya Tai on the away from the beach side.

Can't say that the sign has a name but if you find a small Chinese restaurant at the described location, that's the place.

This place in no way imaginable caters to non-Chinese speakers.

Rather I felt I was being actively DISCOURAGED.

The menu is in Chinese and the staff had almost no patience as I was trying to google translate their menu. Just standing there looking annoyed.

Such behavior doesn't deter me, but eventually i was offered a smart phone with pictures of food but also no English and I didn't like that because I didn't want to accidentally order a dish of stir fried anuses or some such delicacy. 

Possible the most popular dish from this not really a chain are the peanut butter dishes, noodles or dumplings.

But coincidentally I had had a similar dish for lunch and didn't want that for dinner. I presume that they would have it.

Eventually I figured out the places was a sort of SHA XIAN SNACKS type of place and I got confirmation of that as well.

So then I just found a random online menu of another similar menu place with English and quickly found a few things to order showing the Chinese part.

It wasn't an ideal order as I was rushed, but I was a little surprised that the food was quite good. Why? Because this time and a prior time I had stopped in to inquire the place had ZERO customers! The old place was always packed mostly with Chinese people but that place was much more accessible to non-Chinese.

So I got beef noodle soup and wontons with seaweed soup even though I didn't realize the wonton dish was going to also be a soup.  Total cost with water about 270.

By the end of my meal as I had not once complained about anything and happily enjoyed the food, I felt the staff had warmed up to me/

I enjoyed both dishes enough to want to go back and try to order better next time.

I think I can do that because now I have a way that will probably help with that, which I'm sharing now.

 

Here is a typical SHA XIAN SNACKS menu with English and Chinese.

Have a look BEFORE you go. 

 

Order SHA XIAN SNACKS 300 Grand Street Menu Delivery【Menu & Prices】| New York City | Uber Eats

 

About Chinese food, there are several restaurants behind Lanzhou noodles on beach road, when walking towards 2nd road, rather Sichuan style.

I tried one called Base. They serve Beijing and Sichuan food ( they said they have two chefs). The food is authentic, the quality is medium compared to what I used to eat in China. I ate Sichuan/Muslim style skewers (among others). They were overcooked, but maybe it was just bad luck.

[Jingthing]

18 minutes ago, candide said:

About Chinese food, there are several restaurants behind Lanzhou noodles on beach road, when walking towards 2nd road, rather Sichuan style.

I tried one called Base. They serve Beijing and Sichuan food ( they said they have two chefs). The food is authentic, the quality is medium compared to what I used to eat in China. I ate Sichuan/Muslim style skewers (among others). They were overcooked, but maybe it was just bad luck.

Yeah Lanzhou noodles is very good.

I was aware of one of those Sichuan places in that location. I did try it once and found it OK but I haven't been back. 

For me, the Sichuan place in Central Mall is much better.

[JimInPattaya]

Tried Buenos. Did not meet my expectations. Perhaps OK if you never ate Mexican food in Mexico or California.

Burritos, quesadillas and fajitas were very small portions like child size. Prices are very high based on portions.

The fajitas were just wrong being served on a cold Thai hoe tool instead of a hot plate and there was very little beef and the tortillas were dried out and cold.

Quesadillas were small with very little cheese.

Burrito was half the size of many I have eaten elsewhere.

Service needs a lot of improvement.

[Espanol]

 

This thread used to have dozens of pages, but now I only have two.

 

 

[treetops]

On 4/7/2025 at 8:43 AM, Espanol said:

This thread used to have dozens of pages, but now I only have two.

 

You're thinking of this one probably.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/608166-the-hit-and-run-restaurant-review-thread/

 

[Espanol]

3 hours ago, treetops said:

 

You're thinking of this one probably.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/608166-the-hit-and-run-restaurant-review-thread/

 

 

 

Yes, thanks.

 

So now we have 2 identical threads with the same name from the same member.

 

I don't understand why they closed the most popular thread on the Pattaya forum and opened a new one that's exactly the same but without all the information from all these years.

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

On 4/7/2025 at 2:43 PM, Espanol said:

 

This thread used to have dozens of pages, but now I only have two.

 

 

Yes, I noticed that too. The old topic is still there but closed to new replies. Oh well!

[Jingthing]

Mixue in case you don't know is a chain out of China that has more outlets than McDonalds. They sell soft serve ice cream, specialty teas, boba drinks and sundaes, etc. Cheaply. Oddly no coffee.

 

Anyway I lost my Mixue virginity today at their new Jomtien location on Tappraya Road.

 

I had the boba sundae at 35 baht soft serve vanilla "ice cream" brown sugar and boba.

 

It was the CHEWIEST boba I ever had. Not complaining but it was surprising. I'm guessing that's part of their brand identity.

 

I had done some research of best Mixue menu items but it turns out I was looking at other countries and this place didn't have most of the picks I was interested in. Still, plenty of choices. I doubt I'll be a regular though but I do get their success (cheap prices).

 

There was one thing though. I at in the shop and they were playing the same short corporate muzak clip on a loop. I found that very disturbing and really felt sorry for the workers to have to hear that all day. I couldn't work there. That would drive me to madness very quickly.

 

 

[PoorSucker]

M&M Italian pizzeria, lieb tan rot fai, just before crossing to railroad crossing to Khaotalo coming from south.

If you are Scandinavian you will love their lamb pizza.

[Jingthing]

I was tempted to try Mixue again this time at Central. 

I found the peach black tea delightful (45 baht).

Of course it was too sweet but not extremely so but I was impressed with the portion of actual peach pieces which is rather a rare and exotic fruit in Thailand.

So now I'm thinking that most people can find their "sweet spot" there.

It didn't occur to me to ask for lower sugar like you can at many bubble tea shops. I'm kind of assuming Mixue doesn't do that but I may be wrong.

[Jingthing]

Taipei's Test Restaurant

(somewhere in North Pattaya)

 

Grab delivery experiences, multiple orders.

Sorry I couldn't read the exact address on the listed address or map.

If someone knows, please post it

 

I am considering this a conditional real find for Chinese food lovers.

A Taiwanese Restaurant with very authentic flavors also some standard more familiar Sichuan classics.

Not perfect as not everything is great, but there is enough that is great if you order well.

For main dishes there are two price points.

Lower is just the dish with no rice.

Higher includes rice and some small Taiwanese side dishes.

You won't know that looking at the menu, but now you know.

Some soup dishes some with noodles, some with noodles optional.

News flash -- in my experience the best hot and sour soup in town (optional noodles add on).

Classic Taiwanese three cup chicken dishes with a wide choice of meat options.

I don't recommend the squid option as not enough squid and small squid pieces at that.

Chicken which is the standard for three cup probably much better.

Very enjoyable kung pao chicken, lots of chicken.

Ma Po Tofu -- sorry, do not recommend (too soupy, flavor not there).

I don't recommend their beef noodles soup because I found the beef way too tough.

Haven't tried their classic Taiwanese fatty pork options but I expect they would have authentic flavor.

On Grab app. choose your spice level for main dishes from low to very high. Not in English. (Higher up, low). They follow your preferences. I tried most spicy and it was too spicy even for me. 

 

 

[Espanol]

El 29/04/2025 a las 13:42, Jingthing dijo:

Taipei's Test Restaurant

(somewhere in North Pattaya)

 

Grab delivery experiences, multiple orders.

Sorry I couldn't read the exact address on the listed address or map.

If someone knows, please post it

 

 

 

 

Taipei‘s Taste 嚐室 Since 1994

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KrGqveG3zx8bNpt19

 

 

[champers]

Cholos; who brand themselves as the best Mexican restaurant in Bangkok; are opening a branch in Pattaya. It will be in the new development on Pattaya/Naklua Rd near Dolphin roundabout, a few units up from the new El Gaucho site. No timescales for when they will open, nor El Gaucho who are advertising on site for staff.

[Jingthing]

On 5/5/2025 at 2:07 PM, Espanol said:

 

 

Taipei‘s Taste 嚐室 Since 1994

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KrGqveG3zx8bNpt19

 

 

Thanks.

It's a current favorite of mine but there is something funny about it.

That's because some dishes are really quite good and others are really quite not good.

There doesn't seem to be an in between.

So with a menu like that a person could try it one time and order "wrong" and conclude it's not good period.

So I'll update a few things.

The dish described as Sechuan braised fish is not that but actual a below average hot pot soup type of thing with a small portion of not great fish. When done well, that's one of my favorite dishes but not their version.

On the other hand the fried salt and pepper squid dish was stellar bur as you might expect did not travel well because it's fried. So get that on site or only if you're close for delivery.

I'm a big fan of their hot and sour soup WITH the optional noodles.

But if I get that and also a main dish with rice and Taiwanese side dishes it could be too much food and also the side dishes are often soupy so you don't need so much soupy stuff

How to cope?

Well for delivery if you're getting the hot and sour with noodles order the main dish WITHOUT rice/side dishes and provide your own rice at home.
Again on the main dishes there are two price points.

The lower price is JUST the dish. No rice.

The higher price is the dish, rice, and side dishes.

 

[Magictoad]

On 1/4/2025 at 6:44 PM, Jim Blue said:

Anyone know if the little known and perhaps only Spanish restaurant  on Thepprasit Road ( just up from the gas station and on the other side ) is still open?  I fancy a paella !

It's still there

[Jingthing]

Many locals know about this delivery ordering website for mostly American and Mexican food.

 

Hotmeals2u.com - Food delivery - Pattaya - Order online

www.hotmeals2u.com

 

Well, they've had a "Taco Tuesdays" offer for dog's years offering Tex Mex style tacos.

 

Personally I don't like them much but have always liked their "wet" burrito Supreme with steak (be sure to ask for ranchero sauce on the side to make it wet!) which is always on the menu.

 

Well there's some good news about this.

 

Now on Taco Tuesdays they've added a much more authentic Mexican style taco option.

It's birria pork, served with two side spicy sauces, and also a container of typical Mexican add ons -- chopped onion, cilantro. Soft flour tortillas only option. Of course in Mexico it would be soft corn but still good. Dudes -- this is the real deal taste of Mexico -- I kid you not. It's 225 baht such a deal and I add a side of refried beans and pimp it up at home with Chipotle hot sauce and sliced avocados. Order it deconstructed. 

 

Posting this is a bit selfish. I want to make sure they keep it on the menu so if there's a good demand they likely will! 

 

Of course if you're looking for Tex Mex style, don't order the birria.