Despite the holiday season with plenty of American fare like turkey, sweets, homemade goodies and the like, I have discovered that Dad is now a bona fide Thai addict because amidst the holiday foods, he still want Thai food. He also has gone from simply responding “Thai” when I ask him what kind of food he wants for dinner to simply informing me that we are going to have Thai food for dinner. He’s my Dad so if I want my share of the Chadwick family fortune, then I guess I had better listen to him.
However, when he informed me that he wanted Thai food on our most recent adventure, I was struggling to come up with a spot until I realized that there was a Thai restaurant next to 3 Tomatoes and a Mozzarella that J. and I visited recently. It was a bit of a hike up there from Arcadia, but Dad was up for the trek and we headed to North Scottsdale to find out what was going on at Thai Pan.
We arrived and found parking right up front. The smoked glass hid the interior but we found the entrance and I was a bit surprised upon moving inside the building. What caught me off guard was that Thai Pan was counter service. In fact, the set up was identical to that of the Pei Wei chain. We reviewed the menus at the entrance and approached the cashier to place our order. Dad and I agreed to split an order of the Thai Toast ($3.95) and the Coconut Shrimp ($4.95). This would be followed by the Evil Jungle Princess for Dad ($9.50) and the Kung Pao Stir-Fry Beef ($9.50) for myself. We also got two Diet Cokes ($1.95 each).
After stopping at the beverage station to fill our glasses, we found a table toward the front of the restaurant, our order number in hand to set on the table. The interior of the restaurant was pleasant and clean with lots of wood surfaces, plenty of framed photos and a few splashes of red. It was a comfortable setting and we settled in expecting our meals to arrive shortly.
Barely two minutes had passed before our Coconut Shrimp arrived. Four large shrimp were coated in coconut and deep fried and placed in the center of a rectangular plate flanked on either side by a sweet and sour dipping sauce and a cucumber chutney. The shrimp were piping hot and the breading was super crunchy. I was pleased that the shrimp were perfectly cooked and thought it was an excellent way to start our meal. Dad agreed that the shrimp were good and loved the coating. I did think the dipping sauce could have been a bit thicker, however.
Our Thai Toast followed the shrimp and I was pleased with the appearance. Four toast points had been spread with a mixture of ground chicken, garlic and cilantro, battered and then deep fried. Like the shrimp, the toast was searing hot and very crunchy. We each cut into a piece to allow it to cool. When the heat had diminished somewhat, I took a bite and thought it was quite good. The chicken mixture was full of garlic and quite flavorful. Dad was also pleased with the dish and said he thought this was one of the better Thai appetizers he had had.
As we finished our starters, our entrees arrived, but I was a bit perplexed because it didn’t seem like the items we had ordered were being set on our table. A few moments later, our server arrived with plenty of apologies as she revealed that the dishes on our table belonged to the table behind us. The manager arrived shortly thereafter and also apologized. They removed the dishes and informed the table behind us that they would make up new dishes for them. It was an exercise in outstanding customer service and Dad and I were impressed with the fact that the default was to remake the dishes instead of just setting them down on another table.
Two minutes later, Dad’s Evil Jungle Princess arrived and the aroma had us both ready to dive into the dish. The thick and rich peanut curry was filled with many slices of beef and plenty of mushrooms. Dad and I spooned the ingredients over our steamed rice and began our feast. The curry was delicious and Dad and I were very happy the kitchen didn’t tone down the curry. It had a vibrant flavor with a plentiful spicy kick that had our lips slightly tingling. We finished up every drop of the sauce by spooning it over an extra order of the rice.
My Kung Pao Beef was a substantial serving of a very non-Thai dish. But the item was on the menu so I thought I would see how Thai Pan handled Chinese cooking. The beef was tender and the vegetables were slightly crisp. The top was sprinkled with plenty of peanuts. The onions, carrots and zucchini were all cut in large pieces and the sauce, like the curry, had a wonderful spicy edge to it. I thought the dish was done well, as did Dad, but I would have liked the sauce to have been a bit thicker so it could adhere to the beef and vegetables a bit better.
As we finished off the entrees, we were pretty full, but that didn’t stop us from ordering dessert. Dad and I decided to split an order of the Coconut Ice Cream ($3.65). I returned to the counter to pay for the additional item.
I had barely returned to my seat when the ice cream arrived. The parfait glass was stuffed full of the creamy dessert and the top was liberally sprinkled with ground peanuts. Dad and I each tried a bite and the cool, soothing ice cream quashed the last of the tingling on our lips. I really enjoyed the ice cream because it was full-bodied and very rich. Dad was very happy that they had not been shy about the ground peanuts on top of the ice cream.
After our dessert, we had one more round of sodas and our grand total for the bill was $38.36 which included tax. We thought this was a fair deal for what we got. The service was fast, efficient and friendly. Even though I wasn’t expecting counter service at Thai Pan, any concerns disappeared by the time we finished our meal.
We got into the car to return home and Dad said he really enjoyed Thai Pan and would return if in the area since it was a fairly long drive from home. I agreed that Thai Pan was quite good and provided some great food. Dad then thanked me for taking him to another Thai restaurant.
And at that moment, I knew that the Chadwick family fortune was, once again, within my clutches.
Thai Pan
7605 East Pinnacle Peak Road
Suite 2
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Dress: Casual
Hours: Monday through Thursday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM; Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM; Saturday 5 PM to 9 PM; Sunday – 5 PM to 8 PM.
Notes: On the southeast corner of Pinnacle Peak and Miller Roads.
Alcohol: Limited beer and wine selection.
Website: www.thaipan.com
Hey Seth,
Have never tried ThaiPan myself; however, I’ve always heard pretty good things about it. I forget what your opinion was about 3 Pizzas & a Mozz; however, while heading over to family’s place on Turkey Day, I see that a 3 Pizzas is going to open at 75th Avenue and Thunderbird. Maybe a hair closer to Arcadia (but I don’t really think so). And, of course, it all depends on your review of the place.
Thai Pan is one of our favorites, but we don’t get there too often. Their lettuce wraps are awesome. We haven’t found any the we like better. Mark (the owner) and his wife are always very friendly when we go. Your mixed-up dishes and how they were taken care of are how I expect something like that to be handled, unlike our horrible experience at Thai Hut. The food is always delivered super fast, too. The inside has always reminded me of a Chipotle restaurant, but it’s always been Thai Pan from what I’ve been told. I’m glad you and your Dad enjoyed it.