Message from Pongsri Thai Restaurant
Pongsri Thai Restaurant is the oldest family-run and operated Thai restaurant in New York City. Conveniently located in the heart of the theater district, this restaurant traditional Thai dishes including Mee Grob, beef satae, Tom Yum Koong, Tom Kha Gai and more. They offers steak, seafood and chicken dishes along with a variety of Thai salads.
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneLunch at this Chinatown institution can be a sunny spot in an otherwise dreary day of jury duty. Decorative touches like Thai masks and travel posters offset the cafeteria feel of the wood-paneled dining room. Low prices and quick service bolster the mass appeal.
The Food
On this lengthy Thai menu, you can't go wrong with standbys like chicken satay, which comes five to a plate with a mildly spicy peanut dipping sauce on the side. Pad Thai tends to be sweet and has fewer peanuts than usual, but there are no complaints about the generous portion. Curries are another menu highlight, with several choices including Pa Nang with coconut milk, lemongrass leaves, onions and peppers, and Gang Paa with hot and spicy chili sauce. Black sticky rice with coconut milk is a dessert must.
Key Points
- Authentic Thai cuisine
- Affordable prices
- Three locations
The Inside Scoop
- The Extras - The long list of vegetable-only options make this a desirable destination for vegetarians and vegans.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
I could eat here every night - if only I lived there
by jjpmom
I had two of my three best meals in NYC at Pongsri. I like already liked Thai food, but this Thai was absolute perfection! The first time I stuck with my traditional favorites likethe Thom Ka Gai soup and Green curry, but on my return visit I branched out and tried something new and I was not disappointed. The manager, Tina ,was gracious and warm and the food delivery was paced just how we wanted it. And if that weren't enough, the prices here are very fair - I ate at a few other restaurants that were not nearly worth the money they wanted for their food. This place is a terrific value....excellent food that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg (or your first born) ! A rare find in NYC!
Pros: The food
Cons: Can't think of any
Posted 06/17/09
great thai food
by nightdove
i thought the food would taste like thai american but i was surprised that it was actually great. i felt that i was in thailand again..try the fish with sweet and spicy sauce or their phad thai..highly recommended for those people who love thai dishes.
Pros: friendly staff, great food
Cons: dim light
Posted 03/12/09
Very delicious Thai dished
by WatanabeI
I went there with a group of my friends and found that this 37-year-old restaurant offered very friendly services and delicious foods (well, since they have operated the restaurant for 37 years, I would say they must have something good). The price is very reasonable and they would even go so far to customize their dishes to satisfy customers (e.g. one of my friend is allergic to many foods and they did not hesitate to change their dish for her). If you like curry, this is a place you could find many delicious special curry dishes (try Soft shell crab curry sauce). I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends.
Pros: Services, delicious foods, convenient location
Cons: They don't take Visa or Mastercard, only Amex and cash
Posted 02/25/09
Fish is not fresh
by nacazo
Ths soup was excellent. The fish was terrible, not fresh, left a bad taste on my mouth.
Not going there any time soon.
Posted 02/14/09
If you like spice, try this!
by camohunter
These folks are very accommodating within their own style of food, not to mention very nice. Tai hot has never quite satisfied me in other places. (of course I eat habaneros off the plant) It seems the warnings on most Tai menus are just there for show, but here you will find the heat you crave. Try the Jungle Curry soup and tell them to pump it up a bit too! WARNING:not for the faint of heart!
The best thing is that you can eat the way you like and so can your milder taste guest.
Posted 01/30/08
BEST THAI FOOD IN NYC!!!
by le_liu
I've been going to this restaurant for years. I love Thai food so you can't blame me for exploring other Thai restaurants in the city. However, I can't seem to find one restaurant that beat the authentic taste of Thai recipes Pongsri serves. I truly recommend the TOM yUm GounG soup. If you love hot and very spicy soup...you GOTTA ORDER the soup!! Plus, my favorite dish is Pad Kee Mao. The dish will bring you to your true senses.
Pros: Great service and food.
Cons: I wish they were closer to home so I can order take out every night....
Posted 07/26/06
Has my respect
by marinshannon
I'm eaten at Pongsri for a number of years. Its one of the first Thai Restaurants I tried. Over the years, they have gotten better in terms of service and food quality. Would I recommend this place. yes! Their service is near the top in my book. Their staff is quick, friendly and professional. If anyone has my respect.. its this place.
Pros: Friendly, professional, and good food
Cons: None that I can think of
Posted 06/25/06
Thai food in chinatown
by angelx
This place is great for cheap eats. The pad thai is a little on the sweet side but if you like sweet, then this is perfect for you!
Pros: Cheap Eats, Pad Thai
Cons: Can get crowded
Posted 02/23/06
not so good
by abcthaigirl
me too. i don't understand why people rate this as highly recommend? well, did it use to be good? i don't know, but I'm Thai and have been eating from many restaurant. I'd say that the food is below average. I won't go back. There are plenty of better Thai food out there...
Pros: good location, big place, big dish
Cons: , slow service, rush to check
Posted 05/20/04
Average food.
by abcnubie
Really don't understand why this joint is rated so highly. The food is pretty average. They tend to overcook the chicken too until its dry and nasty. I've been to other thai restaurants around the city and they are all better. If you want examples , go to pam real thai or wondee siam or even rungsit.
Posted 01/04/04
Best Thai in NYC
by eabruner
I was lucky enough to find Pongsri on my first visit to NYC, and I have made a point to return on every visit. Being a true lover of Thai food, I usually cannot wat to return!! The restaurant is small and narrow, as are many in NYC, but it is just cozy enough to create a very romantic atmosphere. And the food is absolutely wonderful! My favorite dish is the Pad Thai. Now I know that sounds boring when taking into consideration the multitude of selections on the menu. However, having visited a great number of Thai restaurants in my life time, I can assure you that only Pongsri has the perfect balance of flavors in their creamy, yet deliciously spicy, peanut sauce. Pongsri has earned a place in my heart. Please, go and enjoy!!
Posted 08/19/03
What service??
by soogah
The curry is good here and they have a good vegitarian menu which is a plus. Skewers of beef and chicken was tasty..the only problem with this place is the slow service
Posted 03/26/03
Thai iced coffee
by lynn_nyc
I give it a five for the Thai ice coffee alone. The food was not the best Thai food I've had. In fact, it seemed like American style Chinese food. Perhaps, the lunch time meals are catered to the coutroom/city hall crowd and less to the natives.
Pros: delicious Thai ice co
Cons: not very authentic ta
Posted 03/06/03
Best Thai Curries in Town
by jason_mckeon
If you love Thai curries as I do, this is the place to go. My favorite is the Penang curry. The rest of the food is great too, but I have been to places with better noodle dishes.
Posted 11/08/02
Best Thai
by chanelmi
Having lived in NYC (Upper West Side) for three years, I would always make the trek to Chinatown. Now, whenever I travel to NYC, Ponsgri Thai (Bayard location) is my first stop.
The soups are light and delicious and cold salads VERY SPICY. Not for the faint of heart. OK, so five star environment, this is not, but come in jeans, ready to eat heartily.
I have never had to wait for a table and service is speedy. Great value for the money.
Enjoy!!!
Posted 09/04/02
Good Thai Food
by foodeater
The food here is pretty good. The price is average for Thai food. They seat you very fast since it doesn't usually get so busy at this location. The service is pretty good too, but that you can find in most of Thai restaurant anyway. Their seafood dishes are a bit too pricey though they are good. The decoration is nice, but being in chinatown makes this place not so romantic.
Posted 08/12/02