Thai Cranford

I would give 4 1/2 stars if 1/2 of a star was an option.  The only thing not  going for this Thai restaurant in Cranford is its decor which while clean and intimate, does not make you feel like you are having a "special" evening out.

But who cares when the food is this tasty and fresh?  I have never actually dined in because the take-out is so convenient and carries out well.

My most recent order which prompted me to finally write a review (after getting takeout for over a year about twice a month) included Tom Yum Koong soup (traditional hot and sour shrimp soup) and Pad Prik Khing with chicken as the protein.  I asked for it spicy and the chef obliged.  The soup is nuanced and you can really taste all the components once you get past the initial spiciness from the chili peppers.  Lemongrass and lime leaf in addition to the other ingredients make this soup very flavorful.

The Pad Prik Khing contained chicken, string beans, red pepper all cooked in the pad prik khing curry.  Very tasty, the vegetables taste crisp and fresh.  What I love about Thai Cranford compared to some other Asian restaurants is how the cooking style leaves the ingredients tasting like they were just picked and cooked vs. sitting in a vat somewhere for a few hours and then stir-fried into mushy oblivion.  The chicken is always tender, never random parts, the veggies are cut with great care to the perfect size to make for a tasty forkful.  The portions are not enormous but I prefer this to other places that serve an ounce of chicken along with 10 pounds of onion as filler.

My other go-to dish is the Tofu Sam Rod cooked in a three flavor sauce.  I have no idea what the three flavors are but they combine nicely and there is no shortage of Tofu so if you are vegetarian and looking to eat a decent portion, you will not be disappointed.

I look forward to dining at the restaurant one day but until then, I enjoy the takeout and as others have noted, you won't call in an order and be told to pick it up in 10 minutes, they usually say 20-25 but on average its closer to 15 which isn't so bad at all.  The folks who run the place always have gotten our order correct and seem very friendly.

I love the food here, but it would be nice if the staff actually communicated with one another. You get very different answers to the same questions depending on whom is working.

delicious!  I'm glad we tried this - it's so small and easy to miss but am so happy we tried it - I ordered the yellow curry and my husband got the spicy crispy chicken - both were perfect and hit the spot!  huge portions. i prefer this to thailand in clark.