Thai Peppers

All my food sucked, and normally I would give a place like this 1 star, but I just can't because the woman who took my order was super nice. Frankly, Thai Peppers should be happy I walked in to place a carry out order; otherwise, I'd have no issue giving one state.  

Although I felt like the woman who took my order truly understood I wanted spicy, the person who actually cooked my dish didn't care that I really really really wanted 5 star spicy and that I worked really hard to express that I was aware of the level of spice associated with 5 star spicy. My kee mao (drunken noodles, whatever) had no spice at all. I actually laughed when I took my second bite because I truly wasted my time even trying to express my desire for spicy. I mean if there is anything that truly irks me it's wasting my time, resulting in laughable level annoyance.

So, thanks Thai Pepper for totally not caring enough about what your customers want. Your sign says something like "thai food for american tastes." How about instead you give me thai food as it should be, not this bastardization bland crap.

Voltaire once famously observed that the Holy Roman Empire was not holy, not Roman, and not an empire.

Well, Thai Peppers is neither Thai nor peppery, at least in my first and last foray into its offerings.  I ordered panang curry at a 3-spice level; not knowing how they gauged spice, I figured shooting for the middle of the 1-5 range would be a good starting point.

What I got was a pile of low-quality steamed vegetables on top of some boiled chicken and coconut milk soup broth that had the texture of water and a faint beige color that tasted like the leftover liquid from a Campbell's soup jar.

Panang curry is nothing if not flavorful.  We're generally talking things like garlic, curry powder, lemongrass, chiles, and lime leaves, cooked with a red curry paste and mixed with the coconut milk and protein.  What I tasted lacked any hint of aromatics.  And my 3-star spice level?  Not a chile pepper in sight.  From a place called Thai Peppers, as if they're hogging them all for themselves.

It wasn't a total loss, though.  I threw the monstrosity they gave me into a pan, added salt, pepper, red chile paste, and about 3 Ts of various spices I had and turned it into something far more edible that more closely resembled Thai food than what they served me.  Of course, this isn't why I pay for take-out, but it was nice to salvage something.  Maybe I'll try the whole menu and put out a cookbook.

The thought did cross my mind that they just forgot to add the most important ingredients to a curry, but that result somehow seems worse than them just serving boring, bland crap.

So Springfielders, if you had this and decided you hate Thai food, please give it a try somewhere else (I disagree that it tastes like Chinese food, as I refuse to besmirch Chinese food in such a way).  If you like this place then, congrats, I guess, you found a restaurant you like.

It's not for me, though, unless I want to try and practice my cooking skills again.  May have to write off Asian in Springfield altogether.

Very good vegetarian options!  I'm a spicy food fan, and ordering my food 5 star here has never disappointed me.  I've had several of their curry dishes, as well as noodle dishes like Pad Thai.  All of which are clearly marked with meat-free options.

Sure, you will not be instantly transported to Thailand when you walk in the door, but as far as ethnic cuisine in Springfield goes, this place is pretty solid.

Staff has always been friendly, helpful, and fast.