Saint Paul's 3 best spots to score budget-friendly Thai food

Saint Paul's 3 best spots to score budget-friendly Thai foodThai Garden. | Photo: Sanil Y./Yelp
Hoodline
Published on August 15, 2018

Looking to satisfy your appetite for Thai fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Thai restaurants around Saint Paul, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings.

1. Thai Garden

Photo: britt h./Yelp

Topping the list is Thai Garden. Located at 432 University Ave. W in Summit-University, the Thai spot, with vegan and gluten-free options, is the highest rated inexpensive Thai restaurant in Saint Paul, boasting 4.5 stars out of 172 reviews on Yelp.

This spot offers appetizers, rice and noodle dishes, combination platters, entrees and desserts. Look for notable menu options such as Thai Garlic with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots stir fried with rice; Pad Prik Khing with a choice of protein, spicy beans and jalapeños; and Pad Prik Pao, which is stir fried noodles with a choice of meat, basil, celery and garlic. 

2. Thai Café

Photo: sy v./Yelp

Next up is Thomas Dale's Thai Café, situated at 371 University Ave. W. With four stars out of 102 reviews on Yelp, the Thai spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an inexpensive option. Look for appetizers, rice and noodle dishes, curries, noodle soup and lo mein entrees.

Notable menu options include Pharam Curry with Chinese broccoli, bean sprouts, bell peppers and basil; Sweet and Sour Fried Fish with sweet and sour chili sauce; or Rad Na, a noodle dish with broccoli, carrots and mushrooms. Click here for a full menu and more information. 

3. Eastside Thai Restaurant

Photo: sarah t./Yelp

Payne Phalen's Eastside Thai Restaurant, located at 879 Payne Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap Thai spot four stars out of 100 reviews. On top of offering traditional Asian and Thai-inspired fare, such as appetizers, soups, salads and sides, Eastside offers dinner entrees and desserts as well.

Notable menu options include popular street food dish Pad Ka Praw, which includes a choice of chicken, beef, pork or shrimp served with honey basil over rice; Drunkard's Noodles, chili pepper, garlic, bail and onions served with wide egg noodles; and red, green catfish and tilapia curries. Check out the business' website for more information and the full men.