When signage proclaims that it’s as much a dep as a place to get Chinese food, you know you need to try it. This is one of those proof-of-concept spots where the lower the price goes, the better the food tastes. That said, from tempura shrimps and egg rolls to pad Thai and pad see ew, General Tao, chow mein, and even bowls of pho, it’s all good, and a meal here just barely breaks the $10 mark.
Coming from the folks behind the Thai stylings of Mae Sri, Le Garden Room’s sub-basement spot facing Concordia University is a posher option from the restaurant family: An in-house fountain and lots of greenery create a secretive, in-the-know ambiance, while a menu with all the greatest Mae Sri hits—and then some—bring the flavour. Fried chicken and papaya salads, Hainan steamed chicken, curries, classic plates of pad Thai, and heaped plates of kuay tiaw haeng (bowls of noodles with no broth) packed with spice, aromatics, and fresh herbs. Pair all that with some boozy drinks, or iced coffees and green tea milk if you’ve got work in the morning.
