Down Beacon Street, just across from the Roadhouse Restaurant featured in last week's review, is Rod Dee Thai Cuisine, at the newest of their three locations. Walking in, you are instantly immersed in a delicious aroma of a Thai kitchen. The space is small, and there are a few scattered tables with awkward leather furniture in a failed attempt to make it a welcoming place to stay and eat. On a Friday night it was bustling, with phones ringing with call-in orders and customers running in to collect their take-out dinners. There is a small pick-up window with a fast-food-style menu above. We stood in front trying to decide what to order, but the menu was not very descriptive and it was very hectic, so we ended up relying on what we saw others order to make our decisions. After we placed our order, we sat down at a corner table. No sooner had we grabbed our silverware from the front and started sipping on the complementary warm Thai tea, than our food was being served (in no particular order, mind you). First to come out was the Pad Thai noodles. They were the first to catch our eye when we walked in the door and saw another patron with a mound of steaming noodles with chicken, shrimp, fried egg, and a light peanut sauce. It was incredibly flavorful and a portion that the two of us struggled to finish; our only complaint was that they were pretty skimpy on the shrimp (there may have been three in the entire dish). Next to be served was the Thai spring rolls appetizer - the one menu item we do not recommend. It consisted of four rolls in a crispy shell served with sweet and sour sauce, but not any tastier than ones you would pull from the freezer and cook in the oven at home. My favorite dish of the night was spicy chicken hot and sour soup, which I was skeptical about ordering but found incredibly tasty. There were large chicken pieces, mushrooms, cilantro, and just the right amount of spice for a mere $3.50 a bowl. The last thing we ordered was one of the rice plates, based on a picture we saw in the menu. It was called Broccoli with Black Bean Sauce, but it was simply chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and carrots over a mound of white rice. There were no beans in it as the name implied, and it lacked a certain flavor or spice. Additionally, the chicken pieces were slightly dry; however, the plentiful vegetables made it enjoyable nonetheless. At the end of the meal, you are expected to bus your own dishes, and I would estimate that we were in and out in 30 minutes. It was certainly neither the best nor most authentic Thai meal I have ever had, but $25 provided a plentiful, speedy feast for two. With its proximity to Boston College, Rod Dee is a convenient place for a quick bite and a good value, but if it is ambiance, authenticity, and service you are after, you should look elsewhere. C+
Local cuisine aims for convenience
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Updated: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Be the first to comment on this article!