Tara Thai - Hyattsville

This has always been our favorite spot for Thai food. However, today’s order was a bit disappointing, and I hope it was just an off day. I ordered the Tom Kha soup, which includes chicken...

The basil seafood fried rice was extremely spicy, which overwhelmed the entire dish. I couldn't appreciate the different layers of flavor. I enjoy spicy food, but this was too much for me.

We visited Tara Thai for the first time today and were thrilled to discover it's a great place! We tried the chicken pad see ew and the pork pad woon sen. The portion sizes were generous...

Here’s a photo of the drunken noodles featuring chicken and shrimp on the plate. This is my favorite Thai spot, even though it’s located in Hyattsville while I’m in DC. Parking can be quite challenging in the early evening, and it only gets trickier later on during the weekend. I think this place is primarily for takeout, despite having some seating inside. That being said, their Pad Thai is fantastic and has a nice sweetness to it. The drunken noodles are listed under a different name on the menu and come with both chicken and shrimp. I highly recommend this dish if you're a fan of both; it’s loaded with green chilies, so I found myself needing two glasses of water! The fried vegetable rolls are also quite tasty. I wish my photo could truly capture how delicious the drunken noodles are—you really have to try it to believe it!

I then went inside to talk with him, explaining that we were eating just outside. He insisted that the text had to be presented at the time of ordering. I pointed out that it didn’t specify that in the message; it simply stated that it was valid for orders over $20. I understood if it were a situation where I had come back later, but it felt unreasonable given our conversation was just between the two of us. To avoid causing a scene, I asked to speak with a manager or someone else, and that’s when I learned he was the owner’s cousin, which he proudly mentioned gives him decision-making power. His dismissive attitude came with a smirk as he said, “Maybe next time.” I firmly replied, “No, there won’t be a next time.” To be honest, it was a minor issue, but he chose to make a big deal out of it, especially considering we are loyal customers who have spent a considerable amount of money there over the years. The food is average, and the drinks are forgettable, but we’ve tried to support local businesses during these uncertain times, even tipping during the period when dining in wasn’t allowed. Unfortunately, this experience left a negative impression, particularly after witnessing him sneeze into his hand while taking someone else’s order and handling food. It was an unnecessary conflict that could have been avoided. It’s crucial to treat customers with respect.