Sripraphai Thai Restaurant

If you google: Thai Woodside Queens, Sripraphai is the first to be listed on your search. And you're most likely looking for Sripraphai. Not often do I frequent a restaurant twice if unless it was superb the first round. That was the case for Sripraphai. For me Sripraphai was love at first sight; solid Thai family style fare, no frills, gathering locals and unfamiliars to this authenic Thai establishment.

When you're the most well known Thai restaurant in NYC and have ny'ers from all over coming to Queens just for you, it must be good. But fame has its shortcomings. It's a pity when a place gets so popular that it loses its grip on the food-- at least that was the case on my recent visit. Sripraphai is becoming more like a mere attraction than what it was orginally known for.

The seafood papaya salad was pre-made, dull in color which made the tropical salad boring and stale. The quality control on freshness was not considered nor implemented moreso it looked like food that was sitting in critus marinade for some time. Damp in texture and barely a crunch factor, the salad was everything but refreshing.

Disappointing frog legs. Very much like leftovers being cooked over again. Tough juice-less meat stir-fryed with pepper and chilies-- relying too heavily on the chilies thus overwhelming the supposedily delicate meat. Apt out on experimenting or being adventurous on this dish if you're not acquainted with the natural taste of the amphibian. As I did with my dining companion and failed to impress, miserably.

There are good things to note: For an appetizer the sweet and sour pork fits the bill-- flavorful and safe (for the non-adventurous). The notable Shrimp Pad Thai was on point as the shrimp was tender and perfectly cooked served with a side of raw bean spouts and crushed nuts accompanying the noodles--the way it should be.

Even though my second date with Sripraphai was far from prefect, I still believe every Thai lover should make a stop to this Queens destination. Despite its popularity, Sripraphai has proven to have the basic Thai fare down. Granted it's not haute Thai or convenient by any means yet that does not stop people from coming back.


Sripraphai Thai Restaurant 6413 39th Ave, Woodside, NY‎ (718) 899-9585‎ www.sripraphairestaurant.com/