Esan Thai

05/14/08

very good thai, good prices

by myswami at Citysearch

I am new to the area and have had a hard time finding good thai restaurants and this one surprised me with how good it is. I've been a few times and always get chicken w/ veggies and ask them to add cashews. They also have some liquor drinks which most thai restaurants don't have. I will definitely be going back here. The pricing is pretty reasonable and they also have happy hour drinks.

• Pros: good food, good prices, some bar drinks, very fast service
• Cons: none

04/12/08

Favorite Thia

by jo_portland at Citysearch

I love E-San!

Ther are so many Thai resteraunts in P-land these days it is hard to differentiat. E-San has consistently been my favorite for years. I hold all other Thai reseraunts to their calaber. The only other that is better is

Typhoon but they are extremely different. Typhoon is fancy gourmet Thai food and E-San is classic Thai food just done very well. There are a lot of Thai resteraunts (by sheer number) that are decent but don't settle for OK if you are downtown and can go to E-San.

• Pros: Best basic Thai flavors.
• Cons: It's downtown so parking can be a bummer.

12/04/07

The Best Pad Thai

by ebiztress at Citysearch

Now, I'm not going to lie ... the service can be S-L-O-W, especially during lunch hour, Mon-Fri. However, my friends and I have learned that if you get there before or after the usual traffic hour then you're good to go. But, I won't promise you anything. Yes, I've been a waitress -- at another Thai restaurant -- so I know what good and bad service is because, first and foremost, I am a consumer and I love Thai food! At the downtown E-San Thai, there are only a handful of good waiters and the others can use some improvements. To those good waiters, I thank you.

For those that have bad things to say about the food, I think it's because you're used to other Thai restaurants' cooking that you're stuck on their flavor only. No, I didn't care much for E-San Thai when I first visited a few years back; but, I gave the menu another shot and I'm glued to it now!

Anyway, the REAL reason why I am posting this review is because the food is so GOOD. Their Pad Thai and Beef Salad are the BEST! And, I love my food EXTRA SPICY, please! If you can't deal with the spices then take it down a notch or two; everyone is different so you can't blame the restaurant for not knowing YOUR actual tolerance when others are totally okay with it, like me. Yes, I know what REAL Thai food is all about. My grandmother was a Thai chef and helped launch many Thai restaurants before she passed on; people still rave about her cooking to this day. Needless to say, I grew up on Thai and Lao homecooking.

If you don't like the food at this establishment then that's fine, you're not forced to. I'll understand. In my opinion, that just leaves more open tables for my friends and me! Thanks!!! =) BTW, their happy hour rocks! Their fresh mango mojito is yummy!!!

• Pros: THE GOOD FOOD!
• Cons: Parking and the occasional slow service

01/28/07

Best thai that I've found in Portland

by siriuce at Citysearch

This is my favorite Thai restaurant in Portland. Service is prompt and food is great. If you're going to the NW location, get there early because the small space fills up fast for lunch.

07/20/06

So Freakin' Good!

by vlcgoddess at Citysearch

E-San is the best Thai food in the city. My favorites are the yellow curry, pad thai and any of the stir fries. Also try the rice paper rolls appetizer--they are light and soft and the peanut dipping sauce is delectable.

Watch out for the spice--even medium lit my mouth on fire.

E-San is awesome--you can't go wrong.

• Pros: Pad thai, rice paper rolls

05/18/06

yum, yum, yum!

by pugcrawler at Citysearch

I dream about the pineapply fried rice at E-san. It's THAT good. :-)

02/16/04

Best Thai food yet

by ods_crew at Citysearch

I've been to many Thai restaurants in Portland and other cities, but none can compare to E-san. I love their beef salad, extra hot & extra spicey. My friends and I go there alot and the the quality of the food is worth it's value. Rafael is my favorite bartendar. He makes the best raspberry martini. All the bartendars make good drinks. Whatever I ask for, they can make it to suit my taste buds. This place has the perfect environment for a night out with friends. The service is great and the waiters and waittress' are so friendly. The only thing I would complain about is finding parking. Other than that, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. :)

• Pros: friendly environment, Good food, Good drinks

07/16/03

GREAT FOOD COOL PLACE

by goducks03 at Citysearch

I had the greatest time and the best food at Esan's. I already went back with a bunch of people from work who also raved about it.

They have a very cool location. Right in the middle of everything. Their food is awsome. I love the sleeping prawns, curry, pad thai, BBQ chicken, and I had some kind of stir-fry that was really good (we all shared - I wasn't that hungry).

I'm going for drinks and food before going out on Friday and can't wait. Very COOL!

• Pros: Food is Awsome, Location is Great, Really nice people
• Cons: Haven't seen any yet.

05/14/03

By Far the Best Thai Food I've Had

by Thai_Food_Lover at Citysearch

Ive had Thai food from at least 20 restaurants and nothing has been as good as this. I love the downtown location and feel, but was more impressed with the food and service.

I've been back about 10 times and had a different meal each time. Everything is awesome. I've had some of the other big name places and was very disappointed.

Esan's please keep up the great work.

• Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Good Drinks
• Cons: Honestly, none!

03/04/03

Underrated

by Jiny_Beer at Citysearch

In a city full of great Thai restaurants, E-San is definitely underrated. Try the Pineapple Fried Rice or the Pad Thai. These are comfort foods by anyone's definitions, and can be made as spicey as you desire. My wife and I have eaten here for over a year and have never been disappointed.

• Pros: Food, Value
• Cons: Parking