Mama Thai: Authentic flavors abound in Oak Park
Published: Jun 23, 2009
Loads of Chicago take-out places claim to offer authentic curry, pad thai and noodle dishes, but few really deliver on that delicious, delicate, multi-layered flavor of top quality Thai cuisine. That’s why Mama Thai in Oak Park is such a great find, offering up scrumptious meals at competitive prices, all in a comfy setting that brings customers back again and again.
In its main-drag Madison Street location for the past 10 years, Mama Thai offers eat-in, take-out and delivery on dozens of dishes from soups to duck, fried rice to catfish curry, and everything in between. Appetizers range from expected favorites like crab rangoon (done to fried perfection) and chicken satay, as well as fare like tod mun (spicy fish cakes) and calamari.
Soups include tom kha (coconut with mushroom and lime) and Tom Yum (hot and sour). Chilled salads like som tum (shredded green papaya) and neam sod (sliced chicken and ginger) are great ways to start a meal, but the entrees are really the main attraction at Mama Thai.
Straightforward pad thai is always a good way to gauge a Thai restaurant, and Mama Thai definitely ranks tops. The thin rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts and tangy sauce make for a perfectly pleasing plate, with crunch and lots of flavor. If in the mood for something more adventurous, there’s the roast duck noodle, pad woonsen (clear noodles with chicken and bok choy) and kao soy (egg noodles with yellow curry sauce).
Curries are another standout here, with red, green, yellow, mild, seafood, catfish, panang (peanut) and massamun (cherry tomato and onion). Rice dishes like seafood basil, almond beef, crab fried rice and ginger chicken are also sure to please.
With large portions, there might not be much room left for dessert, but the mango and sticky rice really shouldn’t be missed. This seasonal treat is a salty and sweet flavor explosion, complete with perfectly ripe mango and strawberry on the side.
In a city chock-full of imitators, Mama Thai is the real deal, with authentic dishes, a warm atmosphere and prices that won’t break the bank. It’s a great dining experience from start to finish, crab rangoon to sticky rice.
- by D.J. Siegel, Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro
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