By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 9, 1999
39 E. Golf Terrace, Arlington Heights (847) 437-3870
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sun.
Prices: soup: $2.50 (cup) to $6.75; appetizers: $2.75 to $4.95; entrees: $4.25 to $7.75; desserts: $2.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa. Delivery: yes.
Frankly, I never knew that the Bangkok Cafe of Arlington Heights existed, even though it’s located just a couple miles east of Woodfield Shopping Center (which I know very well). But there it lies, tucked away in a small strip shopping center at the corner of Golf and Arlington Heights in the northwest suburbs.
Bangkok Cafe offers delicious food that is prepared quickly and, more importantly, tastes just as good when you have it prepared to go as it does when you dine in the cozy restaurant. And with the most expensive entree (garlic shrimp) coming in at under $8, you can’t beat the prices.
I always judge a Thai restaurant by the quality of its noodle dishes. Some places overcook their pasta, and the noodles end up a clumpy mess. Not so here. The pad si-ew ($4.25) – a popular dish that combines fried rice noodles with eggs, Chinese broccoli and a choice of beef, chicken, pork or tofu – is full of flavor.
Those who prefer spicier noodles may opt for the pad keemau ($4.95), made from the same fried rice noodles stir-fried with basil, bean sprouts, baby corn, eggs, tomatoes and your choice of chicken or tofu. The texture of the tofu, which soaks in the flavors of the ingredients it cooks with, is soft on the inside, slightly crispy on
the outside.
Another spicy favorite is the basil chicken ($4.50 to $4.95, depending on portion). The chef stir-fries ground chicken breasts with basil and chili. The dish has the consistency of hamburger meat and a tangy sauce that is perfect for drizzling over a bed of steamed white rice.
If you have kids or friends with less adventurous tastes, Bangkok Cafe also serves up sweet ‘n’ sour beef, chicken or pork ($4.95), beef and broccoli ($4.75) and chop suey ($4.35).
As appetizers, spring rolls ($3.50) and cucumber salad (95 cents) are the way to go. While the spicy and sour tom yum koong soup ($6.25) had a fragrant broth that tasted good piping hot in the restaurant, the dish didn’t respond well after cooling down in the car and being reheated at home.
