Sawatdee

So delicious! It’s hard to find a place that serves food in Bloomington other than bar & grill food. I’ve been here for both the lunch buffet and dinners and service is quick.
Just a tip… I love spicy food and got a spice level of 3 here… It was almost difficult to eat, however it was too good to stop.

The food was so gross! It looked like they put the wrong sause for pad thai. I came home and went straight to the bathroom. Will never eat there again or rely on Unilocal reviews fir restaurants =((

Very good Thai for the area. Get flavors and spice level is right on the money. The pad Thai was great, but when getting it to go they had all the peanuts on the top of the container, which made it hard to scoop out without getting allllll peanuts.
Overall pretty dang good, I’ll be back for certain

For an American, suburban area in MN, this Thai food was better than expected. The server was friendly and the food came out fast. Cream cheese wontons are to die for, melting in your mouth, just delicious. Pad Thai wasn’t too saucy and it was perfect spice level. Fresh ingredients all though a bit too salty… Would avoid the Thai coffee. Far too sweet.

My only other experience dining at a Sawatdee was in St. Cloud years ago and though I don’t remember it very well I do remember I wasn’t impressed. Perhaps its why it took me years to go back to one. My gf told me about this location and she recommended it after dining here with one of her friends.
So we rolled up on this joint with ravenous appetites and the desire to melt the plastic in my wallet. Started off with spring rolls. HOLY F#!% that was some good stuff. I didn’t care for the peanut sauce all that much, wayyyyyy too sweet so I just ate it naked. Could have just gotten a few orders of them things and been satisfied!
I ordered pad thai, she ordered red curry with chicken. We shared.
I really liked the pad thai. I usually shy away from ordering this dish because so many thai places make it so damn greasy. Not the case here. It was delicious. I got it with pork, and there was def no shortage of meat. I like that.
I really liked the curry too. The taste was so mild and smooth. The last little bit my gf and I had a spoon sword fight to see who would get it. She won, doh!
We scarfed that stuff down. Heat level was very good too. Both dishes a little over 10 bucks ea and the spring rolls 6.5 bucks. My plastic didn’t melt, and had a delicious meal.
Can’t complain about that at all. I look forward to the next outing here.

Great Thai Food That Stands The Test of Time — Service? No So Much.
I used to live in Minneapolis, and ate regularly at the Sawatdee location downtown on Washington Avenue regularly. When I was visiting recently, after being away for years, I recalled that experience and asked my friend if they were still open. We checked the internet, and to my delight, we located Sawatdee nearby in Bloomington!
I went with high expectations, hoping for a delicious experience. I was a little concerned to arrive and find the restaurant empty at lunch time. I also noted that the décor lacked the warmth that I remembered from the downtown location. My friend reminded me that it was all about the food, so I let go of those observations.
The menu was extensive, and I was excited to see that #18 Rama Thai Delight was still on the menu, as it used to be my standing favorite. We ordered hot tea and the #9 Golden Shrimp as an appetizer to share. Although I studied the menu for a bit, I had to order my favorite Rama Thai Delight (peanut curry smothered chicken on a bed of fresh steamed spinach). My friend decided on the #63 Shrimp & Scallops (enhanced by fresh garlic and Thai sauce). We both went with Mild as our spice level, knowing you can spice it up if desired, and asked that additional spice be delivered with the food.
The Golden Fried Shrimp came out quickly, and were delicious. We almost requested an additional order, but our main course arrived and we realized we had more than enough food. Both of our dishes were delicious, but we did need to add more spice to our dishes. Unfortunately, our server had not brought it with our food as requested. She had also disappeared after delivering our food. After a few minutes I got up and went to the only staff I could find to ask for the condiments. I don’t understand why, but it still took a few minutes for anyone to bring us what we needed.
In spite of that inconvenience, the meal was good and had great flavor overall. With the additional spice to give us the heat we wanted, the food was perfect.
The upside was that the food was really well prepared and delicious, and my favorite dish had not changed over the years that I was away from Minneapolis. The downside was the our visit to Sawatdee was somewhat tarnished by the service. I would have given this five stars for the food, but the slow (nearly 5 minutes) service with the additional condiments we requested (when we ordered our food) has to be noted.
That said, I would not hesitate to eat here again. The next time I will insist that the condiments arrive at our table before we even receive our food.

I just recently found this location and am so glad I did. We’ve been there a few times and tired a variety of different menu options. The Pad Thai is the go to option. The roast duck curry has such a delicious curry sauce with it, I almost want to be able have a bowl of just the curry. As others have mentioned, the spring rolls are fresh with a nice peanut dipping sauce. The Laab is another usual order along with the Thai Beef Jerky and Tod Gratiam Prig Thai with pork. You can order how ever spicy you want and they have online ordering too. The only thing I didn’t like was the spice level seemed to vary depending on when we ordered it and what the chef considers mild or medium. With how close it is to home it has become my to go to place for yummy Thai food. Don’t let the strip mall location scare you. There’s also a lunch buffet which I haven’t tried.

I have been here numerous times but I surprised myself that when I’m finally writing a review for them, my finger couldn’t stop tapping until all five stars are illuminated.
Most people would have a little tendency thinking a chain can’t be that spectacular. I don’t take the time to research whether this is a real chain or a family just owns more than one location. I certainly have seen Sawatdee in more than one place. Maybe it’s just a popular name. I could have taken the time to research this; but, I found other more fun things to do on Sunday morning like sniffing my own stinky morning breath, barely moving, except using my index finger to write this review on my phone.
The food has always made me happy. I have always enjoyed my meal there and they cooked it to what I expected. I had their pad thai and my beloved pad gra pow or Holy Basil chicken stir fry. Their gra pow is awesome! I asked for it to be super hot. It came super hot to a point that my eyes watered like every time I see pictures of dead animals on the beach yet again on facebook. The chicken would be covered with specks of pepper seeds and fiery red Thai chili skin all over. Oh, when they made it hot, it was hot. You couldn’t feel your tongue but you could feel a fra forming. I also always ask for the chicken to be minced, and they always gave me a confused look when I asked that, but it always came perfect. I ordered Thai crispy fried egg too and it always came as I envisioned and they often gave me two eggs.
This last visit, all was well and food was great as usual. Usually I come here after visiting my customer and I would get a quick lunch. I came here late for lunch, around 3 pm. No one was there. Lunch buffet was over but I have never tried the buffet or going for it anyway. I did my thing and when I was about to pay, I couldn’t find my wallet.
It’s classic Louise. It’s not my first time leaving my wallet behind at home but usually I had a savior. I had been lucky as in the past, there was someone with me that rescued me. It’s not a way to get free meal, ok! I always paid them back unless they insisted that it’s not necessary. So, this was the first time I dined sans wallet solo. Fuck! fuckety fuck fuck like Dita would say. I started to get nervous! I called my go to emergency contact, and he’s not answering. I thought I could get him to give a credit card over the phone. My server lady came and I was flustered and stressed. The thought of having to wash dishes to pay for it or other means of payment that’s not money flashed before my eyes. I hoped I didn’t have to do the unthinkable of the oldest universal currency for a plate of chicken.
She looked at me wondering what’s going on and I explained the best I could without crying. She just said… «Ah.don’t worry about it.» I was like. «What?» She continued and said that she knows I come there often enough and just pay next time or come back tomorrow. She then said that she trusted me. I told her I would call with a credit card when I got home. I left her my name and number. I was so shocked how they reacted! It was so cool also that she trusted me. I must have an honest face.
I called and paid when I got home. They were thanking me on the phone and said that they appreciated that I called and paid. I turned around and thanked them for letting me do that. There was a lot of thanking going on. But good lord, how embarrassing! Good thing I survived it with not much damage to my social and psychological states.
Thus the five stars. Awesome people and awesome food. I felt bad interrupting their family lunch by eating there at 3 and then not having money to pay for it. Thank you, Sawatdee for trusting me. I couldn’t thank you enough.

This is by far my favorite Sawatdee location. ALERT! Not all Sawatdee locations are created equal! Although the menus may be similar, what comes out of their respective kitchens is quite different. IE: I ordered my usual choice (red curry w/​chicken) from the maple grove location and was sorely disappointed after having previously ordered it at the Bloomington location. Now I drive from Anoka to Bloomington every time I want Sawatdee.

Ordered pad Thai good flavor.
The spicy trout was horrible just bland with little sauce.

Sub-​average describes this place perfectly. They get away with selling Thai food in Minnesota because most Minnesotans have not had Thai food and don’t know the difference. Sort of the Leeann Chin of Thai food. Not that it is bad. But do you call it Thai food? Meh. Would I choose it over Subway for lunch? Sure. Would I bring out of town guests there for dinner? Never.

We are the typical Sunday night take out family. I’ve never eaten in the restaurant, but our food is always great. We usually get veggie fried rice level 3 and beef and oyster sauce level 4. perfect for some heat! They are nice, quick and have never let us down in years.

Definitely a favorite in bloomington. They have awesome chicken satay with a yummy cucumber sauce. Great fresh spring rolls, which is clearly a favorite of mine, yummy peanut sauce. They also had good sweet cream cheese puffs, which i always enjoy. Great pad thai, unfortunately not enough heat but im sure they’d be happy to change the order to your liking. Rama thai delight was always delicious. I always had it medium hot. Sweet and sour with vegetables was really good too! Ah what’s not to like on their menu! The people who own it are very friendly and consistent which always makes a restaraunt a better place. Love love love.

fine service. mediocre food.
moms fried rice looked more like wild rice there was sooo much soy sauce…
wonton soup was over seasoned…
pad thai was a joke… there must have been MSG in it because it made me soooo ill in the middle of the night…

Had lunch here yesterday. It was really tasty. Had the lunch buffet and felt like there was an adequate selection without being overwhelming. I also felt it was a good value.
The servers were friendly and efficient.

It’s been several years since I’ve been to Sawatdee, and I had fond memories, so I was excited to be in the area during their lunch buffet. I don’t know if I’ve been spoiled living in Los Angeles and the SF Bay area the last few years, but I was unimpressed. Keep in mind these comments are only for their lunch buffet:
— Flavors were okay
— selection was sub-​par (definitely would have liked more curry options than just beef massaman)
— the veggies were on the soggy side
— pad thai was too sweet
— the best item: the chicken/​veggie/​rice soup. LOVED the strong ginger flavor.
— the price was right at 8.95/person
Overall we left our meal feeling kind of gross/​unsatisfied, and that’s not just because I stuffed my face (it is a buffet, afterall =).
finally, it would be nice to see more asian restaurants using gluten-​free soy sauce. It is often the only gluten-​containing ingredient in many dishes, and this simple substitution would attract a large segment of customers. Sawatdee would be smart to go this route.

At the surface, at or sub-​average.
A buffet to be sure, of limited selections and more tofu dishes than this carnivore cares for.
Very good spring rolls, I’m Happy to report. Adequate for $ 8.95.
Not the variety or flavor of Joy’s Pattaya Thai dishes which are $ 1 more and cooked to order – with beer & wine available, unlike here (they don’t even ask you if you want a coke – just water).
Just saying…

Fans of Sawatdee know what to expect: GREAT authentic Thai food. It’s hard to try new things when you find a favorite. Today, I went outside of my comfort zone and tried two new things. The tofu soup is a must for starters! Very flavorful (the broth as tofu has no flavor!) and a great way to start the meal. Don’t worry, Spring Rolls. I haven’t given you up completely!
Avoiding my usual choices of Pad Thai or fried rice, today I opted for the Lob Esan with sticky rice. Wow, this was a treat to the taste buds! Fresh flavors, and so many flavors. They make this with coconut milk and peanut paste, along with cilantro, cucumbers, and other ingredients, I really am happy I tried something new.
I love spicy food, but for some reason, I chose three peppers instead of four. I should have done that to really make this dish pop. The sticky rice was extra, but I’m glad I ordered that too.
And at this location, the server is so kind and friendly. I should get her name, but she’s there all the time. The entire dining experience makes me come back for more!

The is not a real Thai restaurant. It is an Americanized Thai restaurant.
All the food is flavorless and lacking any key elements of good tasting Thai food. If you are Asian, just skip this place because you will be disappointed. I ordered duck, papaya salad and soup. All of it was plain. It need more fish sauce, salt, lime, pepper and any ingredient used for Thai food. The service was polite, but super slow. Over all I don’t have much to say because Sawatdee does not have much to offer.

My expectations were to high.
Visited in later evening. Food was cold and waitress was not helpful.
Flavor of food was bland.