What to Expect at Taste of Thai in South Carolina

Taste of Thai brings authentic Bangkok street food and royal cuisine to South Carolina

Taste of Thai is a casual dining restaurant that serves traditional Thai dishes prepared with the techniques and flavors you'd find in Thailand itself. The menu moves beyond the Americanized versions of pad thai and curry—you'll find regional specialties, house-made curry pastes, and dishes that balance heat, sour, sweet, and salty in ways that take time to master. The restaurant operates as a family-run business, which means consistency in recipes and a kitchen that treats each order with care rather than speed.

The dining experience is informal and welcoming. Tables are close together, the noise level rises when the restaurant fills up, and the staff moves quickly between orders. This is not a place for a quiet anniversary dinner, but it is exactly the right place if you want to taste what Thai families actually cook at home and in street stalls.

Key Takeaways

• Taste of Thai prepares dishes to order using traditional methods, so expect 20 to 30 minutes for your food to arrive during busy hours.
• The menu includes regional Thai dishes beyond the standard American Thai restaurant offerings, with options to adjust heat level for most curries and stir-fries.
• House-made curry pastes and fresh herbs are used in most dishes, which means flavors change slightly with the season and ingredient availability.
• The restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests if you mention them when ordering.

What the menu actually includes

The menu is organized by dish type rather than by protein. You'll find sections for curries, stir-fries, noodle dishes, soups, and salads. Within each section, you choose your protein—chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu—and your heat level, usually on a scale of one to five stars.

Curries are made fresh to order. Red curry, green curry, and yellow curry are the most common, but the kitchen also prepares panang curry and massaman curry depending on the day. Each curry comes with jasmine rice and includes vegetables that vary by season. The coconut milk base is rich and balanced, not cloying, and the spice builds as you eat rather than hitting all at once.

Stir-fries include pad thai (the tamarind-based noodle dish most people know), pad see ew (a soy-based noodle dish with a deeper, less sweet flavor), and pad krapow moo (ground pork with holy basil and chilies). Pad thai here tastes less sweet than versions at many American Thai restaurants, which some people prefer and others find surprising on first visit.

Soups include tom yum (hot and sour broth with lemongrass and lime) and tom kha gai (coconut broth with chicken). Both are aromatic and complex, built from scratch rather than from concentrate. The restaurant also serves larb, a minced meat salad with lime juice and fresh herbs that tastes bright and herbaceous rather than heavy.

How to order if you're new

Start by telling your server or the person taking your order about any dietary needs—vegetarian, vegan, nut allergies, gluten sensitivity. The kitchen can modify most dishes, and knowing upfront prevents confusion later.

If you're uncertain about heat level, order a one or two star dish on your first visit. Thai heat is cumulative and builds through the meal, so a dish that tastes manageable at first bite can become intense by the end. You can always order hotter next time. The restaurant also serves mild dishes like pad thai at a lower heat level if you ask.

Expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes waiting for your food during lunch or dinner rush. The kitchen is small and everything is made to order. During slower hours—mid-afternoon or early evening—the wait is shorter. Rice comes with most curries and some noodle dishes, but not all; ask if you want extra rice on the side.

Pricing and what you'll spend

Most entrees cost between $12 and $18, depending on your protein choice. Shrimp and beef are at the higher end; chicken and pork are in the middle; tofu and vegetable dishes are the least expensive. Appetizers like spring rolls, satay, and fried wontons run $5 to $8 per order.

A typical meal for one person—an appetizer, an entree, and a drink—costs $25 to $35 before tax and tip. The restaurant does not charge extra for heat level adjustments or most dietary modifications. Takeout is available and prices are the same as dine-in.

Parking and location details

Taste of Thai is located in a small shopping center or strip mall, depending on which South Carolina location you visit. Parking is free and usually available in the lot directly in front of the restaurant. Street parking is not necessary. The restaurant is accessible by car and has a small entrance; there is no separate entrance for takeout, so you order at the same counter whether you're eating in or taking food home.

Hours vary by location, but most Taste of Thai restaurants open for lunch around 11 a.m. and close by 9 or 10 p.m. Some locations close on Mondays. Call ahead or check online before visiting, especially if you're traveling more than 20 minutes to get there.

What makes this different from other Thai restaurants

Many Thai restaurants in the United States sweeten their dishes to match American palates. Taste of Thai does not. The balance of flavors is closer to what you'd eat in Thailand—more sour from lime and tamarind, more salt from fish sauce, more heat from fresh chilies. This can be a surprise if you're used to sweeter versions, but it's also why people who know Thai food keep coming back.

The restaurant also uses fresh herbs—Thai basil, cilantro, mint—in ways that change the flavor profile of a dish. A pad krapow moo here tastes herbaceous and alive, not just spicy. Curry pastes are made in-house, which means they taste brighter and more complex than pastes from a jar or can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taste of Thai good for people who don't like spicy food?

Yes. Order a one-star dish or ask the kitchen to make something mild. Pad thai, pad see ew, and many curry dishes can be prepared with little to no heat. The flavors are still complex and satisfying without the spice. Tell your server upfront so the kitchen knows to hold back on the chilies.

Can I bring my own beer or wine?

Most Taste of Thai locations do not have a liquor license, so outside alcohol is typically not permitted. Some locations have beer and wine available for purchase. Call your local restaurant to confirm what they offer before you visit.

How long does takeout usually take?

Takeout orders are prepared in the same kitchen as dine-in orders, so expect 20 to 30 minutes during busy times. Call ahead to place your order and ask when it will be ready. Pickup is usually faster than waiting to order on arrival.

What should I order if I've never had Thai food before?

Start with pad thai or a mild red curry with chicken. Both are approachable and give you a sense of Thai flavors without overwhelming heat. Add a spring roll appetizer to try a different texture. Ask your server for recommendations based on what you like—they know the menu well and can steer you toward dishes that match your taste.

Does Taste of Thai have vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Most curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes can be made with tofu instead of meat. Vegetable curries and stir-fries are on the menu. Ask about fish sauce in soups and salads if you're vegan, since some dishes contain it. The kitchen can modify most dishes to fit dietary needs if you mention them when ordering.