Thai Kitchen – Closed

As one of two fixture-class Thai restaurants in Irvine, Thai Kitchen occupied a corner space in Stonecreek Plaza for decades, barely changing over the years. Fairly small and tastefully decorated, it maintained the same ambience shared by many early American Thai restaurants – calm and pleasant, with friendly service.

Largely bucking trends (while lightly accommodating growing interest in Northern Thai items), it continued to serve a largely predictable menu of Thai standards – satay and spring rolls, Tom Yum soups and potent salads, five types of curry, a handful of noodle dishes, plus properly sauced and seasoned seafood and meat entrees. That said, the oft-beloved crispy noodle appetizer Mee Krob, shown in one photo here, regrettably dropped off of the menu years ago, typically a sign of a modestly staffed kitchen.