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Thai Vegan ROCKS

I have to admit that I am totally in love with the food at Thai Vegan, which opened last week at Osuna near San Mateo.

I confess - I've had 4 meals in the past 5 days there!!!

As a vegetarian (not vegan), the menu is diverse, the "faux" meat is delicious, and there are plenty of vegetable-only dishes to choose from too.

I've sampled the Pad Thai, the spring rolls, the golden tofu appetizer, the Cashew "Chicken", the fresh Ginger stir fry, the tempura vegetables, and just keep coming back for more!

Nice decor, clean place, and the food is some of the best Thai I've had here in Albuquerque, vegan or not.

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Comment by Kelly Vickers on July 31, 2010 at 6:46pm: I tried Thai Vegan too and was amazed. I've just recently converted to doing the vegatarian thing, yet at Thai Vegan I could enjoy all my old favorites and truly couldn't tell the difference between soy chicken and the real thing. I don't know how that's even possible, yet having awesome versions of my faves and not supporting the cruel meat industry is exciting.
I could eat at Thai Vegan twice a day...

Comment by Not A PC Kinda Guy on August 1, 2010 at 10:53am: I happened to be in the area of Thai Vegan ( 1/2 one block East of San Mateo on Osuna accessible via the San Mateo 140/141) and stopped for lunch. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu variety, the cleanness, and the attention to the quality and detail of the food. I'm not a "faux meat" fan however I ventured with the "chicken" and have to agree both Kelly and Karla. The service was prompt and friendly. Everything is freshly made but the wait is not bad.

One very important impression for me was that "Pat" the chef made the effort to talk with every patron and ask what they thought of the food and ask were they "happy". Turns out that Pat has been in the United States, from Thailand for seven years and had been in Buddhist monastery for 28 years. How often do we get to have such an experienced person put the love and concern into our meal? It flows from the food to us. What I had was excellent. Pat is more than willing to work with you on the level of "spice" and "heat, just ask.

I will go back and try more of the dishes. The prices are moderate, my lunch included 4 items for $7.95. There are various kinds of "burgers" on the menu including and "French fries" for $2.00 with any sandwich.

Thai Vegan
5505 Osuna Rd. NE
Albuquerque, NM
(505)-884-4610

Hours as of this writing:
M-F Lunch 11AM - 2:30 PM
M-F Dinner 5:00PM - 9:00PM
SAT 11AM - 9:30PM
SUN CLOSED

I hope many people will give this new place a try to insure it's success. It is a relief from so-so Indian food in Albuquerque and is much better than most any other Thai restaurants I have tried that serve vegetarian food. I recently tried two another new Thai places, neither was nearly so good.

12 Appetizers
7 Soups
8 Salads
3 Curry ( Red, Green, Yellow )
7 Chef Specials
13 A La Carte
11 Noodles and Rice
7 Wraps
8 Burgers
5 Sides
14 Beverages ( variety of Soda as well )
5 Deserts
14 Lunch Combos $7.95 - $10.95 ( Lunch Specials are $7.95 )
16 Dinner Combos $8.95 - $10.95

Comment by Abram Tamez on August 1, 2010 at 2:22pm: This place is amazing! We've been there twice since they opened last Monday and all of the previous reviewers are right on! I've been vegan for 10 years and i have NEVER seen such a fantastic restaurant in Albuquerque! I highly recommend the Orange 'Chicken', the Yellow Curry (extra spicy), and the Ginger w/Special Chef Sauce. For dessert try the Chocolate Chip & Banana rolls!

The place is spotless, the staff is extremely friendly, and the food is SUPERB! Leave it to a devout Buddhist to bring such a fantastic restaurant into our lives. This place reminds me of a great Buddhist restaurant in Shanghai that had diverse mock meats and great sauces.

THANK YOU, THAI VEGAN!

Comment by Krista on August 2, 2010 at 11:21am: Please tell me they offer tofu? I can't get enough of fried and/or sauteed tofu especially in Thai food--we're going on Wednesday--thanks for letting us know of this awesomeness!

Comment by Karla Linden, NMT, LMT on August 2, 2010 at 11:44am: Krista - their "Golden Tofu" appetizer is triangles of tofu that is deliciously fried - YUM - I could make a meal of just that!!!!

Comment by Shaun on August 3, 2010 at 11:48am: They offer tofu and all kinds of mock meats. The mock chicken is spectacular and addictive. By the way, their curries and tom kha are drooly, too!