Chicken fried rice and Beef Pad Thai took over an hour to arrive after ordering. Restaurant was not busy at all, so there is no excuse. After waiting about 30 minutes, I asked the owner for an update on our order but was told they had not even begun cooking it. My friend had then already finished his dish before mine arrived. Efficiency and professionalism are really lacking here. Food itself is mediocre and honestly ruined by bad service. It was an unpleasant experience. Hope this is not the norm for the hard working customer. Please do better.

Owned by a Thai woman and her husband that is retired military. If my girlfriend shared the photos of the food, I would post them here for proof that the portions are enormous.

The beef bulgogi had a nice char, beefy flavor that one exhausts to find in any grilled dish. The sweet and sour pork dish made me want it more with each bite. The rice was so good that I went and bought a $170 Tiger Japanese Rice Cooker because I couldn’t help but want my own perfectly cooked rice at home to compare to this restaurant.

The owner is passionate about her food and her husband who runs the front is so welcoming and great for conversation.

This is a top spot for me and some of the best, affordable Asian food I’ve ever had in the states.

If you have any Asian influence in you. Thru friends family or your lover. You will understand this message. This place is run by old couple. White man “retired”. Darling amazing fiery wife who runs the kitchen and food. Why they open only 3 days a week because everything’s paid for they doing it for the love and passion that they still have from so many years and years ago from open. They tired, they don’t need to do this they could close. But they choose to go on and try to stay open a few days a week because of how delicious and amazingly savery their food is.
I’ve been to Thailand I’ve been to many Asian country and around the world. But this spot hands down my favorite pad Thai spot. Be nice be courteous the old man is a nice retired military gentlemen and he is still going! I give him props for that. Order a Singha with your food and feel an explosion of flavors

First time here and really enjoyed the experience. The food is good and large portions. Plan to take some home if you get appetizers. Drunken Noodle and Red Currie is what we got and really enjoyed trying it.

While on July 4th Vacation, We chose this place for lunch. It was not very great decision. They took forever to even serve Water and Silverware. Our order took almost more than 45 min and brought one wrong order. Food was Ok, Stir fry chicken was too salty and Basil fried rice was way too salty too and It was worst ever Basil fried rice ... It was so bad I left hungry.. Disappointed.

I had the thai Pepper Steak dish. Which was fantastic. I the appetizers were amazing & id fully recommend. Portions were perfect! Our table was seated quickly & service was quick. A note about the tasty Thai tea was that they had a free single refill! Which I've never been offered before. I highly enjoyed the Thai tea. The young waitress was fantastic to talk to & an absolute joy! I really enjoyed my visit to Thai-Esan restaurant!

Our group did dine in & had a wonderful time!

While visiting the area ordered the Pad Thai to-go. Asked for it a bit on the spicy side and this place nailed it! The food quality fresh tasting, served hot and the taste was spot on from my experience of Pad Thai. It was enough for me to eat for both dinner and lunch the following day. Customer service was friendly and welcoming while being prompt and quick. Great job, recommend if you’re in the area and looking for Pad Thai.

Let me start by saying, this place serves the absolute best tasting Thai food I have ever had in eastern NC. I live in Goldsboro and I drive an hour just to eat here. I have enjoyed 3 different Thai places in Goldsboro and in comparison the best of the 3 deserves MAYBE a 4 star rating. Thai-Esan most definitely deserves the 5 star rating. In fact I would say 6!

If your hungry, come to Thai-Esan. The portions are not going to leave you hanging. Usually with large portions you sacrifice quality... Not at Thai-Esan. This place packs the freshness in everything they make.

The Pad Kee Mao is one of my favorites. The noodles are perfectly cooked and loaded with flavor. Definitely a dish you want to try.

Now... I know this is a Thai restaurant... But I want to point out something on the menu that is worth trying.

Beef Bulgogi- Though originally a Korean dish, I have to say this restaurant nails it. In my opinion better than any other Korean restaurants I have been to. The beef is so tender and the flavor is absorbed into the meat. The portion is generous, but it is so good it is hard to have leftovers. In fact you could walk out of the restaurant overflowing with food saying your never going to eat that much again and if you were offered another plate of their bulgogi, I assure you, that without a second thought, you will be piling more into your mouth. Yes.... it's that good.

Nothing goes better with these dishes than a side of fresh Kimchi. They have the freshest tasting Kimchi I have ever had. The intense tang and spice creates explosions of flavor in your mouth. If you never had Kimchi, your missing out.

So there you have it. If you want a true taste of Asian cuisine here in Eastern NC, Thai-Esan needs be your destination. They are family owned and very engaged with their customers. And that alone makes the experience unforgettable.

*Don't forget the Thai Tea!

Owned by a Thai woman and her husband that is retired military. If my girlfriend shared the photos of the food, I would post them here for proof that the portions are enormous.

The beef bulgogi had a nice char, beefy flavor that one exhausts to find in any grilled dish. The sweet and sour pork dish made me want it more with each bite. The rice was so good that I went and bought a $170 Tiger Japanese Rice Cooker because I couldn’t help but want my own perfectly cooked rice at home to compare to this restaurant.

The owner is passionate about her food and her husband who runs the front is so welcoming and great for conversation.

This is a top spot for me and some of the best, affordable Asian food I’ve ever had in the states.

Excellent food! Small family owned business with friendly faces and good good!

Great food & service was awesome with a very friendly staff!

Man this guy boosted the food up telling me about his wife's cooking like it was the best but honestly I could have saved my 50 dollars everything in the place is high and the food was so spice the devil asked for water I don't think the old lady has it anymore if you got all night to wait on the food and you want your booty on 🔥 this is the place for you it took about 40 minutes to stir fry some rice and veggies don't let the man scare you off at the front counter just take my advice and keep it moving this is not the way

If you have any Asian influence in you. Thru friends family or your lover. You will understand this message. This place is run by old couple. White man “retired”. Darling amazing fiery wife who runs the kitchen and food. Why they open only 3 days a week because everything’s paid for they doing it for the love and passion that they still have from so many years and years ago from open. They tired, they don’t need to do this they could close. But they choose to go on and try to stay open a few days a week because of how delicious and amazingly savery their food is.
I’ve been to Thailand I’ve been to many Asian country and around the world. But this spot hands down my favorite pad Thai spot. Be nice be courteous the old man is a nice retired military gentlemen and he is still going! I give him props for that. Order a Singha with your food and feel an explosion of flavors

A simple, nondescript exterior disguises one of Spring Lake’s culinary gems. Thai-Esan’s consistence in food quality, flavour, and hospitable service make this restaurant a perennial favourite. The pronounced heat of certain dishes directly reflects the cook’s Esan origins, a region in Thailand known for its robust flavours and the liberal use of chili pepper in its dishes. Notable is the restaurant's original chicken tenders which are battered and deep-fried to crispy perfection and served with a sweet chili sauce. Also noteworthy is the green curry which incorporates Thai basil and kaffir lime leaves. Remarkable too is the chicken larb with its well-balanced sour-salty flavour and the som tam (papaya salad) redolent with fresh garlic. Entree portions are ample enough for two servings and well worth the price. Kimchi lovers should try the homemade kimchi when available. Service is unobtrusively charming in this family-run affair.

An off-the-path gem run by a very kind owner. The food was fantastic. Definitely worth a stop.

While visiting the area ordered the Pad Thai to-go. Asked for it a bit on the spicy side and this place nailed it! The food quality fresh tasting, served hot and the taste was spot on from my experience of Pad Thai. It was enough for me to eat for both dinner and lunch the following day. Customer service was friendly and welcoming while being prompt and quick. Great job, recommend if you’re in the area and looking for Pad Thai.

Chicken fried rice and Beef Pad Thai took over an hour to arrive after ordering. Restaurant was not busy at all, so there is no excuse. After waiting about 30 minutes, I asked the owner for an update on our order but was told they had not even begun cooking it. My friend had then already finished his dish before mine arrived. Efficiency and professionalism are really lacking here. Food itself is mediocre and honestly ruined by bad service. It was an unpleasant experience. Hope this is not the norm for the hard working customer. Please do better.

My husband & I used to come here a lot when we were stationed at Bragg. The owners are so down to earth, warm, and welcoming. I hope they’re doing well. Anyway I made it a point to try a different dish at every visit. The portions are huge and I love that the cuts of veggies are big too. You won’t be disappointed.

I traveled over 5 continents searching for the perfect Thai food. Twas on this day that the food gods smiled upon me and I found Thai-Esan. The food here is beyond delicious and the portions can satiate even my massive self. The staff is courteous and the owner personally came by to speak with us and was very kind and engaging. If you aren't here, get here. Seriously.

Thai Esan is the best Thai food in the Fayetteville and Spring Lake area. The owners Jim and Penny are exceptional people and the quality and authenticity of the food are simply the best. Penny is the primary cook and every meal is prepared with only the freshest meats and vegetables. The portions are huge and I guarantee you won’t leave hungry. If you want a great Thai meal, you won’t be disappointed eating at Thai Esan. They never disappoint.

The owners are amazing as well as the food they make!

Updating from my initial review four years ago... This is my favorite spot for Thai Food. I go once a week on average. Delicious, great service, fair prices.

Met some friends for dinner here - Food was great and the owners are so sweet. It’s owned by a veteran and his wife (she is Thai and does the cooking.) Service was fast and efficient. I also had my 3 year old son with me and they were very kind and kid-friendly. Definitely planning to return!

Really wonderful staff, unfortunately the food was mediocre at best.

Have eat from this place over 35yrs, management has change but the still have good dishes. I order take out maybe a couple times out the year, but I still give them a FIVE STAR RATING.

Great food, great service, and affordable prices. The owners welcome you in and they make sure your time there is great. Went during lunch and it wasn't packed but they don't rush you out like most restaurants. Parking is limited as well.

Food is incredible! And the owners are even better! Can't wait to come visit again

Fantastic meal and excellent service! Locally owned. Authentic Thai food that tasted like our last trip to Thailand. Had the satay, stir fry, pad kee mao. It was all amazing! Will be back for more.

Came here to eat with my family. We order like five different dishes and they were all so delicious, its a really nice place and it feels very welcoming. Definitely coming back !

Food is excellent demanded his wife that owns it are hard-working and very friendly people. He is a veteran which we love to give money to our veterans and support their businesses a definite must

First time here and really enjoyed the experience. The food is good and large portions. Plan to take some home if you get appetizers. Drunken Noodle and Red Currie is what we got and really enjoyed trying it.

Bedt around. Locally owned by Vet and his wife. She is from Thailand and the food is delicious. Wish they were open more often. I love tea and pad thai noodle

Although I don't live in North Carolina anymore, Thai Esan will continue to always be my favorite restaurant. I had been going to Thai Esan in Spring Lake since I was 8 (when they first opened). My dad and I even have a picture on the wall from when we first started going to Thai Esan. The owners, Pen and Jim, have always cultivated such an amazing and family-oriented atmosphere, and I miss them and Pen's food so much! I have yet to find a place here in Hawaii that comes even close to the top tier food that Thai Esan makes. If you are trying to find a good place in Fayetteville/ Fort Bragg/ Spring Lake area THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO. I promise you won't be disappointed. When I come to visit back home, this will be the first place I go :) Thanks Jim and Pen for all the memories and insanely great food. Till next time! - Anne and Chuck

Had a great lunch! My pad Thai was excellent. Will for sure be back. The chicken satay was excellent. Spring rolls were excellent. Service was excellent!

Great food!!

Delicious food!! I had the red curry with chicken and it was excellent! I will definitely be back!

My husband and I were very pleased to get the recommendation to try this delicious Thai food and plan to return. My red curry dish had layers of flavor and spice, also a very generous portion! My husband had the drunken noodle dish with the noodles tasting delicate and freshly made with a tasty sauce and good beef. Highly recommend!

Their food is amazing. I have travelled and eaten Thai food all over the country, and I have never found a better Thai restaurant than Thai-Esan. They make the best Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles that I have ever had. I eat here about every two weeks and the food is always amazing!

While on July 4th Vacation, We chose this place for lunch. It was not very great decision. They took forever to even serve Water and Silverware. Our order took almost more than 45 min and brought one wrong order. Food was Ok, Stir fry chicken was too salty and Basil fried rice was way too salty too and It was worst ever Basil fried rice ... It was so bad I left hungry.. Disappointed.

Pad thi is still the best around.

First time at this place. The owner was a really pleasant retired vet and you get some real thai food here. Would recommend!

Always fresh veggies and authentic Thai food.

Excellent authentic Thai food.

Absolutely amazing!!!!

Absolutely delicious, haven't had food with this much flavor since I left my favorita thai in Germany behind 8 years ago. Definitely a must-try!! Big plus is how sweet the owner was to me and my boys!! You won't be disappointed!

I was craving Som Tom "papaya salad" and thankfully I found this restaurant!! In addition, I also ordered the Tom Yum, and Bulgogi..this is by far the best Thai restaurant I have been to in Fayetville. The taste is to perfection and the spices are all there! Thank you to the owners with their kind hospitality. Will definetly be my go-to for anything considering Thai food

The best Thia food I ever had in my life!!!

I Absolutely love the food and the owner. You will not be disappointed.

This little hidden gem was just what I needed! The absolute best Chicken Pud See ew I have ever had! Great service

Hands down the best Thai restaurant! The level of spiciness is always on point and I appreciate this so much!! You won't be disappointed!

Food as always was amazing and the service is on a more personable level. Very friendly, accommodating and sociable. The owners are great individuals who care about their clientele. They remember you as repeat customers and more importantly there’s always football on the TV 😆 great establishment!

Food was hot and tasted great, but I thought the price was kinda high.

Amazing, fresh, flavorful food cooked to order. Their drunken noodles are amazing. You won't be disappointed!

Awesome spot. Super generous portions of amazing food. Plus the owners are so sweet and attentive to their customers. Definitely coming back

The owners are awesome as well as the waitress!! Love this

A great place to eat, great food and service.

Food was delicious. Not too bad of a wait either considering how busy they were!

First time here and there was definitely plenty of spice! The owner was extremely kind and courteous.

Great place. Food was great and only surpassed by the friendliness of the staff and owner. Had a great time talking with Jim and watching him interact with other customers. Will definitely go back next time I am in town.

Probably the best Massaman Curry I've had outside Thailand. Spice was great and flavor was even better.

Good food, but took quite a while to get it.

This small family owned business makes some of the best Thai food I've had in a long time. We will always go back here when we are in town.

Our first time trying this place. The food was excellent and some of the best Thai we’ve had in a long time! The owner (I assume) was super friendly. We will definitely be back soon.

We would definitely recommend this place. They were so friendly, honest and helpful. So, when they tell you it’s spicy, listen

Fantastic! A hidden gem. The waitress was so pleasant and helpful. Mom's food was perfect b/c she doesn't do spicy, while mine had just the right amount of heat. Portions were healthy and we definitely had enough leftovers for another meal. Prices were very reasonable

Good vegetarian options since you can choose tofu as your protein option. Huge portions. Wish they had a brown rice option.

The food was soooo good. The people are SO NICE, the lady is so so cute and they are very careful with you (make sure you like your food and doesn't need anything). I LOVE HER the cutest <333

Everything we ordered was delicious and fresh! So authentic. I WILL be back.

Didnt arrive until 2pm and the chef invited us to stay anyway. They close 2-4pm. Great food, great polite server, clean and seconds to take home from size of portions.

Always good everytime I go ! Greatly appreciate the service and the food. Never a bad day.

Let me start by saying, this place serves the absolute best tasting Thai food I have ever had in eastern NC. I live in Goldsboro and I drive an hour just to eat here. I have enjoyed 3 different Thai places in Goldsboro and in comparison the best of the 3 deserves MAYBE a 4 star rating. Thai-Esan most definitely deserves the 5 star rating. In fact I would say 6!

If your hungry, come to Thai-Esan. The portions are not going to leave you hanging. Usually with large portions you sacrifice quality... Not at Thai-Esan. This place packs the freshness in everything they make.

The Pad Kee Mao is one of my favorites. The noodles are perfectly cooked and loaded with flavor. Definitely a dish you want to try.

Now... I know this is a Thai restaurant... But I want to point out something on the menu that is worth trying.

Beef Bulgogi- Though originally a Korean dish, I have to say this restaurant nails it. In my opinion better than any other Korean restaurants I have been to. The beef is so tender and the flavor is absorbed into the meat. The portion is generous, but it is so good it is hard to have leftovers. In fact you could walk out of the restaurant overflowing with food saying your never going to eat that much again and if you were offered another plate of their bulgogi, I assure you, that without a second thought, you will be piling more into your mouth. Yes.... it's that good.

Nothing goes better with these dishes than a side of fresh Kimchi. They have the freshest tasting Kimchi I have ever had. The intense tang and spice creates explosions of flavor in your mouth. If you never had Kimchi, your missing out.

So there you have it. If you want a true taste of Asian cuisine here in Eastern NC, Thai-Esan needs be your destination. They are family owned and very engaged with their customers. And that alone makes the experience unforgettable.

*Don't forget the Thai Tea!

Ok, full disclosure, I don't know what I had. I was trying something new, but it was delicious! It had very thin noodles, beef, carrots, and broccoli.The owners were very friendly and helpful. My order was ready quickly and I know I'll be back soon... Hidden gem indeed....

One of my favorite places for thai food. I am always satisfied when i visit here

So good! This is our favorite Thai food restaurant in the area! The portions are great and the food is phenomenal. The owner is a veteran and has some cool stories to tell. The decor is a bit dated but love the military memorabilia. Also love that it is a family business from the owner to his wife, son, and dil. The only complaint I would have is that we have tried to order 1 -1 1/2 hours before closing and have been told the kitchen is closed or they are closed early due to slow business. Which I understand bc of this post Covid world but it is still sad when we want some Thai food haha

Food is good, and staff is very friendly.

Yummy food. Reasonable prices. Excellent service. Friendly staff. Generous portions. What more could you ask for?

I barely write google reviews, but this time I must. We rushed for a place to eat after visiting Fort Bragg and found this gem. The place was very delightful and the service was beyond expected. They would make sure that you knew you were getting if you were a first timer or new to Thai cuisine. The food was terrific. We ordered a quite lot of food and did not expect each portion to be kind of big. This would be a perfect place for family dining. From my experience, this is what we would call “authentic [Thai] food. From the texture, the taste, and the time taken to get the food ready, we were pretty sure that the cooks in the back did put time into cooking from scratch which gives us the “home-cooked meals” kind of vibe. Definitely come back again next time we are in town. Highly recommended!

I was staying at the hotel next door, and walked over for dinner. The place was delightful! Wonderful, friendly service and generous portions made my evening... and made tomorrow's lunch, too! I rushed back to my room to give them a maximum review. I would not hesitate to see them again when I am next in town.

A fantastic Thai restaurant. The owners work the business and care about the customers. Great folks and great food.

The place is quaint. Older decor. Very nice people. The food portions are huge and the menu options are very high!!! I ordered the mild and to me it could have been spicier. The flavors were decent.

Love this place. Jim and his wife are great people. Just be careful, my mild and her mild are way off. If you like spicey, be prepared. Great food. 👍

We go here at least 2 times a month, the food is very good!!! Owners n staff very pleasant 😊

I had the thai Pepper Steak dish. Which was fantastic. I the appetizers were amazing & id fully recommend. Portions were perfect! Our table was seated quickly & service was quick. A note about the tasty Thai tea was that they had a free single refill! Which I've never been offered before. I highly enjoyed the Thai tea. The young waitress was fantastic to talk to & an absolute joy! I really enjoyed my visit to Thai-Esan restaurant!

Our group did dine in & had a wonderful time!

Called multiple times to order on a Saturday, never answered any calls, very disappointed as it said they were open. I looked everywhere and there was no sign of them being closed for any reason.

Cleaning dining environment with warm and friendly service. Delicious Thai food cooked in family style. Big serving portion and rich flavors. Also, owner is a veteran, his wife is the chef.

I ordered red curry (mild-medium) and sweet sticky rice with mango for takeout today. I have tried red curry at several Thai restaurants, and am delighted to say that this one is my favorite. I love bamboo shoots and zucchini in my red curry, and Thai-esan delivered deliciously. The sweet sticky rice was also nice. I will definitely order from here again.

The food here is pretty good. The prices aren't bad either. The only knock is that it takes an eternity to get your food, so bring an extra bag of patience with you. The people working are pleasant and the setting is relaxed. I would give it a 5 if not for the amount of time we waited for our food.

The food was as good as I've ever had and the family who owns the restaurant were extremely friendly - very personable.

Very authentic Thai food!

Fantastic, fresh, authentic, and affordable Thai food! Not only was the food spot on, but the owners and wait staff were delightful. We highly recommend this restaurant!

Was amazing when I was a child and still amazing as an adult!! <3

EXELLENT SERVICE,EXELLENT FOOD!!!

My husband and I love the authentic Thai food here! It is made fresh and to order... you choose your level of spiciness... and always piping hot. We love all the dishes, but the chicken or tofu green curry is our favorite. We always have enough for two meals. Whatever you order, I guarantee it will be absolutely perfect. The owners care about their customers and the food they are serving to them.

Food was mouthwatering and reasonably priced. But the amount of food was way more than I can eat in 3 sittings. Staff very friendly. The cook, is very picky. She insists on making it right. She's awesome!! Remember to have patience, evything is cooked to order. Really worth the wait.

Customer service was great. Very personal...and food was amazing!!

Great variety of dishes and appetizers. Deliciously made and giant proportions. The staff was professional and veteran owned.

This restaurant is freaking awesome.

I don't think anything else needs to really be said but let me tell you why anyway.

Jim & his wife run the place and all food is cooked fresh to order.

All spice is done on Thai scale so if you aren't a spice person I highly recommend doing the mild. I think it's just the right amount.

When you come here, expect to sit and wait and spend some time relaxing. Order any of the appetizers while you wait, they are all amazing.

I have tried most of the dishes here now (like I said, really good food) and every single one was outstanding.

Like I said, really freaking awesome.

Great customer service and food! We really enjoyed ourselves here!

This place was disgusting. Our food was all cooked in some sort of fish oil and smelled awful. It was expensive and we didn’t eat anything.

Super delicious Thai food!!

Hands down the BEST DAMN THAI RESTAURANT IN THE STATE of NC

Good food and amazing service! The people here were very nice and talked to us a lot. The food took a while to come, but it was totally worth it. The owners are very nice.

Great food! Friendly service. Good prices. Worth the trip from Lumberton.

Owners were very nice. All of the meals are handmade fresh unlike many places. Its definitely worth the wait! Best Pad woon sen we've had and we've tried it in NJ, AZ, TX and now NC so that says ALOT!

This place has been a staple for myself and friends for awhile. I love it . She never disappoints.

Great Thai food!

Amazing food and friendly staff.

The food here is amazing and the hospitality is the best in town! Every time I visit this restaurant I am blown away!

The food and service is authentic and awesome.

We had the Pad Thai and the Drunken Noodles. Both you very good. They make each dish to your own spice heat leave. Servers very helpful.

Very friendly people

Expensive, slow service and lots of food.

This is absolutely one of my favorite places to go dine in. Not only because they serve authentic dishes but because it is also owned by a small business owner. The owner is always friendly and great with customers!

this place literally ruined our night. my husband called at 6:20, had to pay over the phone, and was told 40 minutes for pick up. he got there at 7:10 (50 minutes after calling) and was told it would be another 15 minutes. He asked the status of our food at 7:42 and was told they had no idea about it and he was refunded. An entire HOUR and TWENTY MINUTES after ordering and sitting in there for THRITY MINUTES just to have to ask about our food and have no answer!?

Stopped in at random because they were the only place around open for dine-in and it was really nice

Good food, sit down place to eat.

My boyfriend and I have regularly eaten at Thai-Esan to curb our thai cravings. We were dazzled by the flavor and authenticity of the food. However, each visit has made us less inclined to go back. Although it is novel that one of the owners is the primary chef, it also means that wait times for food are at least an hour, even on nights that don't seem busy. There have been several pick up orders where we arrived during the estimated time, and have had to wait an additional 30-45 mins. Usually the wait times don't deter us since we know we have to wait. My most recent visit with my parents was the determining factor in my decision to not return to this restaurant. We were the only table in the restaurant at the time, and our waitress was very bubbly. She was friendly, but would visit our table and serve us our food without a mask on. In the beginning, she would attempt to put her mask on as she walked over to our table, but by the end of our visit it seemed she gave up on trying altogether. Next, my mom ordered shrimp pad thai, and requested the spice level to be 1 or mild. My mom is unable to eat spicy food and has allergic reactions to spice which causes her throat to swell up. The pad thai we received was nowhere near a 1, and was incredibly spicy compared to the other mild dishes we received. When we told this to the waitress, she reiterated that it was the lowest level of spice and that they were far too busy to make another dish, but they could add coconut milk to cut the heat. This really upset my table as my mom could not physically eat this meal, and adding coconut milk was not going to solve the issue. The last issue of this visit was our beef pad see-ew. My boyfriend and I regularly order this dish and we know exactly how it tastes at this restaurant, and at other thai restaurants. It was the last dish to arrive at our table, long after the others, and it did not taste right, at all. My first thought when I ate the beef was that it tasted dirty. The noodles and sauce were fine, but the meat had a very acrid taste and smell that was not normally present in the dish. My boyfriend confirmed that the meat tasted as if it was tainted. No one in my party ate the dish afterwards. Thankfully our drunken noodles and bulgogi were edible. When we told our waitress about our dishes she responded that she was sorry, but that as a restaurant they were "crazy busy and 17 orders were just put in". I'm sorry but I don't care how many orders have just been put in, and I understand that restaurants get busy, especially with one cook, but that is not a response I expect an employee to give to a customer who has had a negative experience at their restaurant. At the register we mentioned to the owner that our beef pad see-ew did not taste right, and his response was "huh, I just ate that, and mine was fine". Again, another off putting comment that disregarded our experience. At least our pad thai was reimbursed. Ultimately we won't be back, but we enjoyed the limited positive experiences we had.

Family owned and operated. The best Thai food in Cumberland County.

This is the best thai food that ever had and my favorite place to go definitely recommended it the staff are very helpful and great service and great food

I paid $9 for four unbreaded and bland wingettes. I took one bite and threw them in the trash. A complete waste of money.

Delicious food and extremely friendly service. I would definitely recommend that they add prices of meat additions to dishes in the menu though

Pretty good and delicious. Reminds me of my mother's cooking. Loved how the owner comes and talked to you. Makes you feel welcome. I would give a 5⭐ if only my sticky rice was not so mushy, but would definitely come again.
I ordered the Nam Tok with sticky rice and green curry with jasmine rice

I usually place a to go order or Friday’s after work. Great food and service.

Sometimes there is a wait, because I called late and have to wait my turn. I use that time to sit at the bar and get to know the staff.

I don’t cook, so I look forward to my Friday night treat each week!!!!!

I’ve come here several times over the past couple years after finally trying it. Wish I’d stopped by sooner. The owners and staff are so nice and attentive. The food is absolutely amazing. Everything is made fresh when you order it. Nothing is under a heat lamp at this place. My favorite of course are the spring rolls. I’ve eaten them as a meal on several occasions. Drunken Noodles and Bulgogi are our current favorites. If you can’t do spice, go mild or you’ll be sweating. Great food, great people clean restaurant. I don’t care if I have to wait a little bit longer. The food is totally worth it.

Quality food!! Portion sizes are more than enough. The time, preparation and quality of the food is soooooo worth it. Ms. P is an extraordinary cook and prepares everything. You will not be disappointed.

Amazing..from start to finish. Authentic and fresh. Not your run of the mill “10 minutes” call in order place. It may take a little time. If you want fast, go to 500,000 item buffet on McPherson Church Rd. You can be eating that garbage in 3 minutes from the time you park your car to the time you bring the first chopstick to your mouth.

Food was ok. Drink service was ok. The wait for food was way too long over a hour with no one else in here.

The owners are the nicest people. Jim is so sweet, funny, and very attentive. The food (cooked fresh by his wife Pennapa) was amazing! The best drunken noodles I've ever had! We will be returning customers!

Absolutely fantastic. Came here with a party of 9, 4 Adults and 5 kids. Friends of ours have been coming here for years and wanted us to try it....glad we did. Everything we ordered came out as requested and was really good. Photos added but can't remember what we ordered......lol. Definitely recommend and we will be back.
Mr. Jim is the best. Just wanted to put that out there.

Delicious

love it! Great service, great food, great atmosphere. Try the lunch buffet!

This was my favorite place for years. I would come to the lunch buffet several times a year and if I ordered take out thai food this place was my go to. Over the years I have liked the place less and less. Not because of the food quality, but because of little things that would happen. Once the male owner talked to me about people who he had told may never return to the restuarant, including one person who he felt binged and purged at his restaurant buffet. He claimed he told her he could not afford to have her return. I wasnt a fan of that conversation. I felt like he wanted me to engage in making fun of this customer with him and every thing about the conversation made me uncomfortable. Another time I went to eat with my kids and wanted to get the appetizer sampler and select chicken tenders twice, and spring rolls as the third item. The waitress returned and said I had to choose three different things. It really didnt make any sense to me, as almost all of the appetizers I was suggested to try instead cost very similar prices. I didnt understand why selecting one item that is 7.95, a different item that was 7.95, and a third item that was 7.50 is any different than selecting two of the same items that are 7.95 and a third item that was 7.50. I couldnt understand why it was a big deal to choose 3 separate items, vs 2 and 1, so I questioned that. While I questioned I could hear the female owner yelling from the kitchen about my choices. I could not make out her words, but it was not a happy tone. That day I chose to leave without ordering and decided I would not return. Despite that choice a strong craving for my favorite thai food lead me back a few more times. The last time I ordered from Thai-Esan everyone was friendly. However, I ended up waiting about 30 minutes after I had arrived for my food. Now mind you I had been told it would take about 40 minutes and so I WAITED 40 minutes before getting there. That means it took about 70 minutes to make my food? The staff was a bit apologetic, but not really. It was more of "well good food takes a while to make and we want to get it right". That's fine, but it would have been nice to know an accurate estimate. I honestly wouldn't have chosen to order there and I'm sure that is why I was not given the accurate estimate. Sometimes in life you have the time to wait an hour for good food that you love and other times you do not. This was not the first time I've been told an inaccurate wait time at this restaurant (although other times were only 10-20minutes off, so not nearly as inconvenient). I truly appreciated the good meals here and maybe one day it will be worth it to go back. I honestly hope the owners read this and make some adjustments, because the food really is excellent! The reviews regarding the spice level are true, select at least one level lower than you normally would or your mouth will be on fire. I love spice and the medium is too much for me here at times.

MORE PEOPLE NEED TO COME TO THIS RESTAURANT. It's an amazing place to get your food from, locally owned and ran, and they treat everyone like family. Seriously if you like Thai Food you need to drop in.

They are the sweetest people and the food is great

My first time eating Thai food and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! Highly recommend their shrimp in the blanket !

The buffet and regular menu food items served at this restaurant are 5/5 stars. I don’t find myself out in the spring lake area often... but when I do it’s Thai-Esan all day everyday.

We have been wanting to try this place for quite a while. We are so glad we did. We ordered off the menu although the buffet looked wonderful. The food was AMAZING! It was authentic, flavorful, fresh and made-to-order. The owner was personable and kind. The atmosphere was very cozy and pleasant. We definitely found our new go-to restaurant!

Nice setup with TV's buffet on certain days ... the food was great

Really nice food good prices tally friendly staff

The food was hot, fresh and spicy. You must try it.

Great authentic Thai food. The portions are more than enough. The owners are wonderful and just as nice and accommodating as can be. I will definitely be back!

Take out is very slow. Love this place truly do. Been eating here almost a decade. The owner is great. The food is great. Take out will take 45 minutes no matter what they say. Plan for 45 minutes for all orders even on weekdays.

I’m no expert, but I’ve eaten Thai all over the world, and the Masaman is probably some of the best curry I’ve ever had.

Love this Place!Great people and great food. I miss Mr. Jim... I haven't been in in awhile due to illness. Sure do miss my favorite Dish!wish you have delivery!

Love this place very friendly Owner and food is out of this world. If I could go here every day I would. Very large portions at this place also.

What a lovely and fantastic restaurant! My husband and I came here for the first time and we were not disappointed! The food is fresh, hot, authentic, and homemade. The owners are always on-site! Wife makes all the food from scratch and it sure is delicious. Husband is a kind personable man. The service is great and everyone is so friendly! I highly recommend Thai Esan!

I have never been disappointed with the food here. I'm usually not a buffet person but theirs is very well done. I've been to Thailand a few times and I still prefer the Pad Thai dish here. The owner is also very friendly to us.

We love the food, the atmosphere, the food.
The owner (wife) makes authentic Thai food and just the way we like it every time. The Chicken tenders & sauce is yum yum! The drunken noodles oh my my and the portions size you are not leaving hungry but most likely with lunch for the next day.
Jim (husband) is always there to make sure everyone is happy. Their servers provides quality service.
We have tried many Thai restaurant and they are #1. We have no problem driving 35 minutes to Thai Esan.

The food was amazing and the staff are wonderful!

The green curry was amazing. Very clean environment. AMAZING service. Terrific food and portion sizes. It would be nice to see some more vegan options though for my friend XD

Best Thai food I've ever eaten in my life and the portion sizes are gargantuan. Wonderful service.

The best Thai Food! Exceptional service!!!

The best Thai food in Cumberland County hands down. The owners Miss Pen and Jim are amazing and very welcoming.

They doubted my ability to handle thai hot! Was pretty good but expect to be there a while.

The best Pad Thai I have ever tasted! So good in fact, that I can no longer enjoy Pad Thai anywhere else. It is the kind of good that you make yourself miserable because you don't want to stop eating it. The portion sizes are impeccable. I get just as full the next day. I'm in love.

Love this place. Great buffet and menu as well.

Food was excellent. Portions were large and staff was helpful and friendly

Soooooo delicious!!!! I had never eaten Thai food until my friend took me here and I absolutely love it!!

Best green curry I've ever had, and the spice was perfect. Owners are very friendly and care about your experience as the customer.

So so good. Not a fancy place but delicious. So delicious. The owner was very friendly and chatted with us a while. Super hospitable. I plan on going back next time I'm in town

Excellent food and even better service.

If your looking for a Thai buffet, you won’t be to disappointed by coming to this one. Not like others that have mix of Asian foods on it. Not to far from
Bragg so makes a great lunch stop