Off of bustling Erie Boulevard is Erawan Thai, a restaurant that serves traditional Thai food at amazing prices. The restaurant is in an old white building that is crowded with plants and miniature fountains—there’s no reason to stop into Erawan unless you’ve caught wind of its reputation for delicious food. There’s a huge array of meat, veggie, and tofu dishes to choose from, and every dish during the lunch hours comes with an egg roll. The serving sizes are huge, and each entrée is anywhere from $7 to $12— perfect for an enormous meal on a college budget.
I ordered the Tofu Pad Kra Pow, which is stir-fried vegetables and tofu, and my roommate had the Pad Thai with chicken. My dish was never-ending. It seemed like I couldn’t put a dent in it even after eating for a while (not that I was complaining). It also came with a spring roll filled with crunchy vegetables and a light peanut sauce, which was like a tiny salad all wrapped up. My roommate’s plate held a huge pile of steaming noodles that looked absolutely delicious. We ate so much and still had leftovers. It’s safe to say at Erawan you’re pretty much guaranteed leftovers for the next day.
The place was moderately busy during lunchtime, but the noise level was still pretty low. People were in and out to get takeout or to sit down and eat, but it didn’t feel crowded at all. The restaurant is bigger than you would expect on the inside and can seat many people comfortably. Its atmosphere gives one of those rare blends of feeling at home and feeling like you’re in another country. The fountains and plants around the restaurant give it a unique earthy feel, but the lacy curtains make you feel like you’re in someone’s house. Erawan is a great place for a low-key lunch on a lazy day, or a well-deserved meal after a rough week. The best part is that it’s only a short drive from campus—and worth the trip.
If you go:
Erawan Thai
2724 Erie Boulevard, East Syracuse, NY; (315) 445-8152
Type of food: Thai
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Sit down/Take-out/Both: Both
Cost: $
Alcohol: Beer and wine only
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