The Orient Thai

While most Garnet Avenue restaurants stick to fish tacos and burrito bowls, The Orient Thai quietly handles proper Thai curries, noodles, and stir-fries with seasonal produce and actual heat levels that mean something. The place doesn't look like a beach-town takeout counter—red and yellow decor that feels imported, not themed—and the kitchen treats spice levels seriously. Order level three and expect actual heat, not ketchup-adjacent "spicy."

The **red curry** and **yellow curry** both get consistent shout-outs for depth and balance, and the **pineapple fried rice** does the sweet-savory thing without turning into dessert. The **basil chicken** lands somewhere between a stir-fry and a comfort dish, heavy on Thai basil and garlic. The **pad Thai** shows up with enough tamarind and fish sauce to taste like the real thing, and you can get it with extra sauce if you're smart about it. The **orange chicken** is less traditional but still draws a crowd—just know it's not always as crispy as you'd want.

Service can lag during takeout rushes, which happen more than you'd think for a sit-down spot this size, but the staff stays attentive when they're not juggling phone orders. It's a small space—this isn't a place for birthday parties of twelve—but it handles couples, small groups, and solo lunches without issue. Outdoor seating gives you a Garnet Avenue perch if the weather's cooperating.

PB doesn't have a deep bench of Thai spots that cook with any real conviction, which makes The Orient Thai useful in a way most neighborhood restaurants aren't. It's not trying to be a scene or a destination—it's just cooking Thai food the way it's supposed to taste, five minutes from the boardwalk.