I’ve been to Mekong Thai at least half a dozen times over the years, but today I decided to check it out to see whether anything has changed. Well, it hasn’t. The dishes are still the same. The decor and furniture are the original. The interior is dark and dingy, and perhaps a little bit dirty. The only thing that really has changed over the years are the menu prices.

Mekong Thai is located on the corner of Hindley Street and Blyth Street, and offers all your traditional Thai dishes. They have a range of lunch specials for under $9 which represents really good value. The service is fast and efficient, and the atmosphere relaxed, which makes it a great place for a quick lunch.

Today, I ordered the Pad Thai. The food arrived 10 minutes after ordering and all meals arrived at the same time. The servings were quite generous even though the plates used were smaller than other places.

The Pad Thai was good. The dish was dry and light bodied, with a fresh, complex, balanced flavour. The noodles weren’t too oily and were more brownish than reddish in colour. The chicken was dry and overcooked. They were really conservative with the vegetables, particularly with the bean sprouts. I’m used to the crunchiness that you normally get with each bite. I also felt there was too much noodles and not enough chicken or vegetables.

There are several Thai restaurants down Hindley Street and this one sits somewhere in the middle. It’s slightly cheaper than it’s competitors, but it should be because of the original surroundings. Not the best Thai I’ve ever had, but also not the worst. Great place for a quick and cheap lunch.

WHERE: 68 Hindley St, Adelaide