[Trayderjoe]

I returned to Thai Ruby (as a follow-up to my September posting) to try their Red Curry, and to compare their "medium spice" to "hot spice" levels. Unfortunately, I was disappointed during this visit. Perhaps my expectations based upon my last visit were a little too high, but as I always prefer, you should judge for yourself.

The service was excellent once again, the different courses served so that the current course could be finished before the next course was brought out, and drinks were refilled without any wait.

I ordered and enjoyed the Thai Iced tea again. The Tom Kha Gai soup was re-ordered, but this time requesting it be "hot". My disappointment starts here. The soup that was brought out was tepid, at best, and amazingly, blander than the original "medium spice" level soup of my previous visit. The soup seemed flat, and my impression was that it was perhaps a little too water heavy. The hostess came by the table, and I commented that the soup was barely warm and not spicy at all. She removed the soup and returned it a few minutes later. The soup was definitely hot temperature wise, and the surface coated with chili oil. Based upon previous experiences, I asked the server if what was brought back out was "hot" or "Thai hot" and was told it was served at the "hot" spice level. I did this because I have never experienced such a difference between "medium" and "hot" spice levels within a single restaurant. Fortunately, what was served to me was at my heat tolerance level. I will be kind and suggest that there is an inconsistency in how the spices are introduced to the dishes.

The Red Curry was brought out and once again, at my heat tolerance level. The flavor of the curry was fine, but there is no depth of flavor in either the curry or the soup.

I finished my meal by trying the Thai Ruby Ice Cream dessert. I would not get this dessert again. The Crunchy Banana Coins, four total, were mushy, and the fried coating left an aftertaste of which I did not enjoy. The honey and sesame seeds did nothing for the ice cream for me, other than distracting from the flavor of the ice cream. Given that the Banana Coin addition to the ice cream is an exact match to the separate Banana Coin dessert, I would skip that dessert as well. I prefer the coconut ice cream on its own, and that is how I will order it in the future.

In summary, what I learned was that the taste of the Tom Gha Kai soup (when not flat) and the Red Curry were good (not great). The taste of the food is NOT enhanced by the level of heat, as the use of the chili oil only makes the food hotter, there is nothing in the preparation that adds to the flavor of the dishes. Thai Ruby is a perfect example that just because food is spicy, it does not necessarily make it good.

My recommendation is to order the medium spice level and ask for the chili oils to be brought to the table if you just want heat in the food. You can adjust the heat level yourself, but note the food does not have a different flavor profile, it just has more heat.

I will go back again as they serve passable Thai, if I do not feel like traveling to get it.

[tophcfa]

After giving up on the place because of totally bland food, we tried it again based on the OP’s September review. We got takeout after attending the Halloween festivities in LSL and were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn’t call it outstanding, but it was good enough to put back in our rotation of dining options. Thanks for the review.

[Taltarzac725]

We love Thai Ruby I cannot handle spicy food so avoid it. The spicy food I mean. My younger brother would order the hottest stuff at Thai Ruby they had, and I recall he was satisfied.

[JD Tremor]

I've found the key to Thai establishments is telling them "Thai Spicy" and making sure they know you can't be intimidated... LOL Love Thai food and the burn the next day LOL

[ThirdOfFive]

Thai Ruby serves up what can best be labeled a totally Americanized "Thai" cuisine. People who have had experience with the real thing can spot the difference immediately. People who have never had the real thing and who have only had the bland Americanized versions seem to like it, but for the most part is is not really Thai.

It is a smart decision by Thai Ruby. They know their customer base.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Thai Ruby serves up what can best be labeled a totally Americanized "Thai" cuisine. People who have had experience with the real thing can spot the difference immediately. People who have never had the real thing and who have only had the bland Americanized versions seem to like it, but for the most part is is not really Thai.

It is a smart decision by Thai Ruby. They know their customer base.

I talked a lot with a dog owner who teached English and German to Chinese students in various regions of China and he was telling me what Chinese eat in various regions and I did not think I could eat any of those items much less use their hole in the floor toilets.


It is probably smart for restaurants in the United States to not serve authentic foods from their home countries.

[Howdy]

Having been to Thailand many times Thai Ruby is not real Thai food. I have tried now 3 times & given up.
Nothing personal, they are very nice people, very nice. But hey it's a " Thai " restaurant and ..........

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I talked a lot with a dog owner who teached English and German to Chinese students in various regions of China and he was telling me what Chinese eat in various regions and I did not think I could eat any of those items much less use their hole in the floor toilets.


It is probably smart for restaurants in the United States to not serve authentic foods from their home countries.

Lol. That hole in the floor does take some getting used to. You learn right quick to bring along your own toilet paper. The traditional SE
Asian biffies, such as at the various fairs, bazaars, etc. don't supply it: you "wipe" with your hand using the water that is in a bucket by the hole or sometimes running (very slowly) in a trough that runs along the front of the stalls. Quick hint: try for the "hole" as far upstream as you can get. I've also found that it takes a few tries to get the aim right. Best to use places like 7-11 notwithstanding that their "facilities" are sometimes open-air.

A lot of the traditional foods (I'm not familiar with Chinese though SE Asia has similarities) are not only adjustable to American tastes but cannot be purchased in America if prepared in the traditional manner. Good example from Thailand is Sagrog Neua, a sausage of meat (mine had pork), rice, and seasonings. the filling is mixed, then stuffed into casings in the morning and then left out in the sun for a day, sometimes more, to ferment. My wife's aunt boiled it for a bit and then fried it before serving. Amazingly good! I also enjoy street food but best to get it before noon and make sure the little girl with the fan is doing her job keeping the flies away.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Lol. That hole in the floor does take some getting used to. You learn right quick to bring along your own toilet paper. The traditional SE
Asian biffies, such as at the various fairs, bazaars, etc. don't supply it: you "wipe" with your hand using the water that is in a bucket by the hole or sometimes running (very slowly) in a trough that runs along the front of the stalls. Quick hint: try for the "hole" as far upstream as you can get. I've also found that it takes a few tries to get the aim right. Best to use places like 7-11 notwithstanding that their "facilities" are sometimes open-air.

A lot of the traditional foods (I'm not familiar with Chinese though SE Asia has similarities) are not only adjustable to American tastes but cannot be purchased in America if prepared in the traditional manner. Good example from Thailand is Sagrog Neua, a sausage of meat (mine had pork), rice, and seasonings. the filling is mixed, then stuffed into casings in the morning and then left out in the sun for a day, sometimes more, to ferment. My wife's aunt boiled it for a bit and then fried it before serving. Amazingly good! I also enjoy street food but best to get it before noon and make sure the little girl with the fan is doing her job keeping the flies away.

Some of the stuff the German professor was offered to eat was still alive.

[Kamaaina]

I've been to Thailand many times on business trips and taken Thai cooking classes in Chaing Mai. I learned to make Green Curry with chicken, my favorite Thai dish, and I was able to walk to Thai restaurants where I lived in Hawaii. I tried the green curry at Thai Ruby and was so disappointed. The green curry did not have the right ingredients. It did not have the Asian eggplant and Thai sweet basil were missing and the kaffir lime leaves were not used in the curry sauce. I've tried to find these ingredients in stores in the area and not found them here, so, I don't blame Thai Ruby for not using ingredients that aren't available.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Kamaaina

I've been to Thailand many times on business trips and taken Thai cooking classes in Chaing Mai. I learned to make Green Curry with chicken, my favorite Thai dish, and I was able to walk to Thai restaurants where I lived in Hawaii. I tried the green curry at Thai Ruby and was so disappointed. The green curry did not have the right ingredients. It did not have the Asian eggplant and Thai sweet basil were missing and the kaffir lime leaves were not used in the curry sauce. I've tried to find these ingredients in stores in the area and not found them here, so, I don't blame Thai Ruby for not using ingredients that aren't available.

Yeah, a lot of the traditional ingredients are not available here. though most can be found in the Asian markets around Orlando and Tampa. I grow most of the ones my wife uses in our patio garden.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Some of the stuff the German professor was offered to eat was still alive.

Ouch! Thai people (according to my wife) do not eat critters that are trying to crawl away, though raw is not uncommon.

[charlie1]

I never probably ate true Thai food but I have gone to many Thai restaurants in the states. I almost always get Pad Thai with the middle of the row spice level (hot at Thai Ruby). I find Thai Ruby as good or better than most based on my experience with this one menu item!

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by charlie1

I never probably ate true Thai food but I have gone to many Thai restaurants in the states. I almost always get Pad Thai with the middle of the row spice level (hot at Thai Ruby). I find Thai Ruby as good or better than most based on my experience with this one menu item!

Since you enjoy that food that's nice. Again as I mentioned in an earlier post it is not Thai food not even remotely close to it.

It's basically spicy food. Try Indian food, there is a restaurant in (Summerfield) " Bombay Bistro on CR441/27 close to Walmart. Just a suggestion.

[LenoxHillLil]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I talked a lot with a dog owner who teached English and German to Chinese students in various regions of China and he was telling me what Chinese eat in various regions and I did not think I could eat any of those items much less use their hole in the floor toilets.

It is probably smart for restaurants in the United States to not serve authentic foods from their home countries.

Jessie Watters just last week explained that most chinese don't even own shoes so expecting them to have flush toilets is naieve. The average chinese person is alloted 2 bowls of rice per day by the CCP plus some odd vegetables if they tow the party line.