Zabb Elee

Best Thai I've had in NYC. Thai-level spicy and I'm told they only added Pad Thai to the menu after a ton of market pressure. Eaten there three times recently. Can't wait to go back. Don't miss the crispy pork dishes. Chicken Larb is wonderful. Fiery, delicious papaya salad. Only miss I've had was a whole fish that was kind of plain and underwhelming. Everything else has been brilliant.

Told us there would be a 45 minute wait. Gave them our number and went to the bar next store. Came back 45 minutes later and they had clearly given our table to someone else without calling because there were many parties of our size crossed off on the list below us.

My wife is Thai- we've been to Thailand many times. She flipped out when we first went to Zabb Elee. It's authentic and fresh. Not greasy at all. From Northern Thailand, so most dishes are unfamiliar- you'll have to be adventurous when you order. I rank it right up there with Sripraphai- as good if not better.

I lived in Thailand for several years and this is the place I go if I want authentic Thai food. Best in city.

I don't know if the previous reviewer just had a bad experience or doesn't really like Thai food. I have lived in Bangkok and this was the first Thai restaurant in New York that reminded of the little restaurants around my apartment there. I have been three times since I first ate at Zabb Elee a little over a week ago. Everything I have had has been great. I will continue to frequent this place and likely will not go to any other Thai places in the area again.

I think I have attempted to eat everything that has opened at this space in the last 5 years. Every time I hope and every time I am crushed. The previous reviewer was correct about the Vietnamese restaurant that was here being garbage. However I have to say this new Thai restaurant fares no better. Told 30 min delivery, ended up being over an hour. Food delivered cold and missing beverage. Delivery person had no change. Thought I was giving him a $16 tip since he did not have change. WTF? As for missing beverage, still missing 40 mins after repeated calls with a response of in 5 mins. Food was uninspired not because it was cold, but because it tastes dumbed down in flavor. So if you want to give it a try, best of luck. Otherwise I say avoid yet another restaurant in the jinxed space.

Fantastic - a breath of fresh air. A MUST for people who love spicy food. That about sums it up. Maybe not for the reasons you think... I love my Spice and Thai Terminal, but this is DIFFERENT. You won't find Pad Thai, or Pad See Ew here at Zabb Elee. What you'll get is an assorted variety of Isan dishes - and some that taste just as good as a home cooked meal. I've had the Kana Moo Korb (chinese broccoli and crispy pork), PukkBoong Moo korb (sauteed morning glory with crispy pork), Kra Pao Moo Korb (crispy pork and basil leaves), and Pad Ped Moo Krob (crispy pork and spicy curry). As you can see, I love my crispy pork. What I love most about Zabb Elee are: 1) Home cooked dishes are here, just like your mom would make them 2) Differentiated offering compared to most of the Thai joints around the East Village area where I'm housed 3) Portions are generous - for the price! Most Thai places charge 11-15$ an entree, here you'll get most for 9$. 4) Hello? Thai food that is open until 1 am? OH MAN. 5) MOST IMPORTANTLY: when you ask them to make it extra spicy, THEY MAKE IT EXTRA SPICY! Fresh chili slices added to many of their dishes (upon request) makes this my go to place. I order from here 3 or more times a week - just because in the last year since I've moved here I've found nothing more authentic. Nothing fancy here folks, just *authentic* Thai the way you would expect it! (And yes, this means no Pad Thai!) You can tell I'm super excited, largely because this place replaced a "Vietnamese" (read: completely Americanized joint) restaurant, ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE!