Take a Break From the Kitchen with Pad Thai in Clovis

If you’re looking for a delicious break from home cooking, head out to Pad Thai in Clovis. It’s named after the popular Thai dish, and with good reason. Their pad thai is amazing and full of flavor, plus it’ll keep you out of your hot kitchen during these 100-degree days.

The Restaurant

Pad Thai is located at 198 W. Shaw Ave. at Minnewawa. Outside, it’s painted a bright, friendly orange. Inside, I’m always impressed with the friendly service and clean bathrooms. Once, someone told me that you should always judge a restaurant by how clean the bathroom is. This has been a stressful piece of advice from time to time, but I can tell you that Pad Thai has very nice bathrooms and WHY AM I STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS. Anywho.

The Menu

I used to think I hated Thai food because I am opposed to coconuts. I tried it and ordered something very coconut-y and I wrote off Thai food entirely. Then, eight years later, I tried it again. Here’s the thing: I am now completely obsessed with Thai food because it is amazing and wonderful. It’s like I wasted eight years of my life protesting coconuts.

Pad Thai’s menu has a wide variety of options for both lunch and dinner. There are a number of appetizers to choose from, as well as fresh salads, noodle dishes, chicken, beef or seafood meals, and even a selection of curries. My problem is, I am so obsessed with the Drunken Beef Noodles and the Chicken Pad Thai, I never order anything else. The portions are so huge, I can’t even make room for an egg roll appetizer, but I’m told they’re delicious.

What is Pad Thai?

Pad thai is a dish of rice noodles and various sauces, with bean sprouts, often topped with crushed peanuts. It’s a dish with sweet, spicy, and savory flavors all in one, so it’s bound to satisfy your taste buds. I always order mine with chicken.

Why Are My Noodles Drunk?

Drunken Noodles (or, Pad Kee Mao) is my other go-to Thai dish. First of all, no one’s entirely sure why they are drunk—there’s no alcohol in them. It doesn’t matter, though, because they are delicious. Another noodle dish, this time with broad rice noodles, I like mine with beef and a little kick.

In addition to my two noodle loves, I also add sticky rice. It is not only yummy, it comes in a cute little woven container. Maybe it’s the sticky rice’s fault that I can’t order more than two dishes without getting full. Although I often take home large quantities of Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao, I never have leftover sticky rice.

How to Get Some Pad Thai Grub

If you’re looking to stay cool and eat well this summer, Pad Thai is your place. It’s open seven days a week, but closes between lunch and dinner service during the week. On Saturdays, they’re open from noon to 10 p.m. and on Sundays, they’re open for dinner only.

You can make reservations by calling (559) 324-1235. It’s usually a busy place, so if you’re on a schedule it’s a good idea to have a reservation. Alternatively, you can order for pick up on their website here.

I’ve already confessed to being loyal to my two noodle dishes, but I want to know what I’m missing out on. What’s your favorite Thai dish? Drop it in the comments so I can take it for a test run next time I get Thai.