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Jul 22, 2023

Tong's Thai has a panang curry lunch special for $10

Panang curry lunch special from Tong's Thai. We know San Antonio loves a deal,

Panang curry lunch special from Tong's Thai.

We know San Antonio loves a deal, especially when it comes to good eats! $10 Taste is a series from MySA where we look for the most affordable and tasty meals across San Antonio that are 10 dollars or less.

Tong's has a special place in my food-obsessed heart. It's the restaurant where I tried Thai food and boba tea for the first time, and it's one of the last places I ate at before going off to college. But as much as Tong's has been a part of my life, and the lives of many San Antonians, I have never had lunch there.

It's always seemed like a special occasion restaurant, so I was amazed when I learned that the Austin Highway staple offers an entire menu of lunch specials. The best part? They're all priced at around $9.99, making one of these dishes eligible for my $10 Taste series. Of course, I need no excuse to visit Tong's Thai, but it's fun to say it's for research.

Exterior of Tong's Thai.

Arriving at Tong's Thai, you'll notice the tall palm trees, the neon signs, and the covered patio garden with its relaxing al fresco atmosphere. Enter inside, and you're met with a multi-hued restaurant teeming with eclectic decor that meets Thai culture with a modern sensibility. In other words, it's very cool.

During my last visit, a host sat me inside toward the back, where sunlight beams inside a lavender dining room accented by racks of wine and the occasional plant. The regular menu is accessible by a QR code at the table, but I was in there for one of the lunch specials, which appear on a physical laminated menu. When I requested to see the specials, the server obliged gladly.

I looked my options up and down. There's pad thai, fried rice, numerous veggie options, and even some Chinese dishes, but my eyes kept coming back to the panang curry. Where else in town can I get a tasty Thai curry with chicken for $9.99? Plus, it comes with a soup, rice, and a spring roll. I knew I had to go for it.

Interior at Tong's Thai.

My server asked me if I was okay with spicy. Without hesitating, I said yes, and she was off to put in my order. Then I remembered the time I ordered a dish from Tong's and bravely asked for the highest heat level. Needless to say, my body has never forgiven me (but it was totally worth it). Surely, there was no way this panang curry would be as severe... Right? An egg drop soup arrived as a welcome distraction, and all I could think about was the warm eggy broth before me.

My main course came, and I was quickly drawn to the heart-shaped helping of white rice on the plate, an adorable presentation that put my mind at ease. The curry was fragrant and hot, an invitation to all my senses. Any hesitations I had about spice were pushed aside as I began scooping spoonfuls of curry, chicken, and rice into my mouth. I felt as though I was in a movie montage, where my life was flashing before me beautifully with each flavorful bite.

Panang curry lunch special at Tong's Thai.

Was it spicy? Yes, of course, but the overall flavor was well-balanced, with hints of sweet, salty, and tangy. Would I order the panang curry exactly the same way again and again? Absolutely! I might even splurge and try it with shrimp next time.

Tong's Thai can do no wrong, at least, not in my eyes. Like every meal I've had at the restaurant, this one was worth it, especially since my total after tax was only $10.80. The service was quick and friendly, as always, and I was able to pay easily using my phone. Now that I fully understand the appeal of stopping here for lunch, don't be surprised if you see me at Tong's on my midday work break, trying out the rest of the specials.

Find it: 1146 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78209