Playground Thai: A Flavorful Adventure (with a Side of Spice) Disclaimer: This review is based on personal experience and may not reflect everyone's opinion. If you're looking for a taste of Thailand in the heart of Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. Playground Thai is a must-visit. This quaint restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a romantic date or a casual night out. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Playground Thai with my date, who thought he could handle any level of spice. Boy, was he in for a surprise! We were both impressed by the quality of the food. I ordered a pad see ew, which was delicious and savory, with fresh vegetables and perfectly cooked noodles. I asked for it without Chinese broccoli, and the kitchen was happy to accommodate. My date, on the other hand, ordered a dish that I can't quite recall (I have pictures to reference). The waiter warned him that it was spicier than most people anticipate, but he thought he could handle it. When our food arrived, it was clear that the waiter wasn't kidding. My date's dish was so spicy that he could barely eat it. I tried a small piece and could barely handle the heat, as I am particularly sensitive to spicy food. My date tried his best to soldier through the spicy dish, but it was clear that he was struggling. He was sweating profusely and his face was turning red. I couldn't help but laugh at his predicament, but I also felt bad for him. Despite the spice, the food was undeniably delicious. The flavors were bold and authentic, and the ingredients were fresh and high-quality. My date was able to take some leftovers home, but he couldn't finish the entire dish due to the intense heat. The atmosphere at Playground Thai is cozy and inviting, with low lighting and soft music playing in the background. The waiter was attentive and friendly, and the aroma of the food was mouthwatering. Overall, I had a wonderful experience at Playground Thai. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the service was excellent. If you're in the area, I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try. Just be sure to ask about the spice level before ordering if you're sensitive to heat! And if you think you can handle any spicy dish, think again. Playground Thai's spice level is not for the faint of heart. Just being honest and clear!

Best Thai restaurant in NY Right Now! The food and service are great! The ambience is unique and real!

Authentic Thai eatery in queens. Bold, vibrant flavor comparable to restaurants in Bangkok. What a delight. Reasonable prices. Large portion. Must try: papaya salad, kra pow, beef stew noodle soup, dry noodles with crab and roast pork, coconut ice cream. Excellent customer service.

I love how attentive the servers are and most importantly how authentically delicious the food is! The coconut smoothie is the best absolutely best I get it every time I am there! It's a hidden spot for me but this place deserves the all the exposure !

Thankful to have been turned away from 2 other restaurants that closed early before stumbling upon this absolute gem. I will always come back if I can. My host was so kind, respectful and accommodating. The entire staff was friendly and had warm energy towards me. If I thought the service was amazing, then the food was out of this world. The Tom Kha was the perfect spice level. I chose Level 3 which was incredible. I could taste the freshness of the ingredients including the lime and Thai chilis. I loved it. They also used huge, juicy shrimp and real squid, not the fake stuff. The Crab & Pork noodle was so delicious. The noodles were authentic and perfectly cooked. The crab was fresh and plump. The sauce they used was slightly sweet and full of flavor. The host and I struck up a great conversation and she made me feel so well cared for. 10/10 all around! Thanks y'all! Texas Thai has nothing on y'all

Solid Thai food. I've only ever gotten food to go so I can't speak to the service except for when I came for pick up - they seem pretty nice and on top of everything. The space is dimly lit but looked clean. Probably not the best place for large groups but 2-4 people seems perfectly fine. Their menu is simple and easy to order from! And I must warn you, their spicy food is SPICY. I'd say I have average spice tolerance - I like a good kick to my food but can't enjoy when it's unbearably spicy. So be careful of what level you ask for. The first time I ordered, I got medium spicy and omg the flavors were so good but I had to stop eating because I was dying from the spice level! The 2nd time I made sure to get mild and that was more the level I was expecting for medium. Also, if you like tofu, I recommend the crispy tofu appetizer - the sauce they have pairs well and I really enjoyed that too

Been visiting this restaurant since it opened years ago. Authentic Thai food served in a cozy atmosphere. They are not afraid to up the spice levels of their dishes either. Things to order: go for their special thai dishes. Their spicy catfish with thai eggplant is very good. The fried catfish takes up the spicy chillisauce very well and the round thai eggplants are also crunchy and give the dish a nice mixed texture. The Rad Nah, a saucy stir fried flat noodle is also wonderful. Excellent carb dish to chase down the heat from other spicy foods you might order. A good one and done dish for those dining alone. Their thai papaya said is is crunchy, tangy sweet and sour. They do a good job with the fish sauce seasoning on it. A dish I also recommend is their braised pork leg over rice dish. It comes with Chinese broccilli, marinated egg and spicy fish sauce on the side. It's a good one plate meal of you are not looking to order too much. I am also a fan of their chicken wing appetizers. The wings are plump and juicy. Food is affordable and worth the price of tasteless and authenticity. Note that rice comes separate for most orders. They also cna provide chopsticks if you ask for them. Service is always nice and the staff are always courteous. Space is rather limited. If you plan on coming as a group I would recommend to keep it around 4 people. Any more, and it will be tight. Also check out upstairs. They have a thai hot pot place that is also full of unique thai soup flavor. I believe both establishments are by thr same owner.

I love thai food and this place is one of the top Thai places in queens! I've been here many times, usually after 10pm! Thankfully they close around 11:45. I love spice and I love that this place ACTUALLY makes it spicy. So, be careful if you ask for spice because 5/5 is an actual 5/5 Thai spice. The parang curry and the beef with long green beans actually tasted very similar, except Panang curry was saltier. The place is pretty small but gets packed! Will be back~