Inside: Thai Origin

Driving up to this strip mall restaurant, you are sure to be unimpressed. Once inside, however, your senses and taste buds will thank you. This cozy, romantic restaurant features Thai staples as well as a few specialties. If you are looking for a place to take a date, Thai Origin is the place for you. You will leave full and satisfied without breaking your budget.

Food: Thai Origin serves up plenty of flavorful dishes. House favorites include fruity fried rice served with pineapple and raisins or lobster fried rice. If Thai food isn't up your alley, Thai Origin also offers Japanese-style dishes.

On a recent lunch break, we decided to test out Thai Origin's pad Thai ($7.50). The lunch selections all come with soup of the day, and on this particular day we were served steaming portions of miso soup. This generous portion of soup was a delicious blend of salty broth, seaweed, tofu and green onions. A platter of fried wontons and a sweet chili dipping sauce was also brought out as an appetizer to go along with our soup. These perfectly fried wontons added the right amount of crunch to the hot soup. Within the blink of an eye, our meals appeared. A beautiful plate of noodles mixed in with a satisfying amount of chicken was served alongside bean sprouts, julienned carrots and a lime wedge for extra flavor. The sauce was the perfect blend of spicy and sweet.

Drinks: Thai Origin does not offer "adult" beverages yet because they are waiting for a liquor license. In the meantime, try the Thai iced tea or coffee ($2.50). The Thai iced tea is served icy cold and is a perfect blend of spices and smooth milk. This is the perfect accompaniment to many of the spicy Thai dishes.

Décor: While it may look like a typical strip mall restaurant from the outside, the inside is sure to surprise you. Thai Origin features cozy neutral décor with lots of pictures on the walls. There are mostly booths, so this is not the place to host multiple large parties. However, there is room and seating for a big party 18. Soft lighting adds to the romantic atmosphere.

Service: With only one waitress working for the entire lunch crowd, service was impeccable. Our food arrived fast and still piping hot. Our waitress made sure to keep an eye on us but wasn’t overbearing. Our check appeared the minute we were finished, but we felt no rush at all and were encouraged to finish our drinks.

Crowd: We went during lunch and were met with a working lunch crowd. This place is known for its regulars and the wait staff will recognize the newbies. During the lunch hour you will find business professionals but as night draws near, the dates begin. Regal Middleburg Town Square Stadium 16 is within short walking distance, so this is the perfect first stop before you begin your night out on the town.

Insider tips: Thinking about trying duck but not sure about the price? Lunch is a great time to try foods that you aren’t too sure about. All menu items are priced less than $10 during lunch, so you can taste without blowing your budget. Thai Origin also offers a variation of spiciness when placing your order. You can choose from mild to hot so you won’t break your taste buds.

Bottom line: If you are looking for a filling meal that won’t break the bank, you will find it at Thai Origin. With generous portions and a cozy atmosphere, this is sure to become your Thai staple.

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