“Second time here (first time was way back in 2018) and food is still really good.”
H3
All 165 rated mentions, most helpful first
“Second time here (first time was way back in 2018) and food is still really good.”
H3
“Of the various Isaan style places, it's my top. I think it goes a bit harder on the heat and funk than Hug Esan does, and I like the broader menu vs Zaab Zaab's fairly compact one. They do a great moo grob, and the 'curried rice croquetes with preserved sausages' is one of my "I could eat this every day for the rest of my life".”
H3
“my death row dish of Naem Kow Tod (salad of deep fried rice that goes super big on every flavor, my place for it is Hug Esan or Playground in Elmhurst).”
H3
“Playground is a good place for: * Curried Rice Croquets w/ preserved meat (aka nam khao tod, my death row dish) * Fried pork jerky, served w/ hotsaice, perfect "good w/ beer" food along w/ some sticky rice. * Anything with their crispy pork belly (moo grob), I generally just get pad kra pao.”
H3
“I believe *Playground* is the finest and most authentic Thai restaurant anywhere.”
H3
“Go to Queens, specifically Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside for authentic Thai food! - Playground”
H2
“Really good smoothies and a newer fave I tried is their crab meat and roasted pork noodles.”
H2
“They'll blow you out of the water w/ spice if you ask (or you can stick to medium), and they're a bar. Also a wonderful neighborhood to walk around and eat in.”
H2
“Playground (pad kee mao)”
H2
“Kua Kling and anything w/ moo grob from Playground”
H2
“I'll be surprised if any place out does playground (when you tell them you want it hot they go "no you don't", and they're right).”
H2
“Nam Khao Tod ('curried rice croquets') is one of my death row dishes.”
H2
“Totally agree with this. Anything “Thai spicy” at these two places will hurt. Badly. My husband keeps doing though and loves it!”
H2
“Playground is my default (biggest menu, and they also do Yum Khao Tod and banging crispy pork belly).”
H2
“Both also serve my deathrow dish of Nam Khao Tod (or curried rice croquet salad at Playground), it's my ideal of a perfectly balanced dish with every flavor profile showing up.”
H2
“Playground in Jackson Heights, and Khao Kang and Hug Esan in Elmhurst are excellent and truly authentic Thai places that can give you real Thai-level spiciness.”
H2
“The 3rd (and generally my favorite) is Playground. A wider menu than Zaab Zaab, and goes harder on the funk than Hug Esan.”
H2
“Playground on Roosevelt is also good and has some of the vegetarian staples - I love their chive fritters.”
H2
“Playground is incredible and very very spicy”
H2
“Go to Playground Thai in Queens and get the Som Tum, ask for Thai spicy.”
H2
“Playground, get a lemon Thai tea and either their pad kra pao (ground pork stir fry) or kra pao moo grob (crispy pork with Chinese broccoli) and thank me later!”
H2
“Feel like they really cater to Thai tastes (so spicy) but really like that spot”
H2
“Playground makes one of the funkiest I've ever come across, and it's one of the places with less common ingredients (marinated raw crab, salted egg)”
H2
“Playground. Make sure to start with the pork jerky and some crab fried rice!”
H2
“Absolutely delicious, can't wait to go back with friends to try more things.”
H2
“They do a good crispy pork belly as well.”
H2
“Playground Thai on Roosevelt ave is my favorite restaurant in NYC. Go-to’s include nam tok soup, crispy duck salad and raw shrimp. All the curries are really great too.”
H2
“Playground - A small bar w/ excellent Isaan style food that doesn't shy from heat or funk”
H2
“Playground for spiciest of spicy boys”
H2
“Playground and other good Thai restaurants for crispy pork belly (moo grob)”
H2
“their pad ped it pretty great (as is everything they do).”
H2
“Playground makes pretty excellent moo grob, and they have pad gaprao.”
H2
“I love the kua kling at Playground.”
H2
“I actually did get the crispy pork at Playground too and it was great!!”
H2
“Playground, get their pad kra pow or kra pow moo grob with either a Thai lemon tea or Thai iced tea and thank me later!”
H2
“The pad kra pao at maximum spiciness with a Thai lemon tea from Playground - best Thai meal I've ever had, period.”
H2
“Playground under the 7 also has some authentic dishes and amazing Texas toast with pandan for dessert.”
H2
“their medium is my stopping point, their hot is just unfun to eat (while still being delicious).”
H2
“The broth is amazing!!”
H2
“Playground in elmhurst makes a good one, and they'll fuck you up with spice if you ask them.”
H2
“Jungle Curry at Playground”
H2
“what I got wasn't spicy at all.”
H2
“Ask for Thai spicy at Playground and Hug Esan.”
H2
“Best Thai anything….Playground in Jackson Heights. Their papaya salads are great”
H2
“For Playground: don't sleep on their crispy pork, I honestly think it's one of the best around.”
H2
“Playground has a really good steamed bread with pandan custard!”
H2
“Steamed bread with pandan custard from Playground”
H2
“Best Thai restaurant I've ever been to and my favorite spot of the trip. 9.7/10”
H1
“Restaurants like Chao Thai, Ayada, Saranrom, Khao Kang, Playground, SriPraPhai are on the next level.”
H1
“we have some truly amazing Thai restaurants like Ayada, Hug Esan, Zaab Zaab, Playground (on Roosevelt), etc.”
H1