Tomy Thai Serving Up Asian In East Tennessee!

1736 W State of Franklin Rd, Ste 4,
Johnson City, TN ‎
Visit the website:
Tomy Thai
(423) 928-0070
Our Hours:
Monday- Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9:30pm
Saturday 12 - 9:30pm
Sunday 12 - 9pm
Reviewed by Danielle Bussone

by Danielle Bussone

Tommy Thai, situated on State of Franklin across from EarthFare in Johnson City has an distinctively Asian air with a Bhudda in the corner entrance, several stools supported by wooden elephants and  feminine deities interspersed throughout. Tommy’s seats 60, not counting 16 in the outdoor patio area.  At 1:30pm we had no problem finding a table.

 

Tommy Thai Exterior

Exterior

 

The restaurant sports and extensive menu of fresh entrees which includes a variety of vegan options and a full bar for those wishing a cocktail with their meal. Most everything on the menu from noodle dishes to curries to stir fries can be made vegan upon request. The prices are reasonable and the food is quite good. Most items come with a choice of tofu (fried or steamed) or extra vegetables or some kind of meat for your carnivorous companions. You will also be given a choice of white and brown rice, except for the noodle dishes.

 

Interior

Interior

Full Bar

Full Bar

 

After the hostess seats you, someone will come to your table with a cup of broth with a little onion floating in it with a side of fried noodles. Vegans should know this soup is a chicken broth. We asked about the ingredients and upon learning it was animal based declined it with our regrets.

On our first visit we, unfortunately, were without our camera.  I had the Massaman Curry which was out of this world!  The dish includes eggplant, potatoes, onions, carrots and roasted peanuts and is served with either white or brown rice.  It has a coconut base scented with lemon grass and keffir lime leaves, an ingredient so crucial to authentic Thai cuisine I actually purchased my own tree to insure I’ll never be without it.  You can order the option of tofu (fried or steamed) or extra vegetables which include bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, mushrooms and broccoli. Carnivorous options are available. All of the lunch entrees are $7.49.

 

Vegetable Stir Fry

Vegetable Stir Fry

 

Today, we made another unfortunate visual choice by ordering similar dishes which, while delicious, look and taste much the same.  To redeem ourselves, we ordered the fried vegetable rolls stuffed with cabbage, carrots and onions and served with a sweet orange sauce. ($3.99) We also ordered the coconut cream soup flavored with lemongrass, galangal, keffir lime leaves and lime juice. It  can be ordered with vegetables or tofu and comes with straw mushrooms. It was slap-your-mama fantastic! ($3.99)

 

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Vegetable Spring Rolls

 

Coconut Cream Soup

Coconut Cream Soup

 

For my entree, I had the basil stir fry, a vegetable mix sauteed with basil, onion, mushrooms, red and green peppers and a spicy paste.  Rich had the vegetable stir fry which was essentially the same sans basil. They seem to have a generic brown vegan sauce which they use for all their vegan stir fries which tends to give them the same overall taste, though their are some slight variations in the vegetables.   I have to say mine didn’t define itself as a basil dish, which was a slight disappointment. It was certainly tasty, tasty enough I didn’t really care that the basil flavor did not dominate. We ordered it with the extra vegetables as we were told the tofu is not organic, which presupposes it is likely genetically modified. You can order your plate with no spice, medium spice or hot. The hot spice can overwhelm the other flavors so keep this in mind when you make your choice.

 

Basil Stir Fry

Basil Stir Fry

 

We certainly plan to visit Tommy Thai again. Next time we’ll have to try the noodle dishes and the salads. And you’ll be the first to hear all about it!

 

Co-founder and editor of Veggin’ Out and About, Danielle writes restaurant reviews, profiles and interviews of people making a difference in the plant-based community. She is currently writing a cookbook for vegans called, “Time For Change: Whole Foods For Whole Health.”

Danielle’s region is SW Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina and anywhere she happens to stop for sustenance along the road. Contact Danielle  directly to share your restaurant finds, to make comments or just to say hello.


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