Cafe 209

We REALLY wanted to like this place . . .because it's a small comfy neighborhood place with friendly staff and owner . . .

But the food really wasn't good at all. The Pad Thai was made with thin yellow egg noodles, not the proper flat rice noodles, and didn't even have the right tastes of peanut, cilantro, lime, etc. . . . The dish didn't taste BAD, it just shouldn't be called Pad Thai.

The red curry dish was bland and not good at all.
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P. Ellis
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 12, 2007

Despite being as mad as a box of frogs, Joy is as efficient and talented as she is charismatic. Not impressed with my qualifications as an employee of Europe's leading online restaurant booking service, she was extremely assertive that I should not write anything at all, positive or negative, about Cafe 209.

Sorry to disappoint Joy, but I'm going to tell the readers here that if they're in the market for authentic Thai food at extremely good value, then Cafe 209 is the place to go.

The Kang Dang red curry was extremely tasty and not too masked by heat as is often the case in larger Thai restaurants, and the fish curry was generous on the seafood which can be rare in "cheaper" restaurants.

It's cramped, poorly ventilated with cheap tableware and plastic plates, but that all adds to the charm. And let's face it, you're there for the ambience and the food, not to admire the china.

So please go and try Joy's cooking. Just don't tell her I sent you.
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Charlie Sefi
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 06, 2007

Cafe 209 is Tremendous. I love Joy, she always remembers me (she once sent me a postcard when she went home to Thailand). I too have seen Joy assert herself with awkward customers, and I thought everything she said was fair enough.

The food is very good, the atmosphere is great. Have a mixed starter platter and be sure to leave room for the bananna fritters and icecream.
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Rob
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 07, 2007

BEst Thaifood i ever tasted, great atmosphere--I love going there!!! Those who dont hahaha only hate it cos they were too fussy or rude anfd ended up being humiliated in the thai restaurant by our great goddess joy(the owner)---I highly recogmend this great restaurant--really is a fun night out
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Chassy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

I feel almost protective over this restaurant and I also have been going there for years. It may not be the best thai food in the world but it is tasty and the atmosphere is great. Joy always remembers you and is so polite, so I also agree that she is only rude to those who deserve it. It is a great local place to go for a cheap quick bite to eat.
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en
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Went on a Saturday night before it got busy. I've been to quite a few Thai restaurants and have no problem with the quirkiness of the owner and can eat Thai food of various degress of quality until the cows come home but have to say that the food here was probably the worst i've had anywhere. I had the Thai Green Curry, normally a benchmark of how good the restaurant is, and confess that i've had better ones from Sainsburys than I had there. There are loads of places locally doing a better job for the same price so I suggest you go there.
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Andrew - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, February 27, 2006

I might be biased here, but I HAVE been going to this fantastic restaurent for 10 YEARS--YES 10!!unbelievable isn't it? And the talk is true--everybody who is anybody goes to get atleast a glimps of the fantastic hostess--OUR JOY.

And i have been there long enough to know that OUR JOY is only rude And gives bad service for those who deserve it!!--it's true shes been in buissness for 30 years, which means she has the excellent advantage of spotting those who "are ther for trouble".

The food is quick and very fresh and very very delicious--you would see for yourself as the Kitchen is very easy to watch--especially from a nearby table.

The service is great and promt from the waitress--who joy is very protective of--as this quick working waitress doubles up to be her daughter!

Cafe 209 is the all round best place to go foe me and very many of my friends--and will give the "good ones" and friendly and warm welcome!!
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lizzy Katte
Wednesday, September 28, 2005

I'm sorry to see that some recent reviewers dislike this perennial favourite. I have been coming here for years and as well as serving good food at attractive prices, Joy manages to generate a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere, something that is sadly lacking in a few of the larger more "commercial" enterprises elsewhere. If you enjoy good food in fun surroundings you should enjoy it.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

It is clear that anyone that goes to this place is not there for the quality of the food but rather the rude charms of the hostess. The food was tasteless, came out too quick (which suggests that is was not freshly made), and the service was disgraceful. After commenting that the food was not at all authentic and that we expected more taste in general, the hostess was very rude and proceed to discuss our comments with her regular patrons - really professional move! Obviously they are either too scared to say anything themselves or have had their tastebuds removed.

A complete waste of time. You would do better to buy your own drinks, buy your own thai from your local super market and stay at home - it will be far more authentic then this useless place.
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Raj
Monday, September 26, 2005

Been coming here for years and it's still great. Really good Thai food, exceptionally quick service and a unique atmosphere.
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Saturday, August 27, 2005