When Bryan Bruce told me he has another restaurant across the street from The Overland, I jumped at the opportunity to try it. I reviewed The Overland on September 10, 2023. What Bryan did not tell me is how unique and different his Thai restaurant is, all in a very good way!
This place is perhaps the best of the best. Everything I tasted was so special, like nothing I have ever tasted before. It’s billed as Thai street food, having never been to Thailand, I really would not know about authentic street food. I would venture to say that this is the real deal, so if you don’t want to spend the airfare going to Thailand then get in your car and drive here, or take the local Arrow train – like I do, it will be so worth it.
Aroi Mak Mak is focused on showcasing the authenticity, purity and beauty of the culture and people of Thailand with an emphasis on Thai Street food. There is beauty and honesty when exploring their street food scene; ingredients are local to the area and prepared with the heart and soul of the people. Farm to table is a term that in Thailand is an everyday way of life. That essence is inspired in each dish and cocktail that is carefully constructed at Aroi Mak Mak.
Here’s What I Tried:
Drinks:
Shots:
My Other Chinese Cousin, with Baijiu, Vodka, Peach, Blue Curacao, and Pineapple Syrup. This goes down very easily, it is sweet and smooth.
Ting Tong, with Citrus Vodka, Chinola, Italicus, Pineapple, and Celery Bitters. Another great shot, its flavors are tropical, enjoy it with a friend.
Cocktails:
Phuket Sunset (Slushy), with Vodka, Campari, Orange, Lychee, Pineapple, and Coconut Water. I just loved this cocktail, I could drink many, but you have to be careful of brain freeze.
Tom Kha Tonic, with Gin, Vodka, Coconut Oil, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Lemongrass, Yuzu, and Tonic Water. If you’re a gin and tonic type of drinker, then this cocktail is for you. The Thai ingredients make for one very unique cocktail.
Bing Bao Juice, with Vodka, Bittermelon, Pineapple, Cucumber, Lime, and Seltzer. A refreshing cocktail that will quench all of your senses.
Silk Saan, with Serrano and Cucumber Infused Tequila, Mezcal, Ancho Verde, Pineapple, Matcha, Lime, and Cilantro Garnish. If you like spice and tequila, then this cocktail is for you.
Salads & Appetizers:
Som Tum (Papaya Salad) (GF), with Green Papaya, Cucumber, Cilantro, Chili, Tomato, Shallot, Scallions, with Sticky Rice. This is a different version that I am used to, but it is delicious. The papaya is shredded super thin, the flavor is nice and tangy. A perfect starter.
Po Pia Gai (Deep Fried Egg Rolls), with Coconut Milk Marinated Ground Chicken, Vermicelli Noodles, Bean Sprouts, Red Cabbage, Thai Basil, and Mint. These eggrolls have loads of vermicelli noodles, and the dipping sauce is enough reason to order this dish.
Noodles:
Khao Soi (Curry Noodles) (V), with Curry, Egg Noodles, Cilantro, Pickled Mustard Greens, Fried Garlic, and Crispy Egg Noodles. The flavor of the sauce is so luscious and comforting. This would be one of my go-to’s next time.
Pad Thai (GF), with Rice Noodles Tossed in Tamarind Sauce w/ Bean Sprouts, Egg, Green Onions, With Shrimp. The noodles they serve are flat thick noodles, that are medium size, but truly incredible.
Main Dishes:
Moo Yang (Grilled Pork), with marinated grilled pork w/ Pickled Daikon, Spicy Fermented Papaya Sauce, and Sticky Rice. The pork is very flavorful, a lot of marinade with the nice warm grill nuance adds a whole other dimension. It is super tender and has the most amazing overall flavors.
Kao Pad Poou (Crab Fried Rice), with wok prepared Lump Crab Fried Rice, with Spicy Garlic Sauce on side. They put nice large pieces of fresh white crab meat, and the portion size is huge, you can share it with your guests. it’s just the best thing on their menu!
Pad King (Ginger Stir Fry), with Ginger, Shallots, Garlic, Scallions, Bean Sprouts, Seasonal Mushrooms, Steamed Rice, with chicken. The mushrooms are the star of this very enjoyable menu item.
Dessert:
Coconut Pandan Custard (V|VG), 2 per Serving. This dessert is very rich even though it is vegan, the perfect way to end my wonderful dinner.
The décor is so much fun, it makes you feel like you are on the street in Thailand. It’s an older storefront, with brick walls. They have a revolving art show that changes periodically. There are symbolic roosters everywhere.
(Google says – Man praying to the sculpture of rooster, a traditional symbol of wealth and prosperity in Thailand.) There are a few rooms, and the middle room has a tuk tuk bus, part motorcycle, part taxi, that is cut out to make room for the diners, so you’re basically eating inside an original Thai bus.
Bryan Bruce’s partner Kop Tepa is from a long line of local Thai restaurants. He wants his customers to know that everything that comes out of Aroi Mak Mak’s kitchen is fresh, and comes from his traditional family’s recipes. He tells me about his mom and dad cooking when he was young and how he is emulating their style of cooking in his restaurants. It’s Thai style street food made daily with flavorful, fresh ingredients. Kop is so happy to be one of Redlands great restaurants, with all of the expansions coming in the downtown area from The Arrow train. He has a great location, right across the street from the train, and is watching all the improvements in the immediate area. His feathers are not ruffled by the changes coming to the area and the competition, He welcomes all of it and knows that ultimately it will help his restaurant become more popular. Aroi Mak Mak has been in business for the last five years, and when I was there every table was full of people waiting for seats. My server Ciara was a ray of sunshine, a local gal full of personality, she added so much to my dining experience.
I have reviewed and tried plenty of Thai cuisine, but Aroi Mak Mak is very special. Every dish will spark your taste buds. Every menu item is so unique and creative, with flavors that are out of this world. Their recipes are authentic and as good as it gets. Truly a restaurant you will want to frequent as often as possible. So, get ready for a memorable culinary ride, that is in a class of its own.
344 Orange St.
Redlands, CA 92374
909.748.0090
- Note Some Content Was Taken Off Of Their Website.
