Thai Basil
If you’re looking for Thai food in Sevier County, you may notice that your options are somewhat more limited than if you are searching for, say, steak or barbecue. This makes it even more fortunate that we have such a terrific place as Thai Basil Restaurant.
Thai Basil is found in a fairly anonymous location in a strip mall along the Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville. Step inside and you’ll find Southeast Asian-themed decor that is blended attractively into a modern, industrial setting. Immediately, the aroma of the food also lets you know that you’re in the right place.
But it isn’t just the ambiance that packs the folks into this place. The Thai food is the star of the show, and it does not disappoint. It’s all here, too: appetizers (the familiar satay offerings as well as others), soups, salads, stir fry, fried rice, curries, noodles, seafood, desserts, and a kids’ menu. I’m partial to curries, and this is where I go when I’m craving those unique Thai flavors. I prefer extremely spicy entrees, and Thai Basil obliges me in that regard, but if you prefer milder offerings, then everything can be prepared that way too. My dining companion enjoys papaya salad and particularly recommends that option. In my experience, the food here is excellent, and judging by the crowds, I’m not the only one who has arrived at that judgment. (If you encounter a wait for a table, stay. It’s worth it.)
Now, the operating hours here are a little different than most, so pay attention: Thai Basil is open Monday through Saturday. In other words, it’s closed on Sundays. Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dinner is served from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4:30 to 9:30 on Friday and Saturday. Beer is available, but there is not a full bar.
Oh, and if there’s a fussy vegetarian (and really, what other kind is there?) in your party, Thai Basil is a good option.
(530 Winfield Dunn Parkway (or “66,” as the locals know it) in Sevierville, next to Staples and the Exxon gas station. If you are headed south from I-40, the restaurant is located on your right, while if you are coming from Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, it will be on your left. (865) 453-9339)
By: Michael Kem-Thomas, our featured guest writer, friend and past buyer