Summer Buffalo (Melrose)

This is a nice, small, quaint place with great service and delicious food. It's a smaller, more intimate type of restaurant that serves Thai food. I was with my daughter and we both had the Thai Tea which was very good. We ordered egg rolls for an appetizer, then she had the Snow Crab Meat Fried Rice and I had the Garlic Chicken Noodle. We both were full after eating just half of our meals so we were able to bring the other half home. The female server was really pleasant and helpful (didn't catch her name) but she saw my daughter looked cold as we came in from a day event and my daughter had on a short sleeve shirt but we were seated at a table by the door and there was a cool draft coming in. So the server turned on the heat in the restaurant just for my daughter. And she was sure to check on us throughout eating our meal to make sure we were good. I'd definitely return. My daughter had been here before but it had been a long time and she wasn't sure if it was still there or where it had moved to, when we stumbled upon it.

There is 2 hour street parking nearby and a few metered spots, but must be careful as there's also permit parking too. But the 2 hr parking is available in the permit parking area but can't park there between 8pm and 8am. There's also a paid parking lot behind the restaurant that I saw cost $12 (we parked on the street during the 2 hr allowance).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is awesome here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food. Nothing ordered was a miss. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beyond Drunken Noodles

UPD: It has now been 7 years since my first 5* review of this place, and IMHO, this is still the best Thai restaurant in LA. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I came to the spot just because I knew they would let you bring your dog in and I was pleasantly surprised with this being the best Thai food I’ve had in

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pad Thai

Manager was rude and disrepectful. Bad vides and strong odor in the Restaurant. I wouldn't go again.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Kind and attentive servers, 10/10 food :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I loved this restaurant!
The food is delicious. I ordered Larb with chicken. I don't know how they made it so tart, salty and flavorful, but I was thoroughly impressed.
My one issue with the restaurant was that there wasn't much seating, it was cramped, and when the door opens, it creates a wind tunnel that is unpleasant to sit in. We had to move tables because of it.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 5

Summer Buffalo is our favorite Thai restaurant in the area and we've tried many. We're pretty basic and always get the summer rolls to start followed by the Pad Thai and Pad See Ew for our mains. For dessert we often get the Mangi Sticky Rice. All of the above are delicious. The only criticism I can come up with is that I wish the tofu in the Pad See Ew was crispy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

I come here a few times a week for the AMAZING beyond meat dish selection and friendly staff. Good pricing for what you get too!

Vegetarian options: Beyond Meat selections in the menu are delicious

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have been going here for years and they never fail. It is by far my favorite Thai in Los Angeles. The prices are fair, the ingredients are fresh, and I have been so happy about their recent beyond meat additions to the menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beyond Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai

The shop has an unusual design for a Thai restaurant. But the dishes are exceptionally delicious and have a convincing taste.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have been going here for years and they never fail. It is by far my favorite Thai in Los Angeles. The prices are fair, the ingredients are fresh, and I have been so happy about their recent beyond meat additions to the menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beyond Drunken Noodles, Pad See EW, Sweet and Tangy Wings, Pad Thai

Beef curry was really delicious, thought the service was quite good and they had an interesting menu. Clean bathroom and restaurant. Wish they had more seating options but overall was super happy with the food and service. I didn’t think the curry was as “sweet” as some reviewers mentioned and thought the food was high quality, and a good price for the generous portion. Loved the bok choy garnish and the brown rice was beautiful.Update: We were coming here at least once a month, including for an anniversary, but the last time we were here the service was terrible. We understand that they are short staffed but we have never had an issue before. Also, the dish we had an issue with (just your typical old Pad Thai) was basically almost hard sugar coated noodles with no "char" on them and were basically inedible. The waitress never checked on us during the meal. The waitress then tried to argue when I told her that the dish wasn't good that she'd only give a partial refund and then told me after I pointed out that the noodles were just moved around and barely eaten that I should have told her it wasn't good before. She never came to the table once while we were eating so I guess one of us was supposed to track her down and do her job for her. Could have done without the weird attitude or the bad food. A shame because we have recommended this restaurant to other people and enjoyed going there. An off night is one thing but at least be apologetic when customers are unsatisfied. Also, the bathrooms are no longer clean.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Braised Lamb Shank in Massaman Curry

A local favorite. Refreshing Thai cuisine. Friendly staff. Cute intimate dining space.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5