I've passed Ubon many times while visiting Staunton, and was always intrigued by the quirky mix of classic Victorian architecture and Thai culture. I finally had the chance to go with my friend that was visiting from California, and we were not disappointed! The meal started with great luck, because we showed up on a Tuesday--a day they are usually closed. On this night however, they were expecting a special party and so they opened their doors to us too. Ubon greeted us with the kindest energy I think I've ever experienced at a restaurant. She made us feel instantly at home, which is fitting because the restaurant is actually attached to her beautiful home/bed & breakfast. Ubon was so kind, inquisitive, and FUNNY. She had us laughing the entire time. The service was incredibly personalized and fast. We ordered spring rolls which were super hot, crispy, and fresh. Then we split an order of Pad Thai and the red & green curry. Everything was delicious and very authentic. My friend from California was incredibly impressed because they have amazing Thai food in the Bay Area, and Ubon was able to match that authenticity and taste. I'm very excited because it sounds like they will be opening up a food truck where I live in Charlottesville by next year. I can't wait to be a frequent customer!
Ah K.
Sawatdee Kap! Two of my favorite travel concepts, on opposite ends of the Earth, under one expansive roof: We had driven by Ubon Thai Victorian Inn many years ago on a lark, and at last we booked a room, with dinner and breakfast. Wow wow wow we love Ubon! The house, the food, the experience, and of of course Mrs. Ubon and family, the star of the show! The place is a mashup of a 175 year-old Victorian house (with all the quirks), upon which is overlaid a pleasantly maximalist Thai home. Within minutes we were all but part of the family, laughing with the residents and even a sister visiting from Thailand. Ubon's energy was immediate, motherly, infectious, and a true delight, and between her and other family members it was unforgettable. Dinner was from the menu, classic sides and dishes and very well made. The atmosphere of the space was quaint, between a restaurant and living room. The bedroom room was lovely, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast was far more memorable than most B&B fare, a heaping plate of rice noodles with eggs and vegetables, and a Thai spice tray on the side. Beats eggs and toast any day! Oh, and what a treat to not just get invited back, but also invited to stay at one of her houses in Thailand! We love you Ubon and Family!
Erin R.
My experience, food-wise, was flat out bad. For app, I ordered thai dumplings, not being certain what they would be. They were pork shumai of sorts, and clearly were previously frozen because while the exterior was hot, the inside was still cold. For main, I ordered drunken noodle with tofu, thai hot. I'm sad to say, this was the worst drunken noodle I've ever had. The noodles weren't the right kind - more narrow than usual - the spice level was about a medium and the biggest offense to me, the tofu was mushy. I've ordered tofu in curries and noodles dishes from thai restaurants around the country for 20+ years and have never had mushy tofu before this meal. Their AC was also either broken or not on (and the windows not open despite it being a pleasant day)
Pierce G.
Acceptable Thai food. We ordered 3 entrees: curry, fried pork, and jumbo shrimp. In fact they did not have jumbo shrimp but did not say so and subbed in regular shrimp on this $18 entree. I said something about this but just got a shrug and no adjustment was made on final bill. Also watch your step on rotting wood steps from parking lot in the rear. This restaurant has had its heyday.
Macy K.
Don't be intimidated by the big old house and gardens leading up to this charming spot! It's a family run restaurant and B&B with charm, authenticity and terrific Thai food. Definitely check out this quick and easy takeout - plus they're open on Mondays when many other places are closed. The Pad Thai Has become a quick favorite, with generous portions and your choice of heat level.
Gregor B.
A fairly decent, cookie cutter Thai place. Not sure what's Victorian about it save for location in and old Staunton house. Food is good, although could use a bit of improvement in tidiness.
John T.
Absolutely a must visit Thai restaurant. It's not just a restaurant it's absolutely an experience. The setting is so amazing and authentic. When you meet Ubon, you will fall in love with her. She makes you feel so welcome and you wouldn't want to leave. Both the pad Thai and the drunken noodles were perfect. I asked for medium and she also gave me container of her garden ground hot peppers. It was amazing. The to go orders were a large portion. Definitely make a drive into town. Best Thai restaurant on 81. Only seven minutes from the interstate. In a hurry, try her food truck at the corner of town.
Kali M.
Excellent experience and amazing food. My family stopped here on a road trip and were very happy with our experience. It is a cute little restaurant with a nice area outside as well. I ordered Pad See-Ew with tofu and enjoyed it a lot. The staff is very kind and the food came out quick. It is clear they take pride in their business and service.
Tracey Z.
Very delicious food. We all ordered the Pad See Ew with different proteins. Owners were the cook and server. Highly recommend!
Suzi S.
My husband and I stumbled upon this place when the restaurant we had originally picked out in the main part of town was closed. Thai Victorian sounded unique and intriguing! We're so happy that we ended up here and we would 100% return next time we're in town. In fact, we might return to Staunton just to eat here again! My husband and I each got a bowl of soup and they were both delicious. The Tom Yum was limey and just the right amount of zingy, and the wonton soup was very savory and packed with flavor. I got a jasmine tea, which came with a cute little Victorian tea cup, and my husband really enjoyed his Thai iced tea. For our main plates, my husband ordered the Basil Fried Rice at the "American spicy" heat level, and it was hot and just right for him. I ordered a tofu Pad Thai, which was also incredible. The waitress asked if I wanted any heat in mine, and I said sure, but just medium-- it was the perfect level of spicy for me so that it was fun to eat but did not detract at all from the other flavors. The tofu was cooked perfectly. Seriously, I cannot say enough good things. We left super full and paid $45 (before tip), which we felt was such a bargain for the quality and quantity of food. I'm terms of the ambiance, the inside was bright and colorful. There was Thai music playing. The waitress was very nice and helpful. We loved the whole experience. We were the only customers at the time and the rest of the world is missing out. We highly recommend this hidden gem!!
We stayed at the Inn while visiting the region last weekend, and it was an interesting experience. First off, this is not a hotel, and it's not really even a modern "inn," but it's a bit more like an Inn you'd find in the 13th century -- some nice, cozy rooms over a restaurant. It's honestly more of a bed and breakfast, and if anyone from Ubon reads this review, marketing it that way would probably boost your sales, just saying. :) You walk up a long, old staircase to an old Victorian house. The house is decorated like someone's home -- my first thought was wondering if I had wandered into some poor old lady's home by mistake (also, if anyone from Ubon is reading this, your signage could do for some improvements!). It's a little cluttered, but that honestly only adds to the charm. There's a restaurant downstairs, which I'm sorry to say we didn't eat at, and upstairs, a half dozen rooms. It's an old Victorian house, and it's not going to be a 5-star hotel. It's drafty, the heating system sucks, and the building itself is a little worn down -- but, jeez, it's like 125 year old house, what do you want? The room was comfortable, and incredibly charming, in an eccentric way. It was also very, very quiet, which was nice. The mattress and pillows were a little soft for my taste, but I'm sure some people would have enjoyed it. (Also, I'm not sure how they managed this in a house this old, but the water pressure in the shower is like a fire hose -- you'll be blasted clean... can I get this in my house?). Breakfast is included -- we had been looking forward to exploring town and trying a bakery (which turned out to be closed on Sundays! D'oh!), so we didn't get breakfast, and I really wish we had. Next time!
Thomas M.
This place has gone downhill, We ate here on 9.25.21 The food was not good. We got the Crab Rangoon's for appetizer, the cooking oil was way too hot and the outside was so brown and brittle and the inside had a frozen ball of crab and cheese in the middle. I got the Sweet and Sour Chicken and the Chicken was gray and like rubber. The Mrs. got the 4 Friends Fried rice with beef, pork, chicken and shrimp, The beef chicken and if there was pork we didn't see any was gray and rubbery as well. We got the fried banana's for desert and they had put a banana inside of a spring roll and froze it, again the oil was way too hot the outside was dark brown and brittle inside was mush and cold. The inside of the restaurant is not good, the wall by our table needs the sauce wiped from it at least once a year. Getting into the parking lot was horrible I went around 3 times because I could not pull through the front because of the wall and cars parked. I came in the backway and we almost fell down the back stairs getting in the only door that was around back past broken patio and trash. We stood inside for 10 minutes before someone came from the back. No other diners on a Saturday night we should of known better and left. We will not be back and you should not visit either, if you do walk in take a look and walk back out. I am a Chef and I have eaten and prepared Asian and Thai food for 30 years and this place obviously has issues.
CampingCrazy
I only visited once (I’m from out of town) and had one dish (Drunken Noodles) but it was cooked perfectly and exactly what I wanted. It was a take-out order but I’d be happy to dine in as the restaurant is charming and the staff friendly. The price was very reasonable and the portion was generous.
Caroline M.
Lovely staff, lovely building, lovely atmosphere. Nice, authentic, welcoming, and warm. Wonderful experience, nestled inside an old Staunton neighborhood. Highest recommendations.
Peter C
We found - to our displeasure - that darn near all of the sit-down restaurants in Staunton have chosen to take Mondays off. VERY frustrating. One that we finally found that was open was the Ubon Thai Victorian Restaurant, in downtown Staunton. Having visited Thailand a few years back, we decided that a nice plate of Pad Thai would soothe our annoyance re the city of Staunton generally not serving food on Mondays. What a great choice! The Ubon Thai had a reasonably extensive menu for a small facility, and the service and server were kind and welcoming. We enjoyed talking with her about our adventures in Thailand back in 2019. It was the first time that we'd found Singha Beer since our return two years ago. :) My wife and daughter shared pork Pad Thai (share available at no charge), and I had a tasty plate of Chicken Raad Nah. The gravy was scrumptious.
I've passed Ubon many times while visiting Staunton, and was always intrigued by the quirky mix of classic Victorian architecture and Thai culture. I finally had the chance to go with my friend that was visiting from California, and we were not disappointed! The meal started with great luck, because we showed up on a Tuesday--a day they are usually closed. On this night however, they were expecting a special party and so they opened their doors to us too. Ubon greeted us with the kindest energy I think I've ever experienced at a restaurant. She made us feel instantly at home, which is fitting because the restaurant is actually attached to her beautiful home/bed & breakfast. Ubon was so kind, inquisitive, and FUNNY. She had us laughing the entire time. The service was incredibly personalized and fast. We ordered spring rolls which were super hot, crispy, and fresh. Then we split an order of Pad Thai and the red & green curry. Everything was delicious and very authentic. My friend from California was incredibly impressed because they have amazing Thai food in the Bay Area, and Ubon was able to match that authenticity and taste. I'm very excited because it sounds like they will be opening up a food truck where I live in Charlottesville by next year. I can't wait to be a frequent customer!
Sawatdee Kap! Two of my favorite travel concepts, on opposite ends of the Earth, under one expansive roof: We had driven by Ubon Thai Victorian Inn many years ago on a lark, and at last we booked a room, with dinner and breakfast. Wow wow wow we love Ubon! The house, the food, the experience, and of of course Mrs. Ubon and family, the star of the show! The place is a mashup of a 175 year-old Victorian house (with all the quirks), upon which is overlaid a pleasantly maximalist Thai home. Within minutes we were all but part of the family, laughing with the residents and even a sister visiting from Thailand. Ubon's energy was immediate, motherly, infectious, and a true delight, and between her and other family members it was unforgettable. Dinner was from the menu, classic sides and dishes and very well made. The atmosphere of the space was quaint, between a restaurant and living room. The bedroom room was lovely, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast was far more memorable than most B&B fare, a heaping plate of rice noodles with eggs and vegetables, and a Thai spice tray on the side. Beats eggs and toast any day! Oh, and what a treat to not just get invited back, but also invited to stay at one of her houses in Thailand! We love you Ubon and Family!
My experience, food-wise, was flat out bad. For app, I ordered thai dumplings, not being certain what they would be. They were pork shumai of sorts, and clearly were previously frozen because while the exterior was hot, the inside was still cold. For main, I ordered drunken noodle with tofu, thai hot. I'm sad to say, this was the worst drunken noodle I've ever had. The noodles weren't the right kind - more narrow than usual - the spice level was about a medium and the biggest offense to me, the tofu was mushy. I've ordered tofu in curries and noodles dishes from thai restaurants around the country for 20+ years and have never had mushy tofu before this meal. Their AC was also either broken or not on (and the windows not open despite it being a pleasant day)
Acceptable Thai food. We ordered 3 entrees: curry, fried pork, and jumbo shrimp. In fact they did not have jumbo shrimp but did not say so and subbed in regular shrimp on this $18 entree. I said something about this but just got a shrug and no adjustment was made on final bill. Also watch your step on rotting wood steps from parking lot in the rear. This restaurant has had its heyday.
Don't be intimidated by the big old house and gardens leading up to this charming spot! It's a family run restaurant and B&B with charm, authenticity and terrific Thai food. Definitely check out this quick and easy takeout - plus they're open on Mondays when many other places are closed. The Pad Thai Has become a quick favorite, with generous portions and your choice of heat level.
A fairly decent, cookie cutter Thai place. Not sure what's Victorian about it save for location in and old Staunton house. Food is good, although could use a bit of improvement in tidiness.
Absolutely a must visit Thai restaurant. It's not just a restaurant it's absolutely an experience. The setting is so amazing and authentic. When you meet Ubon, you will fall in love with her. She makes you feel so welcome and you wouldn't want to leave. Both the pad Thai and the drunken noodles were perfect. I asked for medium and she also gave me container of her garden ground hot peppers. It was amazing. The to go orders were a large portion. Definitely make a drive into town. Best Thai restaurant on 81. Only seven minutes from the interstate. In a hurry, try her food truck at the corner of town.
Excellent experience and amazing food. My family stopped here on a road trip and were very happy with our experience. It is a cute little restaurant with a nice area outside as well. I ordered Pad See-Ew with tofu and enjoyed it a lot. The staff is very kind and the food came out quick. It is clear they take pride in their business and service.
Very delicious food. We all ordered the Pad See Ew with different proteins. Owners were the cook and server. Highly recommend!
My husband and I stumbled upon this place when the restaurant we had originally picked out in the main part of town was closed. Thai Victorian sounded unique and intriguing! We're so happy that we ended up here and we would 100% return next time we're in town. In fact, we might return to Staunton just to eat here again! My husband and I each got a bowl of soup and they were both delicious. The Tom Yum was limey and just the right amount of zingy, and the wonton soup was very savory and packed with flavor. I got a jasmine tea, which came with a cute little Victorian tea cup, and my husband really enjoyed his Thai iced tea. For our main plates, my husband ordered the Basil Fried Rice at the "American spicy" heat level, and it was hot and just right for him. I ordered a tofu Pad Thai, which was also incredible. The waitress asked if I wanted any heat in mine, and I said sure, but just medium-- it was the perfect level of spicy for me so that it was fun to eat but did not detract at all from the other flavors. The tofu was cooked perfectly. Seriously, I cannot say enough good things. We left super full and paid $45 (before tip), which we felt was such a bargain for the quality and quantity of food. I'm terms of the ambiance, the inside was bright and colorful. There was Thai music playing. The waitress was very nice and helpful. We loved the whole experience. We were the only customers at the time and the rest of the world is missing out. We highly recommend this hidden gem!!
Restaurantji Recommends
We stayed at the Inn while visiting the region last weekend, and it was an interesting experience. First off, this is not a hotel, and it's not really even a modern "inn," but it's a bit more like an Inn you'd find in the 13th century -- some nice, cozy rooms over a restaurant. It's honestly more of a bed and breakfast, and if anyone from Ubon reads this review, marketing it that way would probably boost your sales, just saying. :) You walk up a long, old staircase to an old Victorian house. The house is decorated like someone's home -- my first thought was wondering if I had wandered into some poor old lady's home by mistake (also, if anyone from Ubon is reading this, your signage could do for some improvements!). It's a little cluttered, but that honestly only adds to the charm. There's a restaurant downstairs, which I'm sorry to say we didn't eat at, and upstairs, a half dozen rooms. It's an old Victorian house, and it's not going to be a 5-star hotel. It's drafty, the heating system sucks, and the building itself is a little worn down -- but, jeez, it's like 125 year old house, what do you want? The room was comfortable, and incredibly charming, in an eccentric way. It was also very, very quiet, which was nice. The mattress and pillows were a little soft for my taste, but I'm sure some people would have enjoyed it. (Also, I'm not sure how they managed this in a house this old, but the water pressure in the shower is like a fire hose -- you'll be blasted clean... can I get this in my house?). Breakfast is included -- we had been looking forward to exploring town and trying a bakery (which turned out to be closed on Sundays! D'oh!), so we didn't get breakfast, and I really wish we had. Next time!
This place has gone downhill, We ate here on 9.25.21 The food was not good. We got the Crab Rangoon's for appetizer, the cooking oil was way too hot and the outside was so brown and brittle and the inside had a frozen ball of crab and cheese in the middle. I got the Sweet and Sour Chicken and the Chicken was gray and like rubber. The Mrs. got the 4 Friends Fried rice with beef, pork, chicken and shrimp, The beef chicken and if there was pork we didn't see any was gray and rubbery as well. We got the fried banana's for desert and they had put a banana inside of a spring roll and froze it, again the oil was way too hot the outside was dark brown and brittle inside was mush and cold. The inside of the restaurant is not good, the wall by our table needs the sauce wiped from it at least once a year. Getting into the parking lot was horrible I went around 3 times because I could not pull through the front because of the wall and cars parked. I came in the backway and we almost fell down the back stairs getting in the only door that was around back past broken patio and trash. We stood inside for 10 minutes before someone came from the back. No other diners on a Saturday night we should of known better and left. We will not be back and you should not visit either, if you do walk in take a look and walk back out. I am a Chef and I have eaten and prepared Asian and Thai food for 30 years and this place obviously has issues.
I only visited once (I’m from out of town) and had one dish (Drunken Noodles) but it was cooked perfectly and exactly what I wanted. It was a take-out order but I’d be happy to dine in as the restaurant is charming and the staff friendly. The price was very reasonable and the portion was generous.
Lovely staff, lovely building, lovely atmosphere. Nice, authentic, welcoming, and warm. Wonderful experience, nestled inside an old Staunton neighborhood. Highest recommendations.
We found - to our displeasure - that darn near all of the sit-down restaurants in Staunton have chosen to take Mondays off. VERY frustrating. One that we finally found that was open was the Ubon Thai Victorian Restaurant, in downtown Staunton. Having visited Thailand a few years back, we decided that a nice plate of Pad Thai would soothe our annoyance re the city of Staunton generally not serving food on Mondays. What a great choice! The Ubon Thai had a reasonably extensive menu for a small facility, and the service and server were kind and welcoming. We enjoyed talking with her about our adventures in Thailand back in 2019. It was the first time that we'd found Singha Beer since our return two years ago. :) My wife and daughter shared pork Pad Thai (share available at no charge), and I had a tasty plate of Chicken Raad Nah. The gravy was scrumptious.