TAC Quick
3930 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL
TAC Quick gets a lot of glowing praise as one of the top Thai Restaurants in Chicago so I was excited when my [L] friend and I popped in for dinner last week. TAC is literally right next to the Sheridan Red line el stop, so it could not be easier to get to. The space itself is modern and inviting with wooden tables, and the staff is pleasant and efficient. Not to mention the prices are ridiculously cheap. I ordered the Peanut Curry ($7.50) which consisted of a deep bowl filled with egg noodles, chicken, bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro and peanut curry. The peanut curry was (coconut) milky and soupy and had a little kick to it, perfect for slurping up with the provided soup spoon.
The verdict? It’s all about expectations. I felt the same about TAC Quick as I did about Juno. The reviews ruined a perfectly good thing for me, because there was no way it could live up to the hype. Maybe I was expecting TAC Quick to be some kind of holy Thai epicurean grail, but I didn’t find it much better than my usual local haunt, Thai Sookdee. In any case, I think I’ll have to be back to sample more of TAC’s esoteric specialties. There is a ‘secret’ Thai menu that also contains inventive and unique dishes. I guess the protocol is that you have to ask the waiter for the menu, and some of the specials are also publicized on a chalkboard. Maybe next time I’ll feel like nominating TAC Quick for an Oscar?
Eating The World 