Thai Diamond BBQ: Give it Some Time

Several months ago, I visited Thai Diamond BBQ for lunch and enjoyed it enough to want to try more.  However, when I visited this week to bring home dinner, I discovered it has new owners, Sam and Vivi, who obtained it a couple months ago.

The interior remains mostly the same.  The Thai décor, comfortable booths and abundance of windows providing plenty of natural light make the restaurant a pleasant place to dine.

The naturally gregarious Sam recommended the pad see ew ($7.95), a noodle dish, which I promptly ordered, with shrimp ($1.00 extra).  Taking a cue from the restaurant’s name, I also ordered the BBQ chicken dinner ($8.95) and the chicken pineapple curry ($8.95).  I was eager to try their seasonal dessert, mango with sticky rice ($6.95) and Sam threw in a free iced Thai tea, thanks to a “Happy Hour” special they are currently running everyday from 3-5 p.m.

The BBQ chicken had a deliciously sweet honey glaze, but was just a tad overdone.  The side salad was simple, but fresh.  The shrimp fried rice on the side was tasty, but disappointing in that it had only two shrimp.  They were a good size, but I would recommend plenty of chopped shrimp so that there is some in every bite.  Also, it was rather plain; besides rice, a bit of egg and the two shrimp, there may have been a few slices of scallion.  

The pad see ew suffered from the same skimpiness.  This main dish had only four shrimp; I expected double that or more.  Other than that, the broad, flat rice noodles with broccoli florets were excellent and the sauce savory—even my picky kids asked for more!

The pineapple chicken curry was creamy, satisfying and had plenty of chicken and pineapple with slices of red bell pepper. However, I must warn you, even though I ordered it mild, it was quite spicy.  The Thai are known for having a much higher tolerance for heat, so keep that in mind when ordering (I know, I'm a wimp, but at least I can admit it).  If you love spicy food, you will love the curry.

The mango with sticky rice almost made up for any previous shortcomings in the meal.  The fresh sliced mango could not have been more perfectly ripe and the sweetness of the sticky rice was balanced, not cloying. The roasted mung beans sprinkled on top gave it a contrasting crunch  and even though the amount of condensed milk drizzle was precisely right, they thoughtfully included extra on the side.

Given that the new owners have only been at it for a couple of months, I am planning on returning in a few more months, perhaps to try one of their lunch specials ($6.95).  I am rooting for them to settle in and find their groove—the flavor and quality are there.  If they can be a little more generous with their ingredients, I am optimistic they will do well.

Thai Diamond BBQ

Address: 1832 E. Route 66 Unit D, Glendora, CA  91740
Business Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone Number: (626) 335-4738
Price Range: $3.95 - $12.95
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Standout Dish: Pad See Ew and Mango with Sticky Rice