Rama
Latest Reviews
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I love everything about this place. Its incredibly unassuming from the exterior but is a complete treasure on the inside. Its only open for dinner but…
Alyce
Rama
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Its been awhile since I popped into this plain-looking joint. The last time I wound up at this discreet, hole-in-the-wall eatery, about four years ago…
Wayne Stevens
Rama
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Great food, poor ambiance. Ambiance and service were ok much like previous reviewers have mentioned. The rooms were cramped but despite the slower ser…
Kaufmann_rachel
Rama
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Rama serves Thai. Incorrect or missing information? Make a report, or claim the restaurant if you own it!Details
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8 Reviews on “Rama”
Its been awhile since I popped into this plain-looking joint. The last time I wound up at this discreet, hole-in-the-wall eatery, about four years ago, I found myself in the midst of what would become a comically bad date shortly after the conclusion of our meal. She had suggested the place and so I figured, what the heck, it cant be too bad (full disclosure fellas: you should usually trust an older woman). I remember that our food took ages to arrive and myI think it was chicken currywas nothing special. But that’s a story for a different time. Rama is of course located right beyond the Perkins Road overpass. It sits in the midst of a series of restaurants which in recent years have formed a culinary haven for both LSU students and Mid City dwellers alike. Then again, you dont need to live nearby in order to seek some quality food encompassing a wide range of both ethnic and Americanized cuisines. There are bars and shops within walking distance, or a brief bicycle ride, and the area has grown leaps and bounds in the years since I first tried Rama.There are numerous parking options for restaurants within immediate proximity to the overpass. Most businesses have their own parking lots, Rama actually has parking both in the front and rear, but there are also a number of spots available directly underneath the overpass. However, I must clarify that certain sections of parking are specific to particular businesses (just a heads up). My date and I found ourselves scratching our heads over where we should go for dinner on Saturday night. She initially suggested Mediterranean, but I figured we had tried most places in town and I was in search of some place new. She mentioned previously that she had a desire to try Thai food. I thought for a moment and recalled the establishment which had provided a relatively forgetful meal from yesteryear. Before you knew it, we found ourselves northbound on Perkins Road. We pulled in under the overpass and parked in one of the graveled spots. After that, we strolled over to Ramas front entrance.Upon arriving at the front door, I soon recalled a similar frustration I faced with Rama in the not-so-distant past. The entranceway lacks any distinction which would indicate that it is indeed the proper way to access the restaurant. There is no sign or marking which details hours of operation or even signals if the place is open for business. In fact, all there is a commonplace green door situated along a cinderblock wall painted an unappealing pea soup green. There are no windows on the exterior wall that allow you to view Ramas interior and, again, no signs apart from the one above the porch overhang that reveal the buildings purpose or manner of business. Had it not been for two individuals exiting the establishment at the moment we contemplated entering through the aforementioned door, we probably would have stumbled around for several minutes while attempting to access a hidden passageway. The front door leads to a cramped, claustrophobic corridor with an interior wall separating the small space from part of the dining area. Oddly enough, there is no hostess stand. If you are fortunate enough, one of the servers will observe your arrival and seat you momentarily. However, if you fail to time your entrance just right, you might find yourself standing there for several moments like a goof, all the while standing awkwardly by a nearby table of diners. Fortunately, a server soon noticed us and led us to the adjacent dining room which was separated by an additional wall. I recalled dining in the same room during my previous visit because the feeling of confinement and disorientation seemed all too familiar to me. There are mirror panes encompassing nearly the entire walls on the far side of the room. The illusion mimics a sight comparable to a house of mirrors at a carnival. Combined with the maze of walls, this design can give you quite the headache. While initially discombobulated, it appears as though the dining space is far bigger than it appears. However, it is actually as small and confined as the buildings size would reflect.We were seated at a small table for two along, thankfully, one of the non-mirrored walls (Im not sure the narcissist in me could have handled being forced to gaze at such a handsome reflection throughout the entirety of our meal). After looking over what I would classify as an intimidating menu due to its sheer number of dishes, we ordered an appetizer and asked for an additional moment to contemplate our entrees. My date easily settled on the pad Thai, but I was torn between the mint chicken and the Rama duck or chicken. I was in the mood for something with a kick, but, according to the menu, the Rama duck or chicken was described as Ramas recommended dish! The lack of description compared to other menu items concerned me, but I figured that if the menu says the dish is worth a try then perhaps I should heed its advice. And so, I selected the Rama duck.Our appetizer arrived not long after our entrees were ordered. However, we soon realized that there had been some confusion amid the order process. There are two cold spring rolls listed on Ramas menu. The first item listed is the traditional variation with sweet sausages and crab meat, but the second option, listed as vegetarian, lacks the sausage and crab meat. I foolishly assumed that there was only one form of spring roll, the vegetarian, but my date had pointed to the non-vegetarian variety. It was admittedly our mistake, but that seemed to put a damper on the meal going forward.There were also two obnoxiously loud parties seated in the same room as us. They would begin cackling like a pack of hyenas at various moments during our meal, and each of them seemed to lack the social graces and awareness necessary to comprehend a proper volume for closeby communication. Our food took quite some time to arrive. Although, there is a disclaimer on the menu which clarifies that all food is made fresh to order and therefore requires some time to assemble. Still, it appeared as though other tables received much quicker service during their respective meals. My Rama duck arrived first and the pad Thai followed shortly after. The pad Thai is a generous serving at only $8.25. The plate was overflowing with rice noodles and a medley of pork, chicken, shrimp, and egg. On the other hand, my dish was less impressive in terms of sheer volume. Although the portions were not meager by any respect, I found them to be a little disappointing given the $13 price tag. The steamed mix vegetables made up of broccoli, water chestnuts, cabbage, and carrots, were quite tasty, but, as always is the case with many restaurants the amount seemed a bit skimpy. The duck itself was fairly disappointing. The meat was a bit dry. And without the accompanying sauce, which had a nice salty and savory element to it, lacked any particular flavor. I seemed to have reached a similar conclusion during my last meal at Rama. It was okay, but nothing special.My date liked her pad Thai but said that she has had better. She also found the peanuts in the dish to be a bit too overpowering and lamented over the lack of any other distinct flavors.Like our food, our bill appeared to take much longer to arrive than those for other diners. Our total came out to more than $30 and Im not so sure I understand why. I suppose the pad Thais very cheap price juxtaposed with my more costly Rama duck seemed most perplexing.In my opinion, the food isn’t quite as impressive as the ratings reflect. It’s reminiscent of most other Asian cuisine in town, with little distinction in taste or quality apart from the discernible Indian influence found in many of the dishes. The prices are pretty good for many menu items, but the dining setting is far too small for my liking. Throw in an absence of windows and the somewhat puzzling entrance, and you have yourself an average meal. Some of the artwork inside is nice to look at. And I guess you can argue that under the right circumstances this would be a pretty good date night option, but I think there are better places within a short walking distance.Still, if you like Thai food, enjoy dining in indistinct buildings, and hope to not break the bank while dining out, perhaps Rama might be perfect for you. Rama Duck 7/10Cost: 7/10Dining Area/Dcor: 4/10Customer Service: 6/10Location: 8/10
Great food, poor ambiance. Ambiance and service were ok much like previous reviewers have mentioned. The rooms were cramped but despite the slower service the two women who work there were both extremely friendly. My boyfriend and I went for my birthday; we ordered egg rolls as an appetizer and each ordered a separate soup. The egg rolls were very good however a little greasy. He thought his egg drop soup was a little bland but my lemongrass soup was superb. There were plenty of mushrooms and shrimp and the flavors were delicious. As entrees we ordered beef fried rice and the Pad Thai. Both were very good. The Pad Thai was different than those I’ve had at other Thai restaurants- it was a bit spicier and lacked some of the traditional flavors I was expecting- the peanuts were tiny bits almost like crumbs, few bean sprouts, and was served with chicken and shrimp. It was good, but not what I was expecting. I’ve saved the best review for last. The fried bananas with coconut ice cream was absolutely on point. We were so full from our meal I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle it but this dessert is something you want to make room for. The ice cream was especially coconut-y and the bananas had a wonderful crisp outer layer almost like a hushpuppy. They were crispy and tasted amazing with the ice cream. I want to go back and just order it as my entree as it was THAT GOOD.
Great Thai. Great lemongrass based soup. The rama sauce seafood dishes are unique and very nice. Everything is good, try it! The building is a strange one (green, no windows on the outside), but if you like intimate hole in the wall places with crazy good food, you won’t be disappointed!
Tiny, strange, yet cozy and great food. What a strange restaurant from the outside–or the inside. BUT, the lemongrass soup and spring rolls are to die for! Try the homemade coconut or DURIAN FRUIT ICE CREAM served with a tempura fried banana. You won’t get THAT anywhere else in the South. Eat here. It will make your life awesome.
Best in BR! Spicy meatballs, tom yum soup and pad Thai are always great!
Good food. Indian curry 5x spicy is awesome. Unfortunately, a large number of patrons are a bit pompous.You may have to wipe the douchebaggery off of you when leaving. But the food and the friendly waitress is worth it. Hence the reason we continue to return.
Food so good it gave me good dreams. Recently went to Rama with my girlfriend and tried the duck with vegetables on the side. It was amazing and my first time trying duck. I also tried the coconut ice-cream drizzled with chocolate on top of fried bananas. It was amazing and my first time trying coconut ice-cream and fried bananas. I learnt if you don’t like coconut, you’re not going to like coconut ice-cream but I don’t regret trying it and the fried bananas helped take out the coconut favor. I left feeling full but not stuffed. The food was amazing, I know some reviewers said that the wait time was long, but it wasn’t for me. The waitress was very nice and sweet constantly asking if we enjoyed our food which they take their time to cook for scratch after you ordered it. It was a great experience, great service, great affordable prices, great intimate atmosphere, and great food. I definitely plan on going again. There is so much to try. I easily fell asleep that night and had a series of good dreams. I woke up the next day and my girlfriend asked me if I had about four or five good dreams too. Rama is a magical place with food so good it will give you good dreams.