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| - "FEATURING TASTY NOODLE DISHES FROM THE STREET MARKETS OF THAILAND!" is what Noodlehead's website blazes. Had a Friday evening dinner recently with a group of 6 to celebrate one of who had been visiting and working with us for six months from Thailand. She is returning to Thailand next week. We were surprised when she wanted Thai food for her farewell dinner back to Thailand, but later she told us this food tastes nothing like the street food in Thailand (so much for the website claim). However, if it's good enough for someone from Thailand to choose it for a farewell dinner, it's probably pretty good.
Parking is absolutely terrible around this area of Highland Ave. At least it's relatively safe as you're walking to your car 4 blocks away. Arriving at 5:40pm, the small space (seats about 50 by my estimation) was already completely full. Pittsburghers do like to eat early. Noodlehead has an annoying but well documented policy that they won't seat you until your entire group is present. Although some of our group members were late, there wasn't anywhere for us to sit until 30 minutes anyway. Noodlehead is BYOB (50 cents/person corkage), so no drinks while you're waiting (and this is not the kind of place that will call you while you grab a drink down the street).
The menu is basic American-Thai fare. There's just a few appetizers like pork belly steamed buns and Thai fried chicken. There's a variety of noodle dishes like Pad Thai and "Street Noodle." As other's have mentioned, for most of the dishes you pick a spice level from 1 to 5. 1 is clear your sinuses, slightly runny nose hot so be very careful unless you're used to this kind of thing (our Thai friend ordered a 5). You'll have a better meal and avoid next-day unpleasantness.
Everything was tasty, but no better or worse than any other Thai place that I've been to in Pittsburgh.
The service was fast and friendly. By the time we got up to leave, the crowd waiting was staggering. More people were waiting than there were seats in the restaurant. Noodlehead's good, but with the hideous parking situation, the long wait for a table, and the overall standard cuisine, I don't understand the popularity of this particular establishment.
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