I go to Green Mango Boys once a week for Pad Thai but, with the Christmas crowd at Cloverdale, I decided to check Ranu Thai out since it had great reviews.
OK, I can't stress enough what a hole in wall it was - very small, open kitchen and teensy bar/sitting area. I ordered Pad Thai with chicken and the gentlemen who took/cooked my order was really sweet and friendly. He cooked the food on a flat top (not wok) and I saw him adding carrots and cabbage to it ... isn't that unconventional? Then he picked up the bean sprouts (without gloves) and mixed them into the noodles - aren't they supposed to go on top as a garnish? I thought that it was possible I was being too picky as it did look good in the container (see pic).
Anyway, maybe it's just me but I didn't like it. The noodles were very dry and bland and I could smell the fish sauce which was putting me off of the dish. I did NOT care for the addition of the carrots and cabbage; I could taste a bit of ginger and some other perfume-y spice which I can't pinpoint the identity. No sign of tamarind which, in my opinion, is essential to the dish. Again, very unconventional. I hate to say it but I only ate a small plate and had to toss the rest.
Would I go again? Likely not as I like saucy, spicy, sour-y Pad Thai. I don't want to encourage others not to try it because I think it was just a matter of taste. Two stars because it was nice service.