Nestled in the back corner of Palo Alto’s Town and Country Village lies a humble, modern Thai-inspired chicken joint. Roost & Roast is known for its crispy, delicate Hat-Yai style chicken, a popular southern Thai fried chicken topped with fried shallots. Served in a quick and lightweight bento box, the traditional Thai flavors get a California twist with an array of fresh vegetables.
The store itself is small and unassuming—it’s lined with wooden planks and black and white tiles with a singular countertop running through the middle. Three colorful drink fountains lie behind the counter, filled with a sweet Thai iced tea, a tangy pomegranate lemonade, and a mango lemonade. The restaurant only offers takeout: customers can either order online or in person at the store with minimal traffic.
Chicken Pad Thai Noodles ($17.50): 5/10
When eating pad thai, one would usually expect something rich with an intense combination of tangy, savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. This dish, though deceivingly colorful on the surface, is only sweet and tastes more like a slightly savory dessert than an entreé. The pepper flakes sprinkled on top do not seem to cohere with the rest of the dish, and stick out as an overwhelmingly one-noted aftertaste.
The noodles are also slightly undercooked and lack the bouncy texture usually found in pad thai. Despite this, the chicken remains reasonably tender, and the bean sprouts provide a refreshing respite from the rest of the dish.
Hat Yai Chicken & Rice with Roti and Massaman Curry ($18.95): 9/10
The Hat Yai Chicken and Rice meal with Roti and Massaman Curry is by far the best dish we tried. The fried chicken is perfectly cooked, providing a satisfying crunch while maintaining a tender inside. While the chicken could be more heavily seasoned, the variety of sauces served with the meals adds a welcome boost of flavor. The roti is great—flaky and chewy, and when dipped in the flavorful Massaman curry sauce, it creates a perfect side to accompany the chicken.
Gai Yang BBQ Chicken & Salad ($16.95): 6/10
The Gai Yang BBQ chicken is decent—the chicken is flavorful, slightly smoky, and tender, but nothing mind-blowing. The pickled vegetables and assorted vegetables are fresh, light, and crunchy. Though customers can choose a sauce to pair with the chicken, the meal feels disconnected. The chicken and salad seem more like two side dishes combined into an entree than a single, cohesive meal.
Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice ($17.50): 8/10
The Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice is an adequate side, but could be stronger overall. The rice is well-cooked, but it lacks some flavor without the pineapple or tofu. The pineapple gives a tropical, sour taste that accompanies the sweet tofu well. Topped with green onions to add unifying spice, the fried rice proves a great addition when combined with some of the other main dishes.
