Asian Taste 2 in Baltimore: Thai Curries and Stir-Fries on a Casual Budget
Asian Taste 2 is a counter-service Thai restaurant in Baltimore offering curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes at prices well below $15 per entree. The operation runs lean: no table service, no alcohol license, no ambiance beyond functional dining, and a menu built on speed and affordable portions. It sits in the middle tier of Baltimore's Thai landscape, reliable for lunch or quick dinner rather than occasion dining.
What the menu covers and what it costs
Curries arrive in three heat levels (mild, medium, hot) and cost $10 to $11 for chicken, pork, or vegetable; beef and shrimp run $11 to $12. Pad Thai and other stir-fried noodles start at $9.50 for vegetable and top out around $11.50 for shrimp. Tom Yum and other soups land at $8 to $10. A typical order consists of a single entree shared or eaten alone; most dishes serve one person generously. Pad See Ew (soy-braised wide noodles with meat and Chinese broccoli) and panang curry appear consistently on the menu. Prices are stable year to year and do not vary widely by ingredient.
Cash and card both accepted. Most customers order at the counter and eat in plastic chairs at simple tables or take food out in containers.
How it compares to other Baltimore Thai options
Baltimore's Thai scene includes sit-down restaurants with full bars and wine lists (like restaurants in Canton or Fells Point offering pad thai in the $12 to $14 range with appetizers and desserts) and casual spots similar to Asian Taste 2. Ding How, a Chinese-Thai hybrid counter spot also in Baltimore, offers overlapping noodle and curry dishes at comparable prices but skews more toward Chinese fried rice and chow mein. If you want a full dining experience with service and a drink, those sit-down establishments will cost more but deliver atmosphere. If you need a $10 curry fast and do not care about table service, Asian Taste 2 or Ding How make sense. Asian Taste 2's strength is consistency in curry flavor and portion; it does not experiment with fusion or high-end sourcing, and that straightforwardness appeals to regulars.
Who it suits and who it does not
Asian Taste 2 works for weekday lunch, dinner on a budget, office workers grabbing something between meetings, and anyone wanting authentic pad Thai or curry without pretense. It does not suit groups looking for a social meal (no bar, no lingering space, plastic furniture), people with accessibility needs requiring table service, or anyone seeking wine or beer pairings. If you need to order for six people, call ahead; the counter can get backed up during lunch rushes.
What to expect on a first visit
Walk in, read the menu board above the counter, order at the register, and pay immediately. Wait five to ten minutes. Collect your food in a bag or sit at one of four or five small tables. Sauces (fish sauce, hot chili, lime wedges) sit in squeeze bottles or small dishes on the tables. Eat and leave. No reservations, no host stand, no waiter returning to check on you.
Hours and location logistics
Hours and exact address should be confirmed by phone before visiting, as counter-service restaurants occasionally shift hours or relocate without wide notice. Parking is typically street parking in Baltimore neighborhoods; confirm what is available near the location. The restaurant is small and does not provide separate event space or private areas.
Asian Taste 2 succeeds because it delivers straightforward Thai food at a price point that makes weekday lunch or takeout dinner feel low-risk. It will not surprise you or impress someone unfamiliar with Thai cuisine, but it will feed you well for under $12.
