content: Simply put, this is the best Thai in Charlotte.  Nothing too fancy, just a lot of the basics done consistently and without unnecessary frills.  This is like that little unassuming hole in the wall that you almost have to know about before you're willing to walk in and try it.  But once you do sit down, you know you've found a gem you'll come back to again.\n\nThai Taste has been around since my high school days, always in the same building, and I don't think the decor has changed one bit.  Neither has the menu, but then you don't go messing with a good thing.\n\nLet me just say lunch is a much better value here than dinner- if for no other reason that you get a small bowl of a simple soup and a crispy spring roll served with a side of orange sauce, regardless of your entree choice.  Yes, it can be crowded at the height of lunch, but I've never had to wait long, even when people stand around outside the (only) door.  If you wait till 1 PM or beyond, you'll just about have the place to yourself.  The crowd is generally a mix of suits and the more casually dressed, with a few cops and the scrub-wearing hospital workers thrown in for good mix.  \n\nThe lunch menu is a much-abbreviated version of the dinner menu.  A single laminated page of about 8-10 dishes that each have a good, plain english description of what it is you are browsing.  Want a classic not on the menu?  Just ask- the menu does rotate by the day of the week so they will make just about anything for you if it is a traditional Thai dish.  \n\nYou get your choice of meat with each entree, which determines the price, or you can always choose to go vegetarian, which usually means tofu, though you can decline the same, as you can also decline eggs in the dish as well.  Here's my best tip- if you like Pad Thai (Pud Thai here, per the menu) get the vegetarian option if you like extra colorful veggies.  Lots more broccoli and carrots than if you order a meat.  Tofu is sauteed on the outside, but absorbs the wonderful peanut sauce that is the base of the dish.  Portions are always generous, so come hungry.\n\nUn-sweet iced tea is included with every meal too, they'll usually bring a small pitcher for your table.  Here's my second tip- drink the tea, you'll need it if you like any advanced level of spice.  Coke and other soda is available, but it is served by the can and costs extra.  You already effectively paid for the tea in the price of the lunch, so drink it.\n\nIf I had one complaint, it is this- they ask you how spicy you like your dish and indicate the same using 1-5 \""stars.\""  In my experience, the only difference between 1 and 5 stars is the amount of red pepper flakes dumped on top of the finished product.  1 is to little, 5 is just too much.  With the number of Thai peppers and sauces available, I'd like to think we could do better here, but it's just not to be had here.\n\nNote this restaurant now has other locations in both Matthews and University City.  Don't be fooled, the original still stands above the rest.