Beaver Bar & Grill, Banchang

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Beaver Bar & Grill on Banchang's main strip seems to be a good place for American food. I say "seems" because I've only eaten there once and had a rather limited meal. What encouraged me more than anything was the menu - it featured dishes I haven't seen offered very often in Thailand. The printed menu mostly listed standard American comfort food, but it and the whiteboard suggested a Southern U.S. flare.

Make no mistake. Beaver Bar & Grill isn't a fine dining experience. It's pretty much a dive and you have to eat at the bar counter - there aren't any tables. But it's the food and not the ambiance that's important and the food my friend and I had yesterday (Aug.30) was mostly good. And you have to love a place that offers a spice mix called Slap Ya Mama.

My interest was piqued by "red beans with rice/corn bread" on the menu. That's an iconic Louisiana Creole dish and I was eager to see how well the Beaver could pull it off. I had assumed from the menu it came with a side of corn bread, but the waitress said I had to choose either rice or cornbread. That was odd, I thought, but since I eat rice on almost a daily basis in Thaialnd and cornbread never, I chose the cornbread.

My friend, who said he wasn't very hungry, took the tuna sandwich. His order came first and this is what he got, a very substantial sandwich for 180 baht:

He said it was very good and finished it off, despite not being too hungry.

I must say my heart sank when my order came down in front of me. It looked like some sort of bean and ham soup, rather that any variation of red beans I'd seen before. Some dishes just don't have appeal when photographed and this was one of them.

For comparison, here's what the red beans and rice I'm most familiar with looks like:

But there are soupier variations as well:

Whatever its appearance, the Beaver B & G's red beans tasted great. It was full of very flavorful chunks of American-smoked ham, but somewhat stingy on the beans. The sauce (actually closer to soup) was seasoned correctly and delicious.

The cornbread was pretty bland, but it went down well when crumbled into the bowl of red beans. It cost only 180 baht.

We then went out on a mini bar crawl. My friend found a girl he liked and decided to short-time her just about an hour before the car back to Pattaya was to pick us up. I was bored with the Banchang bars at that point and decided to walk around a bit. A couple of pics from the Banchang strip. Honestly, I didn't see much that was worth a pic.

Fifteen minutes before the meet-up time, I returned to the Beaver B & G to try the pecan pie, one of my very favorite desserts. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Rather than pie, it was more like a pecan brownie on a crust. It was far too dry and lacked the proper consistency and flavor. If I had tasted it blindfolded, I would never have guessed it was supposed to be pecan pie. Perhaps it had been baked too long or the cook had run out of Karo syrup, which is essential to pecan pie. The coffee was good, though.

I would have to eat in Beaver B & G several more times before recommending it wholeheartedly. The red beans were great tasting if somewhat the wrong consistency and color. My friend really liked the tuna sandwich and said it was better than any he'd had in Pattaya. Next time I'm in Banchang I'll try either the meat loaf or the B-B-Q beef burger to see if the Beaver lives up to the potential displayed in its menu. I do get a craving for American food sometimes. I don't know yet whether I'll be able to leave it to Beaver or not.

Evil

[LocalYokul 215]

When he first opened the main rave was their chili.

[LocalYokul 215]

I like the way they spelled Chicken FAHITA, LMAO.

[teelack 9,640]

Have to say Evil that this is perhaps the first thread here about Ban Chang where the subject regarding eating is about actually eating food!

[Gary 4,119]

They would sell a lot more food if they had a sign out front. A friend and myself were down there a couple weeks ago and every meal we ate at the Camel. Had we known that little bar had food we would have given it a try.

 

If there was even a little sign, we didn't see it. Thanks for the post. Now I know.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I rode down to Ban Chang on my motorcycle last year just to check the place out. I also had lunch at the Beaver Bar (or maybe it was Camel, I can't remember), the club sandwich was more like an egg sandwich, better (and cheaper) at Cafe Pittini on Soi Buakhao. Took a ride along the beachfront, not very impressed with the town. Maybe it's better at night? I hope so.

Edited September 1, 2013 by RhinoTusk

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Banchang has never been a favorite of mine. It always seemed a long way to go for what was essentially a smaller version of Soi 6. My impression is that it was wilder in the bars there a few years ago. Unlike Pattaya, you were allowed to take explicit pics of the goings-on, but that has also been stopped.

 

Evil

[teelack 9,640]

The thing about BC is that it is a more gentle version of Soi 6. The girls are easier to deal with and they require less drink and at substantially lower prices. I have never met a place that is so dedicated to the one on one experience like this place. I was around when they had the dance competitions and whilst fun I am always running for the bus as I get into the place so much without having to be entertained by other methods. I will admit to not being a fan of Soi 6 whereas the ambience of BC is just right for me but that is Pattaya. Always something for everyone as long as you are prepared to get out there and look. I have indeed heard of punters going on a bar crawl that have got a taxi home within an hour because they just didn't get the place but on the other hand I have heard a lot more stories of guys getting to stay the night there as it just seemed to be the right thing to do!

Banchang has never been a favorite of mine. It always seemed a long way to go for what was essentially a smaller version of Soi 6. My impression is that it was wilder in the bars there a few years ago. Unlike Pattaya, you were allowed to take explicit pics of the goings-on, but that has also been stopped.

Evil

[steamer 158]

The thing about BC is that it is a more gentle version of Soi 6. The girls are easier to deal with and they require less drink and at substantially lower prices. I have never met a place that is so dedicated to the one on one experience like this place. I was around when they had the dance competitions and whilst fun I am always running for the bus as I get into the place so much without having to be entertained by other methods. I will admit to not being a fan of Soi 6 whereas the ambience of BC is just right for me but that is Pattaya. Always something for everyone as long as you are prepared to get out there and look. I have indeed heard of punters going on a bar crawl that have got a taxi home within an hour because they just didn't get the place but on the other hand I have heard a lot more stories of guys getting to stay the night there as it just seemed to be the right thing to do!

 

 

Pretty much sums it up. I like BC and have stayed there a few times.

 

+1

[LocalYokul 215]

They would sell a lot more food if they had a sign out front. A friend and myself were down there a couple weeks ago and every meal we ate at the Camel. Had we known that little bar had food we would have given it a try.

 

If there was even a little sign, we didn't see it. Thanks for the post. Now I know.

 

I'm pretty sure they used to have an easel up out front with the special of the day advertised.

Edited September 1, 2013 by LocalYokul

[LocalYokul 215]

Bar & GRILL is kind of a nod to the fact that they sell food, LMAO.

[jacko 8,815]

Bar & GRILL is kind of a nod to the fact that they sell food, LMAO.

Risky in LOS, I have certainly learned not to expect western ideas when I see the names 'Resort' and 'Mansion' here.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Personally, I would stick to the Camel for western food on that strip… it is actually pretty good IMHO. Shame about the local clientele though ! I think it may be a Thai-visa moderators hang-out!

[capdagde 1,954]

I reckon that "Slap ya Mama" and some of that chili would give me a southern "flare" too, Evil!

 

(Trusting my farts less now that I'm over fifty )

 

Cheers!

 

Andy

Edited September 3, 2013 by capdagde

[MM 6,562]

Based on your description, my next meal there will be "red beans with rice/corn bread". I consider Beaver B&G to be the high point of most of my trips to Ban Chang. The rest is a bit off for me. If I want a quickie, I'd go to Soi 6 or an MP, not drive 45 minutes to that place.

[LocalYokul 215]

Personally, I would stick to the Camel for western food on that strip… it is actually pretty good IMHO. Shame about the local clientele though ! I think it may be a Thai-visa moderators hang-out!

 

hmm, not sure which mod that would be, but I don't spend a lot of time on TV.com

 

 

If I want a quickie, I'd go to Soi 6 or an MP, not drive 45 minutes to that place.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't go all the way to Banchang for a shag if I lived in Pattaya.

[frostfire 1,279]

Agree with MM.

 

Am sure they have some meals that are less well prepared than others, but I have actually driven out to BC ONLY to eat at Beavers. I have had a good dozen or more of their meals (over dozens of visits - usually twice or so a month for the last 6 years), and with a couple minor cooking discrepancies they have all been awesome. I just can't say enough about Beavers food.

 

Frosty

[steamer 158]

Agree with MM.

 

Am sure they have some meals that are less well prepared than others, but I have actually driven out to BC ONLY to eat at Beavers. I have had a good dozen or more of their meals (over dozens of visits - usually twice or so a month for the last 6 years), and with a couple minor cooking discrepancies they have all been awesome. I just can't say enough about Beavers food.

 

Frosty

 

I'll try them next time as the Camel isn't very good overall. Haven't tried the Thai there tho, The do make the best chips in sea tho.

[Fatboyfat 361]

hmm, not sure which mod that would be, but I don't spend a lot of time on TV.com

Just rhetoric LY !

[Trvlr 50]

Anyone has any directions to Banchang?

Next time I am in Pattaya I want to ride out there, not for this restaurant, but just for general amusement.

I guess I get on Sukhumvit and head north - so basically I need the point where I turn west to head to Banchang.

Some easily recognizable landmarks/distance will be really helpful.

[jacko 8,815]

Anyone has any directions to Banchang?

Next time I am in Pattaya I want to ride out there, not for this restaurant, but just for general amusement.

I guess I get on Sukhumvit and head north - so basically I need the point where I turn west to head to Banchang.

Some easily recognizable landmarks/distance will be really helpful.

Nah, I would head south!

Basically stay on Sukumvit and keep going and it is near the U-Tapao airport.

Use Google Maps.

Edited September 4, 2013 by jacko

[steamer 158]

A left on Sukhumvit towards the Silver Lake winery will get you most of the way there. Then another right at the end of that road.

Edited September 4, 2013 by steamer

[ttk 236]

Anyone has any directions to Banchang?

Next time I am in Pattaya I want to ride out there, not for this restaurant, but just for general amusement.

I guess I get on Sukhumvit and head north - so basically I need the point where I turn west to head to Banchang.

Some easily recognizable landmarks/distance will be really helpful.

A couple of years ago, I headed to BC with a couple of other BM's. Met at Cherry bar to grab a Taxi Hammer called. To my surprise, he did head North on Sukhumvit and took the back way in. Once there, the Taxi driver had no ckue how to find the Soi...and with the way the Taxi went, we had to drive around a bit to find the place.

[LocalYokul 215]

Anyone has any directions to Banchang?

Next time I am in Pattaya I want to ride out there, not for this restaurant, but just for general amusement.

I guess I get on Sukhumvit and head north - so basically I need the point where I turn west to head to Banchang.

Some easily recognizable landmarks/distance will be really helpful.

 

Lotus Banchang is right on Sukhumvit Road. Once you pass that, you're almost to the bars.

If you pass the Kasikorn Bank you've gone too far.

You can however turn in the soi alongside Kasikorn and then make another left when you come to another paved road and you'd be right in the middle of The Strip.

[teelack 9,640]

I missed the mini bus last year and a cab was 700 baht so it is still a reasonable trip.