Great American Sandwich Company on Soi Buakhao (Dec. 27, 2017)

[Bullfrog 2,224]

They had ran out of draft beer chang when I had visited earlier so walked around the corner for food instead..

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Last night I had the August special at the Great American Sandwich Company on Soi Bukhao a hundred meters or so north of LK Metro.

The special is a barbecue bacon cheeseburger at 195 baht for the single burger or "go Texan" with the double at 345 baht.

"O say can you see ..."

And I was indeed looking at it in the twilight's last gleaming, although the well-lit interior of GASCO kind of negated that effect.

The base of the special is a homemade six-ounce patty of 100% ground steak with no filler.

The base rests on a bed of iceberg lettuce, tomato and onion and is topped with two slices of cheddar cheese, a generous strip of streaky bacon and a dollop of homemade spicy barbecue sauce.

A fresh and lightly toasted sesame roll holds the whole thing together. I had a small portion of potato salad (45 baht) as my side dish.

It all went together very well. In its price class, it's one of the better burgers I've had in Pattaya.

The beef patty, the bacon strip and the other ingredients were quality stuff. That's what makes or breaks a burger.

The sauce had a lot of flavor and was quite spicy. It was fine for me, but I wouldn't have wanted it any spicier.

If you are sensitive to capsaicin heat, you might ask for the sauce to be served on the side so you can add as much or little as you choose.

The potato salad was fresh; the potatoes weren't overly cooked and were lightly dressed, which is exactly how I like it. I don't like potato salad that is swimming in mayo.

Bottom line: With a can of Coke Zero (35 baht), the the total cost of my meal was a reasonable 275 baht. If you enjoy cheeseburgers, catch the GASCO special in the next two weeks. It isn't on the regular menu.

I really like that quote from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and while waiting for my burger, I amused myself by thinking up endings for, "On Pattaya Talk, there are two types of posters, my friend." However, I don't think at least one member (and the Mods) would appreciate it if I wrote them out, so I'll keep it as a private chuckle.

The friendliness of the staff at GASCO deserves mention, since that's by no means a given these days in Pattaya. The manager gave me a warm welcome and the wait were also full of smiles. GASCO isn't exaclty serving medicine, but a spoonful of sweetness helps even good food go down.

I also like the classic rock videos they play on the giant TV at a decent decibel level. NOT TOO LOUD! Just as I was finishing my meal, one of my all-time favorite songs came on, Centerfold by the J. Geils Band. I took that to be a very good omen for the evening to be. I wan't wrong, but that's a story for another thread.

[

I get a good feeling from GASCO and I sincerely hope it succeeds. It's a great addition to the Pattaya food scene.

Evil

Edited September 3, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[MM 6,562]

I had the "small" burger with fries, and I couldn't finish even though I was hungry. I'm really glad I didn't order the double cheeseburger!

 

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[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I had the "small" burger with fries, and I couldn't finish even though I was hungry. I'm really glad I didn't order the double cheeseburger!

 

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I have to give the waitress credit for urging me to order the single and not the "go Texan" double. Apparently a lot of customers have trouble finishing the double because it is so filling.

 

 

From what I have experienced at GASCO, the management has done its best to instill a spirit of customer service on the staff. It's service with a smile, but there's also real service behind the smile.

 

Evil

Edited August 18, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[nkped 1,208]

Went there for the first time. Nice facility and great service. I had the barbecue bacon cheeseburger. It was a nice burger and a lot of food for a reasonable price. All that being said, the next time I am up that way, I will probably go to the Brooklyn Diner. Best reason I can give is that I prefer to be able to eat my burgers with my hands rather than knife and fork.

Edited August 24, 2017 by nkped

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

September's special and new lunch specials, which look to be great value for money.

 

 

 

[short 215]

Evil, i have a request for you. When critiquing American style restaurants, could you add a critique of their iced tea also?

 

In my opinion, all American style restaurants should have at least one commercial iced tea maker and serve it unsweetened (northern style). Southerners could then add sugar as they desire and Westerners could add lemonade as they desire (yuk). This would be a plus 2, 3 or 4.

 

Being able to make make a single glass of iced tea would be a plus 1.

 

Being able to follow the instructions to bring the materials (very large glass of ice, cup of hot water, black tea bag, and maybe sugar) to the customer so that he or she can make a single glass of iced tea would be neutral.

 

Attempting to serve Lipton tea in a can would be a minus 1.

Edited September 3, 2017 by short

[MM 6,562]

Evil, i have a request for you. When critiquing American style restaurants, could you add a critique of their iced tea also?

 

In my opinion, all American style restaurants should have at least one commercial iced tea maker and serve it unsweetened (northern style). Southerners could then add sugar as they desire and Westerners could add lemonade as they desire (yuk). This would be a plus 2, 3 or 4.

 

Being able to make make a single glass of iced tea would be a plus 1.

 

Being able to follow the instructions to bring the materials (very large glass of ice, cup of hot water, black tea bag, and maybe sugar) to the customer so that he or she can make a single glass of iced tea would be neutral.

 

Attempting to serve Lipton tea in a can would be a minus 1.

Best iced tea in town is special made at Misty's

 

Really, I can't think of any reason to single out iced tea reviews in every review of a restaurant. In fact, I can't think of a single reason why anyone would mention it.

 

Up to Evil if he wants to do that, but I think your request is bonkers (as usual).

[short 215]

Best iced tea in town is special made at Misty's

 

Really, I can't think of any reason to single out iced tea reviews in every review of a restaurant. In fact, I can't think of a single reason why anyone would mention it.

 

Up to Evil if he wants to do that, but I think your request is bonkers (as usual).

 

 

I was not too impressed with Misty's tea, but tastes do differ.

 

By far the best tea I've had in Thailand was at "The Tavern" in Bangkok. When you order iced tea, they brew enough to fill two large glasses and you don't have to explain anything to them.

 

Although it has an unfair advantage, Carls Jr has the best iced tea in Pattaya.

 

Btw, I didn't say "every restaurant". I said "every American style restaurant". Big difference.

[MM 6,562]

 

 

I was not too impressed with Misty's tea, but tastes do differ.

 

By far the best tea I've had in Thailand was at "The Tavern" in Bangkok. When you order iced tea, they brew enough to fill two large glasses and you don't have to explain anything to them.

 

Although it has an unfair advantage, Carls Jr has the best iced tea in Pattaya.

 

Btw, I didn't say "every restaurant". I said "every American style restaurant". Big difference.

I'm well aware you said American restaurant.

You're weird.

 

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[short 215]

You're weird.

 

 

 

come on now, no name calling please

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Evil, i have a request for you. When critiquing American style restaurants, could you add a critique of their iced tea also?

I am a big fan of iced tea and drink it by the gallon at home. However, I don't usually have it with meals in restaurants in Pattaya. It's usually beer or Coke Zero for me. My perception could be off, but I think fewer and fewer restaurants are offering ice tea that they brew themselves.

 

But if I do have ice tea while eating out, I'll be sure to mention it in any review I write.

 

Evil

Edited September 4, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[Harvey 249]

Here in the states, iced tea is my go-to soft drink with meals. I don't like soda and water seems to boring to me.

 

Sweet tea in places in the south. Regular unsweetened iced tea everywhere else.

 

But I have zero expectation that it'll be good outside of the states (at least in the forms I'm used to). I don't even try to order it in Pattaya.

Edited September 4, 2017 by Harvey

[short 215]

 

My perception could be off, but I think fewer and fewer restaurants are offering ice tea that they brew themselves.

 

 

 

Your perception isn't off. One of the cafeterias I frequent in the states has switched to pre-brewed tea and it is awful. The cashier agrees and lets me get hot water and ice for free if I bring a tea bag. I hope this isn't a trend.

 

Sales of iced tea at that location has plummeted.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

The BBQ bacon cheeseburger proved very popular and has been added to GASCO's regular menu. It's also part of the all-day Friday special. It's an excellent burger at a very reasonable price.

 

 

Evil

 

 

[Odense 498]

 

I am a big fan of iced tea and drink it by the gallon at home. However, I don't usually have it with meals in restaurants in Pattaya. It's usually beer or Coke Zero for me. My perception could be off, but I think fewer and fewer restaurants are offering ice tea that they brew themselves.

 

But if I do have ice tea while eating out, I'll be sure to mention it in any review I write.

 

Evil

How do you make it at home - preferably the peach flavored "zero" version ?

 

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[Firepole 181]

Not to threadfuck(or continue it ) but I bring a jar of Lipton Iced Tea mix with me. Diet/caffeine-free w/lemon. I guess I'm weird too. Not as weird as, oh, I don't know, people from California so I'm perfectly fine with it.

 

Carl's Jr? Top floor-Central?

Edited September 9, 2017 by Firepole

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

How do you make it at home - preferably the peach flavored "zero" version ?

 

Sendt fra min ALE-L21 med Tapatalk

 

There are several ways to make iced tea. You can use a mix (as in the post above) or brew your own using either loose leaf tea or teabags. Just brew the tea twice or four times as strong as usual, then use ice cubes or cold water to dilute it.

 

I mostly cold brew iced tea. I mix one big tablespoon (8-10 grams) of loose leaf black tea with a liter of water and let it stand in the refrigerator 8-12 hours. Couldn't be easier.

 

The easiest way to make peach iced tea is to use the appropriate tea bags. such as:

 

 

Another way is to use either peach essence (concentrated flavoring) or peach nectar (juice) to add the peach flavor to iced tea.

 

 

The most complicated way is to use fresh peaches or even canned peaches. You can boil fresh or canned peach slices in water to make a reduction, either with or without sugar, and use the reduction to flavor iced tea. Or you can run slices of either fresh or canned peaches through a blender, then add to the tea.

 

 

Evil

Edited September 9, 2017 by Evil Penevil

[Odense 498]

Thanks Evil.

I knew the ready mixes and would not shrink from using them if could find a good one that was not full of sugar. I like it sweet (bad habit I know) but I better go with Aspartame or similar instead of sugar.

I will see if I can find the teabags for peach ice tea - they are not in the "normal" supermarkets here.

I will try to avoid the peach or peach juice additions.

 

 

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[jacko 8,822]

They had ran out of draft beer chang when I had visited earlier so walked around the corner for food instead..

I was going to give the place a try only a few days ago and was put off by the appearance, seemed cramped and overly casual.

Do they perhaps focus on eat-out.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

My last trip to Thailand I ended up in the hospital with an intestinal infection. I got loose and was eating off of food carts, which I had never done before. Of course, even restaurant food is not 100% safe, especially buffets and uncooked foods.

 

Here in California we have had lettuce recalled when wild pigs get into lettuce patches.

 

Now, I don't want to cast aspersions on this establishment but in the photos I notice raw lettuce. I am sure they use mayo. It is a tropical country. It jt makes me think. Like I said, I got sick once so I am a bit gunshy.

[short 215]

My last trip to Thailand I ended up in the hospital with an intestinal infection. I got loose and was eating off of food carts, which I had never done before. Of course, even restaurant food is not 100% safe, especially buffets and uncooked foods.

 

Here in California we have had lettuce recalled when wild pigs get into lettuce patches.

 

Now, I don't want to cast aspersions on this establishment but in the photos I notice raw lettuce. I am sure they use mayo. It is a tropical country. It jt makes me think. Like I said, I got sick once so I am a bit gunshy.

 

Instead of sugar use real (not fake) honey. Don't put the honey in hot water, that will convert it to sugar

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

 

Instead of sugar use real (not fake) honey. Don't put the honey in hot water, that will convert it to sugar

 

Sorry I am confused. My point was about raw produce. I am not sure what you are talking about regarding honey. Is that available in LOS? Could be. Bees are all over the planet.

[short 215]

Thanks Evil.

I knew the ready mixes and would not shrink from using them if could find a good one that was not full of sugar. I like it sweet (bad habit I know) but I better go with Aspartame or similar instead of sugar.

I will see if I can find the teabags for peach ice tea - they are not in the "normal" supermarkets here.

I will try to avoid the peach or peach juice additions.

 

 

Sendt fra min ALE-L21 med Tapatalk

 

 

midlife, it is ok for you to be confused because I quoted the wrong quote.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

 

 

midlife, it is ok for you to be confused because I quoted the wrong quote.

 

At my age confusion can be a scary thing.