Day 76 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this one took me to Catonsville for a Thai spot locals have quietly been gatekeeping. Grace’s Thai Kitchen is a hidden gem known for seriously fantastic Thai food, and it’s a food truck, not a sit-down restaurant, which somehow makes it even more of a find.
I came hungry and left seriously impressed, the Pad Kra Praow with imported Thai chilies was probably my favorite thing I ate, and the made-from-scratch Thai iced tea’s a must. Grace and her sister Gib were the kindest, and you can taste how much they care in every dish. Fair warning, Nomsters, the truck only runs a few days a week and the line gets real, so plan ahead. Here’s everything we got. (Grace’s team kindly treated us to dinner for this one.)
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What Makes Grace’s Thai Kitchen a Standout Thai Spot in Catonsville
So here’s the deal: Grace’s Thai Kitchen runs out of a food truck parked at a shared commissary kitchen on Edmondson Ave, and Grace cooks just about everything on a single wok. That setup tells you what you need to know, this is small-batch, made-to-order Thai food from someone who genuinely loves it. It’s her third year running the truck, she’s built a loyal local following, and word is she’s hoping to open a brick-and-mortar spot in Howard County before too long. What sets it apart is the care and the heat, they use imported Thai peppers and they don’t play, so the flavors land the way they’re supposed to. For real Thai food with zero corners cut, this truck’s the move.
What to Order at Grace’s Thai Kitchen
Here’s everything we got, and it was all so good.
Pad Kra Praow ($16 beef, $14 chicken or tofu)
This was probably my fave dish of the night. It’s tender beef in a scrumptious brown sauce loaded with Thai basil, string beans, peppers, and aromatics, and it’s got real depth. Get it Thai spicy if you’re brave, lol, because they use imported Thai peppers and they do NOT play. If you’re not big on heat, dial it back, but whatever you do, don’t skip this one. You can also order it with chicken or tofu, so it works whether or not you eat meat. Easily my top pick from this visit.
Crab Rangoons ($7.50)
New to the menu and super tasty. They’re crispy as can be and come with a yummy dipping sauce that ties the whole thing together. A great way to start while you wait on the mains. If you love a crunchy app, get these. Another Catonsville Thai hidden gem worth your time is Thai Heaven, if you want to make it a whole Thai thing in this part of the county.
Pad Thai ($16 with shrimp)
One of their bestsellers, and it’s a classic done really nicely here. If you’ve got someone at the table who wants something familiar and not too spicy, this is the safe, crowd-pleasing order. Nothing fussy, just a solid, well-made plate of Pad Thai.
Thai Iced Tea and Thai Iced Coffee ($4.50 each)
Do not leave without one of these. Both are made from scratch and SO delicious, and they’re the perfect thing to have alongside the Pad Kra Praow. A total must-order, get one of each and share if you can’t decide.
What Is Pad Kra Praow, Exactly?
If you haven’t had it before, Pad Kra Praow (you’ll also see it spelled pad krapow or pad kra pao) is one of Thailand’s most beloved everyday dishes, basically a holy-basil stir-fry. The protein gets tossed in a screaming-hot wok with garlic, chilies, and Thai basil until it’s fragrant and a little saucy, and back in Thailand it’s the kind of quick, comforting meal people grab any time of day, often over rice with a fried egg on top. Grace’s version leans into the heat with those imported Thai peppers, so it tastes like the real deal. If you’re curious about the classic, Hot Thai Kitchen has a great breakdown of how it’s traditionally made.
The Vibe and Experience
Since it’s a food truck at a shared commissary, this isn’t a sit-down situation (esp when it’s cold out), you’re ordering at the window and grabbing your food to go, so plan to eat in the car or take it home. They do have some tables outside though so it’s nice to eat and relax there in the summer.
Regardless of what you choose, what you leave with is Grace and Gib cooking with real heart, and they’re honestly two of the kindest people, happy to chat about the food and their culture. Come on a Friday and you might wait an hour or more, that’s how good the word’s gotten, so bring a little patience. Catonsville’s quietly one of the best food towns in Baltimore County (my Catonsville roundup is proof), and Grace’s is a big reason why.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1715 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228, at the shared commissary kitchen.
- Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11AM to 2PM and 3:30PM to 7PM. It’s closed the rest of the week, so plan around those days.
- Format: it’s a food truck, so it’s walk-up ordering and takeout, no dine-in.
- Waits: lines get long, especially Fridays, where the wait can hit an hour or more.
- Price: moderate and a great value for scratch-made Thai.
- Heads up: they cook in peanut oil, worth knowing if anyone at the table has a peanut allergy.
- Dietary: vegetarian-friendly, with tofu available on dishes like the Pad Kra Praow.
- Ordering: you can order ahead through their website or on delivery apps like DoorDash and Grubhub.
Is Grace’s Thai Kitchen Worth the Wait?
YES. Grace’s Thai Kitchen is easily one of the best Thai spots I’ve hit for this series, and the fact that it’s all coming out of a single-wok food truck makes it even more impressive. The Pad Kra Praow and that scratch-made Thai iced tea alone are worth rearranging your week for. It’s a must if you’re a Thai-food person anywhere near Baltimore County. For another Thai spot I love in the area, check out Thai Street in Baltimore.
So go show Grace and Gib some love, Nomsters, and if you make it out there before the brick-and-mortar happens, tell them Kim sent you. Have you guys tried Grace’s yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments, and save this for the next time you’re craving real-deal Thai.