The granddaddy of Milwaukee's Thai restaurants, The King and I has been dishing out friendly smiles and good food for nearly 20 years, making it positively a Milwaukee institution. The convenient downtown location means that many people can experience The King and I at lunch, when the locally famed buffet makes its showing. And there are Milwaukeeans who have eaten at The King and I for years but have never ordered anything but the Volcano Chicken, a lightly breaded and sautéed cutlet sliced over vegetables with the super-secret volcano sauce. The pla lahd prig is a favorite, and you’ll seem like a professional ordering it: A whole snapper is battered and fried, then glazed with a sweet garlic sauce. And the squid (or shrimp) pud prig pow is a hot-salty-sweet combination that brings people back over and over. The garlic, chilies, basil and coconut milk make a lasting impression that you find yourself craving months later. Vegetarians fare well here — the tofu cashew is full of contrasting tastes and textures, and the basil eggplant is good enough to attract attention from meat eaters.
Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly.
"The default flavor of most dishes is mild, making this restaurant a good starter for diners new to Thai cuisine."
— Evan Rytlewski, Milwaukee Shepherd Express