Joya and Song
These sister restaurants have twin Thai menus and similar spaces. "Industrial décor, a live DJ, an exposed kitchen and constant crowds all contribute to Joya's hyper atmosphere," says New York magazine's Marcel Reynolds of the original Cobble Hill location. And New York's Laurel Fantauzzo explains that Song was named after the Thai word for “two” when it opened in Park Slope in 2005: "Like its predecessor, Song keeps the décor spare: a concrete floor, plain black furnishings, and sand-blasted brick walls."
Time Out New York comments on the clubby atmophere in both spots: "You’ve had it bland and you’ve had it spicy: Now, welcome to loud Thai. On Saturday nights, post-collegiate twentysomethings, drinks in hand, groove to a DJ spinning ’80s dance music. You half-expect someone to bust a move—until the fragrant aroma of tom yum soup hits you."
TONY recommends starting with the "greaseless fried calamari with an addictive sweet-and-spicy chili sauce" and sticking to curries as your main course. Citysearch's Paul Adams suggests two dinner options priced at $6.95 each: "Pad khing, with a fresh ginger sauce, is excellent... Pad see yue, a dish of ribbon-like rice noodles in a savory brown gravy, is very satisfying as well." What do you think about Joya and Song?
Reviews (31)
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:10 PM
Glad to be the 1st poster here.
Can't speak for Song but my one word review for Joya is INCONSISTENT.
They can be excellent and fresh, they can be bland and uninspired, they can be disgusting even inedible.
INCONSISTENT.
ebklyn wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:14 PM
Unfortunatly, I think Song had a fire recently. Its a bit loud - but inexpensive and yummy. I hope they open again soon. Its also cash only! I think Song is better then Joya.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:15 PM
Mediocre Thai food. And service was awful when its crowded as it usually is. And Laura Fantauzzo (or the owner of Song) has it wrong about the name. Counting in Thai is...Soon (0), Neung (1), Sorn (2) Saam(3), See (4)..... So, closer to Zero!!!!
fsrg wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:26 PM
Great! - Food is definitely above average - sometimes amazing other times very good - but always enjoyable and price is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP - portions are good size too. Great for takeout too.
JIPS wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:36 PM
I've never had a problem with the service in either one, and I think the food is good to very good. Joya can be mobbed on weekend nights (and even some week nights), but definitely a good deal considering how ridiculously inexpensive it is.
jwald wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:42 PM
Considering how busy Joya always seems to be, the food and service are usually very good. Their calamari is on of the best I have ever had and the veggie spring rolls are delicious. Very inexpensive and good.
daveinbedstuy wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:42 PM
Maybe I was too harsh on the food. I'm a bit of a Thai food snob having spent so much (too much??) time in Thailand. The service though is very slow when its busy. And I've only been to Joya, not Song (Zero!!) :)
MR wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:53 PM
It's so crowded that nobody goes there anymore.
promenade wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:53 PM
Let's face it, what Thai restaurant IS consistent? I rate Joya pretty well, all considering. Must admit, though, mostly order it in (especially on cold, rainy nights....or during presidential debates!)
owner12 wrote a review on October 27, 2008 12:57 PM
Song: one of our thai staples.. the food is normally good and cheap. we only do delivery and they usually arrive in 10 -15 minutes.
Boerum Hill wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:04 PM
Joya, for those who moved to Brooklyn say that they could be treated as shabilly as they were when they lived in Manhattan.
mscrochety wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:08 PM
As Song's next-door neighbor (that's my rusty fence in the pic), I have no idea why a restaurant has to become a club w/DJ on the weekends. I've only had their take-out food which is fine but nothing special. Their waiting area is way too small, hence the sidewalk outside my apartment is its extension, and I am treated to loud conversations, and trash and cigarette butts thrown in my planters daily.
Prodigal_Son wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:08 PM
"what Thai restaurant IS consistent?"
My secret.
promenade wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:13 PM
what kind of arm twisting do I need, oh wise prodigal son?
Yllebdael wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:13 PM
Sorry, but for Thai food in the hood, NINE-D rocks the house.
Remsen wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:15 PM
Joya is a casual Thai restaurant with good, cheap food. Although there is a sometimes a DJ playing, it is not a club...Bocco Lupo also has a DJ for that matter. Alternatively, it could become one of those quiet, lame Asian restaurants on Montague...there is a niche for all.
SnarkSlope wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:18 PM
"what Thai restaurant IS consistent?"
Watana on 7th Avenue.
fawn wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:45 PM
I've eaten at Song and ordered delivery. I was there last on a weekend, so there was a wait and a DJ but neither was a problem. I liked the music and the atmosphere, the food was great, service good, and the bill a thrill. $35 for two entrees, two apps, and two drinks.
deen wrote a review on October 27, 2008 1:49 PM
My thoughts about Song. Great, cheap delivery--and fast.
fsrg wrote a review on October 27, 2008 2:05 PM
mscrochety - you must be new to the neighborhood - b/c if you were living there just a few years ago you'd be thrilled that DJ music on the weekends is all you have to deal with. Ask long time residents what your block was like when Rivera Food Market was three doors down.
RobertMosesJr wrote a review on October 27, 2008 2:21 PM
cheap and good.. pretty much sums it up
although the scene here over the years has shifted from hipster to yuppie to gangster (current)
mscrochety wrote a review on October 27, 2008 3:33 PM
fsrg -
I'm new to 5th Ave living (2 years) but not to the neighborhood, and I remember well what 5th ave was like only 5 years ago. The music doesn't bug me - it's the trash, cigarettes, and ignorance of the fact that people actually *reside* on 5th Ave, and one might be yapping outside someone's bedroom! I'm sure Song is a great place if you don't live next door to it.
brooklynstyle wrote a review on October 27, 2008 5:25 PM
Both my husband and I have gotten food poisoning from eating at Joya. We live 2 blocks away, so we thought it was a fluke and decided to risk our stomachs and go back. Bad idea! After getting the runs for the second time in a row from Joya, neither of us will set foot in there ever again. Too bad, the service was friendly and the food was not bad. Unfortunately the micro-organisms colonizing our food thought it was tasty as well.
For much better (and sanitary) food, try Ghang Thai on Smith. Food is consistently good and the service is friendly.
fsrg wrote a review on October 27, 2008 6:00 PM
mscrochety - I think the ignorance is yours - choosing to live on the 1st floor (front) on 5th Ave (a commercial street) and expecting quiet is very ignorant or at least naive.
That being said the merchants on 5th could do a much better job in cleaning the trash up.
BH76 wrote a review on October 27, 2008 6:22 PM
Good when you stick with staples. Never had anything inedible -- but then I owudl never expect meat, fish to be the highest quality for the prices they charge. A fun, cheap dinner.
laurie11201 wrote a review on October 27, 2008 7:48 PM
Love the food at Joya and we've always been treated very well there, since literally the 2nd day they were open - but it's just too loud and crowded to eat-in there, unless you sit outside in the warmer months. Sometimes we will go for an early dinner when it's not too loud or too crowded, but mostly we just get delivery or pickup there now. We have never had a bad meal from Joya, though. The fried calamari, chicken massaman and pad see yue are our favorites.
zeebee_in_bklyn wrote a review on October 27, 2008 8:35 PM
Song's a step up from many Thais but I can't get over the ear-splittling volume of the music, even on a non-DJ night. Service nothing special but the flavors are vivid. Good drinks.
AshlandGreene wrote a review on October 27, 2008 10:35 PM
By far, hands down, over and above and beyond, the best Thai for the money anywhere. Cheap, delicious, fast. Has it all. I still ride the G to Joya just to get takeout and bring it home.
LilBitOfLuck wrote a review on October 28, 2008 9:58 AM
Always enjoy Joya, leave full, and with plenty of money left in my wallet.
rocky4 wrote a review on November 9, 2008 12:37 AM
i really liked joya! went there with my coworkers, easily got a table for 10, food was yummy, prices were awesome.
Low_Talker338 wrote a review on December 6, 2008 10:00 AM
I remember when JOYA first opened. I was new to Thai and have tasted many different versions now. Always a scene because the food does not always suck, and the price is always absolutely right. If all you needed to do was survive in the hood, you could still go out to eat and afford the rent. We love Ariel!
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