A charming, creative Thai restaurant with excellent food and hospitality, but compact seating, occasional service inconsistency, and premium pricing merit planning ahead.
They Say That delivers strong food quality with well-seasoned dishes and tender proteins that earn consistent praise, anchored by attentive service that dominates most visits. The modern, intimate setting attracts neighborhood diners seeking premium Thai dining, though occasional inconsistencies in seasoning and a compact room keep it just short of the very top tier.
They Say That is a small, warm Bushwick restaurant where low lighting, thoughtful decor, a bar, and lively energy make the room feel more like a destination than a quick neighborhood meal. Guests describe staying for hours, traveling from other boroughs, and finding the staff unusually welcoming; one recurring impression is that the room feels intimate and home-like, though its compact footprint can become tight and a few reservations have started late. The cooking is modern Thai: familiar curries, noodles, larb, and soups sit alongside bolder ideas such as panang curry mac and cheese with salmon, salted-egg squid-ink fried rice, Thai-topped fries, and an elaborate herbal hot pot. The strongest consensus favors the crab rangoon, hot pot, curry mac and cheese, squid-ink rice, crispy fish, and khao soi. Most diners find the food deeply flavorful and thoughtfully executed, while a smaller group reports uneven spice, sweetness, temperature, or value. This is a good fit for diners who want Thai flavors with creative detours rather than a strictly traditional menu. Families are welcome, and the menu includes approachable choices such as pad Thai, fried rice, pad se-ew, chicken satay, wings, and mild curry options, alongside vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. However, the signature menu leans adventurous, with squid ink, salted egg, seafood combinations, and fusion-style preparations that may challenge picky eaters. Reviews include a positive account of staff being sweet to a baby, but the compact, lively dining room is better suited to families comfortable with a bustling restaurant than those needing lots of space or a dedicated children’s menu.
Area vibe: Working-class, residential with growing local commerce and some light industry.
Safety: Mixed: parts feel busy by day but certain blocks can be quiet and require caution after dark.
What's nearby: Near residential blocks, small businesses, and transit links; not far from transit hubs toward Broadway and Atlantic terminal corridors.
The strongest picks range from crab rangoon and hot pot to squid-ink fried rice and curry mac and cheese with salmon.
Plan for a compact, lively room, creative Thai dishes, possible reservation delays, and a higher dinner spend before tax and gratuity.
Low lighting, thoughtful decor, and unusually warm hospitality create an intimate destination feel, though the compact room can get bustling.