Grub Review: Basket Case Bangkok
Wow, oh wow, is Seven posting a new Substack after…like…a year? Yessir, I am.
AmeriMexiChinese-Thai fusion joint, Basket Case, recently relocated to Sukhumvit Soi 6 (actually the Crown BTS Nana Hotel, nestled in between the Soi 8 alley and Soi 6), sharing the space with Wok Star. Plans are in the works to expand the service to the hotel rooftop, where there’s space for all kinds of other fun and fare, along with other partners and an extensive booze menu. In the meantime, BC is shelling out its eclectic, electric menu on the ground floor.
I popped over on a Tuesday to sample some of their wildest concoctions— specifically, the gourmet chili cheese dog (because partner James insisted his chili recipe was a dish he’s particularly proud of), the cheeseburger eggrolls (yes, you read that correctly) and the krapow tater tots-fries combo. Here’s how the chow broke down…
The gourmet chili cheese dog—actually a spicy sausage, not a generic dog— came on a bun with chili and cheese, plus a side of chopped onions, ketchup, mayo, and mustard, all of which I liberally slathered on top. James wasn’t lying. The chili was just the right combo of sweet, savory, spicy, and chunky. It soaked into the bun like good chili should, and the subtle spice of the sausage just served to complement the tasty combo conducted like a symphony through the rest of the ingredients.
The cheeseburger eggrolls were a revelation. The combo of succulent ground beef and gooey melted cheese wrapped in a twice-fried batter coating was a dizzying concoction that veritably accosts the tastebuds with hypnotic flavor. Each bite split my brain in two. “It’s a burger…no it’s an eggroll…no it’s a burger…no, it’s both and neither at the same time. I absolutely loved it. And when owner BillyBob mentioned they’d soon be adding a Reuben eggroll to the menu, I nearly leaped for joy.
The krapow tots-fries basket had me in stitches—as in, I kept eating it after I was already stuffed, and feared my stomach might split. For reasons only the chef knows, the dish is doused in the Thai sauce trifecta: soy, fish, and mushroom. It’s not something I’m used to tasting with krapow, yet when combined with the structure of the potatoes, the sweet-savory of the sauces and aromatic sensation make the dish instantly addicting. I found myself smacking as I chewed, like a kid tasting his new fave food for the first time.
Though speaking of favorites, I couldn’t pick one among the three plates I tried. Each had its own ‘thing’ that made it unique and fantastic. And in fact, there’s so much more to try on the menu that singling out one would be irresponsible. All I can say is, I loved everything I tried, and can’t wait to sample more—especially the Mexican eggroll and the up-and-coming Reuben eggroll. And thankfully, I can order them via Foodpanda, so I don’t even need to leave the house.
Basket Case gets 5 out of 5 stars from yours truly. Full stop. You can find them on X via the address below and on Facebook, Foodpanda, and Grab.