Penny’s Noodle Shop
1130 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302
Penny’s Noodle Shop Menu
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Address :
1130 Chicago Ave
Oak Park, IL, 60302 - Phone (708) 660-1300
- Website https://pennysnoodleshop.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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H H.
Their pad thai is awesome! Pretty sure anything on the menu is going to be good. Thai iced tea is a definite must. Will come back.
(5)Nicole L.
The potstickers (I think they were referred to as Japanese Goyza on the menu) were blah and my Pad Se Ew was as well. It needed more sauce and less oil. I have such fond memories of this place, actually the Chicago location on Diversey, from many many (18) years ago. It was the first time I ever tried Pad Se Ew. So either they made it better back then or my inexperience with Asian food made it seem tastier than it really was. In any case, I did enjoy my husband's Pad Thai so I'd probably come back for that since I'm really picky and they have one of the better Pad Thai dishes I've had.
(2)Sarah F.
Personally, I think the Penny's on Damen is better. Ordered delivery & the food arrived later than the quoted time and it wasn't as hot as it should have been. Yes, I'm lazy. I like my food delivered. That's why I am lenient on the food temperature thing, but in this case, my food was almost chilled and it shouldn't have been. Penny's was a staple when we lived in the city. I was hoping it would continue to be when we moved west. I am not convinced, but I will give it another shot...after I try other places.
(3)Kelly M.
Here's a really honest review. I used to live in Bucktown and really enjoy their food at that location. Moving to Oak Park, I was really pumped to have a Penny's out here. But I've found what was the same food 3 years ago, is no longer the same food as the Bucktown location now-a-days. Everything has gone down hill. My husband and I started to really notice the decline about a year ago, but we like their food so much we kept giving them a chance. It was the little things like the outer shell of an onion being cooked into a meal or the taste of a dish being way off from the usual recipe. But their delivery service was always so fast, and sometimes they would be spot on... so we just assumed they were training new chefs or something and it would pass. Then our first allergic reaction happened, and we were really upset. My husband is allergic to peanuts. We have ALWAYS gotten the Pad Thai with no nuts, no protein, extra veggies - and when we order we always overly specify we have a peanut allergy in the house... not just no nuts, but an actual peanut allergy. And everything went swimmingly for years. One day my husband had a small allergic reaction to his meal which was surprising. We thought maybe something got messed up or accidentally touched so we let it ride. It was a small reaction, meaning there weren't actual nits in the dish but maybe a spatula had been used on another dish and then used again to make his order. He could still eat the Tom Yum we ordered and I could eat the Pad Thai. Surely this was a one time mistake. Then it happened again. And finally, two nights ago, after really laying it out for them over the phone that we had a peanut ALLERGY in the house, our food was delivered and my husband had a massive reaction. There had clearly been no effort to use a clean pan or fresh new utensils. Then I pulled it apart and saw some nuts in the actual dish. Are you kidding me Penny's? Are you KIDDING ME? We are so upset. I called Pennys that night (8/30) and spoke with a young lady on the phone who seemed to think we were just trying to get a free meal - kept saying "uh-huh, uh-huh, hu-huh" and didn't really seem to digest anything I was saying. My Thai Fried Rice order tasted so weird, and all in all we were just done with Pennys. I thought as an act of good faith, they would at least reimburse my meal, but no. We paid $34 for some shitty take out and a night of puking and benadryl. Thanks for nothing Penny's. You have been your own undoing. At least reimburse our $34. Yours truly, Your former customers from Elmwood Ave
(1)Livvy O.
I have to say, I haven't been to Penny Noodles in years. Before I moved to the suburbs, I was a regular at the two Chicago locations. I always liked that the food was always "americanized" but still good. I pretty much always ordered the pad si ew so I have a distinct memory of how it tasted. This was my first time at the Oak Park location, which did not have the same recipe as the Penny Noodle I had years ago at the Chicago locations. The pad si ew I remembered was a little drier, had thicker noodles, and a sweeter taste than the average pad si ew at other traditional locations. Not that I didn't like the pad si ew, but it was not what I was expecting. It tasted more like authentic pad si ew which threw me off guard. It was good, I was SO HAPPY they had Chinese broccoli and accommodated me by putting all Chinese broccoli in my dish. The Thai ice coffee was just how I remembered it! Perfection! Just wish they had the more "americanized" dishes like I used to have for when I'm not in the mood for traditional Thai food which can sometimes be too greasy.
(4)Taylor T.
This is honestly my favorite restaurant. I liked their Facebook page just so I can see the pictures of the food they upload when I'm away at school. My mouth literally begins to drool looking at those perfect Thai spring rolls and my stomach growls when I see a noodle dish (my favorite is the hot pepper noodle with tofu). I've tried almost every vegetarian dish on the menu and can honestly say I've never been dissatisfied. The food is amazing but only because the chefs make that food with love. I go there so frequently that almost all the staff waves at me or says hello. That's such a nice feeling and just makes the experience 100X better. So if you like great food (seriously amazing) and friendly staff then this is the place for you!
(5)Steve B.
Great food reasonably priced. Ordered spring rolls and pepper rice with chicken. Delicious. All of it! Was really impressed with a dish my co worker ordered! The shrimp soup. I will be back to have that and sample more of the menu!
(4)Meg H.
Love the pineapple fried rice- food comes out quick if you are hungry- small place-very neighborhood friendly & open late
(5)Lisette E.
I am not sure why this place has such bad reviews. I frequented penny's when I was in college and I have never been disappointed. In all fairness, I really only have had 4 things from their menu, but the hot pepper noodle with beef is amazing! I thought the pad se eue was a little on the sweet side, but it was still good! I have also tried some kind of fried veggie rolls that were delicious and a fried pork or beef dumpling. The soy sauce that comes with the dumplings is sooo good!!! I think they make it in house! I will continue to come to penny's just to get the hot pepper noodle dish!
(4)Margaux D.
For some reason when I first heard about Penny's, I thought it would be just like Noodles and Co.-- NOPE! It's an Asian noodle shop! The floor plan is super open and on top of having awesome food, they have real Asian beer and sodas (and their American counterparts). Anyplace that serves Sriracha on that level gets a four star from me. They have awesome crab rangoons and Pad Thai!
(4)Cindy S.
This place is so delicious! We've ordered several times now and each time we've been very pleased. The food always tastes very fresh too. Def one of my favorite places in OP.
(5)Claudia M.
My absolute favorite Thai place of all time. I have been coming here for over 10 years. The food is fresh and the service is friendly and consistent! And it's Oak Park! My favorite things to eat here are Pad thai with tofu or chicken or beef! They are all great. The crispy rolls are so delicious that we ordered up to 3 orders for a family of four. The kids love the edamame but we try to order for pick up to keep costs down and make our own edamame at home. But if we are at the restaurant the kids have to have the edamame (it keeps them busy and quiet). They have a good selection of beer and wine and a small parking lot that usually has a space or two available. You have to check this place out if you are in Oak Park. I know there are other Penny's (believe me I have tried them all) but this one is the best one. Almost forgot....very spacious restaurant and family/kid friendly but they really need a diaper changer in the bathroom. Maybe they'll get one. ;-)
(5)Tina A.
Saw the sign on the door for Mochi ice cream and I immediately knew we were eating here. The Oak Park location has a calm and inviting Mom n' Pop vibe, which I hear is a lot different than the bustling atmospheres of the Wicker Park/Lincoln Park locations. I had the Red Curry rice plate (see attached picture) and it was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The dish was labeled "spicy" which had me worried, but in my opinion it wasn't very spicy at all. The coconut milk gave it a creamy sweet flavor and it basically had the quintessential (though, probably unauthentic) taste of what you think of when you hear the words, "Thai Curry." Based on my experiences alone I would give the food 5 stars, however my accompanying friends didn't share my enthusiasm for the food. One opted for the Spicy Basil vermicelli bowl, which in her words was "just OK" while the other for Thai Fried Rice with chicken, which in my opinion just looked like any other fried rice. I topped in off with a Thai Iced coffee which was nothing spectacular but did the trick. In midst of all the rousing hoots we were having I forgot to order a Mochi ice cream (although I don't remember the server asking if we wanted anything else!) so I will have to come back again soon to satisfy my sweet tooth.
(4)Tamika C.
They get only one star because I paid to park and there is a sign on the door saying closed and there are people inside working. How are you closed but i can see people working!? When will I get my $1.20 back that i paid? Very disappointing now I wonder if this happens often or just an occasional thing. I called and they stated they are doing maintenance until 5:30pm. They also put a sign out facing the parking lot informing they are closed. A little to late now I already paid to park.
(1)Carol T.
We really like the Thai fried rice from here. I also enjoy a few of the noodle dishes. Thai iced tea is always refreshing.
(4)Mike T.
This place isn't Thai/Japanese/Chinese food, it's food made by people with names like "Penny" who season noodles the way they think "Asian" food should taste because of the 4 times they ate at Panda Express in their life and then call it "Asian Cuisine". I've ordered a few things here, and here's the review. Ramen - A bunch of low quality wheat noodles in salt water with 4 slices of water chestnut and 5 tiny mushroom caps. Pad Thai - Cheap noodles sweetened with what tastes like sweet and sour sauce. Veggie Bowl - A bunch of cheap frozen vegetables tossed in a bowl with that cheap tasting sweet and sour sauce slathered all over it. It's like when you go over to meat & potatoes uncle's house and he butchers an attempt to cook you "Asian" food from a recipe he found on food.com . This place is pure disappointment. However, if you're into tasteless processed food, this place might be for you - but maybe not even then. You could get exactly the same thing at in Wal-Mart's "international food" section for $20 less.
(1)Christina B.
I'm generally a fan of Pennys. It's a cute little place with some really nice options for food. Only thing that gets me sometimes is the portion sizes for the price you pay for a meal. For 8 dollars, the amount of noodles should be a good portion. It really varies who is in the kitchen at the time of your meal, sometimes they're stingy and sometimes they're generous. Although, for 6 or 7 dollars, you can get a huuuuuge soup that will definitely be more than you can eat. It really depends on the meal you choose. I've never had a problem with their service. Everyone is always friendly and prompt. This is a really nice place for a change of pace. Best part about Pennys is when they say something is spicy on the menu, it actually is spicy. What a nice change of pace. :)
(3)Matt M.
Unfortunately when you live a stones throw away from a place you often (stupidly) find yourself ignoring your useful, ALWAYS right, yelpernextdoor. And I should kick myself in the arse for doing it yet again. Wanted a quick lunch after picking up Gizmo from the Yuppie Puppy... so we thought to jump in here. 1) Our waitress had little to no interest in being here. I dont expect her to jump for joy working here, but please don't look like a 13 year tween being forced to hang out at the mall with her dad. Its unattractive for business. 2) Your food is awful. Just awful. Your meat tastes like sh*t, your noodles are garbage, and there is not a redeeming besides a mediocre salad that your brought to my table. 3) You have a killer location. I sure hope you go out and a business that doesnt suck comes in.
(1)nati b.
Fantastic place. Food is really good,tasty and fresh, service super polite and quick. They allow to have dogs outside during summer which is extra bonus. Absolutely love it!
(5)Pieter W.
The very negative reviews for this place that seem a bit harsh, and the most important thing you need to be aware of if you plan to dine here is that Penny's serves *Asian fusion* dishes. If you go in there expecting authentic Thai or Vietnamese food, you're going to be extremely disappointed! This is Asian food for white yuppies that are too scared to eat at the grimy looking Thai or Vietnamese restaurant that serves authentic cuisine but isn't as new and trendy looking! That being said, the food is halfway decent and the prices fairly reasonable. You can tell they use fresh ingredients, and the service has always been (for me) pretty friendly. Penny's is not really my cup of tea, but it serves it's niche, and it is by no means terrible. IF you go in there knowing what to expect!
(3)Drew A.
Their chicken and brown rice was pretty good. Nothing special, but definitely will go there again for a inexpensive meal.
(3)Karen T.
The food itself is decent, thus the 2 stars, but the Oak Park location has horrible customer service and delivery! I have had problems with really slow delivery from this location in the past and have usually opted to pick up myself. My house is only 1.2 miles away, but I didn't want to have to pack up the kids so I tried delivery again tonight. I placed an order at 5:20 p.m. that was not delivered until 7:00 p.m. It took 1 hour and 40 minutes to deliver an order 1.2 miles away! Apparently they had the address wrong. While I got a verbal apology on the phone there was no offer to compensate me in any way. I was even charged the delivery fee. Absolutely unacceptable and this Penny's has lost my business.
(2)Heidi B.
There is a reason you never see anyone in this place....combine oversalty, bland, heavy starchy, tasteless fattening food with a cold ambience and managers who couldnt care less if you like what you eat or not and argue w you about why there is only salt in the soup you just paid $10 bucks for and what you get is a very sad excuse for a restaurant. Stay home instead...$.59 ramen noodles will be more satisying.
(1)Eli S.
Finally found a place that reminds me of the delicious pad thai I had in Bangkok. I have struggled for so many years trying to find a go to pad thai spot, I went everywhere based on friends recommendations and was always left disappointed. Too sweet, not spicey at all (even when I would request Thai spicey), too much sauce, too dry.... you name it, I complained it. Penny's had the perfect mix of sweet and spicey (the dish is normally not spicey but i asked for spicey) and the veggies were fresh and delicious. Their crab ragoon was also delicious, normally theres too much chives for my taste, but theirs had water chestnuts instead which made them extra delicious. I would definitely recommend this place and will be coming back often for the pad thai.
(5)Jusko ..
I highly recommend. My favorite Thai restaurant. Food 5/5 Prices 5/5 Service 5/5 Definitely one of the best Restaurants in Oak Park.
(5)Kelly D.
Spicy Basil w/beef & Red Curry w/chicken delivered thinking it should be edible even though the reviews were not stellar. However, we were very pleased that we got great food, flavors, spices, fresh ingredients, herbs, prices, and customer service. The reviews on here are not correct according to our experience. Have been using Yelp for years, but have never done a review. Just felt like this place deserved the great and correct review.
(5)Emily J.
I've never dined in at Penny's Noodle Shop. I've always ordered take-out. The take-out is decent, it's on-time and it's consistent. The food's not 5-star quality but it's good for a night where cooking seems a chore.
(3)Cintya P.
Worst noodle shop ever? Yes. I came here with my boyfriend because I was sick and it was close to campus. Noodle soup sounded great! I really wanted pho so I ordered the chicken noodle soup. What did I end up getting? Well, I got a brown oily soup with semolina vermicelli instead of the rice vermicelli and the chicken was brown as well and I questioned if they gave me beef. I guess they must have given me the dark meat of the chicken, but my goodness, it was not a good combination. Good thing I ordered lime, but even that didn't make it tasty. I was sad to see that they had watered-down their sambal...WHY?! The whole point of it is to be spicy. The customer service was not the best ever, but the server was okay. The place was a bit gloomy and the wait staff seemed to just linger here and there while waiting for something to do. From my chefs in the past, "If you have time to lean then you have time to CLEAN!" Sincerely, Cintya P.
(1)Fay A.
Terrible customer service! It's a shame since the other locations are great....highly recommend you do not visit the oak park location, the long drive to Lincoln park is worth the time to limit your aggravation.
(1)Noomi J.
I've eaten from here a few times in college, and I remember their portions being ginormous. Recently this year, I had their pad thai for carryout, both their chicken and beef versions. Price is $8.75. They come with a small container of chili sauce. Their portions aren't as humongous as before, but they're still quite well-sized for a single girl. Tastewise, the pad thai is okay. Chicken wasn't dry, but it wasn't juicy either. Beef was average too. Nothing stood out for me.
(3)Stephanie R.
I generally don't care for Thai food, but I love Penny's shrimp noodle soup. It's so simple and delicious. The reason I tried it in the first place was because of how GOOD it smells! I watched my coworkers order it time after time, and I finally got my own. It's perfect when you're hungry, hungover, or sick- basically any time.
(4)Review P.
Awesome thai and super friendly staff. I am a repeat customer for life! From the apps to entrees i have been pleased every time. Good portions and variety for everyone.
(5)Denise S.
My husband and I frequent Penny's often...and I gave it three stars instead of 4 because I feel that something has changed here and not for the better. First, this is not authentic Thai. I see a lot of the reviews think the food is mediocre. However, this is Thai inspired American dishes. I am a slave to the menu of getting the same thing. The Hot Pepper Noodle with beef and crispy noodles. I love that the crispy noodles can be eaten like chips...well, at least I eat them that way. Or perhaps I just enjoy eating something with my fingers in public...either way, they're yummy. I ordered the same thing...and what I got was not crispy noodles. They were crispy noodles that were "soggy" and could be picked up with a fork. Now, understand that a majority of this dish is noodles. So, I called the waitress over and informed her that I ordered the crispy noodle and that as she could see (I was holding up limp non crispy noodles on my fork to show her) they were not crispy. She just stared at me. I then stated that my husband needed to get to work and we were on a time restraint so I didn't think I had time for them to prepare a new plate. My husband was eating consistently through this ordeal! She just looked at me and said ok and walked away. I assumed that it would be taken care of because I ate about 1/16 of my plate that did not consist of soggy noodles and she came to the table to collect it and asked if I was finished. I again said, yes, because I don't like the noodles soft, that's why I ordered them crispy. *Insert confused look here* from both myself and this waitress. She then returns to the table after clearing my FULL soft noodle plate and collects my husbands empty plate and leaves us a bill. For the entire amount. Really? I'm at a loss here folks on where customer service disappeared in this decade. That aside, I took the cash up to her myself at the counter and informed her that I dined there frequently with no issues until that moment. I reminded her that I ordered crispy noodles, our conversation, and why I would be paying my bill in full but that I wasn't happy that I was charged for a plate that I didn't eat. *Insert blank stare here*. I returned to my table waiting for our change. She returns with all my cash and tells me to talk to the manager. What part of time restraint doesn't she get? I waited until the owner approached with a smile and joking said, what happened here? I explained the situation and his response was, why didn't I tell the waitress right away because it only takes a couple minutes to make the noodles crispy? Well, maybe you're waitress should have informed me of that when I did indeed inform her my dish was incorrect and that we were rushed. Perhaps she doesn't know how long it takes to make crispy noodles either. He then proceeded to ask me why I ate my dish? Ummm, I didn't eat it. I picked out 8 pieces of small beef, 2 pieces of basil, and about 6 pieces of red pepper (just averaging the numbers folks) and that she did in fact take my full dish and ask if I was done and I reminded her why I didn't eat it. Now, the end of this story is that 10 minutes after my husbands plate was collected the owner did indeed take off the cost of my plate. However, I believe that was what should have been done immediately. Actually, let me take that back and state that the waitress should have immediately informed me that it takes 2 minutes to get crispy damn noodles. Why the downgrade from 4 stars? Because as I thanked the owner on our way out he told me in passing that they cook the noodles to crispy, people complain their burnt. Too soft, not crispy enough and that next time I should make sure I tell them extra crispy for a dish that those noodles don't come regularly. Really? Way to rub a regular diner the wrong way. Oh, and Mr. Owner of Penny's Noodle Shop...if it doesn't come "standard" with that dish, I suggest you reprint your menu to not include in parenthesis under that dish...(Crispy Noodles Optional). You had me as a return customer no issue with the credit to the bill...you rubbed me the wrong way and I won't be returning when you try to rub a point into a customer before they leave your establishment.
(3)Caroline B.
I think I need to return and order something different. There were so many enticing options on the menu but I had a serious craving for pad thai which I ordered. My friend recommended I order it with extra sauce based on a previous expeience she had with the dish. Even with the extra sauce it could have used a little bit more. It was lack luster, wouldn't order it again. My friend had the Korean BBQ noodles which were much better than my pad thai so I would definitely go back and try something else. There were a lot of people picking up carry out orders and not a lot of people dining inside so no issues getting a table on a week night.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Once again I revel in the veggie (noodle) bowl which is Penny's version of vegetarian pad thai. I love their tofu so much and I never eat tofu. Honestly, the fresh lime, sprouts, cilantro, red cabbage, carrots, the amazing sirachi and then...that tofu. It really makes me happy. and proud. The noodles have a light, refreshing saucy dressing. Blessed by the bowl. We had grub hub deliver and it came hot.
(5)Susie C.
This place was OK just as I expected. My fiance and I wanted some pho around our neighborhood but sadly there isn't one around that isn't in Chinatown. Saigon is alright but they give so little noodles and meats that the money we paid isn't worth it. Anyway Penny's Noodle is an Americanized version of Asian fusion. I ordered a beef noodle soup, and it was a little lower than average. I didn't like it as much. I can cook a better beef noodle soup than this place. My fiance ordered a BBQ noodle soup and his was okay. I would put that as average. We ordered gyozas too, and they were small. The entire gyoza is deep fried so the skin was very crispy. Overall, it was a little below average than most Asian fusion places. The cooks in the back were of non-Asian descent, the manager looked Caucasian and the waitresses were Thai?
(2)Andre E.
I have been reading a lot of negative reviews about this location....but I have to say all the times I have visited this location in the past have been very pleasant. No it is not one of the best in Chicagoland but it certainly doesn't deserve 1 star or even 2 stars. The establishment was always clean.....the staff was very friendly.....and the food was awesome. Now it has been a few years since I have been here but I can't believe things have gotten that bad. I still recommend the THAI FRIED RICE....Chicken Satay....and Spring Rolls. Eat, Drink, and be Merry my Friends!!!!!
(4)Ind W.
Vegetarian friend of mine got some carry out from here in last couple of days and ended up,throwing it out. She had kept trying to talk me into going back but thought the food was awful enough to throw it away. Greasy noodles, rubbery spring rolls etc. too bad because the original penny's was terrific food but seems to be going downhill in all ways.
(1)S R.
Love the Pad thai with chicken!!! I cannot get enough!!!
(5)Christina S.
I just can't say enough about this place! While I haven't tried everything on the menu, I also haven't tried anything I didn't like- and usually love! I can hardly be blamed for not partaking in more of the menu items, when the ones I have had are so delicious, it's hard to order anything else. This is a major flaw in the system. ;) First off, it's such a cute little noodle shop. It's the kind of place you wanna hang out with a friend (or lovah!) on a beautiful snowy day enjoying a delicious and zesty meal, beginning with a comforting hot soup. Maybe bring a book...sigh. Haha Anyway, my latest outing was picking up takeout on the way back into town from our Thanksgiving trek to the Ohio in-laws (of which I spent, I kid you not, 3 days in bed sick as a dog). We ordered 3 entrees and 3 apps as we wanted extras of our favs for lunches. The crispy rolls (are they technically eggrolls, not sure) were the first to go. Here is the only item we were underwhelmed with; they were pretty greasy, perhaps a combo of not being drained or patted dry properly, and our 30 minute late arrival, who knows. I was looking forward to a crispy (and it was) eggroll, and the addition of shiitake mushrooms within (not sure I picked up on it). It was a tasty crispy roll and it may have used noodles in there too. But it was not what I expected flavor wise, not to say it wasn't good, just unexpected. I would still try it again if eating at the restaurant, hoping it would not be greasy. Next victim: the Japanese gyoza- delicious! They are on the small side (6, I think), but they are darn close to perfection for me. I like that they are a nice combination of thin, delicate dough, and good color and sear on parts, not the entire dumpling. I don't recall what kind of meat filling, but it was yum, maybe pork or chicken or both, and mild, served with a subtle dipping sauce. Really good! I recommend. And then the chicken satay was very good, though we are rarely disappointed with satay at most restaurants that serve it. Some places it can be a little on the bland side. This was not the case here; very nicely seasoned. When we got home, we busted into the entrees, a little of each: 2 orders of Thai fried rice, one with chicken, one with beef. Both were zipping with flavor (these 3 are spicy entrees, FYI), but I tend to favor the beef. And then what I think is overtaking the Thai fried rice as my favorite, the spicy noodles with chicken (again, I'd go with beef as it seems a little more tender). It's something about both the taste and texture of the home made broad noodles, and the SUPER spicy chili and whatever magic they throw together, that just makes this dish sing! If you like spicy dishes, please try this. I can not imagine you'd be disappointed. You might be disappointed you live too far from a Penny's if you are like me, but that's about it. Are you picking up on the fact that I love this place yet?? Cuz I totally do. The Thai ravioli stuffed with shrimp are delicate and delicious as well. Too bad they don't have it as an app. Oh, I always like to pass on my recommend for the side dish of stir-fried cabbage with tomatoes-- if you like cabbage, that is, otherwise, stay away, very far away. Lol It's really a packed tub of a side dish with lots of flavor and cabbage for $4. The prices are very affordable, and quantities are plentiful. All in all, can't go wrong with Penny's. Some day I hope to try other menu items. Bring a couple quarters for the metered parking, and if you are a pet lover, check out the cute pet groomer/day care across the street called Yuppie Puppy.
(5)Dayla R.
Yay for Penny's!! Love the atmosphere, even the dishes were super cute. My family was fasting from meat so we were a little out of our comfort zone ordering vegetarian dishes but we figured it out. All to our liking, we'll be visiting again.
(4)Omar P.
Just left Penny's and will never go there again. Ordered peppered noodles and it was extremely salty. I've never sent anything back anywhere but, this was a first. The waitress said that her manager said they would have to charge me because according to the cook he didn't add any salt to my dish. I said thanks but no thanks I'll just wait for my wife and daughter to eat their food. Less than a minute later my wife finds a rubber band in her dish. Now they're all apologetic and offer to make it over and not charge us. That's not even 1 star service.
(1)Vincent B.
OK, If you are looking for a great bowl of noodles... Look no further. This is a great place and I mean that in every respect. It is always clean. The service is always friendly and fast. The prices are good. The food is fresh and fantastic. I have not tried everything on the menu yet but what I have tried is amazing.
(5)Kelley D.
Great food, the pad thai and the pad se eu are household favorites. Have tried a couple of the fried rice dishes too, and they are great as well. Also, the service is friendly and good. Would definitely recommend for lunch or ordering in, as the atmosphere is a bit too low-key for going there for dinner.
(4)Jeff O.
This is without a doubt the best noodle shop in Chicago. I've been to all their locations and the food is consistently good. The waitresses always recognize my wife and I, and they even remember out favorites. I usually get the BBQ Pork w/egg Noodles or the veggie soup.
(5)Brianne M.
I got this stuff as delivery one night while babysitting in oak park. I've always wanted to try Penny's, since I'm obsessed with Asian food that I can can get vegan versions of. I phoned in my order earlier in the day in case i was busy with the kids around dinner time. I asked for the food to be delivered around 7, and they said "sure, it may be there fifteen mins before or after, is that ok?" I said it was fine... The food didn't come til 8. ...so...that kinda sucked. And the food kinda sucked....it was all cold...which is fine for the fresh/raw veggies, since i was expecting it to be similar to goi chay, or vegetarian Vietnamese salad, but it tasted like it came out of the fridge...and it was bland. ....so....lesson learned. I need to find a place to look forward to on my long babysitting jobs in oak park!
(2)Ben T.
I understand what everybody is saying with the whole "not authentic" line -- but man, they serve a mean plate of noodles or rice! Excellent place to fill up; very unpretentious, comfortable, and very helpful staff. Will be back!
(4)Mike S.
HOOOORRRIBLE SERVICE at this location..Spoke to the manager who wouldn't address poor service at this location...HE(who refused to give his name) wouldn't reply on FACEBOOK or even return calls...VERY poor service and truly doesn't respect customers and their needs..there are TONS of better family run NOODLE shops to visit..THIS one isn't worth your time or money!!!
(1)Ali V.
Blahh! Boring, bland and bad. Never again. I actually sent my "vermicelli bowl" back bc it smelled weird. the waiter said maybe it was the garlic...(eye roll) Not good, not authentic, not interesting. Next time I'll drive the five more mins to Forest Park forREAL Asian food.
(1)Julie K.
We ate dinner here a few weeks ago with our three young children. The staff was extremely friendly, the food was good, and there were a variety of vegetarian options which was nice since I don't eat meat. We will definitely return again.
(4)Carri H.
I was disappointed that the food at this location is not as good as at the wrigleyville Penny's location. I love spicy food. I like it pretty damn hot, but my beef salad was so spicyhot i couldn't taste it. The spicy basil had good flavor, but was extremely salty and the noodles were overcooked. I'll probably check out what other noodle options oak park/forest park has to offer before coming back here. Sad that my lackluster app and noodle order cost almost $20.
(2)Shea O.
I just had to share this on Yelp - I sent the below email to the owners, and am shocked to have gotten NO response!!!!!!! Good luck to them - I will NEVER go back here again. To whom it may concern: **************************************************Â******************************** I just wanted to write and make you aware of my experience last night (6/11/2013), at the Oak Park Location. My husband and I are very loyal to Penny's, dining there or ordering in at least once a week. I have to say that last night was such a bad experience that I don't know if I will dine in ever again. It was unusually busy for a Monday night, and two waitresses were on duty - one came and took our drink order, and the other came to take our dinner order. Our dinner comes and my husband's is correct, but mine is not. The waitress takes back my dinner - with NO apology - and actually showed some aggravation, as if it were my fault that she wrote down the wrong order. I watch her as she goes back to the kitchen area - she does not talk to the chef or anyone in the back to explain it was a mistake and ask for an expedite - she just puts the new paper in line with everyone else's as if i had just ordered. about 10 minutes go by - no dinner - at this point my husband is almost done with his dinner. I go to tell the waitress that I want mine to go- she says 'ok' and proceeds to go to another table - again not going to the chef or anyone in the back to ask them to make it to go. another 5 minutes go by - my husband is well done with his dinner at this point. She actually has the nerve to bring my my dinner on a plate - so i tell her to take it back and wrap it up. She does, and by the time i got home it was cold. There was never once an apology. Needless to say we did not tip our waitress last night. I have to say that the service experience was probably the worst I have ever had in a restaurant. I don't know if these girls have a problem with speaking and understanding English, or if they are just that inexperienced and cannot handle large crowds. Either way, I think I need a break from Penny's - I will most likely do carry out or delivery again - but my husband and I both agree that we will NEVER dine in again. wanted to share with you, so you are aware, and can fix the problem.
(1)Mary B.
If you want a strange and sugary approximation of Thai food, and a nice comfortable dining room, then Oak Park Penny's will be your cup of oolong tea. If you want to encourage authentic Thai food to flourish in the Western suburbs, then support more authentic places nearby such as Amarind's, Mama Thai, King and I and Bodhi Thai.
(2)Rhonda G.
Does takeout mean they are trying to take me out? Does someone have it in for me or something? What we got here was the most horrible noodle dish i've ever eaten, and that's saying a lot since I've eaten 12 cent ramen. Flavorless mass of noodles with chunks of salty dry chicken, not to mention total overkill on the sprouts! I'm not just being dramatic since my boyfriends food was no better... dry beef and what looked like a pile of brown hair was immediately pushed aside. I was feeling a tad bit sorry for the place since Noodles and Company just opened nearby but my sympathy went in the trash right along with $15 worth of noodle dishes. But the girl who took our order was nice, which would be cool if I could eat nice, but I can't!
(1)Naureen R.
This place will always have a special place in my heart as it was the first pad thai experience that I had. While the food isn't always all that great, nor is it always very authentic, it's a great location with very kind service.
(3)Sarah S.
I went in to Penny's to grab some takeout for dinner after running some errands in downtown Oak Park. I love noodles and thai food, so I figured this would be a quick and cheap solution for dinner. I'm new to the area and never eaten at any Penny's before, so I asked the two girls standing at the take out register what they recommended. They refused to tell me what they thought was good on the menu, instead copping out with "well the pan-fried noodles are the most popular". So I pushed them further, asking specifically what was their favorite spicy dish on the menu. The response was literally, "I don't know. I don't like spicy food." I should have trusted my instincts at this point and left. I decided on the 'hot pepper noodle' with tofu, which ended up being about $8. One great thing about Penny's- they are fast! I literally sat there for maybe 3 minutes and my food was out. The noodles were prepared fine, good texture. The sauce was ok ... kind of a spicy pepper/vinegar taste. They also included an extra small plastic cup of the sauce in case you wanted to adjust the spice levels to your taste, which I thought was a good idea. That is about all I liked about it. The taste was not what I had hoped. The sauce and noodle combination was just... ok. Not good, not bad, but somewhere in the middle. The tofu, however, was terrible. It was completely inedible- I had to throw it all away. The tofu had been marinated in some kind of sweet flavoring, which tasted gross on its own, but even worse when combined with the pepper sauce. I would not recommend Penny's if you like actual thai food, or flavors that actually go together. It is quite possible that I ordered the wrong thing, but this dish was really just inexcusable and a total rip-off for $8 since I couldn't eat 1/3 of the ingredients (the tofu).
(1)Chinishka J.
This was by far my favorite place to get takeout from. The Thai Fried Rice and crispy rolls are awesome. However, I began to notice that food started to bother me after eating. I found out that they cook with MSG in most of their dishes. This may not bother most people but MSG does cause issues for some after eating it. I would have given them 4 stars but sadly, I can't eat here anymore which makes me really sad.
(3)Tobin h.
Loved the definitely lived up to the hype and review. Service was lacking but the atmosphere was positive and value met the price. I would take my wife here and even invite my less than friendly b-in-law to this restaurant by his house (if he ever was caught dead hanging with someone on his side of the family). Overall: Give it a go, you'll be satisfied!
(3)Chris L.
I love this place! Delicious and affordable in a pleasant unpretentious setting. What more could you ask for? I disagree with some of the other reviewers about their gripes with regards to authenticity also. Not many places sit down places I can think of where I can get a satisfying meal with a couple of beers for under $20.
(5)Lavon K.
We enjoy going here. The food isn't out of this world delicious but it's served fast and hot and very tasty. The servers are nice and helpful as well which is nice.
(3)Angela D.
I've been a fan of Penny's since high school, but back then you had to schlepp into Lakeview to get it. Nice thing is, even though they popped up EVERYWHERE it is still pretty good. So this is NOT gourmet Thai cuisine, but it is always fresh, fairly affordable and tasty, so I gave it 3 stars :) I say fairly affordable because it has gotten quite a bit more expensive lately, and most of the time it's actually cheaper just to find the local thai place. But hey, again, the food isn't BAD. Seems a lot of folks have had some really bad expereinces there. Which is a shame because I really used to love that place but like all things, as it spreads out and starts to become a huge chain, the quality really falls. I rarely go anymore since I have 4 Thai places much closer than Penny's. I'm kind of afraid to venture back in now :( So I guess when it comes down to it, and I have an option, I'll always hit an actual Thai place rather than Penny's, it really is the fast food version of Thai. But in a pinch, it's decent stuff.
(3)Gab G.
Tasty chicken satay and cucumber salad. Pretty large portions so you may want to share!
(3)Jason B.
Alright joint. Wasn't overwhelmed by their noodles, which we a bit under cooked and their pauses were bland. Don't think I will be back...
(2)Tim S.
Tommy yum yum in my tummy tum tum. Recommend the tom yum soup.
(5)Bruce R.
Enthused by my experiences years ago at the original Penny's on North Sheffield, I dropped in one afternoon for a meal with my family. My expectations clearly exceeded reality. This is not the Penny's I remember. The service was slow at a time later in the evening when there were two other tables in the place. It seemed everyone was more concerned with getting the place prepared for closing than customer service. This included the manager who was engrossed in a newspaper at the counter. When the food finally arrived, the chicken and noodles in the dishes were overcooked and I suspect they had been prepared in advance and reheated for our meal. When it comes to Asian cuisine, Penny's doesn't exactly have the market cornered. I won't return until I have heard this place has improved.
(2)Lena L.
I absolutely love Penny's Noodle Shop.. I have eaten Thai at a lot of restaurants and this by far surpasses them all. I love their Pad See Ewe with tofu I eat it alllll the time.. thumbs up for this place!
(5)Nektaria R.
So Friday night before the week of Christmas, my friend/coworker and I get a craving... Chinese? sushi? Thai? YES! Thai.... where to go? We work in Melrose Park... so, I went to metromix and did a search (this is before I knew about yelp which is my new search engine for food!) and we found Penny's in Oak Park which is close to us so we drove up. Found street parking even though it was freezing and snowing! This is a great place to hang out with friends, bring the family, it's really down to earth. It's a cool looking place. They have music playing, not too loud where you can't have a conversation and simple decorating, I don't know, it works and doesn't look overly foreign (not that there's anything wrong with foreign, I just like their style). We ordered Thai iced coffee - yum! We ordered Japanese Gyoza and Tom Kha Kai soup - the soup is to die for! I'm having cravings for it now! We actually went back the week of Christmas and are going back for lunch tomorrow! Just because of that soup! I think I'm going to try a rice dish this time. I had the Pad Se Eu and my friend had the Pad Thai - both were delicious! The second time we went, I had the Spicy Basil which I asked them to switch the noodle to the wide rice noodles, which they did happily for me but I fear wasn't a good idea which is probably why they don't serve it that way (the wide rice noodles taste better stir fried and they know it). It was still good but I'm not changing their recipes ever again - they're perfect as they know what they're doing. That time my friend got the Lad Nar and it was so good! The portions are pretty big and you may not be able to finish your entree if you order appetizer and soup.
(4)William B.
I'm certainly not an expert on thai food. (for that matter, I wouldn't consider myself an expert on anything- I just want it to taste good), so I wouldn't be able to comment on if this is considered 'authentic' or not. I had been to a Penny's in the city long, long ago, and saw that there was one in Oak Park, which is certainly closer to me in the burbs, so I stopped in for a lunch. I figured I'd get a standard chicken pad thai. This pad thai is certainly different than most I've had (but again I don't get thai food very often). Most pad thai I've had is usually a light, basic noodle dish. Penny's is has a much richer, darker sauce than any I've had. It's very tasty, but different than what I'm used to. I liked it a lot. I would certainly order it again. Though, as I don't get to the area often, I'd probably want to order something sifferent, just to try something new. Maybe Lard nar next time. yum.
(4)Tina K.
I first started going to the Penny's on Diversey in Chicago about 16 years ago. It's always been one of my favorite take-out places hands down. So, when I moved to Oak Park, I was happy to see that Penny's has a location here! My favorites are the spicy basil with chicken and the hot pepper noodle with chicken. My husband's favorites are the pad thai with chicken and the BBQ pork soup. And we both love the gyoza. I should note that they do have a large menu, but we almost always stick to our favorites. On top of great food, the service is always friendly and quick (either dining in or taking out).
(4)Nick H.
Decent noodles. Limited menu. Best thing is price and parking. If you are in the mood for noodles or Thai, then go to New Pot.
(3)Isis G.
I no longer live in Chicago but when I did, this was the place to go for at least once a week. We were a fam of three and my youngster would eat up his veggie/chicken fried rice. i would order the jasmine fried rice or veggie pad thai. my husband would order chix fried rice miss this place! i know neither of these were very adventurous but hey it was good and btw, great service!
(4)Karen S.
More like 3.5 stars as this place is really just a much better version of the Noodles & Co. chain. But, I've always had good experiences there, and the prices are really good. Mom and I split an app (fried spring rolls. Nothing fancy, but really good when you're starving), she had Chicken Mandarin Salad, I had Pad Thai. We ate for less than $25 bucks. At a sit-down place, that's pretty good! Agree with Kate P, that it's nothing exotic, but a good go-to if you're craving Thai, or want a quick bite. Sit outside in the summer (which is nice when you're with the puppy)...even with cheap plastic chairs and sitting along the intersection of Harlem / Chicago it was OK!
(4)John T.
I hated it! I thought the food was dry, smelly, and just gross. I will not be back. I give it two stars becaure the service was good when i went. It was a huge disappointment as it came highly recommended. Just go to Noodles and Company down on Lake and Harlem for your noodle fix.
(2)Jenny Z.
I am updating my review (last time it was 2 stars). I am a social worker and I went to Penny's with one of my clients. I use a form that indicates that I should not be charged tax because my agency is a non-profit. I use it all the time without issue. Whenthe waitress refused to honor the tax-free document, I went to talk with one of the managers (the owners/managers appeared to be brothers). He said that his accountant doesn't allow them to honor tax free documents unless it is specifically written to Penny's Noodles. I told him that I've not heard that before and explained that I was from a non-profit and we aren't required nor able to pay tax. I got exasperated and said "it's only 30 cents!" He replied very rudely, "if it's only 30 cents then pay it." I also remember another time when I was in graduate school, a woman was very rude when I asked if Penny's might want to donate for a community organization raffle. If Penny's wants continued business, they should be nicer. I now know this is not a community minded business and I will make sure to go elsewhere.
(1)Pete K.
Great Thai food especially when your in a hurry or plain to tired to cook!
(4)Robert G.
We like this place a lot. We 'take-out' maybe once every 2 weeks as we across the border in Chicago (without many food choices in our neighborhood). I really enjoy the Red Curry over Rice. We usually share the Thai Iced Tea which is great and we also enjoy the Crab Rangoon.. That being said, my wife enjoys this place much more than I.
(4)Shannon P.
We have eaten at this location (the Wickerpark location is better) as an act of Thai desperation a number of times. When we dined here, it felt like money just disappeared and we weren't hungry. It lacked enjoyment, totally. Little flavor, little ambiance, inconsistent food and a droneful lack luster delivery of food to the table. There are alternatives nearby that deliver much better Thai food for the same price range. Lunch meetings at Penny's are getting my veto.
(2)Jeanette S.
A lot of people hate this place because it lacks authenticity. But i honestly enjoy the satisfying food. It's seriously notjing to complain about. especially since no matter how much people are in here, the servers are friendly and helpful.
(5)Kymberly J.
Wow! That was not what I expected. I have never read anything about this place so I assumed it was your typical asian place; noodles smothered in sauce. I was wrong. Everything was so fresh and each ingredient stood out. They even used fresh basil - I was impressed with that. My order was carry out. The guy behind the counter who I assume was the owner or manage was super friendly. He offered to get the door for the bus boy taking out the trash. In my company, you'd never catch the CEO doing that. That dude probably doesnt even know my name. Anyway, the service was friendly and my order was ready quite quickly. I had the seasame beef noodles. The beef was a tad dry but everything else was fantastic. I love how they even care about presentation for carry out and give you all the sauces in seperate containers so you can add as little or as much as you need. I cant wait to go back and try everything else on the menu.
(4)Emily B.
Penny's is a great place to take kids - mine love it there. There are almost always multiple tables with families with small kids. But here's why I can't give it 5 stars - at such a family-friendly place, you would think they could manage to put milk and apple juice on the menu, and install changing tables in the restrooms. It would make us happy to go there even more often.
(4)Eman S.
I don't normally give 5 stars on a restaurant, but I have to say there is no better 'fast food' Thai restaurant out there. Thai is one of my favorite foods and I had the Hot Pepper Noodle and it was amazing! It was a little on the spicy side, but it was exactly how I liked it. The noodles and vegetables were so good and the crispy rolls were a great start. There is parking right outside and the service is ridiculously good. My drink was never more than 3/4 empty when they came by for refills. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I have been to the one on Damen and that one is pretty good, but the food in Oak Park just tasted so much better.
(5)Daizy K.
If you want real Asian noodle, go to China Town or Broadway/Agyle. Ordered noodle soup and broth was bland and oily. I ended up adding a lot of chilly sauce (it was watered down!) to add some flavour. My husband's noodle dish had to add the watered down chilly sauce, too. BTW, Asian noodle shop and has no Sriracha! Although fusion, it was too bland, may be adjusted for the palate of population in Oak Park area. Not likely to go back there.
(2)AllAround C.
I enjoy Penny's. This location in Oak Park is the best by far. I highly recommend the Hot Pepper noodles and Thai Ravioli (pork haters, do not order). It is quite evident that they use fresh ingredients and the service is great. I do not understand the bad reviews. This food is flavorable, but not overwhelming. I think I'll eat there tonight.
(4)E.A. H.
Penny's Noodles is...well...it's a noodle shop. Not NOT by any means authentic Thai. For that I suggest either Mama Thai...Yum Thai...any other local Thai place. They're all "more authentic" than Penny's. What it IS is a decent Thai fusion noodle joint. The food is decent, hot, well prepared...and the portions are large. It's more of a lunch or take out place than a dinner place. I've had the pad thai here...and am a little bewildered that they don't use the more traditional flat rice noodles. But then again...it's sort of Thai interpretation for the American palate. My usual order includes their cucumber salad...which they give you in this huge dinner salad portion if you get the carry out. I've had better Thai iced coffee. That's disappointing...and why the review get's three stars. It's nice that brown rice is now available. Charging $1 extra for it is rather excessive though. Penny's is not CHEAP pseudo-Thai. I think if they brought their prices down...the dining room would fill up a little more.
(3)Kate P.
Penny's is A-OK . It's nothing fancy or exotic, but it's decent and that's what counts. If you're looking for a quick snack the crab rangoons are where it's at! I also like their spring rolls and Tom Yum soup. They also have a special of the day. When I was here last, their special was Hot Pepper Noodle, which was wide rice noodles, basil leaves, onion, tomato, carrots and chicken with lots of spice, just the way I like it. It was good and I had enough left over to take home and eat for lunch the next day. So what if it's not be the best Thai ever, it's still pretty decent and I think it's worth a try, when you find yourself in the area.
(3)Gabe S.
Pennies is..well...its...well you know really it's just ok. It's not BAD. it's ok. I've gotten take out from there, and I do like their pad see eu, and their lad nar i enjoyed once, but I never think, "oooo pennies!" But really what it comes down to is...if you order thai food, i think that you want THAI food - you know? Where the spices come out your eyeballs and the tastes explode in a cacophony of flavor, and pennies is not that. If you want that, there are two nearby places that do Thai Food they way I think about Thai Food - Mama Thai and ESPECIALLY Yum Thai. I only live 2 blocks from pennies, but ever since finding out about Yum Thai, I haven't wanted to eat any other thai food. -Gabe
(3)Nessie V.
Pretty nice place. I think either this branch is better than the other I've been to or I ordered better. Either way: Good food, good service, and cute interior. I'll have to try delivery, as they cover all of Oak Park and more.
(4)Valderes P.
I love the hot pepper noodles with chicken and a side dish of Japanese gyoza. It is pricey, but I like that I can sit there, take my time, and not be rushed out.
(3)Shawn S.
This place is amazing. Hot pepper noodle, pad Thai, and pad se eu are great. Give very generous portions too! This location has the most flavorful dishes. Don't forget to try the Thai-fajita.
(5)JAMES M.
You know living in Chicago you get to taste soooo many kinds of different foods. I love Thai food, spicy Chino foods etc......... Penny's is a-ok stuff...........some people havent been to this location........but I did :) Oh yesss Fresh food, at a good price is always great! And this is what Penny's gives you......... So Dude! if your looking for an "Authentic" Thai or Chino place...then I recommend you book yourself a plane to Asia or go to Chino town. Penny's is what it is, fresh food at a great price. oh and try the crab racoons Shake & bake seal of approval.
(3)April P.
I went here once with my friends in college. I remember it being delicious and beautiful! I need to go back so I can update my review, and I'm pretty excited about it.
(5)Patrick P.
The best beef pad Thai ever. Good service and wi-fi. Great place for a business lunch.
(5)Kelly S.
I have a slight obsession with Pad Thai... so I make it a point to try as many as I can. So far I think this was my least favorite. I added a star because the other entree we ordered was OK (pepper beef). We ordered delivery and our food took 1hr 15mins to show up. But maybe thats average for Chicago delivery time in a foot of snow??? I'm stickin to Mama Thai.
(2)Alison H.
Good/ fresh food. It is not authentic, but still tasty.
(4)Kelly S.
So far everything I have tried on the menu has been great, but I must say the crispy rolls are my absolute favorite! Mmm!
(5)Andrew A.
They have a full menu, but I've been getting pad thai since they day they opened, so of course, they know what to cook as they see me swing the door open. I have tried several other menu items, but I tend to stick to what I like here.
(4)Jeff P.
3 1/2 stars. Ok, so it's not a terribly authentic Asian restaurant, and I don't recall seeing one Asian staff member, but that doesn't mean that they don't have good food. This is a casual, American restaurant with a variety of tasty Asian noodle dishes. Definitely worth my drive from Cicero. I was very satisfied.
(4)Anne K.
If you've ever had good Thai food in your life, you should probably stay far away from Penny's. The menu items are limited and boring, the ingredients substandard, and the execution sloppy. Overfried, sometimes burnt noodles. Egg rolls are not at all what you would expect in any authentic Thai restaurant; they're so greasy they drip all over your clothes. Spring rolls looked like they were made by a child, and the ingredients did not look fresh, and then they threw a massive pile of shredded carrots on top to try to hide the poor work. Our tofu appetizer, again was overfried. We've had to resort to Penny's for Thai delivery when one of our favorite places closed, but after the third time, they struck out. Each time my response has been "this is disgusting." Do yourself a favor, and head to Amarind! They at least have carry out.
(1)Amy T.
Eh - Where to start... Pros - Delivery was VERY fast. Cons- Food is very bland and dry. It's feels like your tasting uncooked noodles. Delivery was so fast that you wonder if it was actually cooked or already pre-made food and was ready to go at that moment when you ordered. If you want good Tai food, I reconmend going to Yum Tai in Forest Park, 7748 Madison St. Otherwise, don't waste your money at Penny's Noodle Shop.
(2)Marilynn L.
I had the Thai Ravioli and the crab rangoon as an appetizer. The crab rangoon was ok. My Thai Ravioli was amazing. There was so much flavor going on in my plate that I wished I had more! A bit spicy and pretty sweet but it was a good combo. The place was small but cozy. I would go again.
(4)D S D.
Although it might be the "chipotle" of thai food, it is fresh, tasty, and utilizes quality ingredients. I am always satisfied.
(5)Sean H.
Always great, still my favorite Thai food.
(4)P M.
Over priced. Suggest yum thai in forest park instead.
(2)Jake D.
Meh... my first thai meal was at your 950 diversey location about 15 years ago.I was excited to see you in Oak Park but nah. The food was greasy and sugary?? We have better options in the area like mama thai and yum thai in the area. sorry i moved on.
(1)Craig R.
Popped in here with my wife the other night/afternoon for a bite to eat. The staff were very friendly and nice. The food was great. It isn't sophisticated food but it is fresh, quick and yummy. Wife had Pad Thai and I had Pad Ped. The pad thai was a bit different than other pad thais i have had but it was very tasty. Pad Ped was hands down winner in my book and it had just enough heat to it.
(4)Jon G.
I used to live in Wicker Park, and I loved this place. Compared to the overpriced for outdoor-seating restaurants that surrounded it, Penny's stood out as the place to get a decent, filling meal on the cheap. Now for my joke: There's a new name for this place, and it's Quarter's. I went to the Oak Park restaurant last night, and they raised prices about a buck fifty each and replaced their heaping entree bowls with plates. A bowl of Pepper Beef rice for $7 is worth a trip. A plate of it for $8.50 is not. The menu said that Penny's vision when starting the company was providing Thai food without the high prices normally associated with it. In my opinion, she's gotten away from that vision.
(2)Joe K.
Great noodles and soup!
(5)Julis C.
The food here is pretty good, but I prefer the downtown locations. The space in Oak Park is loud and not that comfortable, so we carry out a lot. But I'm grateful they are in Oak Park. Perhaps a remodel into more of a real restaurant and not a cafeteria would help. I love the spring rolls, pad thai, and curry, and lad nar - see? Food is great, it's everything else that needs a little more refining, maybe a feng shui specialist.
(3)Ellen M.
I've tried it a few times now and am convinced it's really Denny's, trying to pull the wool over my eyes. If other people REALLY want to go, I'll join in, but the food is never anything special. Sometimes it's downright flavorless.
(2)Sheena H.
I went in here earlier today with some friends and I had a pretty good experience. The service was quick and our waitress was attentive. It was pretty empty and we came in during the lunch hour, but I'm not complaining. I ordered the Chicken Fried Rice and it was pretty good. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was good. My friends had the Pad Thai and they said it was great. Overall, a nice and clean place with some pretty good prices. I will probably come back on a lazy Saturday afternoon like today.
(4)Regina D.
I visited Penny's noodle shop some time ago and my dining experience was a good one. I love Thai food, especially the spicy varieties. I'll have to give it 4 stars, only because I've had better, but the ambience and cleanliness of the establishment makes up for what the menu was lacking. The staff was very cheery and quite helpful. I ordered the Spicy Basil Noodles with Chicken, which was tasty and satisfying. I was surprised to learn there is another location on the North Side near the Stage Left Theatre. All in all, it was a good experience and the best part...it's in my neighborhood.
(4)Neil R.
Decent Thai food in the heart of Oak Park. The place was not busy at all around 8:00 PM. The crab rangoon was great and the vietnamese spring rolls were good but did not have shrimp in it. I had the Spicy Basil with chick and vermacillan noodles which i thought was excellent. My friend had the pad thai and liked it alot and I forgot what his girlfriend had. Service was a bit slow considering there was only 2 tables occupied. My dish was spicy and I drink a lot of water and took a little longer than expected to have my glass filled. I should ask for a personal pitcher of water. The place is very clean and the staff was nice. I probably wouldn't go again since there are tons of restaurants in the area to try. This is my old hood back in 93-94 and they definitely changed the face of Oak Park.
(3)Sarah S.
When I was visiting my friend in Chicago, I would always walk past Penny's to get my morning coffee. I made a vow to try it before I left. It was pretty good. I had the pad thai and it was exceptionally good. Very fresh and non-greasy. The noodles were light and perfect. The waitress was friendly and fast. It was a good experience but you should receive it everywhere, right? Right. All in all, it was a good Thai place, but I know there's probably better in the great city of Chicago.
(4)Hillary P.
If you would've asked me say 2 months ago if I liked Penny's, I would've said uhhh no way. However, on our last dinner adventure I was outnumbered as my fiance and his brother wanted to go there. I figured I would take one for the team. I realized as I ate my basil noodle and had food envy of my future bro-inlaws Thai fried rice that I always ordered the wrong thing. I think there are things Penny's does right and things that I don't get down with. I am now a fan of their fried rices and will go back for that. I'm not a fan of their noodle dishes, though. Being vegetarian, I can only comment on the veggie options. However, some of their meat dishes sound really good and I wish they made them vegetarian (e.g. Thai ravioli).
(3)Chris L.
I've had take out from here twice. And I guess the only reason I got it a second time was because I forgot how bland it was the first time. Come on - how do you mess up pad thai?
(2)Daina T.
Being a big fan of Penny's, I was excited when they opened a location out in my neck of the woods. When they first opened, they were okay. But in the months that they've been open, everything has gone downhill. The quality of the food was lost, the spices/flavourings were changed, and greed set in. My favourite dishes turned to rubbish: the Crab Rangoon was cut to half the size and swimming in grease, the Pad Se Eu's sauce constantly tasted burnt and/or missing key ingredients and the amount of broccoli decreased substantially ( max I ever got were 3 wilted/overcooked pieces). The Red Curry was mostly sauce and old vegetables, my friend couldn't even find any pieces of chicken in it and the Ramen tasted worse than the 25 cent cups of Cup o' Noodles. I'll gladly take the trip down to Wrigleyville and deal with the hassle of parking on Cubs home game days if it means I get something delicious and filling, then go to this location and suffer. Edit: also, who charges extra for hot sauce in take-out, but offer it for free when dining in? Bogus, I say.
(1)Jack J.
I had a lunch date with a friend this past Saturday and she took me to Penny's. She said she came here ocassionally and hadn't been here in a while and I hadn't had non-fast food noodles in a while. I parked in their lot but it was metered parking. Grr, I get out of downtown and get into the 'burbs and still have to deal with parking meters. The place was pretty busy but we got seated right away. The place is brightly lit as it has big windows and the place looked clean--I liked it. I got a bowl of noodles with sliced beef sans cilantro and it was very good. The portion was pretty generous, however, at the end of lunch I still felt hungry. Our food came out pretty quickly but our waitress did not check on us more than once and I ran out of Coke for a bit. Prices were a tad high for what you get, IMO, but acceptable. Overall, it was a so-so experience and I might give the Wrigleyville location a try since it's closer to home.
(3)Mark M.
Just ordered for delivery. My pepper beef tasted like they shoveled old leftovers of rice and beef mixed in with some mud like sauce, microwaved it for 2 minutes and served. My wife's meal was just as poor. We've ordered from here before and have been satisfied, so I hope this isn't a new trend.
(2)Stella C.
I only had the chicken pad Thai and white rice here so I can't speak for the other items. The pad Thai was really, really good. BUT it wasn't like any other pad Thai I've tasted so I can see why some wouldn't like it. Regardless, I'd order it again and come back. SO yummy.
(3)Tina T.
No, it's not your authentic Thai restaurant, but sometimes that's just okay! Penny's delivers good, tasty asian food, more americanized than not, at decent prices. This location in Oak Park is clean, bright, serves a decent assortment of beer and wine, and even carries dessert (tiramasu at an asian restaurant? hmm . . .). I had a dish with bean thread noodles, basil, and veggies, told them to make it spicy, and it was delicious, plentiful, and very spicy.
(3)M S.
After writing this review there were multiple comments posted by George of the Oak Park Penny's. Some name calling on his part and attempted intimidation it would seem by posting my full name and location in his response. I contacted Yelp and Penny's to complain and the response was taken down by someone - Yelp or other. I stand by my review and believe that George's inappropriate responses only confirm his lack of professionalism and service. He had the opportunity to fix the problem with an order and make a customer happy. One would presume one of his primary job functions. there are way too many really good restauranteurs out there making good food and trying really hard - don't support this establishment while they have someone like him representing them! Those we choose to work for us represent the face of the business, if you want customers treated well and respectfully, then expect that of your staff. Actually demand it of them. As customers we can go anywhere, we have the power not only to Yelp our likes and dislikes but to walk. Hopefully the businesses take this feedback and correct accordingly, and they are rewarded. Looking back through various comments posted by this George are only excuses and arguing with the customers experience. What is that about? these are your customers. You can listen and act, or you can argue and lose them. I for one will not return while someone like that represents their business.
(1)Laura B.
Well, I can say that the service was friendly and the place appeared to be clean. On the other hand, everything else was pretty awful. My boyfriend and I went there for dinner on a Friday and we both left very disappointed. We ordered crab rangoons for an appetizer and they were actually bad. I didn't think it was possible to make a bad crab rangoon, but they were absolutely tasteless. I ordered the spicy pepper noodles and when I got my dish, it was COLD. I told the waitress and she offered to put it in the microwave for me.... I'm sorry, but I wasn't super excited about going to a restaurant and paying for a microwaved dinner. My boyfriend ordered some beef dish and offered to share it with me but it tasted awful. We both really love Thai food but this was really not good. I would have given them one star but the chili sauce that they had on the tables was pretty good... I don't plan on going back.
(2)Colleen B.
I'm going to give this place 4 stars, but I seriously contemplated 3... I've eaten there with groups at lunchtime. The food is pretty tasty but not the greaaaatest ever. They never have a problem serving a large group quickly. The portion size is more than ample--I always have a little box to save for lunch the next day... or a mid-day snack. Overall, a good choice for a thai-type lunch.
(4)Jen J.
Since I live near Penny's, I've pretty much had everything their menu has to offer me. The food here is always delicious. We usually get take out, but have eaten in a few times. It's pretty boring, but the servers are always very nice. They are also super fast, you'll get your food within 5-10 minutes, which is nice!
(4)J. L. S.
I am really surprised to see that Penny's has only 3 stars. Really? I love this place. Now, it's not gonna be your most authentic thai or chinese, but it is not completely americanized stuff either. I love the variety that you can find at Penny's. Their version of pad kee mao is good, but could be a little spicier. Don't call it pad kee mao (drunken noodles) though, because the staff have no hesitations about setting you straight. Most recently I had the veggie noodle soup bowl. Basically pho, but not called pho. (do you see a trend??) I had a pho weekend craze --all vegetarian, and went to Hoanh Long on the north side and to Bon Bon in the Wicker Park area. Penny's was by far the best.. the other's were not bad, but I was craving the broth and the broth had a lot less flavor everywhere else. I've had curry noodles at Penny's too-- very tasty. Plus the tofu was amazing, soft, smooth, no weird texture, not fried, etc. I even asked the manager if the tofu was purchased locally be/c I was thinking of making a buy. Bottomline, don't believe the 3 stars... give this place a try!
(4)Regina C.
We've eaten at other Penny's but this night about 2 weeks ago was VERY BAD and we are not going back there... ever! I ordered the barbecue pork which was a scoop of rice (really do Asians use SCOOPS!?) with..count them...9 small pieces of dry fatty barbeque pork and not tasty at all. Next to it, there was a gigantic "salad" which completely overwhelmed the plate which I tossed to the side as it was alot of veggies with a bad taste (I nibbled a bit). My nephew ordered the same and had about 4 more pieces of barbeque pork than mine. My daughter ordered the Thai Ravioli which was very good and which had about 25 pieces of the same barbeque pork as a SIDE..WHAT??EH??? Over time the satay has become smaller and more expensive as has everything on the menu really...even at the other Penny's. I fondly remember the old days when you could eat and have some for lunch the next day for a family of four and get change from a $50 including appetizers and entrees, now for 5 people we paid over $100 (and I am not talking about 30 years ago, maybe 5 years!!). So so long Penny's I hope one day you return to your Golden Age and we too shall return....
(2)Junie B.
If you only order take out or delivery from this Penny's, you're not getting what you paid for. This Penny's gets only 3 stars from me because any time I've ever ordered take-out or delivery, it's not half as good as it would have been if I ate my meal fresh in the restaurant. The ingredients are fresh, the food is perfect: but ONLY when served in the restaurant! It's subpar once it hits a container, I swear. It's as if it only has a half life of a couple minutes. Crab Rangoon: To die for! Pad Thai: Awesome! Thai Ravioli: Great! Thai Iced Coffee: Sugary goodness! Trust me, Penny's is great if you follow this rule: Don't order out, eat in. Thanks.
(3)Brian S.
Your standard Penny's Noodle Shop. This location is still newish, so it's nice inside and all that. I haven't been for dinner in a while, but it's pretty empty at lunch time.
(3)BRIAN M.
I am usually happy with the food when I am dining in here. They have Very Good Chicken Lard Nar. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Junie B, with take out, some how the food loses quality with take out. It's great when you dine in, but the Lard Nard noodles are many times too hard or way too soggy when you order take out. If you order this dish take out get it with white rice and skip the fried noodles. If you dine in which is best, try the fried lard nar noodles. with this dish. Also dining in perhaps they could choose another radio station to listen to. Rock always gives me a headache, that coupled with the sports channel was too much. I wanted a peaceful asian inspired environment. Perhaps they could work on improving the restaurant environment for the customer?
(3)Jessica P.
I went here with my husband for dinner tonight. The food was tasty and fresh. We both agreed the flavor of the Hot Pepper Noodle was very good. I had the Pad Thai which was good, although not quite as good as some of I have had (Indie Cafe in Edgewater is still my favorite). We also had the crispy rolls as an appetizer which were pretty good. The portions were big, enough for lunch tomorrow. The service was good, although it was it was not a busy night. The food is good and it is really close so I am sure we will be back!
(4)Scott T.
I love Penny's great food, they always get your order right and they are fast. The only down side it is a bit pricey and has gone up even more as of late.
(4)Andrew J.
The food here is good, though not spectacular. The restaurant is very clean and bright. A nice option for Thai/noodle dishes, but not a standout amongst Oak Park's other restaurants.
(3)Dug D.
i have only had takeout here. the service for takeout is very quick which is good. i usually get the Hot Pepper Noodle or the Pad Ped as both are excellent. i would give it 4 stars but i can't because... their Pad Thai is terrible. this is a Thai-ish place, how do you $%cK-up Pad THAI!!
(3)