Family operated small sit-down restaurant with some of the best curry I have had. This is our go-to local Thai place. Family favorites are chicken satay, panang curry, tom kha, massaman curry, lard na, and ginger stir fry. They are heavy handed with the hot pepper so be sure to ask for an adjustment to your preference.
(4)
Laura H.
If you looked at my eye, hair, and skin color, you would assume that my mouth is made to eat boiled potatoes and other not-spicy foods in northern Europe. And you would be correct. What I like about this Thai food is that it has lots of flavor even when I order it mild. Which I do. But Boyfriend-of-the-Fairly-Recent-Past likes hot food, and he was happy with dishes here, too, so it isn't just my patheticly weak taste buds that like it here. Roommates all ordered different dishes tonight, and we were all happy. My favorite was Roommate A's yellow curry with chicken. Coconut milk and curry and general deliciousness. Yum. Roommates B and C both ordered red curry dishes, which were also good. Not sure how authentic it is, but it is tasty, it is cheap, and we each probably have enough left over for at least 1 more meal. I think they need to give the guy filling water glasses something else to do, because he is a little over-attentive, but the staff is friendly and helpful, and I can't really complain. The room is small and a little crowded and the kitchen is semi-open to the dining area, so if you want somewhere quiet and somewhat private for a date, this is not the place, but I actually kind of like the atmosphere in general. And they were open on MLK Day when every other Thai place in the Western suburbs seemed to be closed, so they win.
(4)
Okko O.
This spot makes me happy. The staff are kind and thoughtful, the restaurant is small but neat and with nice touches of decor here and there, and the food is good! Sometimes it is a bit greasy, but I don't mind because it's so tasty. The lunch special includes a mixed green salad with vinaigrette (no plain romaine salad here), soup of the day, and entree. I miss when they used to include a pot sticker because those are yummy, but I think they're on the appetizer menu now. I stick to the pad thai when I want something simple, pad see eiw when I'm looking for something more savory, pad khee mao for more vegetables and spice, and red curry for spice and rice. Also, they will make alterations to accommodate you. My best friend and I love getting pad see eiw with crispy fried noodles (normally it's served with soft noodles) and it's sooo good. And they make things at the appropriate heat level (although I'm Asian and may have a different palate, so take that into account). I can order "regular" or "mild" and I can already taste the heat. At other places I hate how something is marked with a red chili pepper icon and it's not even spicy. I appreciate that. It's a go-to place for me.
(4)
Mina H.
I wanted to phone an order in but no one answered the phone.., GPS got me there, on a Sunday at about 6-6:30pm and it was deserted. Not even an owner was there, the door was propped open and so was the back door, a breeze and newspapers on the floor were the only occupants. I called out a 'hello' and got nothing. WEIRD
(1)
Mrs X.
This place isn't too bad, it's right down the strip from Luong Loi's. I decided to have lunch there, their food is OK. I got SPICY pad thai. It was my mistake to ask for it to be spicy because it was extremely spicy!! I took maybe 5-6 bites and I had to pack it home. I enjoyed the mushroom shaped ice... I had thai iced tea, it was just right. I would go again if i was desperate for thai food near wheaton. Not the best but not the worst. The place is pretty small, it's good for a two person outing.
(3)
Andrew W.
the BEST panang curry in existence. reviews of the lard nar and rangoon may be correct, i've never had them. but the panang is to die for. try it!
(5)
Brianna C.
Really good Thai food, especially for a town like Wheaton. My husband and I were wandering around downtown when we spotted this place. They were going to be closing so we just placed our order to go. I ordered the Pad Woon Sen with vegetables. Tons of vegetables, awesome sauce. My husband ordered Pad Kee Mao. The worker asked if he wanted that hot, medium, or mild. My husband, a huge spice fan, obviously responded HOT. The guy asked if he had ever tried their version of hot. Nope, twas our first trip. He let us know there was a no refund or exchange policy on the HOT. What? Can you return other dishes? His noodles were pretty hot, but hardly worth the forewarning by the waiter. Nonetheless, a charming little place. We even sat and waited in our car which was parked in their tiny lot because he said it would be about 15 minutes. When our food was ready the waiter delivered our order right to our car. That's what I call service!
(4)
Carolyn T.
The fresh spring rolls are the best I've ever had. Great service, family owned, BOYB and no uncorking fee.
(4)
Kevin S.
I'm not exactly a Thai connoisseur, so I don't have very many points of reference for this review. My five-star rating is pretty much a reflection of the way their pad see eiw makes me feel every time I eat it. It is *delicious*. I've ordered the same thing at other restaurants, and I've been disappointed, so I keep coming back here. It's small, and the ambiance is by no means classy, but that just makes it feel more authentic to me. It's family owned and operated, the staff are very friendly, and the prices are unbeatable. I have had a good experience every time I've gone.
(5)
Scott K.
As long as you stay away from seafood dishes, this place is still good by me - they use frozen seafood unfortunately.
(3)
Lisa D.
I judge my Thai restaurants on the quality of their lard nar dishes, so that is what this review is based on. Too soupy, too salty, and in my opinion, too expensive. I picked up an order of chicken lard nar for lunch, and the order came to almost $10. In my opinion, that's too much to pay for a decent Thai lunch, let alone a subpar one. The service was quick and the portion size was fairly large, but I probably won't be back.
(2)
Amy N.
I've been to Mai Thai once for my birthday I'd say about 2 years ago, and from what I remember, it was just okay. But I had it recently a few days ago for my mom's birthday, and I was thus confirmed that the food was just 'okay'. My dad ordered the food to go and brought it home. The first thing I thought when I saw everything was that the portions are so small! We ordered Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, and Basil Chicken with rice. Also, everything looked really bland and dry. Regardless of that, I still helped myself to some of the Pad See Ew which I would say was alright. They used regular broccoli instead of Chinese broccoli and added carrots and purple cabbage, so I would say it was a pretty Americanized version of Pad See Ew. I didn't really like how fat the noodles were either, and they also sprinkled a lot of black pepper which I thought was unnecessary to the dish. I tried the Basil Chicken with rice and thought it was pretty good though. My mom said that the Pad Thai was bland and that she's had better. Overall, this place is just meh for me, and I'd rather satisfy my Thai food craving somewhere else.
(3)
Mike D.
Solid Thai eatery, especially being out in the burbs. I've had a a red and yellow curry, both similar to what I remember in Thailand. Their salad selection Is slightly disappointing, I would do just about anything for a shrimp and pomelo salad. The prices are reasonable an the "hole in the wall" ambiance is cool (if that's your thing).
(4)
Mary J.
Good Thai food! 2 parking spots! What more can you ask for in downtown Wheaton! Hubby and I got carryout here, there are very few tables inside. We had crab rangoon, spring rolls, pad thai with shrimp and something really spicy (hubby can't remember the name of it). The crab rangoon wasn't too crunchy and I don't know what was in it, but it was not bland. The spring rolls were ok. My pad thai had lots of shrimp in it and his spicy stuff was great. We just went in there and ordered some stuff, didn't call ahead. It took about 15 minutes. My only complaint is that it seemed kind of expensive for thai food in the 'burbs. The crab rangoon was about $7 and the spring rolls were $3.50 each.
(4)
David C.
On a Wednesday night it was packed - most of the tables were pushed together in the center for a big birthday party. No booze, but they do have wine glasses for BYO. We had Thai iced coffees instead. The woks are behind a big wall off of the dining room, and you can hear the guy cook. Bette had the Red Curry with chicken, medium spice. It was too hot for her, she should have gotten the mild. It had a good flavor, though, and had lots of veggies, including eggplant and tofu cubes. I had the Hot and Spicy Curry, which was hot and spicy with similar veggie loading and beef. I was tearing and my nose was nice and clear. Both the curries were tasty but surprisingly watery. I just had the leftovers today, and it was still good. Fun place, casual, not fancy, dinerish. Good food, fast, fresh. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices ($7-$10 for entrees). Small, so might be a wait.
(3)
Trevor S.
Significant improvements, pleasant atmosphere. Fresh food.
(5)
Meredith S.
Best Thai food in the suburbs. Best Tom Yum soup EVER. All dishes have great flavor, very freshly prepared. Authentically spicy = Flaming hot, which I love but most others would be hurtin'. Quick, friendly service. Bill for two for Saturday lunch: $24 + tip. Lunch includes cup of soup and small salad. Try the Thai iced tea, it's the bomb, if you like milk in your tea. I always get the Lard Na (Lad Nar?) and it never disappoints. Oh and the Panang (red) Curry is fantastic, if your palate can take the heat. Fave place to go when I have a taste for Thai/ Asian food but want to stay in town (read: freezing winter months). If the owners ever find a bigger restaurant space far away, I'll track them down, it's that awesome. Seriously.
(5)
Mei L.
I have been going here for years, and have always had good food and service, but last night's dinner experience has changed my views. I have gone here for dinner with girlfriends, with other couples, with just my spouse, and as other reviewers have mentioned, the food is not superior Thai, it is mediocre to average, but we've never had a bad meal here. I do not order spices dishes, but have had others I dine with say it is difficult to get the level of spiciness correct when you order, even mild. It invariably comes back with too much spice. That wasn't our issue last night. Their hours have changed, so they now close on a week night at 8pm. Really? What dinner restaurant closes at 8pm? We arrived a little after 7pm, not knowing they closed in less than an hour. At 7:45 I am hit with the overwhelming smell of Lysol disinfectant rising from the kitchen like a nuclear cloud--which by the way, is less than 10 feet from our table (if you've eaten here you know it's a small place, as others have stated). The servers start the kitchen clean up, and then start mopping the floor around us with this insanely intense cleaner. I am now finishing my dinner quickly because the ambience of a janitor's closest is so appealing (plus I am getting a headache). Out of courtesy to their customers (we were not the only couple in there), couldn't they have waited to mop after we left? They turned the sign on the door from Open to Closed, but we didn't need that clue to know it was time to get out. If I could give zero stars i would. I won't be going back there soon, if ever. Sorry, Mai Thai, but you lost a regular.
(1)
Grace A.
the WORST thai place I've ever been to. Two of my friends and I went because we heard the place had good food.... such a lie. We ordered basil chicken, pad thai, and pad see ew. The pad thai and pad see ew were watery and tasteless. The ground chicken in the basil chicken dish was raw so we couldn't eat it. But the little bit we did taste was super salty. It meal was very disappointing and I will probably never go there again.
(1)
Lily C.
They provide soup and salad for free. I ordered spicy Pad Thai, it is spicy enough.
(3)
Joel M.
I agree with another reviewer, if you want the best Panang I have had in three states, come here. Get it mild if you like it spicy, get it medium if you want to sweat. Also, their Pad Thai ordered spicy is amazing!!
(5)
Erin M.
This place is small and placed next to a dry cleaners, but don't let looks deceive you. I came in on a Tuesday night for takeout and the restaurant was almost full. I tried their Yellow Tofu Curry, Lard Na and of course the Pad Thai. The only complaint I had was that the tofu was a little tough, but other than that it was great! It was ready quickly and the portions are large and reasonably priced.
(3)
Josh P.
You're not going to go wrong here for take out. I like my own kitchen and dining room better than theres so I'll eat at home on this one. The Pad Thai is uninspired, the crab rangoon is soft not crispy, and the chicken satay is a little dry. All that being said, it's not awful...it's just not terrific. It's a great place to get in and out in a hurry but you won't be dying to come back.
(3)
Jane K.
Went here with a friend, alright Thai, not great in restaurant but it's okay.
(3)
Tim K.
My rating is about the food. Among the best Thai in the western burbs. Low pretense - great grub. Family-owned and operated. Very unassuming establishment. Everything made fresh to order. As others have said, pad thai is a specialty.
(5)
Laura W.
When ever I am in a slump, I head over for some pad see ew and instantly a smile hits my face. I try to keep eating out for social occasions, but I have been known to head over by myself for a solo meal. Last time I went I met my friend at lunch time. My day was made when I found out I could order the dinner size portion at the early hour of noon. Left overs never make it through the day.
(4)
R S.
Tasty and fresh, quality ingredients. Some of my favs...Pad Thai with tofu, Panang yellow curry with chicken...lots of veggies. Also like the fresh springrolls and dumplings. I order the Panang medium spicy...its HOT!! If you aren't used to HOT...order it mild, you can always add more chili. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Brooke G.
We absolutely loved it, some of the best pad thai I've ever had. Prior to our visit I had been craving thai from my favorite place in Chicago and this totally satisfied me and HELLO it's BYOB, total bonus points for that. Our waitress was excellent, attentive & super friendly. Sure it isn't oozing with atmosphere and is very tiny on the inside but the food is good and you can bring your own wine.
(5)
Meghan L.
this place made my brief stint living in wheaton almost bearable. i am all about cozy family-owned places (which wheaton doesn't have enough of,) and this place hit the spot on numerous occasions. portions are large enough to split; therefore the prices are more than reasonable. everything on the menu is basically solid, totally decent thai food. nothing exceptional, but nothing sub par; as good as anything i get in the city.
(4)
Jeni F.
Really uninspiring. The spring rolls were soggy. The crab rangoon had too much onion in the filling. The pad thai was bland. I thought the prices were too high for this quality of food. We're still looking for good thai food in the west burbs.
(2)
Nick M.
I work in the area and have only been here for lunch. The menu is priced very well and their pad thai is very good (although I do not have much to base it on). My co-worker enjoyed one of their curries. They are always very friendly and I look forward to trying out different items on their menu.
(3)
Andy G.
Surprise surprise another average Thai restaurant in the Chicago area. I actually think the panang curry here was a little better than others. My Mom's pud Thai was just OK though. I liked the soup I had. Watch out, the medium spice is hot.
(3)
lizzie R.
My first time eating Thai food and it was delicious! Excellent food! I will definitely be back. Spring rolls were super, the crunchy and soft.
(5)
Abby M.
I was at Mai Thai twice this week (oops!) Their pad thai (I get mine Mild+, which is a step up from mild but not the sweat-inducing medium) cannot be beaten. Portion size is plenty and I can often turn it in to two meals. I've had the spring rolls (the best thing about them is the sauce) and the crab rangoon (the worst thing is the sauce) which are a little heavy on the cream cheese for my taste. I love the cashew chicken, too, but with a smaller portion size (it includes rice), $11.50 for the entree seems just a little but much. I'd happily pay $9 for it. It's reliable, yummy, and never bugs my somewhat sensitive stomach. Take it to go or don't sit by the bathroom! Also- they have the weirdest hours, so it can help to call ahead to see if they're open.
(4)
Peter K.
Best pad thia I have ever had. Delicious curry! (Panang curry!) Great soups and lunch specials for a solid price. Everything tastes super authentic. Bit spicy if your not used to it, but I recommend a mild plus temperature if you just enjoy a little kick... I go here couple times a week, people are great, restaurant is small and family owned. A staple of Wheaton, what are you waiting for go here!! :)
(5)
Jasmine S.
Pros: cute little place with nice staff. Good price and portions. Cons: food was not amazing, it can be very loud/crowded and the waitress mixed up our order :(
(3)
Minh-An C.
My friend and I stopped by this place for lunch on a Wednesday around 11:30 and we definitely beat the crowd because more and more people trickled in around noon. Parking around this area is pretty easy, anywhere you see "customer parking", you can definitely park. The lot of this restaurant is small so street parking is much easier. We got the lunch special but they don't offer salad anymore, just hot & sour soup. This was my friend's first time eating Thai food so I ordered panang chicken curry and pad thai w/ shrimp for us to share (both are medium level spicy). The hot & sour complimentary soup came out in a small bowl but it was perfect portion. It was a bit too sour for my taste but still always good to start off with a hot bowl of soup when it is so cold outside! For the panang chicken curry, the chicken was really hard to chew and didn't taste that fresh. The curry was mediocre and it just didn't taste as good as panang curries I've had elsewhere. The pad thai w/ shrimp was way too sweet for some reason. I had to mention to my friend that the pad thai really isn't suppose to be this sweet. And I usually like to have a lot of bean sprout with my pad thai and mix it but the vegetable portion was very small and not an even balance when I mix it. Total came out to about $12-13/person for 2 lunch specials and an extra bowl of rice. I am Asian and the whole time while I was eating, there were only non-Asian people eating at this restaurant, so that kinda says something. Overall, it is good service, good pricing, okay food. But since I have been exposed to really good Thai food, I wouldn't recommend this to people with a more exposed tastebud to delicious Thai food.
(3)
c g.
Very fresh ! We enjoyed our veggie fried rice and peanut sauce chicken. The vegetables were fresh. Service was prompt. Prices reasonable. We will be back.
(5)
Becky J.
Unfortunately, this was some of the worst 'Thai' food I have ever had. My husband & I recently moved to the area & were eager to try this place which is close to our new home. We are avid Thai food eaters so this place was a tremendous letdown. We ordered pad see eiw, combo fried rice, panang curry & crispy spring rolls. Everything we ordered lacked flavor & seriously blew my mind how terrible it was. It tasted like it was cooked by a person at home who was trying to branch out and try some basic Thai recipes. I absolutely love panang curry & the one we ordered here was very bad, it mainly tasted of soy & like that peanut sauce that's normally served with chicken satay. There are so many other Thai places in the Chicago suburbs that are 100% better & also are not overpriced like this place. We will never return.
(1)
John P.
$16 for one bowl of curry and rice ($2 per bowl) which is causing me great intestinal distress is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday dinner. I was overwhelmed with an intense need to simultaneously throw up and poo out whatever I had just eaten 5 minutes after I left. Ordered a catfish curry. Catfish strips looked like chicken strips that had been in the freezer for 10 years and had just been thrown in the deep fryer. Rice was warm, but stale. White rice only. ($2 for rice of this quality...Jackie Chan would not approve) Waiters were pretty cold. I was told by one of them that "spicy" wasn't bad at all but in reality, "spicy" = so spicy I can't taste my food and I don't want to eat this shit anymore. But hey, it was not a problem because the curry was pretty bland anyways. Disappointed that Wheaton's only Thai place is simply another whitewashed, overpriced, and tasteless joint. To save your butthole and your wallet some pain, I recommend going to the Vietnamese place down the street, which also happens to be overpriced and whitewashed, but nonetheless, is friendlier and slightly better tasting. Trust me, I'm Asian.
(1)
Andrew M.
Great little authentic, local, spicy, and delicious spot! I had the Panag curry and would definitely get it again!
(5)
Teanna T.
This place has become my new favorite Thai restaurant. The scared me at first with the whole spicy "no returns, no refund" deal bc I can eat spicy! But glad that they did. My entrees were mild-medium and it was perfect anything spicer would have killed the food. Their Tom Yum soup was delish. Same with the Shrimp Pad Thai. The beef salad though, was ok. Nothing memorable.. Space is small would be hard for a big group.
(5)
M f.
I think putting in one star is only to the credit of.the food that is prepared diligently by the cook. However ask me about the service and I will site the gentleman who works there who has been consistently rude and abrasive and unappreciative of the customer base this restaurant has. I came in today to order an appetizer and two thai iced coffees. I came in at 7:30 and i did notice a sign saying anyone coming in less than 45 minutes to dine in will not be able to order food. I was taking to go and didn't think it was an issue since people were seated and still ordering. The girl at the register was sweet and helpful until a thin slightly sour looking gentlemen comes up and says terse ly that the kitchen is closed. I will mention his back is to me he does not turn around or apologize just says it to her and moves on without making eye contact with me. The rudeness, right? So I smile and leave and tell myself never to come here again. Who needs that kind of humiliation for thai iced coffee. Word of advice to the owner hire people who will treat your customers with respect. And if this so called gentleman is the owner learn how to conduct yourself respectfully in front of your customers if you want your business to succeed.
(1)
David H.
Great little place in a Wheaton. Service was 4 out of 5. Food 5 out of five . Had a large party reserved and everything went smooth. But it's a tiny place so we left baby stroller outside cause lack of room. This is a must go place if your ever in the area.
(5)
Stephen A.
I've gone to Mai Thai many time and over the years had very spotty service. Sometimes it's great and other times it's horrible. Their sign says clearly that they close at 8pm. When I tried to get a table at 7:30 we were turned away being told that they close their kitchen at 7:15. I'm sorry, but having worked in the food industry I know that if a sign says they close at 8 that means the kitchen closes at 8 not 7:15 45 minutes before you close. I won't be going back.
(1)
Monique J.
We have been coming to this place for years and everything is perfect every single time. Service is friendly, clean place, food comes out fast, warm and delicious. We usually get spring rolls with plum sauce or crispy rolls for appetizer. We love the red and yellow curries, so spicy and delicious. They are so kind to substitute some of the vegetables in the curries that I don't like. The price is fair for fresh food with no MSG. I can't believe anyone would give them less than 5 stars. I've brought friends and family over the years and end up being regular clients themselves. It's also a great place to wait for the train.
(5)
Joe E.
A few coworkers decided they wanted Thai food for the evening. I actually packed my dinner but I decided on ordering some Tom Yum Tofu Soup. On their website, they don't list sizes, but apparently they come in small and large. Also, they offer their Tom Yum with tofu, chicken, beef, shrimp, or seafood (extra charge for the latter two). The price weas 6.95 on their website, and I assumed that was for the large, which was what I ordered. Unfortunately, the large soup ended up being 8.69!! Holy cow!! Don't get me wrong, the Tom Yum tofu, which featured lemongrass, thai ginger, mushrooms, baby corn, tomatoes, and onion, the hot and sour soup was very tasty. But was it worth that much? Absolutely not! I thought 6 dollars was pushing it... My coworkers got the chicken pad thai and see ew. The to go dishes were served in your typical black carryout dish; they both looked okay. I can't assess them because I didn't have them. They also ordered Crab Rangoon to split; the sweet and sour was homemade and looked tasted, but since I'm not a CR fan, I did not try. Overall, I'm more of a Pad Thai Etc. fan. The restaurant has a nice ambiance compared to here. However, looks could be deceiving me. I will most likely give Mai Thai another try, but I will not be getting soup!
(3)
Ashley B.
First time visiting, had crispy spring rolls and pad Thai. Was warned that they are very heavy handed with the heat but found mild to be too mild for me. Will definitely get it hotter next time. Spring rolls were great. Service was friendly and fast.
(4)
Josh P.
Our family has made it a tradition to visit Mai Thai when we come through Wheaton to see friends. We've been there several times over the last few years but the last 2 times we been the service has really been bad. One of the young ladies behind the counter - she appears to be the manager - has a really bad temper. Last fall when she was in she got into a shouting match with the young guy behind the counter. Obviously conflicts are going to happen but this place is really small and the kitchen is literally right next to the tables, so when this happens in front of the customers it makes them feel uncomfortable and on edge. Despite the uncomfortable visit we decided to try again because the food is decent. This time however the same young lady with the temper was growling about us - and we were less than 5 feet away from her. Our son (4 yrs old) doesn't care for sauces on anything really, so we usually just ask Asian restaurants for steamed noodles with a side of chicken and vegetables. When our order got put in, we could hear her snapping about how we were going to be charged for a full dinner - insinuating that we were just being cheap, which isn't the case. We also asked for a little sauce on the side so that we could have our son try the sauce. We were told that was fine but as our order was coming out we could hear the same woman snapping about how "we don't give sides of sauce." We did receive a bowl of dumpling dipping sauce but it was obvious this woman didn't want to help. I've also noted that there are more and more signs going up about management restrictions. Don't take Amex, maximum of 2 checks per table, no refunds on plates ordered hot. There is a max 2 checks per table, yet if 4 people came in and ordered 4 take out orders they would obviously have no problem with that. Just doesn't make sense. The basic idea here is that the focus is on what the management wants, not what the customer wants. Obviously we won't be coming back anymore and we're disappointed about that. I'm guessing management could care less though. Sad.
(1)
Dan L.
This place is small in size but big in taste, value and service. We asked for hot and spicy and we were rewarded with excellent food.
(5)
Mallory I.
I am obsessed with this place. They Definitely have THE BEST pad Thai. Every waitress is extremely friendly. the service is also very fast and The food comes out piping hot. My boyfriend and I get the exact same thing every time. The crab rangoons are delicious and so is the fried tofu. The sauces they come with are tasty as well. I don't get to come as often anymore cause it's kinda far for me. But if I'm really craving it, it's definitely worth the trip. The only negatives I can think of is the bathroom is pretty dirty and the tables are pretty small. Other than that this is one of my GO TO places whenever I'm in Wheaton.
(5)
Lily T.
Mai Thai used to be great, but the last few times we have eaten here the quality of food has gone way down. About a month ago we ate here and I felt sick the rest of the day, so we didn't eat there again for a few weeks. Just ate there again today and the food was greasy and the chicken in my dish tasted really old. Also, the place smelled of grease. Now my clothes and hair smell. I think we are done eating at Mai Thai. It makes me sad as I used to love this place. The service was still good though, maybe they got a new chef?
(2)
Kristen H.
Stopped in for a quick lunch between errands. My daughter & I were immediately greeted and sat down. I've eaten food from here about 5x and I usually don't try new items, so my review is based on the ones I've tried. Pad Thai lunch portion was enough for 2 to split & we still had leftovers. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the vegetables were fresh. The only critique I have is that I wish the veggies were cut smaller (they were cut thin, but very long). I added tofu and it was a nice touch...my 5yo daughter even liked it! Basil fried rice wasn't on the lunch menu, but they made it upon my request. I asked for medium spice and the heat was on! Be very careful with how you ask for spiciness here...I've read the other Yelp reviews and they are correct; start low because you can always add spice, not the other way around. Anyway, the fried rice was delicious; right amount of basil, red peppers, onions, carrots, cabbage and beef. Large portion too...enough for me to take home leftovers. Our food came with a small cup of cabbage soup and a very tiny salad. The soup was a warm broth, a little spicy and a nice way to start the meal. The salad I could do without...the dressing was too sweet..too much rice wine vinegar? Total for 2 at lunch on Saturday: $28 w/tip Pros: freshly made delicious food that seems pretty healthy, great service Big portions Cons: very small inside so tables are on top of each other...they might have seating for 25 people total No alcohol Parking can be hard to find...their lot holds 4 cars and 2 of them are for the busy dry cleaner next door. Find street parking or there's a bigger lot behind the restaurant. I'll definitely be back. I really need to try their curry dishes that everyone raves about.
(5)
Dani B.
The food is okay if you're not that into Thai food and don't have many places to compare it with. My main complaint is that they seem to choose your spiciness level for you; it doesn't matter if you order something mild, it will always come out significantly different each time you order it, and at times it will be spicy enough to cause intestinal distress. The spiciness level may change depending on the cook (if they have more than one), but this is something to look out for if you don't tolerate spicy very well. The rice also isn't very good, and they charge too much for extra rice (it seems like they make the curry too spicy so that you HAVE to order extra rice). The pad thai and pad see ew can be a little too sweet at times, but it's still not that bad. This is what I typically order anyways. The stir fries aren't very good. From what I've experienced, the service isn't too bad. No one has been entirely unfriendly to me, though there is one younger woman who doesn't know the dishes well (she's not Thai) and asks if we want non-spicy dishes to be mild, medium, or spicy. The first time she did this, I verified with her that I ordered Pad Thai, and she snapped at me and said "I KNOW, mild, medium, or spicy?!". Other than that little thing, the wait staff has been fine. The environment isn't all that great. This place is old, tiny, and doesn't appear to be well-maintained. If the bathroom door is left slightly open the whole restaurant smells like the bathroom and the general appearance makes the restaurant seem like it's not meeting any sanitation requirements. It's absolutely cramped, and though it has sort of a small-town charm to it, for some reason I get worried that I'll get food poisoning from this place at some point (I've never been sick from the food, though). This place is probably best for take-out. Being in the restaurant itself has to be the worst thing about it.
(2)
Julie S.
Stopped in by myself at a typically slow time of day for som Tom Yum chicken soup and chicken satay. The service I received was top notch! Extremely attentive waitstaff, not too forward but good at anticipating my needs. The satay was typical, 4 skewers with slightly spicy peanut sauce, very good. The Tom Yum Chicken soup was fantastic! A large bowl chocked full with chicken and fresh veggies with coconut milk and yummy spices. I ordered my soup medium and appreciated the sign warning that they have a HOT heat scale, typical for Thai food. I thought it was perfect - just enough to make my nose run, not hot enough to set my lips on fire or make me cry! I've been here a few times and need to be more of a regular!
(5)
David E.
Pad see ew is excellent. Iced coffee was okay. The food is consistent and service is always good. The prices are about average and the food is abundant.
(5)
Michael S.
Has seating for about 30 Kinda fast food feeling atmosphere. Food was just stir fry and kinda sugary Their were six of us at thee tables pushed togeather. Up front couples asked for seperate checks and waitress indicated no problem When bill came was one total with 18% tip figured in. When I asked why, her response was I cant do that. I assumed the bill patrol was hiding somewhere and left it at that The service was nothing to write home about. We won't be coming back.
(2)
C P.
Service is slow! I've dined here for over 6 years and recently things slowed down. Staff is somewhat friendly! It won't stop me from dining here, I go for the food not the service! Great peanut sauce!!!
(2)
Matthew K.
I go here all the time, and the food is great every visit, I have always had a great experience. The yellow curry is my favorite
(5)
Lena W.
Meh! Rice not rinsed, gummy. Asked for a spicier version of an entree and received an over-sriracha-ed version of a bland entree. Ordered to-go for $30 bucks. Asked for a pouch of chili paste when leaving and they wanted $0.25 for it. REALLY!? I just paid $30 bucks and you want to charge me for chili paste? WTH? Most of the meal was donated to Waste Management. UNjoy!
(1)
karen e.
We used to love this place, please check those glowing reviews you see and make sure they aren't old. I think since the dad passed away things have gone downhill. The last 3 times we have gone they have been downright unfriendly, with the young man who works there/is part of the family being the worst. In our last encounter my husband went to get me some tofu soup as I was sick and really wanted something spicy to help clear me up. When he got home the bag clearly said "tofu," but I didn't feel up to eating it. We threw it in the fridge and when I opened it up to eat it for lunch it was chicken. we are used to that mistake, but the guy was so rude when I called. He made me wait while he went to ask the cook what they remembered, he NEVER said I'M SORRY, a really good place would say they were sorry and deliver a new one. Instead the guy reluctantly and without an apology told me I had to repackage the bad soup and bring it back in to get the replacement. Not worth it, go to the place in Glen Ellyn or in Winfield instead
(2)
Joseph D.
I love the veggie pot stickers. I would go here for that and that alone. I also love the garlic maddness.
(5)
Jonathan T.
Hands down, the best Panang curry there is... I have eaten here more times then I can count. If you like Spicy food, order any curry and ask for it Extra Spicy, you won't be disappointed! The crab Rangoon is also quite fantastic... I have tried many other thai restaurants, this one is definitely the best one, by far!
(5)
Elise R.
Their food is good & authentic, but not consistent. Sometimes when I go, it's absolutely delicious; other times, it takes like Thai food I'd make at home (which is not the greatest). My favorites are the Tom Kha Kai (chicken coconut soup), green curry, and Pad Thai. I wish I could say they've always been good... but I can't. The soup is probably the most consistently delicious; would always recommend that. The service is also pretty decent; not overly friendly, but not rude either. Overall, I like this place, but I'd also like to find something better.
(3)
Erika S.
I can't believe this place has 3.5 stars. Gross! Have high standards for thai food as my family has roots there but this place was a joke. The papaya salad had a little shredded papaya with shredded carrots and smothered in fish sauce, nasty and not authentic at all. All the other food ordered was low quality and bad flavor. My stir fry was the most tolerable so I ended up sharing it with others in our party because theirs was so bad. Will go to ANY other thai place.
(1)
Marisa A.
We have been coming here for over 6 years and this hands down the best pad thai ever! It is rich, creamy, not burned tasting or heavy. I have been recently venturing into the rest of the menu. I was shamed into it when the family that runs the place sees me and asks "the usual today?" even before I sit down without even a menu. So, the curries (every single one) are amazing. I am a huge fan of the massaman and the panang in particular. I adore the pad kei mao and the pad sei eu. We go for date night, we have been with friends, and I have gone here for a girls night out. Everyone who works here is so sweet, but they keep a strict eye on the clock so get there before they close the kitchen or you are out of luck!
(5)
K S.
Good food and good price. Have dined in once and ordered take out, and so far food has been excellent. Pad Thai fresh and flavorful. Excellent panang curry. Appetizers are okay, but entrees are much better. They are serious about the level of spice in their food, so be sure to order your spice level accordingly. Will definitely be going back.
(4)
Ruth F.
Looks like a little hole in the wall, but it's bigger on the inside. Spring rolls either fried or fresh, and they have vegetarian potstickers. I am hoping next time I can get them pan-fried; deep-fried potstickers are just wrong. The pad see ew was perhaps a little oily, but tasty. I had it to go because after eating half my soup, redolent of coconut milk and lemongrass, and half an order of the deep-fried potstickers, I was full. Big props for Mai Thai being willing to make *any* of the soups with vegetable stock. Most places I can't eat the soup because it's chicken stock or nothing.
(4)
Scotty T.
If I had to choose a final meal on death row, I would call Rosalyn at Mai Thai and have her bring me the mild Panang curry with crispy spring rolls. This is the truth. It's that incredibly good, and the staff is that incredibly nice. Ros is the best waitress in existence. She's remembered my girlfriend and I's names from the beginning. The rest of the staff is beyond friendly and helpful as well. They usually have to refill my water 6 or 7 times, and they do it with a smile. No, Mai Thai doesn't have an upscale interior. But its comfortable, close (almost European), and charming as a local eatery. I wouldn't want the interior to go too upscale. Mai Thai has perfected the Thursday night, out-to-eat feel. Why change that? I'm in love... Though I usually stick with the Panang curry (yellow, coconutty, and sweet but spicy), the friend rice is excellent. My friends also are in love with the Pad Thai, if noodles are your thing. Some people have complained about the bathroom. They whine too much. They've improved the bathroom recently too, and it's now as nice as the one at my house. Go, and go again, then order out, then go again next week. And repeat. I love this place.
(5)
Richard T.
This is my closest Thai restaurant so I've been here maybe ten times. The food is fresh and the staff is nice and professional. Warning! Mai Thai's erratic spicing of their food is like playing Russian roulette with your tongue. "Medium" is often inedibly spicy, depending on the dish. I've ordered a salad with "Mild" level spice that set my mouth ablaze. The curries, while tasty, are 70 percent sauce with bits of meat and vegetables floating around. The stir fries are okay, but local Chinese joints will do just as well for half the price.
(3)
Nicole L.
I'm afraid I have to downgrade my rating as my most recent visit (3/1/13) left something to be desired. The Pad See-Ew wasn't as flavorful as I remember it being in the past (even the other times I've ordered it without spice). It wasn't bad by any means but it left me craving the Pad See-Ew from CK Pad Thai even though I don't care for how undercooked their broccoli comes out. My quest for the perfect Pad See-Ew continues...
(3)
Kristen H.
Just the thought of Thai food makes the adrenaline in my body start racing, and my heart pumping, and my blood flowing because of how delicious it is, and Mai Thai is no exception to that rule. It is only a few blocks down from my office in downtown Wheaton, which makes for a great short and convenient walk (which helps, since parking is very limited). If you go for lunch, not only do you receive such generous portions of the actual meal, but you are also served fresh soup and salad before, for around an average of ten dollars. The pad thai is phenomenal, I would reccomend it to anyone. Usually I have to load tons of chili garlic sauce on my food to add that extra spice, but at Mai Thai, there is absolutely no need. I ordered the spicy version and my mouth was on fire (and I loved it). I hardly even glanced at the spicy sauces sitting on the table. If you are looking for a real authentic Thai food experience in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn area, don't waste your time anywhere else, go here.
(5)
JaneJanes J.
And
(4)
Prem S.
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(4)
Lynne B.
The portions are generous, and ingredients seem fresh, but I found the food here lacking and extremely over-spiced. The medium curry I had was roaring hot, so much so, that none of the other flavors could be tasted. There seemed to be no rich combination of flavors either-- just some overly large pieces of veggies thrown together with the overly spiced curry sauce.
(3)
Deth D.
Good food but this one server is a lil rude and i did not like it., she was taking our orders and i wanted to get the cashew fried rice which has pineapple on it, so my boyfriend started asking to make sure if the dish for sure has pineapple and this lady raised her hand, shushed my boyfriend and continue on asking me what kind of meat i want, so yah, we left n went somewhere else where we wouldn't get shushed
(1)
Kara Z.
My friend and I went here for dinner on a Friday night. It was very busy and it's a small place and you're sitting VERY close to everyone else (and it was pretty loud and bustling) so at first I wasn't sure how I was going to feel sitting smack in the middle of the restaurant. But, I quickly got used to it and we enjoyed ourselves. The crispy spring rolls are absolutely amazing! They are huge and they kindly cut them in half for you so you have four portions with some tasty sauce. They are the best I've had anywhere. They told us they are homemade. Yum. I had the cashew stir fry with chicken. It was very good. My one complaint is that the menu online describes the menu items in more detail than the menu in the restaurant. The menu online said that the cashew stir fry had mushrooms and baby corn but the menu in the restaurant menu left those items off in the description. Fortunately I asked if it had mushrooms in it, because I don't care for them, and the menu didn't say it did but it did. It also had tons of baby corn but it wasn't included in the menu. That kind of bothers me. However, it was very tasty and a nice size portion. The rice came in a pretty tiny bowl, though, and wasn't quite enough for the leftovers the next day. The service is very good- attentive and friendly. They were patient with us as we ate slow and stayed a longer time and were nice to keep refilling our water glasses. This seems like a very popular place. I was pleasantly surprised and will make sure to come back soon.
(4)
Stephanie R.
We've been here a few times and we've always enjoyed our meals. If you like spicy Thai food, this is the place for you. The portions are generous and the entrees/curries are flavorful. We usually stick with the regular amount of spice, and that is just right for us. Our favorite is the Panang Curry. We did try another Thai place last night, and the whole time I was reminiscing about Mai Thai. Do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
A J.
Overall this place is pretty mediocre. Prices are alright but the food quality is blah, i've had much better elsewhere. Main reason it gets 2 stars is because they charge an extra TWO DOLLARS for more rice. I ordered a rice/curry dish and i barely got any rice to begin with. This is a good indication of this restaurant's motivation, more interested in cashing in on the good location and neighborhood than trying to provide excellent food and service.
(2)
Pat E.
Pretty good. One star off because the lunch special was a wonton and hot and sour vegetable soup, but I wanted spring rolls and tom yum...come on MAI THAI...just kidding. IMO, not as good as Pad Thai Wheaton, but it is ok. I got my regular Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodle), but they have a few more choices than Pad Thai. Pad Thai has a limited menu compared to Mai Thai, but they are like a well oiled machine. Quality over Quanity at PT, MT has more variety, which I am looking to try the next time I go. THAI FOOD? WHEATON? HELL YES! Plus, it is next to a cleaners, probably run by the same people? I think so, not sure; not sure it really matters either!
(3)
AuraLee P.
Cute little place in downtown Wheaton. Got lunch here with a friend over winter break (she's a regular, I've never been) and it was great. The lunch special is a must, the entree is big enough for leftovers later and comes with a gyoza dumpling. I had the chicken pad see ew and it was delicious. I also recommend the thai iced tea. It was rich and tasted a little bit like chocolate milk! We both had lunch specials and drinks and our bill came out to around 30$. This place is a definite winner for simple, tasty, and cheap eats.
(4)
Rita D.
Thai iced tea- perfect Chicken panang- good, very spicy Tom ka soup- the broth was amazing, the veggies could've used more time cooking The waitress was the sweetest thing. Nice, friendly, and honest. The place itself isn't the prettiest/cleanest looking place, but maybe that's how they keep the prices cheap.
(4)
Jenni E.
I love a good lunch special, so I wandered over here one day while I was shopping in the area. I hate when people advertise that they have lunch specials and then stop serving them at 12:30. I never have time to eat on time, so when I showed up for lunch at 2:30 and was still able to get the lunch special that made me happy. This is a really small place with only a handful of tables But you can tell that it is family run, which in many cases means great food. Based on several other Yelp reviews, I opted for the Panang Curry and when the menu said that they tended to under-spice the food I mistakenly ordered this at a medium temperature. I love spicy food and the medium spiced curry made my lips want to fall off. However I will say that it was delicious at the same time and honestly I would probably order it medium again - but you have been warned. My lunch special came with a small side salad and soup which were both great too and for less than $10, it is a great amount of food. Service was great and there are lots of other things I'd love to come back and try.
(4)
Sara B.
I have had thai at many places and NOTHING compares to Mai Thai! Small little place to just sit and enjoy amazing food with friends. The staff are great and the food is amazing! I always get the tofu pad thai and the chicken Pa-nang. Try it and enjoy it!
(5)
Sunila t.
This was the first time i went here, so this review is just specifically what i got: I went during lunch and i got the pad se ew and it tasted very fishy, I think they added too much fish sauce or something, and this was a total let down because I've tasted far better at other places and i loveee pad se ew. The cabbage soup that came with lunch special was horrible. The crab Rangoon was mediocre at best The only thing that was decent was the pad kee mao
(2)
Tiffanie C.
The BEST Thai food in the western 'burbs! I have been coming here for years and I'm not quite sure why I hadn't written a review before now. Yes, it's a hole in the wall type joint, but it is family owned and run and that's what makes this place even more special. The patriarch of the Chanchai family passed away around Christmas time which was devastating as he was the main cook and held all of the "secret" recipes close to his vest. The food and atmosphere hasn't changed one bit since his untimely and unfortunate passing. Once you've been once or twice, Roslyn (their daughter) will recognize you and always has a huge smile on her face. She is a true gem. The lunch specials can't be beat. An entree, a bowl of hot & sour soup and a side salad. Portions are HUGE! Their crab rangoon are great, the tom kha soup is wonderful. I have a battle with myself every time I go whether I should order their Pad See Ew or Pad Thai. Honestly, this is the best Pad Thai I've ever had and it's basically my go to. Spicy Basil Chicken is fantastic. I could go on and on about their wonderful food. They have different levels of spice and heat for you to order I'm telling you this because if you want it hot, they make it HOT! It's crazy how much heat you can get into a dish if you want it. I can tolerate a lot of spice and I usually stick with medium when I order. They can accommodate should you have allergies, you just need to tell them ahead of time when you order. This place only seats about 20 people at once and it can get VERY busy during lunch rush. They're quick with the food and can get you in and out of there fast if you're on a quick time crunch. They don't have a liquor license and they used to be BYOB with no uncorking fee, but that's changed due to Wheaton's ordinances I believe. But to be honest, if you want a glass of wine with dinner, call in for carry out, it won't take but 15 minutes or so for your order to be ready. Get ready for Mai Thai to be around for awhile as well as they have just re-upped their lease for another 8 years. YAY Mai Thai!!!
(5)
Brad V.
My family and I went to the Mai Thai Cafe with some friends, a last minute decision. I had never been there before, but everyone who has raved about it. The place is definitely one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants that because of its location, is easy to miss. There is not a lot of room inside, though the 4 of us (with a baby!) were very comfortable. The menu is quite extensive for such a small establishment. I ordered the small corn stir fry. Afraid of eating something too spicy I requested it mild. I wish I had gotten the "medium spice" because there was no kick at all with the mild spice. The food is great. Very tasty. It came with a large side of white rice. Also, I was pleased that the portions were large. I only ate about half of my dinner, so I guess I'll have lunch for tomorrow. My wife ate about half of hers as well. The price is very reasonable, especially considering the food quality and generous portions. Dinner was a little over $10 each. Not to shabby! Yes, I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes thai food.
(4)
Jennifer M.
Popped in here for a quick weekday lunch and was thrilled to find such a huge and varied menu of Thai favorites and options before me. Atmosphere was crunchy - we were all stuffed into our little tables -- but it was fine. Parking was a little interesting. I chose the yellow coconut curry with chicken with soup and an appetizer.... The soup was very good, cabbage, but I had to laugh when the appetizer came. They really meant "an" appetizer -- as in, one potsticker. I was amused. :-) But the curry itself was divine, so flavorful; i felt quite lucky I chose the mild version, seeing as it was making my eyes water and I could see the flecks of fresh red pepper throughout the sauce. Generous portion of the curry and sticky rice - just delicious. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Nari H.
Came here with a friend for a weekday lunch in the summer time. I probably expected a little more since friends had told me this is probably the best thai place in the area, but i was a little disappointed. Had the pad thai, veggie roll appetizer, and my friend got the penang dish. All were decent, but nothing amazing. The roll was a little disappointing, loaded with mainly of sprouts and carrots. The staff here were very friendly and attentive so it's not a bad place to eat lunch if you want thai.
(3)
Dj Nightwolf ..
I've been to a several Thai restaurants in the suburbs and Mai Thai Cafe is, hands down, the best of the bunch. This small, simple, family owned and operated restaurant dishes up authentic, and deliciously divine, Thai cuisine. Coconut milk, curry, chicken, veggies, and rice? YES PLEASE! I'LL TAKE TWO!!! My favorite item on the menu is their Panang Curry with chicken, it is to die for. My friends get the spicy version, but not me. My mouth has such a low tolerance for spicy foods, so I have to get the mild version, which still has some heat to it, but doesn't destroy my mouth. Don't worry about asking to make adjustments to spiciness, or even requesting additions or substitutions to your dish. Mai Thai Cafe makes there food fresh and are more than willing to accommodate your special requests. They also offer some vegetarian-friendly items for those of you who aren't meatatarians like me. I recommend the Yellow Curry with potato. I've tried it and it definitely gets the official Mr Beautiful stamp of approval. I recommended it to one of my vegetarian friends when I introduced him to this gem in downtown Wheaton and let's just say that he now practically lives at Mai Thai Cafe. Mai Thai is only a few blocks from the Wheaton Metra station, for those of you who find yourselves with an uncontrollable craving for authentic Thai while on the train. If you're like me, and drive everywhere, there's plenty of street parking available. It's a small place, so you might miss it if your hunger begins to mess with ability to see straight. Mai Thai Cafe would get more stars but, unfortunately, I'm only allowed to give it 5 stars. Their food is authentic & made with fresh ingredients and the service is fast & friendly. Oh yeah, and on top of it all, IT'S INEXPENSIVE! Yes, that... is... right! Delicious, authentic, and inexpensive. Mai Thai Cafe has the official Mr Beautiful stamp of approval all over it. Holla!!!â„¢
(5)
Cait A.
You MUST let your waiter/waitress (or the person who takes your order if you opt for takeout) if you're a vegan or have any special dietary restrictions. Their pad thai is made with oyster sauce unless you specify otherwise. I'd suggest doing carry-out cause the it always smells kind of funky, at least to me. And it's a bit cramped. Overall the place is super whatever, it's just that they are located not too far from my parents' house and I do like their tofu soup. If it wasn't for those little factors, I wouldn't bother with the place. Oh, and their panang curry is the worst I've ever had. It's super super spicy but has just about no flavor whatsoever. Well, writing this review has effectively convinced me never to eat here again. lol.
(2)
Paul P.
If you really love Thai food and great cheap eats then you may love this local find. Great chicken and basil, and phad thai, Tom Yum Goong soup may be the best you'll find in all of the western suburbs. Thai egg rolls are great and the service tops. Run by a local family who make the dining experience even more enjoyable. Stay with the chicken and shrimp dishes and stir fry dishes here are better than the curry dishes. Pad See Ew is also good. This is the kind of place you'll frequently visit over and over again.
(4)
Kedar D.
Mai Thai is quaint and has a good location in downtown Wheaton, but their food is mediocre. I only go there to get air miles, as they're part of the Mileage Plus Dining program. Portion sizes are huge, but their curries are watery and have all sort of weird ingredients, like corn and jalapenos, neither of which are Thai, and completely change the flavor of the dish into something unrecognizable. There isn't much else vegan-friendly in downtown Wheaton, though, so this is your best bet.
(2)
John M.
The pad thai here is great, as is the curry. Just make sure you don't make the mistake of asking them to make your food "extra hot"--you'll regret it! I just wish that they were open for more hours, especially since it seems like downtown Wheaton rolls up the sidewalks after 8 pm.
(4)
Joe M.
Greatest Thai food ever. Go ahead scratch your head, Wheaton? Thai food? OH YEAH! Family owned and operated, Mai Thai is authentic Thai cuisine in a warm atmosphere. The father is the chef, the mother works the counter and the daughter is the waitress (she may have moved on in the world since the last time I've been there). Their Tom Kha Kai (sp?) soup is the best I've ever had, spicy chiles with sweet coconut milk, you can't get any better than this. Then there is the Panang Curry. Another reviewer claimed this is the best in existence, he's right. It is by this dish that I judge all other Thai places. The service is great and the food is made fresh. You can make all sorts of substitutions and add things and take them away from any dish and they always say "no problem". They will make any dish as spicy or not spicy as you want.
(5)
Jon S.
Hands down, our favorite Thai restaurant in the area.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joy H.
Family operated small sit-down restaurant with some of the best curry I have had. This is our go-to local Thai place. Family favorites are chicken satay, panang curry, tom kha, massaman curry, lard na, and ginger stir fry. They are heavy handed with the hot pepper so be sure to ask for an adjustment to your preference.
(4)Laura H.
If you looked at my eye, hair, and skin color, you would assume that my mouth is made to eat boiled potatoes and other not-spicy foods in northern Europe. And you would be correct. What I like about this Thai food is that it has lots of flavor even when I order it mild. Which I do. But Boyfriend-of-the-Fairly-Recent-Past likes hot food, and he was happy with dishes here, too, so it isn't just my patheticly weak taste buds that like it here. Roommates all ordered different dishes tonight, and we were all happy. My favorite was Roommate A's yellow curry with chicken. Coconut milk and curry and general deliciousness. Yum. Roommates B and C both ordered red curry dishes, which were also good. Not sure how authentic it is, but it is tasty, it is cheap, and we each probably have enough left over for at least 1 more meal. I think they need to give the guy filling water glasses something else to do, because he is a little over-attentive, but the staff is friendly and helpful, and I can't really complain. The room is small and a little crowded and the kitchen is semi-open to the dining area, so if you want somewhere quiet and somewhat private for a date, this is not the place, but I actually kind of like the atmosphere in general. And they were open on MLK Day when every other Thai place in the Western suburbs seemed to be closed, so they win.
(4)Okko O.
This spot makes me happy. The staff are kind and thoughtful, the restaurant is small but neat and with nice touches of decor here and there, and the food is good! Sometimes it is a bit greasy, but I don't mind because it's so tasty. The lunch special includes a mixed green salad with vinaigrette (no plain romaine salad here), soup of the day, and entree. I miss when they used to include a pot sticker because those are yummy, but I think they're on the appetizer menu now. I stick to the pad thai when I want something simple, pad see eiw when I'm looking for something more savory, pad khee mao for more vegetables and spice, and red curry for spice and rice. Also, they will make alterations to accommodate you. My best friend and I love getting pad see eiw with crispy fried noodles (normally it's served with soft noodles) and it's sooo good. And they make things at the appropriate heat level (although I'm Asian and may have a different palate, so take that into account). I can order "regular" or "mild" and I can already taste the heat. At other places I hate how something is marked with a red chili pepper icon and it's not even spicy. I appreciate that. It's a go-to place for me.
(4)Mina H.
I wanted to phone an order in but no one answered the phone.., GPS got me there, on a Sunday at about 6-6:30pm and it was deserted. Not even an owner was there, the door was propped open and so was the back door, a breeze and newspapers on the floor were the only occupants. I called out a 'hello' and got nothing. WEIRD
(1)Mrs X.
This place isn't too bad, it's right down the strip from Luong Loi's. I decided to have lunch there, their food is OK. I got SPICY pad thai. It was my mistake to ask for it to be spicy because it was extremely spicy!! I took maybe 5-6 bites and I had to pack it home. I enjoyed the mushroom shaped ice... I had thai iced tea, it was just right. I would go again if i was desperate for thai food near wheaton. Not the best but not the worst. The place is pretty small, it's good for a two person outing.
(3)Andrew W.
the BEST panang curry in existence. reviews of the lard nar and rangoon may be correct, i've never had them. but the panang is to die for. try it!
(5)Brianna C.
Really good Thai food, especially for a town like Wheaton. My husband and I were wandering around downtown when we spotted this place. They were going to be closing so we just placed our order to go. I ordered the Pad Woon Sen with vegetables. Tons of vegetables, awesome sauce. My husband ordered Pad Kee Mao. The worker asked if he wanted that hot, medium, or mild. My husband, a huge spice fan, obviously responded HOT. The guy asked if he had ever tried their version of hot. Nope, twas our first trip. He let us know there was a no refund or exchange policy on the HOT. What? Can you return other dishes? His noodles were pretty hot, but hardly worth the forewarning by the waiter. Nonetheless, a charming little place. We even sat and waited in our car which was parked in their tiny lot because he said it would be about 15 minutes. When our food was ready the waiter delivered our order right to our car. That's what I call service!
(4)Carolyn T.
The fresh spring rolls are the best I've ever had. Great service, family owned, BOYB and no uncorking fee.
(4)Kevin S.
I'm not exactly a Thai connoisseur, so I don't have very many points of reference for this review. My five-star rating is pretty much a reflection of the way their pad see eiw makes me feel every time I eat it. It is *delicious*. I've ordered the same thing at other restaurants, and I've been disappointed, so I keep coming back here. It's small, and the ambiance is by no means classy, but that just makes it feel more authentic to me. It's family owned and operated, the staff are very friendly, and the prices are unbeatable. I have had a good experience every time I've gone.
(5)Scott K.
As long as you stay away from seafood dishes, this place is still good by me - they use frozen seafood unfortunately.
(3)Lisa D.
I judge my Thai restaurants on the quality of their lard nar dishes, so that is what this review is based on. Too soupy, too salty, and in my opinion, too expensive. I picked up an order of chicken lard nar for lunch, and the order came to almost $10. In my opinion, that's too much to pay for a decent Thai lunch, let alone a subpar one. The service was quick and the portion size was fairly large, but I probably won't be back.
(2)Amy N.
I've been to Mai Thai once for my birthday I'd say about 2 years ago, and from what I remember, it was just okay. But I had it recently a few days ago for my mom's birthday, and I was thus confirmed that the food was just 'okay'. My dad ordered the food to go and brought it home. The first thing I thought when I saw everything was that the portions are so small! We ordered Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, and Basil Chicken with rice. Also, everything looked really bland and dry. Regardless of that, I still helped myself to some of the Pad See Ew which I would say was alright. They used regular broccoli instead of Chinese broccoli and added carrots and purple cabbage, so I would say it was a pretty Americanized version of Pad See Ew. I didn't really like how fat the noodles were either, and they also sprinkled a lot of black pepper which I thought was unnecessary to the dish. I tried the Basil Chicken with rice and thought it was pretty good though. My mom said that the Pad Thai was bland and that she's had better. Overall, this place is just meh for me, and I'd rather satisfy my Thai food craving somewhere else.
(3)Mike D.
Solid Thai eatery, especially being out in the burbs. I've had a a red and yellow curry, both similar to what I remember in Thailand. Their salad selection Is slightly disappointing, I would do just about anything for a shrimp and pomelo salad. The prices are reasonable an the "hole in the wall" ambiance is cool (if that's your thing).
(4)Mary J.
Good Thai food! 2 parking spots! What more can you ask for in downtown Wheaton! Hubby and I got carryout here, there are very few tables inside. We had crab rangoon, spring rolls, pad thai with shrimp and something really spicy (hubby can't remember the name of it). The crab rangoon wasn't too crunchy and I don't know what was in it, but it was not bland. The spring rolls were ok. My pad thai had lots of shrimp in it and his spicy stuff was great. We just went in there and ordered some stuff, didn't call ahead. It took about 15 minutes. My only complaint is that it seemed kind of expensive for thai food in the 'burbs. The crab rangoon was about $7 and the spring rolls were $3.50 each.
(4)David C.
On a Wednesday night it was packed - most of the tables were pushed together in the center for a big birthday party. No booze, but they do have wine glasses for BYO. We had Thai iced coffees instead. The woks are behind a big wall off of the dining room, and you can hear the guy cook. Bette had the Red Curry with chicken, medium spice. It was too hot for her, she should have gotten the mild. It had a good flavor, though, and had lots of veggies, including eggplant and tofu cubes. I had the Hot and Spicy Curry, which was hot and spicy with similar veggie loading and beef. I was tearing and my nose was nice and clear. Both the curries were tasty but surprisingly watery. I just had the leftovers today, and it was still good. Fun place, casual, not fancy, dinerish. Good food, fast, fresh. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices ($7-$10 for entrees). Small, so might be a wait.
(3)Trevor S.
Significant improvements, pleasant atmosphere. Fresh food.
(5)Meredith S.
Best Thai food in the suburbs. Best Tom Yum soup EVER. All dishes have great flavor, very freshly prepared. Authentically spicy = Flaming hot, which I love but most others would be hurtin'. Quick, friendly service. Bill for two for Saturday lunch: $24 + tip. Lunch includes cup of soup and small salad. Try the Thai iced tea, it's the bomb, if you like milk in your tea. I always get the Lard Na (Lad Nar?) and it never disappoints. Oh and the Panang (red) Curry is fantastic, if your palate can take the heat. Fave place to go when I have a taste for Thai/ Asian food but want to stay in town (read: freezing winter months). If the owners ever find a bigger restaurant space far away, I'll track them down, it's that awesome. Seriously.
(5)Mei L.
I have been going here for years, and have always had good food and service, but last night's dinner experience has changed my views. I have gone here for dinner with girlfriends, with other couples, with just my spouse, and as other reviewers have mentioned, the food is not superior Thai, it is mediocre to average, but we've never had a bad meal here. I do not order spices dishes, but have had others I dine with say it is difficult to get the level of spiciness correct when you order, even mild. It invariably comes back with too much spice. That wasn't our issue last night. Their hours have changed, so they now close on a week night at 8pm. Really? What dinner restaurant closes at 8pm? We arrived a little after 7pm, not knowing they closed in less than an hour. At 7:45 I am hit with the overwhelming smell of Lysol disinfectant rising from the kitchen like a nuclear cloud--which by the way, is less than 10 feet from our table (if you've eaten here you know it's a small place, as others have stated). The servers start the kitchen clean up, and then start mopping the floor around us with this insanely intense cleaner. I am now finishing my dinner quickly because the ambience of a janitor's closest is so appealing (plus I am getting a headache). Out of courtesy to their customers (we were not the only couple in there), couldn't they have waited to mop after we left? They turned the sign on the door from Open to Closed, but we didn't need that clue to know it was time to get out. If I could give zero stars i would. I won't be going back there soon, if ever. Sorry, Mai Thai, but you lost a regular.
(1)Grace A.
the WORST thai place I've ever been to. Two of my friends and I went because we heard the place had good food.... such a lie. We ordered basil chicken, pad thai, and pad see ew. The pad thai and pad see ew were watery and tasteless. The ground chicken in the basil chicken dish was raw so we couldn't eat it. But the little bit we did taste was super salty. It meal was very disappointing and I will probably never go there again.
(1)Lily C.
They provide soup and salad for free. I ordered spicy Pad Thai, it is spicy enough.
(3)Joel M.
I agree with another reviewer, if you want the best Panang I have had in three states, come here. Get it mild if you like it spicy, get it medium if you want to sweat. Also, their Pad Thai ordered spicy is amazing!!
(5)Erin M.
This place is small and placed next to a dry cleaners, but don't let looks deceive you. I came in on a Tuesday night for takeout and the restaurant was almost full. I tried their Yellow Tofu Curry, Lard Na and of course the Pad Thai. The only complaint I had was that the tofu was a little tough, but other than that it was great! It was ready quickly and the portions are large and reasonably priced.
(3)Josh P.
You're not going to go wrong here for take out. I like my own kitchen and dining room better than theres so I'll eat at home on this one. The Pad Thai is uninspired, the crab rangoon is soft not crispy, and the chicken satay is a little dry. All that being said, it's not awful...it's just not terrific. It's a great place to get in and out in a hurry but you won't be dying to come back.
(3)Jane K.
Went here with a friend, alright Thai, not great in restaurant but it's okay.
(3)Tim K.
My rating is about the food. Among the best Thai in the western burbs. Low pretense - great grub. Family-owned and operated. Very unassuming establishment. Everything made fresh to order. As others have said, pad thai is a specialty.
(5)Laura W.
When ever I am in a slump, I head over for some pad see ew and instantly a smile hits my face. I try to keep eating out for social occasions, but I have been known to head over by myself for a solo meal. Last time I went I met my friend at lunch time. My day was made when I found out I could order the dinner size portion at the early hour of noon. Left overs never make it through the day.
(4)R S.
Tasty and fresh, quality ingredients. Some of my favs...Pad Thai with tofu, Panang yellow curry with chicken...lots of veggies. Also like the fresh springrolls and dumplings. I order the Panang medium spicy...its HOT!! If you aren't used to HOT...order it mild, you can always add more chili. Very friendly staff.
(4)Brooke G.
We absolutely loved it, some of the best pad thai I've ever had. Prior to our visit I had been craving thai from my favorite place in Chicago and this totally satisfied me and HELLO it's BYOB, total bonus points for that. Our waitress was excellent, attentive & super friendly. Sure it isn't oozing with atmosphere and is very tiny on the inside but the food is good and you can bring your own wine.
(5)Meghan L.
this place made my brief stint living in wheaton almost bearable. i am all about cozy family-owned places (which wheaton doesn't have enough of,) and this place hit the spot on numerous occasions. portions are large enough to split; therefore the prices are more than reasonable. everything on the menu is basically solid, totally decent thai food. nothing exceptional, but nothing sub par; as good as anything i get in the city.
(4)Jeni F.
Really uninspiring. The spring rolls were soggy. The crab rangoon had too much onion in the filling. The pad thai was bland. I thought the prices were too high for this quality of food. We're still looking for good thai food in the west burbs.
(2)Nick M.
I work in the area and have only been here for lunch. The menu is priced very well and their pad thai is very good (although I do not have much to base it on). My co-worker enjoyed one of their curries. They are always very friendly and I look forward to trying out different items on their menu.
(3)Andy G.
Surprise surprise another average Thai restaurant in the Chicago area. I actually think the panang curry here was a little better than others. My Mom's pud Thai was just OK though. I liked the soup I had. Watch out, the medium spice is hot.
(3)lizzie R.
My first time eating Thai food and it was delicious! Excellent food! I will definitely be back. Spring rolls were super, the crunchy and soft.
(5)Abby M.
I was at Mai Thai twice this week (oops!) Their pad thai (I get mine Mild+, which is a step up from mild but not the sweat-inducing medium) cannot be beaten. Portion size is plenty and I can often turn it in to two meals. I've had the spring rolls (the best thing about them is the sauce) and the crab rangoon (the worst thing is the sauce) which are a little heavy on the cream cheese for my taste. I love the cashew chicken, too, but with a smaller portion size (it includes rice), $11.50 for the entree seems just a little but much. I'd happily pay $9 for it. It's reliable, yummy, and never bugs my somewhat sensitive stomach. Take it to go or don't sit by the bathroom! Also- they have the weirdest hours, so it can help to call ahead to see if they're open.
(4)Peter K.
Best pad thia I have ever had. Delicious curry! (Panang curry!) Great soups and lunch specials for a solid price. Everything tastes super authentic. Bit spicy if your not used to it, but I recommend a mild plus temperature if you just enjoy a little kick... I go here couple times a week, people are great, restaurant is small and family owned. A staple of Wheaton, what are you waiting for go here!! :)
(5)Jasmine S.
Pros: cute little place with nice staff. Good price and portions. Cons: food was not amazing, it can be very loud/crowded and the waitress mixed up our order :(
(3)Minh-An C.
My friend and I stopped by this place for lunch on a Wednesday around 11:30 and we definitely beat the crowd because more and more people trickled in around noon. Parking around this area is pretty easy, anywhere you see "customer parking", you can definitely park. The lot of this restaurant is small so street parking is much easier. We got the lunch special but they don't offer salad anymore, just hot & sour soup. This was my friend's first time eating Thai food so I ordered panang chicken curry and pad thai w/ shrimp for us to share (both are medium level spicy). The hot & sour complimentary soup came out in a small bowl but it was perfect portion. It was a bit too sour for my taste but still always good to start off with a hot bowl of soup when it is so cold outside! For the panang chicken curry, the chicken was really hard to chew and didn't taste that fresh. The curry was mediocre and it just didn't taste as good as panang curries I've had elsewhere. The pad thai w/ shrimp was way too sweet for some reason. I had to mention to my friend that the pad thai really isn't suppose to be this sweet. And I usually like to have a lot of bean sprout with my pad thai and mix it but the vegetable portion was very small and not an even balance when I mix it. Total came out to about $12-13/person for 2 lunch specials and an extra bowl of rice. I am Asian and the whole time while I was eating, there were only non-Asian people eating at this restaurant, so that kinda says something. Overall, it is good service, good pricing, okay food. But since I have been exposed to really good Thai food, I wouldn't recommend this to people with a more exposed tastebud to delicious Thai food.
(3)c g.
Very fresh ! We enjoyed our veggie fried rice and peanut sauce chicken. The vegetables were fresh. Service was prompt. Prices reasonable. We will be back.
(5)Becky J.
Unfortunately, this was some of the worst 'Thai' food I have ever had. My husband & I recently moved to the area & were eager to try this place which is close to our new home. We are avid Thai food eaters so this place was a tremendous letdown. We ordered pad see eiw, combo fried rice, panang curry & crispy spring rolls. Everything we ordered lacked flavor & seriously blew my mind how terrible it was. It tasted like it was cooked by a person at home who was trying to branch out and try some basic Thai recipes. I absolutely love panang curry & the one we ordered here was very bad, it mainly tasted of soy & like that peanut sauce that's normally served with chicken satay. There are so many other Thai places in the Chicago suburbs that are 100% better & also are not overpriced like this place. We will never return.
(1)John P.
$16 for one bowl of curry and rice ($2 per bowl) which is causing me great intestinal distress is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday dinner. I was overwhelmed with an intense need to simultaneously throw up and poo out whatever I had just eaten 5 minutes after I left. Ordered a catfish curry. Catfish strips looked like chicken strips that had been in the freezer for 10 years and had just been thrown in the deep fryer. Rice was warm, but stale. White rice only. ($2 for rice of this quality...Jackie Chan would not approve) Waiters were pretty cold. I was told by one of them that "spicy" wasn't bad at all but in reality, "spicy" = so spicy I can't taste my food and I don't want to eat this shit anymore. But hey, it was not a problem because the curry was pretty bland anyways. Disappointed that Wheaton's only Thai place is simply another whitewashed, overpriced, and tasteless joint. To save your butthole and your wallet some pain, I recommend going to the Vietnamese place down the street, which also happens to be overpriced and whitewashed, but nonetheless, is friendlier and slightly better tasting. Trust me, I'm Asian.
(1)Andrew M.
Great little authentic, local, spicy, and delicious spot! I had the Panag curry and would definitely get it again!
(5)Teanna T.
This place has become my new favorite Thai restaurant. The scared me at first with the whole spicy "no returns, no refund" deal bc I can eat spicy! But glad that they did. My entrees were mild-medium and it was perfect anything spicer would have killed the food. Their Tom Yum soup was delish. Same with the Shrimp Pad Thai. The beef salad though, was ok. Nothing memorable.. Space is small would be hard for a big group.
(5)M f.
I think putting in one star is only to the credit of.the food that is prepared diligently by the cook. However ask me about the service and I will site the gentleman who works there who has been consistently rude and abrasive and unappreciative of the customer base this restaurant has. I came in today to order an appetizer and two thai iced coffees. I came in at 7:30 and i did notice a sign saying anyone coming in less than 45 minutes to dine in will not be able to order food. I was taking to go and didn't think it was an issue since people were seated and still ordering. The girl at the register was sweet and helpful until a thin slightly sour looking gentlemen comes up and says terse ly that the kitchen is closed. I will mention his back is to me he does not turn around or apologize just says it to her and moves on without making eye contact with me. The rudeness, right? So I smile and leave and tell myself never to come here again. Who needs that kind of humiliation for thai iced coffee. Word of advice to the owner hire people who will treat your customers with respect. And if this so called gentleman is the owner learn how to conduct yourself respectfully in front of your customers if you want your business to succeed.
(1)David H.
Great little place in a Wheaton. Service was 4 out of 5. Food 5 out of five . Had a large party reserved and everything went smooth. But it's a tiny place so we left baby stroller outside cause lack of room. This is a must go place if your ever in the area.
(5)Stephen A.
I've gone to Mai Thai many time and over the years had very spotty service. Sometimes it's great and other times it's horrible. Their sign says clearly that they close at 8pm. When I tried to get a table at 7:30 we were turned away being told that they close their kitchen at 7:15. I'm sorry, but having worked in the food industry I know that if a sign says they close at 8 that means the kitchen closes at 8 not 7:15 45 minutes before you close. I won't be going back.
(1)Monique J.
We have been coming to this place for years and everything is perfect every single time. Service is friendly, clean place, food comes out fast, warm and delicious. We usually get spring rolls with plum sauce or crispy rolls for appetizer. We love the red and yellow curries, so spicy and delicious. They are so kind to substitute some of the vegetables in the curries that I don't like. The price is fair for fresh food with no MSG. I can't believe anyone would give them less than 5 stars. I've brought friends and family over the years and end up being regular clients themselves. It's also a great place to wait for the train.
(5)Joe E.
A few coworkers decided they wanted Thai food for the evening. I actually packed my dinner but I decided on ordering some Tom Yum Tofu Soup. On their website, they don't list sizes, but apparently they come in small and large. Also, they offer their Tom Yum with tofu, chicken, beef, shrimp, or seafood (extra charge for the latter two). The price weas 6.95 on their website, and I assumed that was for the large, which was what I ordered. Unfortunately, the large soup ended up being 8.69!! Holy cow!! Don't get me wrong, the Tom Yum tofu, which featured lemongrass, thai ginger, mushrooms, baby corn, tomatoes, and onion, the hot and sour soup was very tasty. But was it worth that much? Absolutely not! I thought 6 dollars was pushing it... My coworkers got the chicken pad thai and see ew. The to go dishes were served in your typical black carryout dish; they both looked okay. I can't assess them because I didn't have them. They also ordered Crab Rangoon to split; the sweet and sour was homemade and looked tasted, but since I'm not a CR fan, I did not try. Overall, I'm more of a Pad Thai Etc. fan. The restaurant has a nice ambiance compared to here. However, looks could be deceiving me. I will most likely give Mai Thai another try, but I will not be getting soup!
(3)Ashley B.
First time visiting, had crispy spring rolls and pad Thai. Was warned that they are very heavy handed with the heat but found mild to be too mild for me. Will definitely get it hotter next time. Spring rolls were great. Service was friendly and fast.
(4)Josh P.
Our family has made it a tradition to visit Mai Thai when we come through Wheaton to see friends. We've been there several times over the last few years but the last 2 times we been the service has really been bad. One of the young ladies behind the counter - she appears to be the manager - has a really bad temper. Last fall when she was in she got into a shouting match with the young guy behind the counter. Obviously conflicts are going to happen but this place is really small and the kitchen is literally right next to the tables, so when this happens in front of the customers it makes them feel uncomfortable and on edge. Despite the uncomfortable visit we decided to try again because the food is decent. This time however the same young lady with the temper was growling about us - and we were less than 5 feet away from her. Our son (4 yrs old) doesn't care for sauces on anything really, so we usually just ask Asian restaurants for steamed noodles with a side of chicken and vegetables. When our order got put in, we could hear her snapping about how we were going to be charged for a full dinner - insinuating that we were just being cheap, which isn't the case. We also asked for a little sauce on the side so that we could have our son try the sauce. We were told that was fine but as our order was coming out we could hear the same woman snapping about how "we don't give sides of sauce." We did receive a bowl of dumpling dipping sauce but it was obvious this woman didn't want to help. I've also noted that there are more and more signs going up about management restrictions. Don't take Amex, maximum of 2 checks per table, no refunds on plates ordered hot. There is a max 2 checks per table, yet if 4 people came in and ordered 4 take out orders they would obviously have no problem with that. Just doesn't make sense. The basic idea here is that the focus is on what the management wants, not what the customer wants. Obviously we won't be coming back anymore and we're disappointed about that. I'm guessing management could care less though. Sad.
(1)Dan L.
This place is small in size but big in taste, value and service. We asked for hot and spicy and we were rewarded with excellent food.
(5)Mallory I.
I am obsessed with this place. They Definitely have THE BEST pad Thai. Every waitress is extremely friendly. the service is also very fast and The food comes out piping hot. My boyfriend and I get the exact same thing every time. The crab rangoons are delicious and so is the fried tofu. The sauces they come with are tasty as well. I don't get to come as often anymore cause it's kinda far for me. But if I'm really craving it, it's definitely worth the trip. The only negatives I can think of is the bathroom is pretty dirty and the tables are pretty small. Other than that this is one of my GO TO places whenever I'm in Wheaton.
(5)Lily T.
Mai Thai used to be great, but the last few times we have eaten here the quality of food has gone way down. About a month ago we ate here and I felt sick the rest of the day, so we didn't eat there again for a few weeks. Just ate there again today and the food was greasy and the chicken in my dish tasted really old. Also, the place smelled of grease. Now my clothes and hair smell. I think we are done eating at Mai Thai. It makes me sad as I used to love this place. The service was still good though, maybe they got a new chef?
(2)Kristen H.
Stopped in for a quick lunch between errands. My daughter & I were immediately greeted and sat down. I've eaten food from here about 5x and I usually don't try new items, so my review is based on the ones I've tried. Pad Thai lunch portion was enough for 2 to split & we still had leftovers. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the vegetables were fresh. The only critique I have is that I wish the veggies were cut smaller (they were cut thin, but very long). I added tofu and it was a nice touch...my 5yo daughter even liked it! Basil fried rice wasn't on the lunch menu, but they made it upon my request. I asked for medium spice and the heat was on! Be very careful with how you ask for spiciness here...I've read the other Yelp reviews and they are correct; start low because you can always add spice, not the other way around. Anyway, the fried rice was delicious; right amount of basil, red peppers, onions, carrots, cabbage and beef. Large portion too...enough for me to take home leftovers. Our food came with a small cup of cabbage soup and a very tiny salad. The soup was a warm broth, a little spicy and a nice way to start the meal. The salad I could do without...the dressing was too sweet..too much rice wine vinegar? Total for 2 at lunch on Saturday: $28 w/tip Pros: freshly made delicious food that seems pretty healthy, great service Big portions Cons: very small inside so tables are on top of each other...they might have seating for 25 people total No alcohol Parking can be hard to find...their lot holds 4 cars and 2 of them are for the busy dry cleaner next door. Find street parking or there's a bigger lot behind the restaurant. I'll definitely be back. I really need to try their curry dishes that everyone raves about.
(5)Dani B.
The food is okay if you're not that into Thai food and don't have many places to compare it with. My main complaint is that they seem to choose your spiciness level for you; it doesn't matter if you order something mild, it will always come out significantly different each time you order it, and at times it will be spicy enough to cause intestinal distress. The spiciness level may change depending on the cook (if they have more than one), but this is something to look out for if you don't tolerate spicy very well. The rice also isn't very good, and they charge too much for extra rice (it seems like they make the curry too spicy so that you HAVE to order extra rice). The pad thai and pad see ew can be a little too sweet at times, but it's still not that bad. This is what I typically order anyways. The stir fries aren't very good. From what I've experienced, the service isn't too bad. No one has been entirely unfriendly to me, though there is one younger woman who doesn't know the dishes well (she's not Thai) and asks if we want non-spicy dishes to be mild, medium, or spicy. The first time she did this, I verified with her that I ordered Pad Thai, and she snapped at me and said "I KNOW, mild, medium, or spicy?!". Other than that little thing, the wait staff has been fine. The environment isn't all that great. This place is old, tiny, and doesn't appear to be well-maintained. If the bathroom door is left slightly open the whole restaurant smells like the bathroom and the general appearance makes the restaurant seem like it's not meeting any sanitation requirements. It's absolutely cramped, and though it has sort of a small-town charm to it, for some reason I get worried that I'll get food poisoning from this place at some point (I've never been sick from the food, though). This place is probably best for take-out. Being in the restaurant itself has to be the worst thing about it.
(2)Julie S.
Stopped in by myself at a typically slow time of day for som Tom Yum chicken soup and chicken satay. The service I received was top notch! Extremely attentive waitstaff, not too forward but good at anticipating my needs. The satay was typical, 4 skewers with slightly spicy peanut sauce, very good. The Tom Yum Chicken soup was fantastic! A large bowl chocked full with chicken and fresh veggies with coconut milk and yummy spices. I ordered my soup medium and appreciated the sign warning that they have a HOT heat scale, typical for Thai food. I thought it was perfect - just enough to make my nose run, not hot enough to set my lips on fire or make me cry! I've been here a few times and need to be more of a regular!
(5)David E.
Pad see ew is excellent. Iced coffee was okay. The food is consistent and service is always good. The prices are about average and the food is abundant.
(5)Michael S.
Has seating for about 30 Kinda fast food feeling atmosphere. Food was just stir fry and kinda sugary Their were six of us at thee tables pushed togeather. Up front couples asked for seperate checks and waitress indicated no problem When bill came was one total with 18% tip figured in. When I asked why, her response was I cant do that. I assumed the bill patrol was hiding somewhere and left it at that The service was nothing to write home about. We won't be coming back.
(2)C P.
Service is slow! I've dined here for over 6 years and recently things slowed down. Staff is somewhat friendly! It won't stop me from dining here, I go for the food not the service! Great peanut sauce!!!
(2)Matthew K.
I go here all the time, and the food is great every visit, I have always had a great experience. The yellow curry is my favorite
(5)Lena W.
Meh! Rice not rinsed, gummy. Asked for a spicier version of an entree and received an over-sriracha-ed version of a bland entree. Ordered to-go for $30 bucks. Asked for a pouch of chili paste when leaving and they wanted $0.25 for it. REALLY!? I just paid $30 bucks and you want to charge me for chili paste? WTH? Most of the meal was donated to Waste Management. UNjoy!
(1)karen e.
We used to love this place, please check those glowing reviews you see and make sure they aren't old. I think since the dad passed away things have gone downhill. The last 3 times we have gone they have been downright unfriendly, with the young man who works there/is part of the family being the worst. In our last encounter my husband went to get me some tofu soup as I was sick and really wanted something spicy to help clear me up. When he got home the bag clearly said "tofu," but I didn't feel up to eating it. We threw it in the fridge and when I opened it up to eat it for lunch it was chicken. we are used to that mistake, but the guy was so rude when I called. He made me wait while he went to ask the cook what they remembered, he NEVER said I'M SORRY, a really good place would say they were sorry and deliver a new one. Instead the guy reluctantly and without an apology told me I had to repackage the bad soup and bring it back in to get the replacement. Not worth it, go to the place in Glen Ellyn or in Winfield instead
(2)Joseph D.
I love the veggie pot stickers. I would go here for that and that alone. I also love the garlic maddness.
(5)Jonathan T.
Hands down, the best Panang curry there is... I have eaten here more times then I can count. If you like Spicy food, order any curry and ask for it Extra Spicy, you won't be disappointed! The crab Rangoon is also quite fantastic... I have tried many other thai restaurants, this one is definitely the best one, by far!
(5)Elise R.
Their food is good & authentic, but not consistent. Sometimes when I go, it's absolutely delicious; other times, it takes like Thai food I'd make at home (which is not the greatest). My favorites are the Tom Kha Kai (chicken coconut soup), green curry, and Pad Thai. I wish I could say they've always been good... but I can't. The soup is probably the most consistently delicious; would always recommend that. The service is also pretty decent; not overly friendly, but not rude either. Overall, I like this place, but I'd also like to find something better.
(3)Erika S.
I can't believe this place has 3.5 stars. Gross! Have high standards for thai food as my family has roots there but this place was a joke. The papaya salad had a little shredded papaya with shredded carrots and smothered in fish sauce, nasty and not authentic at all. All the other food ordered was low quality and bad flavor. My stir fry was the most tolerable so I ended up sharing it with others in our party because theirs was so bad. Will go to ANY other thai place.
(1)Marisa A.
We have been coming here for over 6 years and this hands down the best pad thai ever! It is rich, creamy, not burned tasting or heavy. I have been recently venturing into the rest of the menu. I was shamed into it when the family that runs the place sees me and asks "the usual today?" even before I sit down without even a menu. So, the curries (every single one) are amazing. I am a huge fan of the massaman and the panang in particular. I adore the pad kei mao and the pad sei eu. We go for date night, we have been with friends, and I have gone here for a girls night out. Everyone who works here is so sweet, but they keep a strict eye on the clock so get there before they close the kitchen or you are out of luck!
(5)K S.
Good food and good price. Have dined in once and ordered take out, and so far food has been excellent. Pad Thai fresh and flavorful. Excellent panang curry. Appetizers are okay, but entrees are much better. They are serious about the level of spice in their food, so be sure to order your spice level accordingly. Will definitely be going back.
(4)Ruth F.
Looks like a little hole in the wall, but it's bigger on the inside. Spring rolls either fried or fresh, and they have vegetarian potstickers. I am hoping next time I can get them pan-fried; deep-fried potstickers are just wrong. The pad see ew was perhaps a little oily, but tasty. I had it to go because after eating half my soup, redolent of coconut milk and lemongrass, and half an order of the deep-fried potstickers, I was full. Big props for Mai Thai being willing to make *any* of the soups with vegetable stock. Most places I can't eat the soup because it's chicken stock or nothing.
(4)Scotty T.
If I had to choose a final meal on death row, I would call Rosalyn at Mai Thai and have her bring me the mild Panang curry with crispy spring rolls. This is the truth. It's that incredibly good, and the staff is that incredibly nice. Ros is the best waitress in existence. She's remembered my girlfriend and I's names from the beginning. The rest of the staff is beyond friendly and helpful as well. They usually have to refill my water 6 or 7 times, and they do it with a smile. No, Mai Thai doesn't have an upscale interior. But its comfortable, close (almost European), and charming as a local eatery. I wouldn't want the interior to go too upscale. Mai Thai has perfected the Thursday night, out-to-eat feel. Why change that? I'm in love... Though I usually stick with the Panang curry (yellow, coconutty, and sweet but spicy), the friend rice is excellent. My friends also are in love with the Pad Thai, if noodles are your thing. Some people have complained about the bathroom. They whine too much. They've improved the bathroom recently too, and it's now as nice as the one at my house. Go, and go again, then order out, then go again next week. And repeat. I love this place.
(5)Richard T.
This is my closest Thai restaurant so I've been here maybe ten times. The food is fresh and the staff is nice and professional. Warning! Mai Thai's erratic spicing of their food is like playing Russian roulette with your tongue. "Medium" is often inedibly spicy, depending on the dish. I've ordered a salad with "Mild" level spice that set my mouth ablaze. The curries, while tasty, are 70 percent sauce with bits of meat and vegetables floating around. The stir fries are okay, but local Chinese joints will do just as well for half the price.
(3)Nicole L.
I'm afraid I have to downgrade my rating as my most recent visit (3/1/13) left something to be desired. The Pad See-Ew wasn't as flavorful as I remember it being in the past (even the other times I've ordered it without spice). It wasn't bad by any means but it left me craving the Pad See-Ew from CK Pad Thai even though I don't care for how undercooked their broccoli comes out. My quest for the perfect Pad See-Ew continues...
(3)Kristen H.
Just the thought of Thai food makes the adrenaline in my body start racing, and my heart pumping, and my blood flowing because of how delicious it is, and Mai Thai is no exception to that rule. It is only a few blocks down from my office in downtown Wheaton, which makes for a great short and convenient walk (which helps, since parking is very limited). If you go for lunch, not only do you receive such generous portions of the actual meal, but you are also served fresh soup and salad before, for around an average of ten dollars. The pad thai is phenomenal, I would reccomend it to anyone. Usually I have to load tons of chili garlic sauce on my food to add that extra spice, but at Mai Thai, there is absolutely no need. I ordered the spicy version and my mouth was on fire (and I loved it). I hardly even glanced at the spicy sauces sitting on the table. If you are looking for a real authentic Thai food experience in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn area, don't waste your time anywhere else, go here.
(5)JaneJanes J.
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(4)Prem S.
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(4)Lynne B.
The portions are generous, and ingredients seem fresh, but I found the food here lacking and extremely over-spiced. The medium curry I had was roaring hot, so much so, that none of the other flavors could be tasted. There seemed to be no rich combination of flavors either-- just some overly large pieces of veggies thrown together with the overly spiced curry sauce.
(3)Deth D.
Good food but this one server is a lil rude and i did not like it., she was taking our orders and i wanted to get the cashew fried rice which has pineapple on it, so my boyfriend started asking to make sure if the dish for sure has pineapple and this lady raised her hand, shushed my boyfriend and continue on asking me what kind of meat i want, so yah, we left n went somewhere else where we wouldn't get shushed
(1)Kara Z.
My friend and I went here for dinner on a Friday night. It was very busy and it's a small place and you're sitting VERY close to everyone else (and it was pretty loud and bustling) so at first I wasn't sure how I was going to feel sitting smack in the middle of the restaurant. But, I quickly got used to it and we enjoyed ourselves. The crispy spring rolls are absolutely amazing! They are huge and they kindly cut them in half for you so you have four portions with some tasty sauce. They are the best I've had anywhere. They told us they are homemade. Yum. I had the cashew stir fry with chicken. It was very good. My one complaint is that the menu online describes the menu items in more detail than the menu in the restaurant. The menu online said that the cashew stir fry had mushrooms and baby corn but the menu in the restaurant menu left those items off in the description. Fortunately I asked if it had mushrooms in it, because I don't care for them, and the menu didn't say it did but it did. It also had tons of baby corn but it wasn't included in the menu. That kind of bothers me. However, it was very tasty and a nice size portion. The rice came in a pretty tiny bowl, though, and wasn't quite enough for the leftovers the next day. The service is very good- attentive and friendly. They were patient with us as we ate slow and stayed a longer time and were nice to keep refilling our water glasses. This seems like a very popular place. I was pleasantly surprised and will make sure to come back soon.
(4)Stephanie R.
We've been here a few times and we've always enjoyed our meals. If you like spicy Thai food, this is the place for you. The portions are generous and the entrees/curries are flavorful. We usually stick with the regular amount of spice, and that is just right for us. Our favorite is the Panang Curry. We did try another Thai place last night, and the whole time I was reminiscing about Mai Thai. Do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant, you will not be disappointed!
(5)A J.
Overall this place is pretty mediocre. Prices are alright but the food quality is blah, i've had much better elsewhere. Main reason it gets 2 stars is because they charge an extra TWO DOLLARS for more rice. I ordered a rice/curry dish and i barely got any rice to begin with. This is a good indication of this restaurant's motivation, more interested in cashing in on the good location and neighborhood than trying to provide excellent food and service.
(2)Pat E.
Pretty good. One star off because the lunch special was a wonton and hot and sour vegetable soup, but I wanted spring rolls and tom yum...come on MAI THAI...just kidding. IMO, not as good as Pad Thai Wheaton, but it is ok. I got my regular Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodle), but they have a few more choices than Pad Thai. Pad Thai has a limited menu compared to Mai Thai, but they are like a well oiled machine. Quality over Quanity at PT, MT has more variety, which I am looking to try the next time I go. THAI FOOD? WHEATON? HELL YES! Plus, it is next to a cleaners, probably run by the same people? I think so, not sure; not sure it really matters either!
(3)AuraLee P.
Cute little place in downtown Wheaton. Got lunch here with a friend over winter break (she's a regular, I've never been) and it was great. The lunch special is a must, the entree is big enough for leftovers later and comes with a gyoza dumpling. I had the chicken pad see ew and it was delicious. I also recommend the thai iced tea. It was rich and tasted a little bit like chocolate milk! We both had lunch specials and drinks and our bill came out to around 30$. This place is a definite winner for simple, tasty, and cheap eats.
(4)Rita D.
Thai iced tea- perfect Chicken panang- good, very spicy Tom ka soup- the broth was amazing, the veggies could've used more time cooking The waitress was the sweetest thing. Nice, friendly, and honest. The place itself isn't the prettiest/cleanest looking place, but maybe that's how they keep the prices cheap.
(4)Jenni E.
I love a good lunch special, so I wandered over here one day while I was shopping in the area. I hate when people advertise that they have lunch specials and then stop serving them at 12:30. I never have time to eat on time, so when I showed up for lunch at 2:30 and was still able to get the lunch special that made me happy. This is a really small place with only a handful of tables But you can tell that it is family run, which in many cases means great food. Based on several other Yelp reviews, I opted for the Panang Curry and when the menu said that they tended to under-spice the food I mistakenly ordered this at a medium temperature. I love spicy food and the medium spiced curry made my lips want to fall off. However I will say that it was delicious at the same time and honestly I would probably order it medium again - but you have been warned. My lunch special came with a small side salad and soup which were both great too and for less than $10, it is a great amount of food. Service was great and there are lots of other things I'd love to come back and try.
(4)Sara B.
I have had thai at many places and NOTHING compares to Mai Thai! Small little place to just sit and enjoy amazing food with friends. The staff are great and the food is amazing! I always get the tofu pad thai and the chicken Pa-nang. Try it and enjoy it!
(5)Sunila t.
This was the first time i went here, so this review is just specifically what i got: I went during lunch and i got the pad se ew and it tasted very fishy, I think they added too much fish sauce or something, and this was a total let down because I've tasted far better at other places and i loveee pad se ew. The cabbage soup that came with lunch special was horrible. The crab Rangoon was mediocre at best The only thing that was decent was the pad kee mao
(2)Tiffanie C.
The BEST Thai food in the western 'burbs! I have been coming here for years and I'm not quite sure why I hadn't written a review before now. Yes, it's a hole in the wall type joint, but it is family owned and run and that's what makes this place even more special. The patriarch of the Chanchai family passed away around Christmas time which was devastating as he was the main cook and held all of the "secret" recipes close to his vest. The food and atmosphere hasn't changed one bit since his untimely and unfortunate passing. Once you've been once or twice, Roslyn (their daughter) will recognize you and always has a huge smile on her face. She is a true gem. The lunch specials can't be beat. An entree, a bowl of hot & sour soup and a side salad. Portions are HUGE! Their crab rangoon are great, the tom kha soup is wonderful. I have a battle with myself every time I go whether I should order their Pad See Ew or Pad Thai. Honestly, this is the best Pad Thai I've ever had and it's basically my go to. Spicy Basil Chicken is fantastic. I could go on and on about their wonderful food. They have different levels of spice and heat for you to order I'm telling you this because if you want it hot, they make it HOT! It's crazy how much heat you can get into a dish if you want it. I can tolerate a lot of spice and I usually stick with medium when I order. They can accommodate should you have allergies, you just need to tell them ahead of time when you order. This place only seats about 20 people at once and it can get VERY busy during lunch rush. They're quick with the food and can get you in and out of there fast if you're on a quick time crunch. They don't have a liquor license and they used to be BYOB with no uncorking fee, but that's changed due to Wheaton's ordinances I believe. But to be honest, if you want a glass of wine with dinner, call in for carry out, it won't take but 15 minutes or so for your order to be ready. Get ready for Mai Thai to be around for awhile as well as they have just re-upped their lease for another 8 years. YAY Mai Thai!!!
(5)Brad V.
My family and I went to the Mai Thai Cafe with some friends, a last minute decision. I had never been there before, but everyone who has raved about it. The place is definitely one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants that because of its location, is easy to miss. There is not a lot of room inside, though the 4 of us (with a baby!) were very comfortable. The menu is quite extensive for such a small establishment. I ordered the small corn stir fry. Afraid of eating something too spicy I requested it mild. I wish I had gotten the "medium spice" because there was no kick at all with the mild spice. The food is great. Very tasty. It came with a large side of white rice. Also, I was pleased that the portions were large. I only ate about half of my dinner, so I guess I'll have lunch for tomorrow. My wife ate about half of hers as well. The price is very reasonable, especially considering the food quality and generous portions. Dinner was a little over $10 each. Not to shabby! Yes, I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes thai food.
(4)Jennifer M.
Popped in here for a quick weekday lunch and was thrilled to find such a huge and varied menu of Thai favorites and options before me. Atmosphere was crunchy - we were all stuffed into our little tables -- but it was fine. Parking was a little interesting. I chose the yellow coconut curry with chicken with soup and an appetizer.... The soup was very good, cabbage, but I had to laugh when the appetizer came. They really meant "an" appetizer -- as in, one potsticker. I was amused. :-) But the curry itself was divine, so flavorful; i felt quite lucky I chose the mild version, seeing as it was making my eyes water and I could see the flecks of fresh red pepper throughout the sauce. Generous portion of the curry and sticky rice - just delicious. I would definitely go back.
(4)Nari H.
Came here with a friend for a weekday lunch in the summer time. I probably expected a little more since friends had told me this is probably the best thai place in the area, but i was a little disappointed. Had the pad thai, veggie roll appetizer, and my friend got the penang dish. All were decent, but nothing amazing. The roll was a little disappointing, loaded with mainly of sprouts and carrots. The staff here were very friendly and attentive so it's not a bad place to eat lunch if you want thai.
(3)Dj Nightwolf ..
I've been to a several Thai restaurants in the suburbs and Mai Thai Cafe is, hands down, the best of the bunch. This small, simple, family owned and operated restaurant dishes up authentic, and deliciously divine, Thai cuisine. Coconut milk, curry, chicken, veggies, and rice? YES PLEASE! I'LL TAKE TWO!!! My favorite item on the menu is their Panang Curry with chicken, it is to die for. My friends get the spicy version, but not me. My mouth has such a low tolerance for spicy foods, so I have to get the mild version, which still has some heat to it, but doesn't destroy my mouth. Don't worry about asking to make adjustments to spiciness, or even requesting additions or substitutions to your dish. Mai Thai Cafe makes there food fresh and are more than willing to accommodate your special requests. They also offer some vegetarian-friendly items for those of you who aren't meatatarians like me. I recommend the Yellow Curry with potato. I've tried it and it definitely gets the official Mr Beautiful stamp of approval. I recommended it to one of my vegetarian friends when I introduced him to this gem in downtown Wheaton and let's just say that he now practically lives at Mai Thai Cafe. Mai Thai is only a few blocks from the Wheaton Metra station, for those of you who find yourselves with an uncontrollable craving for authentic Thai while on the train. If you're like me, and drive everywhere, there's plenty of street parking available. It's a small place, so you might miss it if your hunger begins to mess with ability to see straight. Mai Thai Cafe would get more stars but, unfortunately, I'm only allowed to give it 5 stars. Their food is authentic & made with fresh ingredients and the service is fast & friendly. Oh yeah, and on top of it all, IT'S INEXPENSIVE! Yes, that... is... right! Delicious, authentic, and inexpensive. Mai Thai Cafe has the official Mr Beautiful stamp of approval all over it. Holla!!!â„¢
(5)Cait A.
You MUST let your waiter/waitress (or the person who takes your order if you opt for takeout) if you're a vegan or have any special dietary restrictions. Their pad thai is made with oyster sauce unless you specify otherwise. I'd suggest doing carry-out cause the it always smells kind of funky, at least to me. And it's a bit cramped. Overall the place is super whatever, it's just that they are located not too far from my parents' house and I do like their tofu soup. If it wasn't for those little factors, I wouldn't bother with the place. Oh, and their panang curry is the worst I've ever had. It's super super spicy but has just about no flavor whatsoever. Well, writing this review has effectively convinced me never to eat here again. lol.
(2)Paul P.
If you really love Thai food and great cheap eats then you may love this local find. Great chicken and basil, and phad thai, Tom Yum Goong soup may be the best you'll find in all of the western suburbs. Thai egg rolls are great and the service tops. Run by a local family who make the dining experience even more enjoyable. Stay with the chicken and shrimp dishes and stir fry dishes here are better than the curry dishes. Pad See Ew is also good. This is the kind of place you'll frequently visit over and over again.
(4)Kedar D.
Mai Thai is quaint and has a good location in downtown Wheaton, but their food is mediocre. I only go there to get air miles, as they're part of the Mileage Plus Dining program. Portion sizes are huge, but their curries are watery and have all sort of weird ingredients, like corn and jalapenos, neither of which are Thai, and completely change the flavor of the dish into something unrecognizable. There isn't much else vegan-friendly in downtown Wheaton, though, so this is your best bet.
(2)John M.
The pad thai here is great, as is the curry. Just make sure you don't make the mistake of asking them to make your food "extra hot"--you'll regret it! I just wish that they were open for more hours, especially since it seems like downtown Wheaton rolls up the sidewalks after 8 pm.
(4)Joe M.
Greatest Thai food ever. Go ahead scratch your head, Wheaton? Thai food? OH YEAH! Family owned and operated, Mai Thai is authentic Thai cuisine in a warm atmosphere. The father is the chef, the mother works the counter and the daughter is the waitress (she may have moved on in the world since the last time I've been there). Their Tom Kha Kai (sp?) soup is the best I've ever had, spicy chiles with sweet coconut milk, you can't get any better than this. Then there is the Panang Curry. Another reviewer claimed this is the best in existence, he's right. It is by this dish that I judge all other Thai places. The service is great and the food is made fresh. You can make all sorts of substitutions and add things and take them away from any dish and they always say "no problem". They will make any dish as spicy or not spicy as you want.
(5)Jon S.
Hands down, our favorite Thai restaurant in the area.
(5)