Chao Thai

Reviews

• Hsin-Yi W.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  Chao Thai has been in our bucket list for months due to Michelin recommendation and we finally got a chance to try. Their decor is really old school and they don't have many tables but it wasn't crowded since most of people do take out or delivery.
  
  Their food is quite authentic and delicious. We ordered Thai Salad, Pattaya mussels pan fried, pineapple and duck red curry and black egg with basil. All dishes were amazingly great and our favorite dish was red curry, the duck in the curry was soft but with crispy skin, we loved red curry with peanut.
  
  Their service was welcoming and friendly. They served everything quickly even there were lots of orders. Our only complaints are Cash Only and they will automatically add tips on the check.

• Armando L.

  star star star star star_border 31 May 2026

  For me this place have authentic Thai food.
  
  I like drunken noodles and Thai iced tea.
  
  Good service, friendly staff.
  
  Go with family, friends or by yourself.

• Bethany O.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 30 May 2026

  Tonight my husband and I tried out this Thai restaurant for the first time. Most of the food was lovely and whilst we were inside the restaurant the staff provided good service. There was only one starter that neither my husband and I enjoyed. However that was down to personal taste and not their cooking.  However I got the feeling us not eating the dish may have caused offence as they asked three times if we wanted it bagged to take home. Then they asked why we didn't want to take the leftovers home.
  
  This restaurant is cash only, so we got what we thought would be enough for meal plus tip. However the meal came to a little more than we expected, leaving less for tip. However we left all the change we had, and begin to leave the restaurant.
  
  We were outside walking to the bus stop and my husband was saying how lovely the restaurant was and how we would definitely go back. However at that moment the waitress came outside holding the tip we had left and shouting at us, saying that we hadn't left enough of a tip--that it wasn't 15%. The last time I checked as much as tipping in the USA is common place and part of the culture; there is no obligation or legal requirement to tip any amount, never mind 15%.
  
  If the restaurant had the facility to accept card payments, we would have been able to tip a larger amount, as could have included the tip on the card payment. However by insisting on cash only it limited the amount we were able to tip.
  
  Furthermore, chasing us down the street for a larger tip is abysmal business management. The staff in this restaurant obviously do not realise that by doing this a) they are never getting our business again. b) we will tell friends and family not to provide them with business and c) it made sure that they got no tip at all.
  
  For anyone who does venture to this restaurant, you better overestimate how much cash you will need to cover meal and tip. Otherwise you will probably also get chased down the street for more money.

• Ashley N.

  star star star star star_border 29 May 2026

  I've always passed by Chao Thai and with so many Thai places Elmhurst has to offer people have recommended me go try Chao Thai on countless occasions. On a cold snowy day I tried going to another Thai place close by but it was closed fortunate for me Chao Thai was open!
  
  Their menu is really long and extensive compared to other Thai places close by so you're bound to find something you'll enjoy. They also have a pick your spicy level which I must warn you gets to be REALLY spicy. If you're having a cold or you're hungover this is the best option for you.
  
  I stuck to their pineapple fried rice and my boyfriend got their noodles. I loved both our dishes and the spice level on his noodles was just spicy enough to make you sweat but not spicy enough to make us stop. I ordered their Thai ice to just incase it got too spicy. Their Thai ice tea had too much ice in it but nevertheless it was a solid drink.
  
  I saw a lot of people order take out and delivery here which is a great option if it's too cold to go out or if you just want to pick up lunch. The people were really nice and I'd probably come back here since it's so close to the train!

• Scott T.

  star star star star star_border 27 May 2026

  Made the trek here specifically for a single dish I saw on Instagram and Yelp that haunted my inner food nerd for a month. Sour sausage with shaved red onions, crispy brown rice, peanuts and hot peppers. Was it worth the 1,250+ miles from my door in the midwest to a table at Chao Thai? Absolutely.
  
  The searing heat of my "medium" order, the crunch of the crispy and savory rice, the pungent red onion slices, the slightly acerbic sausage providing a protein blast, the red peppers and occasional slice of tomato to cool the fire, the salt and lingering taste of the fish sauce, the coolness of lettuce which served as the bottom layer for visual (and for eating of course) wrapped around a few bits at the end were especially delightful.
  
  A plate worthy of my highest admiration. Service was prompt, friendly and courteous and I asked for the specific dish which I never saw on the menu. Good reason: it's a special barely visible on a small chalkboard.
  
  If you're doing Thai in this area of town you'd better be on your game. Competition is very stiff. I counted a half dozen places within a few blocks which I've dined at over the years and all are fine. For my money and taste buds this was a delightful stop and one I'll long remember. Rarely when you build up a dish so long does it truly deliver in the end.
  
  If you come: easy access from the M or R train. Take the far south exit heading south and you're almost right on top of the restaurant. Cash only, no liquor. Your menus will likely be sticky and needing wiped down. Decor is casual, dated. Bathrooms are down the stairs.