Thai food in Chicago
 

Dear Fodorites,

My husband & I will be in Chicago Nov. 10 - 13. We have this thing about Thai food -- we've eaten it (or tried to) every where we've travelled. Even found a great place in BudaPest. I've searched old threads and found only one, the Star of Siam. We'll be staying at the Comfort Inn & Suites on E. Ohio, but we love to walk & we'll take a cab if we need to. Any recommendations???

Oh, one other question related to walking in Chicago in November: will a native Southerner want a wool coat and boots that time of year in Chicago?? (amazing how any question can turn into a shoe question, isn't it :-)

Thanks for your help!
Ellen

Arun's! Arun's! Arun's.
And November will very likely be cool enough for a southerner to want a good warm coat.

I don't know about the boots, but I would suggest a long coat and not a stylish short jacket. November usually is ok but the wind could feel harsh if your used to a warmer climate. Something that closes around your neck.

My nephew says the best and most authentic Thai restaurants in Chicago are in Hyde Park. But I have heard Arun's is good. He's a U.of C. grad and is engaged to a Thai/Chinese girl from Colorado. Welcome to Chicago!

Star of Siam was good when I went there a few years back. I think there is also one called Siri Thai (they also have one out in the suburbs). Can't remember what street it was on or even if it still exists, but maybe you can find out through a Chicago website or something.

Thanks so much! These are really helpful. I'm off to Barnes & Noble to get a good city map so I can figure out where Hyde Park, Arun's & Siri Thai are relative to where we're staying. I also read somewhere about Big Bowl (can't remember where I read it)-- anyone tried that lately?

Kvick and JJ5 -- thanks for the coat suggestions! I'll remember to pack a long coat and a scarf. I think I'll throw in the boots just in case.

Thanks again!
Ellen

I work across the street from the Star of Siam and I think it is very good and very reasonable. I have never been to Arun's but I know it is pricey. Star of Siam is also a very short walk from your hotel. Weather in Chicago is very unpredictable. I have been shopping downtown the day after Thanksgiving and it was 70 degrees. However, that is not the norm.

Big Bowl is a chain but it is good. It is right by your hotel. You'll need to take a cab to Arun's or Hyde Park,not sure about Siri Thai.

A quick word on outdoor attire -- you'll likely need a thin pair of gloves as well. If you get here and need them (but didn't bring a pair), Walgreens sells a thin, knit version for $1.99.

On to Thai food, my fave! Aruns was up there as my #1 or #2 all-time favorite dining experiences. Be aware that it is prix-fixe and there is no menu. You eat the same 12-course (!) meal that everyone else in the restaurant eats, with exceptions for allergies and spice-level preferences. When we went it was $85.

Twelve courses sounds like a lot, but many of them are no more than a bite or two. It was just the right amount of food in the end. I am a pretty picky eater, and do not like any spiciness whatsoever in my food, so I was a little nervous about eating there with my much more adventuresome companions. All it took was a word to our waiter, and everything was taken care of. You will have to take a cab to Aruns, as it it is a bit north of the city. Don't get discouraged when the cabbie keeps going and going!

As for Big Bowl, I like it, but not for authentic Thai. Compare it to PF Changs; also good, but not your store front mom-and pop Thai place (not that Aruns is, either).

Enjoy!

Thanks, Cerlaurie, for the update on Star of Siam. "Short walk from the hotel" is always a plus.

Our weather in NC is unpredictable too, but November tends to be more like Indian Summer here. Plus I've turned into my mother as I've gotten older and I'm cold all the time...

Thanks again!
Ellen

Hi! I'm Thai people! I'm so glad to know that many people like Thai food. I went to Chicago but I didn't go to Thai restaurant. so, I'm sorry as I can't suggest.
Just want to tell u, I'm so pround as u like my Thai food..

SusanM, thanks for the details on Arun's. It sounds lovely. We like the mom & pop places too, but an elegant Thai meal can be heavenly. When you said $85, did you mean $85 per person or for two?
Ellen
P.S. thanks too for the glove suggestion -- I'll definitely throw a pair in my bag!

Ellen,
Vong's is a good choice. it's more Thai Fusion, but creative and good, plus it's a fun not real formal place. You could walk there from your hotel.

We've been to Arun's twice and it's a real experience. Ten-12 courses. Really delicious. You wil need to take a cab. The last time we went it was @$75/per person. You will need a reservation.

JoeG

Hi JoeG -- I stumbled on the Web site for Vong's & it definitely looks like a fun place. Glad to know it's in walking distance! If you haven't seen the site, check it out.

Koy, we enjoy lots of ethnic food but Thai is just our absolute favorite. You deserve to be proud of your country's cuisine!

Ellen

Hyde Park has Thai that is authentic and not high end prices. The Thai students say it is the most authentic in Chicago by a mile.

I love Thai and I love HOT.

We have them all over the burbs too.

It's great to know that Chicago has so many good Thai choices. I can tell we'll have trouble working them all in (plus we'll have to try the pizza, even though my husband isn't crazy about pizza).

We like it hot too, JJ5, with an ice-cold Singha to put out the fire!
Ellen

I agree Vong is great. I would rather go there for dinner and save Star of Siam for lunch.

JJ5, I believe you are from the southwest suburbs. Do you know any good Thai out there? The only place I know of is 159th and Orland. I thought it was okay but didn't love it. Thanks.

I totally agree. The one on 159th St. is ok but not high caliber and doesn't have a large variety of dishes, IMHO.

There are quite a few new ones, I know. One is in Frankfort or Mokena. One my son goes to is in Darien/ Westmont area. I don't know the names. I believe Tinley Park has a new one also.

I do know that there is a three style Asian restaurant in Evergreen Park, IL just North of 95th St. & Kedzie Ave. It's called Chi Tung and features three menus- Chinese, Thai and Japanese. It was featured on Check Please! (WTTW) and is quite near my mom's in Chicago- so we've been there about 5 or 6 times. This is NOT high end but my sons and my dad LOVE their Thai. Totally the opposite of Arun's- an everyman kind of place.

But the people who have been to Thailand all say Hyde Pk has the CHOICES.

I would suggest for visitors to stay downtown or close to their hotel as there are so many good restaurants in the area.

I second Vong's. We ate there for our first dinner and our last lunch while visiting Chicago a few months ago. Both meals were excellent, and lunch--considering the quality of the food--was a great bargain.