Chicago, Illinois: Best Thai Food Restaurant Review

As any tourist knows, half the fun of vacationing in a new city is trying the local food. The great thing about Chicago is that, being the biggest city in Illinois, it has a lot of ethnic diversity. This diversity carries on into Chicago's culinary world.

I love Thai food. I love the exotic spices and flavors of Thailand. It was with some surprise that I discovered that Chicago has some of the best Thai food in the state of Illinois, and maybe in all of the United States.

To save you the trouble, I did the touristy groundwork for you (although it can hardly be counted as work). The next time you visit Chicago, Illinois, on a vacation to the Windy City, stop at one (or all) of these fine Thai restaurants for authentic tastes of Thailand.

In my restaurant food reviews, I've ranked these five Thai restaurants from first to last. Some of the criteria I considered was the atmosphere of the restaurant, the attentiveness of the waiters, the taste of the food, and-being a tourist on a budget vacation-the price of the meal, including tip.

The Top 5 Thai Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois:

1. Best Thai Restaurant in Chicago: Siam Noodle and Rice Restaurant

4654 N Sheridan Rd
(between Eastwood Ave & Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 769-6694

This uptown Chicago restaurant is one of Chicago's best Thai restaurants. My favorite dish was the Thai beef salad. Unique and tasty! For appetizers, I'd have to suggest their Thai spring rolls, which are unlike spring rolls I've had any other place. Siam Noodle and Rice is a Thai restaurant that locals love, which is always something you want to consider: The locals always know what's best!

The prices are reasonable and they use fresh, local ingredients. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20, but it's well worth the price. This isn't food-court Thai food. You can't get more authentic than this!

The appearance of the restaurant, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant, isn't jaw-dropping. In fact, it pretty much defines the term "hole in the wall," and you might even be put off by its looks, but don't let its humble exterior fool you. Inside, you will find the very best Thai food that Chicago has to offer.

2. Best Thai Restaurant in Chicago: Tac Quick

3930 N Sheridan Rd
(at Dakin St)
Chicago, IL 60613

This Lakeview Thai restaurant is very, very strategically placed. It's right near the Sheridian Red Line so you can stop by here on the way to work or before heading out to a night on the town. Don't go here if you want a fancy, beautiful atmosphere: The restaurant itself is kind of dingy. Plus, the service isn't always good. However, if you're looking for cheap, authentic Thai food with no frills and just great taste, Tac Quick is the Thai restaurant for you.

The price of the Thai food here is pretty cheap, but it's genuine. You won't get fancy glass goblets or candlelight dinners, and sometimes the waiters can be a little aloof, but if you're willing to put up with that I would suggest this place for a delicious meal from Thailand.

Thai dishes that are good here are the traditional Pad Thai, as well as their cucumber salads.

3. Best Thai Restaurant in Chicago: Arun's Thai Restaurant

4156 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618

I found this Irving Park restaurant a little hard to find, but it was worth the search. There's no take-out, so make reservations ahead of time or be prepared for a very long wait.

The price of Arun's Thai Restaurant is near the upper end of things, so this isn't someplace you'd go for a quick bite on a budget. However, you get what you pay for and Arun's Thai Restaurant consistently delivers delicious, authentic Thai food that's hard to beat in Chicago.

Try the prix fix menu, which lets you sample all sorts of delicious treats and delicacies from Thailand. Expect to pay a lot, but also expect to be amazed. The food here is beyond great, and the only reason this Thai restaurant isn't at the top of this list is because it is expensive (especially if you order wine!).

The waiters are friendly and knowledgeable, which is especially good when you don't always understand what's on the menu and need help choosing the right Thai dish.

4. Best Thai Restaurant in Chicago: Indie Café Thai and Sushi

5951 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660

This Edgewater Thai restaurant is another Thai restaurant that I had a hard time finding, maybe because it was my first night in Chicago. But like Arun's Thai Restaurant, searching and waiting for a seat at Indie Café Thai and Sushi was worth it!

They have the best sushi in Chicago, and are also very vegetarian-friendly (while the other Thai restaurants here are pretty open to vegetarians, Indie Café seemed even more so).

Everything seemed very fresh and the tastes were exquisite and delicious. The best part was that the prices for everything on the menu were decidedly mid-ranged, so budget travelers or those with more expensive tastes can save or splurge depending on their whim. No matter what you get, you'll be pleased with this Thai food. Yummy!

If you want to drink, you can bring your own wine or beer and the restaurant won't even charge you a corkage fee, unheard of at some Chicago restaurants. The people that work at Indie Café Thai and Sushi are also very friendly and helpful. When I left, I was very happy!

5. More of the Best Thai Restaurants in Chicago:

There are many other fine Thai restaurants that you should try. My Chicago friends swear by them!

Tiparos Thai Restaurant

1540 N Clark St , Chicago , IL , 60610

The ambience of this restaurant is superb and romantic, but the food is pricey. However, it's very good and it's also friendly toward vegetarians (and to vegans, but a little less so). The people here are friendly and alert, but don't go here if you're on a small budget. Instead, go to....

Dao Thai Restaurant
230 E Ohio , Chicago , IL , 60611

This downtown Thai restaurant is great for those on a Chicago vacation on a budget. The food is delicious and CHEAP, but "cheap" in a good way.