Department of FoodieDepartment of FoodieDiners can turn up or dial down the spice on the authentic Thai eats at this no-frills restaurant.
From Google Maps reviews.
I used to come here very often 4–5 years ago. Their raw shrimp and steamed fish were some of my favorite dishes, so I was excited to come back after such a long time. Unfortunately, this visit was very disappointing. The Thai milk tea and papaya salad were okay—nothing special, but acceptable. The biggest disappointment was the steamed fish with lime. We waited about 30 minutes for the dish, but when it finally arrived, something immediately felt off. A freshly steamed Thai lime fish should fi
Sweating through my shirt in a tiny, cash-only spot in Elmhurst because that’s where real food lives. If a Thai place doesn’t look like a hidden boss level, you’re doing it wrong. Dropped into Chao Thai and told them to make it "Thai spicy"—because if you aren't questioning your life choices by bite three, you aren't living. Here is the damage report: The Warm-Up: Started with the grilled steak with spicy tamarind sauce. Absolutely elite. Perfect char, serious kick. The Soup: Tom Kha Shrimp.
I finally found a place that serves authentic "khanom jeen nam ngiao", just like the traditional Northern Thai street carts. It really feels like eating homemade food from my hometown. I’ll definitely be coming back many more times to try other dishes on the menu. Next time, I have to try the khao soi!
From the Dec 8, 2025 health inspection. Lower-priority items are listed after the serious ones.
Wiping cloths weren't kept clean, dry, or in sanitizer between uses.
Food was left exposed to possible contamination during storage, prep, or serving.
Food surfaces are too worn or badly built to be properly cleaned.