Before I gush about how much I love Jin Thai, I've gotta provide my credentials to make some claims:
1. I've been to Thailand a couple of times and make it a point to seek out authentic Thai food that the local Thais would eat.
2. I've made a pretty good tour of various Thai spots around town and can rank Jin Thai according to a variety of places.
Now that that's done, Jin Thai is my favorite spot for Thai food in the city. The service is friendly, the take-out is quick, and the food is delicious & consistent. Also, the owners (Jin & her husband) are there every time I go in. Reasons Jin Thai is special:
1. It's not just Pad Thai and Green Curry. So many Thai restaurants in the city (and the US) focus on Southern Thai food, like Pad Thai. Jin Thai has a nice offering of Northern Thai cuisine that is unfamiliar to many. The Kao Soi is simply amazing - complex flavors that are addictive.
2. Almost every time I go at night (late, just before closing), the staff & owners are sitting down to have their dinner. One night, our server recommended a pork shoulder that was on special. While enjoying the superbly delicious pork shoulder, I saw the owner enjoying the same dish. If a Thai person is eating the same thing I am, that's a really, really good sign.
3. It's received the Michelin Bib Gourmand award every year that the award has been given in Chicago. Michelin knows a bit more about food than your average Yelper, so maybe take that picky review focused on crab rangoon with a grain of salt. (Also, crab rangoon, while delicious, is not a Thai dish. Cream cheese is virtually non-existent in Southeast Asia)
4. I used to think Pad Thai was boring. Then I went to Thailand and saw it made countless times, appreciated all of the different flavors, and loved it. Upon return, Jin Thai's Pad Thai actually tasted like those I had in Thailand. Other more popular places still taste boring.
5. It's BYOB and not full of woo girls chugging wine before a night at Mad River.
While I've literally enjoyed everything I've ordered here, I do think some menu items are unique and/or so well done that you should consider them more than others:
Kao Soi
Thai Crepe
Angel Wings
Hot Curry Catfish (and I don't even like the idea of catfish)
Duck Bahmee
Spicy Basil (as one reviewer noted, there are a lot of veggies in it, though she incorrectly said it was bean sprouts - they are bamboo shoots. It's so good and adds a nice crunch)
Green Curry
Som Tum - authentic papaya salad - spicy & crunchy & fresh!
Yum Woon Sen - careful, it's a face melter but so worth it.
Mango Sticky Rice
Give it a chance, and, like most places, go with an open mind. read more