At Lao Der the thermostat is set to 82 degrees Fahrenheit which is my only critism, so if you like it warm, you'll be happy. The light cucumber flesh color of the walls with the blonde wood paneling and tables give it an airy feel with a mishmash of a few Lao/Thai signifiers rounding out the look of this 22 seater. The staff were pleasant and welcoming. Though asked what spice heat we wanted our food (we said "hot") we got it in the mild range. No matter, the food was superb. Only had two dishes but wanted more. Sai ua Moo Lao, one of two traditional sausages served with sticky rice, it had that wonderful sour taste tempered with sticky rice, frankly scrumptious. The equally outstanding Nam Khao was complex and though not sweet, took on a desserty feel with the Khao Tod Lang (crispy fried rice) and puffed rice mixture being prominent and generous, with sour cured ham, coconut, mint, cilantro, lettuce and peanuts, so good I could have eaten another. And it seems like a small thing but the Laotian soundtrack that sounded like the Jeopardy Theme played in the jungle manner of South-East Asia was perfect. read more

Lao Der - Sai ua Moo with sticky rice - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's delicious, what more do you need to know? As the wife half of the husband and wife that own and run it said to us, Lao food is typically more spicy than Thai. Worry not if you are heat-averse, they can make it mild for you. Tried several dishes, all were delicious, and we'll be back to try more of the menu that we didn't get this time. read more

Found this little gem after my finding out the restaurant I originally wanted to go to is closed on Mondays. We were coming to town for a concert and wanted to find a place to eat beforehand. Everything we ordered off the menu was bomb dot com!!! The owners were so kind and service and food were top notch! We were literally in and out within 45 minutes, if even. We are from out of state but will definitely be stopping by the next time we're in that part of Chicago! read more

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First time eating Laoatian food. Was tasty and prices are reasonable. At least they don't have a million things on their menu so they can focus on quality. read more

Lao Der - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow. I'm visiting from the Bay Area, California and this was a random stop because I saw Lao food. First off, the service and ambiance felt very homely and nice. Very small mom and pop vibes. The food was amazing. Best Nam Khao I have had in a really long time, it tasted refreshing and very flavorful. The server was nice enough to give me more lettuce when I requested. The papaya salad was the right spicy at level 3, definitely up there in papaya salads! First time trying Lao jerky and will definitely get it in the future when I get home. read more

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Loved the food. Good environment. Good ambiance and service. This post needs 85 characters idky

A Taste of Home in the Heart of Chicago This restaurant brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. As a Thai person who was born and raised in a province bordering Laos, I grew up eating Lao food just as much as Thai food. While there are over a hundred Thai restaurants in Chicago, this is the only Lao restaurant in the city--and it truly stands out. The dishes here reminded me of the food sold in local markets when I was young, and even the home-cooked meals lovingly made by my grandmother, or the dishes I'd enjoy at friends' houses. Everything was fresh, delicious, and incredibly authentic. Today was their soft opening, so the menu was limited, but I'm definitely coming back to try more. This place is a hidden gem that brings the taste of tradition to the city. read more

I got the Khao Piak to go and drove home 40 minutes, and it stayed so fresh; even though the noodles are homemade! I loved the soup, it tasted just like home. Very authentic and well done. The noodles were a great texture and cut very well as well. The chicken was nice and soft, and the chicken meatballs were well seasoned. The staff interaction was short but still sweet! I will be ordering again, and hopefully dining in soon! read more

Lao Der - Khao Piek Sen - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Finally, a new Lao restaurant in the city!! It's been awhile since we've had a brick and mortar sit down Lao restaurant. The last being Sabaidee on Broadway which closed years ago. The food here is very authentic. Their papaya salad aka Tum Mak Houng Luang Prabang is exactly how I like mines made. With padaek (fermented fish sauce) and nam bpoo (crab paste) which gives it a nice umami flavor. Their sai kok Esan sausages are house made and has great flavor although I wish it had a little bit more fat in it. But that's just me. The owners Fah and Jack are super friendly and attentive. Will definitely be going back as they're adding more authentic Lao items to the menu. read more

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I used to live in Vientiane and was super excited to try this place. I was so surprised there were effectively no vegetarian items on the menu! I had no problem being a vegetarian in Laos because there are so many practicing Buddhists. It's not a small part of the national cuisine, and there are many Buddhist vegetarian restaurants in the country. There's also a lot of vegetarian street food. I wish the restaurant were more veggie-friendly. read more

I've been hunting for an authentic bowl of khao piek in Chicago for years--and I finally found it. This comforting Lao chicken noodle soup is a staple in Lao households but surprisingly rare on restaurant menus. Here, it's made just right: thick, chewy handmade noodles swimming in a rich, peppery chicken broth, topped with tender shredded chicken and fresh herbs. It's like a warm hug in a bowl--cozy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The rest of the menu is solid, but honestly, I'd come back for the khao piek alone. If you're craving something soulful and unique to Lao cuisine, don't miss it. A true hidden gem in the city. read more

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This was totally worth the winter hike. We loved their nam khao, khao piek sen, and papaya salad. They were so kind and friendly here! Food came out super quick read more

Lao Der - Khao Piek Sen - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was great, definitely recommend the wings and Thai coffee. Service was excellent. read more

Lao Der - Gai Yang - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lovely small casual diner with delicious Laotian food. The first time I had this cuisine was in Wisconsin, and I had been craving it ever since. I was so happy to see that this new place opened in Old Irving, and I had to try it. The service was great; there were a number of gluten free options and the server was knowledgeable about them. I had the beef pho. Usually I have to doctor it up so much to suit my taste, but even the base soup was super tasty! Recommend. read more

I had the beef pho, very fresh and flavorful, friendly service, pleasant decor, good Lao music. I'll definitely be back with my family.

Great food and very nice owner. Will visit again when we're in Chicago. They recently just open. Go support them!

Get the Nam Khao! This place is excellent. Delicious food and reasonable prices. It's also great for a quick bite to eat.

Terrific food, unique flavors, friendly service, and food came out very quick. Small but comfortable seating area with a friendly atmosphere. Will be returning soon, multiple menu items I'm looking forward to trying! read more

Fresh and flavorful lunch. Sauces were delicious , rice perfectly seasoned with ginger and cilantro. Tender chicken both steamed and fried. Light yet filling and satisfying! read more

Small menu, friendly service! Outstanding flavors! The sausage is amazing! Couldn't be happier read more

So great to have a Laotian restaurant in the area! We tried the Laotian pho, sausage, nam khao, and spicy beef jerky. All of them were excellent and made with care. The service and staff were also so kind and attentive. The restaurant is cute and a nice spot to dine in with pretty easy street parking around. read more

Super cute. Small menu. Everything is made to order. Absolutely fresh and tasty. Can't wait to try everything on the menu. Im really excited to try their pho. read more

The food is truly exceptional, and I genuinely appreciate the quality. It would be great if the portions were a bit larger, but I can't really complain because it's so delicious! read more

Smaller intimate restaurant. The staff had very great energy and was very attentive, even helped with explaining and recommending a couple items on the menu. The menu is short and to the point, which is great because I think it allows them to perfect the items on the menu. Highly recommend the jerky appetizer and also the Sai Ua Moo which was a flavorful pork sausage with sticky rice and a spicy sauce. Will definitely come back soon read more

I stopped in for lunch and was so happy with my experience! The food was exceptional. I had the Nam Khao. Every bite was the perfect combo of texture and spice. I had no trouble eating my entire plate. I also had the lemon tea which was just the right amount of sweetness and acidity to complement my meal. The service was also so good! They were friendly, kind, and prompt. I am so happy to have Lao Der as an addition to the neighborhood. I can't wait to come back and try more from their menu! read more

Lao Der - Nam Khao and Lemon Tea - Laotian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My husband and really enjoyed Lao Der! We shared the Lao Der Jerky, the Nam Khao and the chicken noodle soup. All were delicious especially the Nam Khao. We also had a great and very attentive server. The ambiance sealed the deal. Definitely recommended! read more

Great new addition to our neighborhood!! The food was delicious and the service was amazing!!! Plus it is BYOB Can't wait to go back and try other menu items. read more

This is delicious food and wonderful hosts. We highly recommend the fresh dishes. All are amazing.

Service was great. Waters were always filled. Loved the Lao music in the background. The Nam Khao was our favorite. Thai Iced Coffee was also good. Can't go wrong with Khao piak. read more

This was our first experience with Laotia. The staff took the time to explain the menu and the ingredients. We enjoyed papaya salad and sweet beef jerky, then fell in love with the pandan dessert! Also, appreciated the Laotian paintings and music read more

We had the Esan sausage, Sai Ua Moo Laos, Lab Beef, Larb Gai, and Nam Khao. All dishes were excellent. Efficient and friendly service. Looking forward to a return visit soon. read more

Went there last night and absolutely LOVED this place. The food was delicious and tasty. However, the service was even better! My server helped me with the menu to ensure I ordered the right items and the right amount of spice. She was incredible helpful. I strongly recommend this place to anyone wanting to try amazing Laotian food. read more

Our first official Lao food experience. The ambiance is warm and welcoming. All of the food was exceptionally tasty, with varied seasonings and a ton of fresh herbs. Don't skip the pandan and coconut dessert. read more

Great authentic Laotian food. We loved the tamarind wings and laab beef! And the service was also impeccable!

I am so glad that Lao Der opened in the neighborhood. I just got takeout (Lao Der Jerky, Tum Luangphabrang, Khao Mung Gai, and Sai Ua) and will definitely be going back. The food is excellent - it's the type of food that has you shaking your head and smiling as you eat it. It's food that makes you happy. Next time, I'll dine in their cute space, and get that awesome looking Khao Piek Sen - and more. Thank you for opening! read more

An excellent new place, Laotian cuisine (similar to northern Thai/Isaan), mostly meat centered, with pork, beef, and chicken dishes spiced to taste. Very clean, attentive service, easy parking on the street. And it is BYOB... read more

Shout Out to new Lao Der restaurant on Elston! Thrilled to see a new business open In Irving area. Run by a lovely woman, I was able to try experience a cuisine new to me. I had a delicious noodle soup with such a huge portion of chicken. I also tried a chicken salad that was unique and full of flavor. The restaurant opened end of April and aim hoping it takes off. Love supporting small businesses and this owner is so genuine and sincere in sharing her culture. I phoned in my order and it was ready in 10 minutes. When I arrived I realized this would be a cute place to just sit down and eat. The owner asked specifically my spicy level and as I was sharing the meal she set aside the spices separately to accommodate that. Nice attention to detail. I felt the love when I finished my meal. So delicious! read more

was just in Laos for a work thing, and the the food was amazing. came here and it's the real deal. so good. The chicken soup is Beautiful