This is my friends favorite Thai place he usually gets Thai spring rolls and sweet sour mixed vegetables on rice to go with a little Thai seasoning. I ordered the Tod Mun pla. Which was the Thai fish cake and vinaigrette sauce with chili onion, and sugar salt cucumber cilantro and onion. It had a good flavor. I also ordered a beef pad see ewe. Definitely not a traditional style. So heads up. The noodles were thin rice noodles and the vegetables are broccoli and cauliflower the heat was just right for me. seasoning was different but not bad just different from how I had it in the past from other places. I'd be happy to return to explore more of the other selections. 25/2024 Food 3 Ambiance 4 Service very good 5 Location 5 Value 5 read more

The food is excellent and so is the service. Whether eating in or carrying out, it is always great. Even my great grand sons love it.

I'd recommend calling ahead to double check availability because this place tends to be pretty busy, at night especially and there is limited seating. I wish the waiting area could become more tables but I know it adds a lot more money and hands to make that happen. Something really neat about the restaurant is it's BYOB (Bring your own booze)! I got the Bume Noodle Soup dry. They offer wet and dry noodle soups- wet with the broth and dry with no broth. It tasted great! I do think the broth would've added more flavor though. I held off the lime but did add the crushed peanuts to the mix. The peanuts were a great touch and addition of flavor/texture. I did also later try the noodles with some peanut sauce and that was also nice to dip every now and then. The soup also came with huge wontons! Service was great as well, they are super hardworking in there. read more

Magic Kitchen Thai Restaurant - Dry Bumne Soup with side of Crushed Peanuts - Thai Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

Takeout is constantly late. They tell you 25 minutes it will be closer to an hour. No apologies or anything. Food is mediocre at best as well. read more

At a convention in Springfield we had a local Recommend this place. The food was amazing but "mild plus" will set your mouth on fire. Seriously just do mild. Service was frankly not good. I mean the guy was pleasant but not attentive at all. read more

Magic Kitchen Thai Restaurant - a plate of noodles and shrimp - Thai Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

See all

A few months ago my fiancé and I stopped in for a dinner meal after work. It was her idea to go because multiple friends had told her it's their favorite Thai in Springfield. To be fair, she loved her Shrimp Pad Thai but my fish and vegetable dish was very average. We had no leftovers and my dish was good just missing that something special. What was special was the homemade triple berry slice of pie brought in from a Chicago bakery. The dessert menu was my highlight and I would easily return to try all the different pie flavors they are churning out! The restaurant is smaller and always packed from what we have witnessed plus referral testimony. Our waitress was super pleasant and overall I would gladly return in order to try a different dish or two! read more

Magic Kitchen Thai Restaurant - Triple Berry Pie - Thai Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

See all

Food is yummy. I prefer to carry out though because the restaurant smells bad. I wish they had the option to pay with credit card.

Excellent food, I prefer the one on N Peoria Rd, the taste is cleaner and the atmosphere is quaint.

I just had to share how impressed I was this past weekend. Never been here before and they were so helpful on the phone. I knew exactly what to expect when I picked up my food since covid. They really have a great, efficient process. The best process I've seen anywhere since the pandemic. Keep up the great work! Also, the food wasn't greasy or oily and made with chicken breast. I easily spent $50 here and would do it again. Maybe even weekly ;) read more

We didn't realize before arriving that they only accept cash **no credit or debit cards**. They have signs all over the place saying so. Luckily we had cash on us so we didn't have to find somewhere else to eat. I would say the food was good. It wasn't mind blowing or anything, but it was average. Our waitress was really nice and patient with us and our baby. The bathrooms don't have a place to change diapers, so that was disappointing when we had to go outside to change a poopy diaper in our car in the freezing cold. Also, another party came in while we were eating and they had coolers of alcohol? So I guess that's a thing here to BYOB?? read more

Fresh made food and the menu contains all the usual Thai dishes. We had fried tofu appetizer which was great. My wife had ginger pork which was really delicious! I had pork pad Thai and it was marvelous! No complaints whatsoever! Other customers brought in their own adult drinks. This is a local favorite and a best kept secret! You have to try this place. It's small but large on taste! HEADS UP: cash or local checks only. read more

Best Thai food in town, but this location is highly inconvenient and has poor customer service. They only take cash, and I'm quite sure this is 2018 where you can run a debit card on an iPad... not to mention on my last attempted visit they closed when I arrived 30 minutes before closing. Only draw to this location is the delicious food and BYOB policy. Otherwise, if you're on the north end I'd recommend going somewhere else. read more

We came here on a Friday night, and the place was packed. After waiting outside in the neigh-90-degree-heat for 30 minutes, we were ushered into the neigh-90-degree inside. The inside of this place is pretty much a sty, they should use the money they seem to be making hand over fist to renovate the outside and inside. I wish I could say that the food blew me away. I mean, it was decent enough thai, but no better or worse than I have gotten at places that take credit cards and have well-working air conditioners. Other important things to note include the BYOB policy, soda comes in cans, and cash only policy. I would recommend this locale for take-out only, I just can't bring myself to approving this place for a sit-down meal. read more

Magic Kitchen Thai Restaurant - Thai Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

Best Thai food in town and where else can you bring in your favorite alcoholic beverage to enjoy with your meal. If you have not been there you aren't living your best life. read more

Amazing Thai food! Cozy atmosphere and BYOB or preferred alcohol. Tiny egg rolls w/ peanut sauce is excellent. Ginger or Basil are two excellent dishes but there are more to choose from. read more

Echoes of Jenny Z's review, except I didn't eat here in high school. I ate here yesterday. Wow. Best pad thai ever. The spring roll was delicious. Decor: what's with the juxtaposition of a beautiful picture of a Thai food market hanging opposite a huge Budweiser logo? Delicious and tacky. read more

Stumbled upon this place while searching for asian food in the area.. It reminded me of one of those 'hole in the wall' type places. The ambiance was thin and somewhat tidy. With no music playing, this place got pretty loud after more people sat down. You can also bring your own beer here.(Did not know of this until after I arrived) If you're like me and you don't like carrying cash around, look elsewhere as this is a cash only establishment. Also, the menu looked like it had a lot of options but it really didn't. Not too sure why it seemed like they only had a few veggies alternating in their menu. (If it wasn't cauliflower, it was mushrooms or broccoli). We tried to stay away from those cauliflower dishes :-) I ordered just a shrimp fried rice, as spicy as it they can get it. I love the heat but it still didn't seem like it was all that spicy. The rice came out warm and a little mushy, almost as if it was fried earlier and just heated up and a little sweet for my taste. Edible, but not what I prefer. Fried rice portion wasn't too big, but the other two were. My sisters ordered a 3 flavor fish and shrimp Pad woon sen. The fish dish did not have much fish in it, comprising of mostly veggies(ginger, mushrooms, pineapples..) The pad woon sen was surprisingly quite tasty, with the shrimp having a special taste to it contrary to the shrimp in my fried rice. They did charge us 10.95 for this even though the menu says 9.95, but it's ok no big deal. Everything came out within about 7-8 minutes after ordering, beating some fast food places~ Overall the food was OK, nothing impressive with the few dishes that we ordered. We were not given straws with our drinks. Our waters barely had any ice in it, seems like they are pinching every penny they can get. There was 1 server running the dining area and she was actually pretty good, friendly and prompt with everything we needed. Cash only makes this an inconvenience for anyone who never carries cash around. read more

See all

This food is so good, homey and a great price for the amount and quality of food you get. It is BYOB, so you can bring what you like. A lot of people bring wine. Honestly, beer pairs better with Thai food. Get the egg rolls, save the peanut sauce for your entree. Yes, other customers were being loud, but it was the CUSTOMERS and not the BUSINESS. Have no expectations and enjoy the deliciousness of this mom and pop shop. The food came out quickly and we were out in less than 45 minutes - and I have a little leftover for lunch. Win - Win. Cash is king and credit cards have fees - cardholders should know this, so to complain about the card thing is asinine. You know how many fees you pay, imagine what a business must pay out. You want to be cheap, then understand why businesses want to save money in this area. Always carry cash, you never know what will happen. read more

Very important to note: they do not accept credit cards or debit cards, come with plenty of cold hard cash. Major pain in the neck to discover this change since my last visit. read more

Before you come here, you should know that this place is a dump. It's tiny. There will probably be a wait. Actually, you'll likely see parties waiting with not just a six pack at this little cash only BYOB but, with an entire wheely cooler full of drinks. It's not a destination place. Are your expectations sufficiently lowered? Good, now let's get to the food. The food is awesome. The flavors are spot on - nothing innovative, just standards done really well. In fact, it's quality and consistency of what comes out of this tiny kitchen are what makes this place a local gem. I usually get the lemongrass soup which is pure spicy, tangy perfection but, I've also tried many of the noodle & rice dishes over the years and haven't been disappointed. And as long as you have a good idea about what you're getting into - you won't either. read more

Good Thai food!! Definitely worth checking out, reasonable prices and fast service :)

Okay, have these people ever had good thai food? 'Cause this isn't it. First we ordered a Thai staple of chicken satay for an appetizer. It actually arrived after our entrees were delivered. But worse than the timing was that the chicken was fried! Are you kidding me? Never before have I ever seen chicken satay fried. And the peanut sauce only tasted vaguely of peanuts. The woon sen soup that I had for my entree was spiced at a good level, mild plus but really had no flavor other than the spicy burn. My husband did enjoy his mild spiced bume noodle soup with red pork. The service was mediocre at best. We hate when the server disappears just when you are ready to pay the check read more

The original location has been one of my FAVORITES for years, and every time I visit Springfield my tastebuds beckon me to dine there. The prices are very reasonable and the thai coffee is amazing! The best part is that even though you might have to wait for a table, it is BYOB so you'll have a festive time with friends while hanging out in the waiting room. This restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall but it holds a special place in my heart! read more

This was the first Thai food in Springfield and although there is a lot of competition now, I think it's still one of the best. Food is always good, portions generous, and Thai iced tea is great. It is out of the way, and very low key, but worth the drive. They have a selection of pies. read more

I eat a LOT of Thai food and this place is still my favorite by far. Grab some booze,get there early, reserve a slice of your favorite pie upon walking in the door, and start eating. Eggrolls are the best I've ever had, as is the peanut sauce that goes with them. Bume noodle soup (dry or as a soup) is also a standout. Frankly, I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. BTW, they are not kidding about the heat ratings - in high school when we couldn't get beer, we'd come out here, order our food extra hot and practically get high off of the food. INCREDIBLE. Oh yeah, and it's cheap as hell too.....It just can't be beat. read more

I've come to this place 3 times now, each time when I come to visit Springfield. Their pie is phenomenal, however their food is pretty hit or miss for me. For all 3 visits we had to wait for a table, which I didn't mind. The last time I was there I ordered the pad thai. Sadly I found it to be pretty bland and depressing. Their spring rolls are good, but I have had way better. Their pie was the only thing in the restaurant that I truly loved and looked forward to. I have yet to find any other pie in NYC that compares to their ice cream cookies and cream pie. So get the pie!!!! read more

Genuine Class. No, not Alec Guinness... I'm talking about Magic Kitchen! A timeless classic for excellent Thai food... and in Springfield, IL of all places. If you're in town and not already stuffed yourself with horseshoes and corndogs, then stop on by and get your far-east fix. It's byob! The wait might take a little while but it's worth it. I love the bumi chicken (dry) and sticky rice for dessert. Mmm. read more

Awesome delicious healthy food! I always order the spring rolls and vegetables with tofu medium which is very hot!! Blueberry pie is excellent warm with ice cream! Bring your own beer and or wine! Saves a fortune! Super great service! read more

Maybe it's because The Magic Kitchen gave me my first samplings of Thai cuisine back in the mid '80's when they were located on North Dirksen Pkwy & Ridge. Maybe it's because I knew the original owners, Gay & Dang, when Gay's mom would make the pies from scratch. They had sour cream & raisin pie that was heavenly. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. My favorite is likely the lemongrass soup, but I love almost everything. The pies are not homemade anymorebut still a good ending to a spicy meal. read more

I spent high school and some change living in a suburb of Springfield, IL. Of all the places I've lived, this is by far the least inspiring. However, there are bright spots everywhere, and the Magic Kitchen has a definite glow. Here's why: 1) The food is yummy. I generally had the green curry (spicy! and, unusually, made without coconut milk) and the thai iced coffee. Curiously enough, their decidedly un-Thai pies are fantastic as well. 2) The chances of a good Thai restaurant appearing in Springfield in the mid-90s were next to nothing. The fact that they were ahead of the game and managed to do it well gives the place major bonus points. 3) The Magic Kitchen is literally a shack in the middle of nowhere, yet it's always packed. I once went there in a full-on blizzard on a Tuesday, and still had to wait for a table. 4) The BYOB policy (not common in Springfield) gives the place a cozy feel. It also gives you something to take the edge off waiting for upwards of an hour on any given night. If you live in Springfield, you've undoubtedly been here. If you don't, and for some reason find yourself in this corner of Central Illinois, do not leave without going to the Magic Kitchen. Just be sure to bring a map, and prepare to get lost. read more

I've seen the bad reviews. Hmmmm... first off, I'm from Chicago and have been all over the United States. This place is as good as any. Been going here on and off for 20 years so maybe I've been lucky and never caught it on a bad day, maybe I've never pissed off the chef. Yes, it's a hole in the wall... welcome to Central Illinois. If this isn't posh enough for you, probably stay in the Loop or on the northshore or avoid Illinois altogether. If you happen to get stuck in Springfield for any length of time, this place is a life-saver unless you really want to live on bacon and eggs. read more

We have been going to Magic Kitchen on Peoria Rd for years and it is always good!! The egg rolls with peanut sauce are always good and the food tastes authentic! (and I have been to Thailand!) As a previous reviewer said, they do not take credit cards but they do take checks as well as cash!! read more

I LOVE the Magic Kitchen. My parents have been bringing me here since I was a wee little one. It's BYOB which is awesome, and the pad thai is soooo yummy! I also love their fried tofu. Even though it's BYOB, I still order their jasmine iced tea which is amazing and very flavorful. If you like ethnic food and you aren't a picky eater, you will love it! Oh yeah-and they serve pie for dessert! Random, but neat too. read more

Is this the best Thai food I have ever had? Not really. Does this satisfy my craving for a nice spicy thai dinner? Sure. They have pretty decent spring rolls and crab rangoon (particularly since I am not a huge fan of rangoon). Also, the pad thai, veggies and tofu, and ginger chicken are all good choices...and typically the ones that I go with. The food here does run a little hot for my palette so I would recommend going Medium...if you like a little spice in your life but not prepared to stick your head in the kitchen sink. This place is BYOB, which actually I don't mind since you end up saving money and it is easy to have a few refreshments while you wait. Also the restaurant is a little small and sometimes making a reservation has been helpful and my group and I have been seated almost right away, other times, well, even with the reservation we have waited 20-30 minutes, but with my drinks and my friends by my side I haven't really mind...although i can see how others might. read more

This is the best authentic Thai food in town...not that I would know though. hahah. It's often packed. You can bring your own beer. CASH only The menu here is different than that Magic Kitchen off of Lewis. I came with a couple friends on a thursday night and it was packed. We ended up heading somewhere else. sigh, but its good food, you can't miss it! read more

Always great service, food is ok-good. I've been to a lot of Thai places, and I'm not sure what all the hype is about. The services is definitely great, with a smile... ok, except for this one lady who never ever smiles and always looks like she's in a rush, but the food is ok to good at best. Ive tried probably about 6-7 different dishes and overall I think its local or home-style version of Thai, since some of the dishes seem to have its own style which is different from anywhere else I've been. The best dishes are probably their curry dishes. The duck curry and panang curry are actually very good. And they have really good Thai-iced-tea. But I was disappointed with the Pad-Se-Ew since its uses a thin rice noodle versus a wide noodle. There also wasn't a lot of flavor with that dish either. I just wished there was a wider variety of flavors overall. The atmosphere is like a hamburger diner turned into a Thai restaurant, so if fine dining is what you are looking for I would check some other place out. But if you're looking for just a place to relax, and get some crazy spicy food, its definitely worth checking out. Oh and going there for some duck curry and Thai iced tea alone is definitely worth checking out. I just wouldn't go expecting a wide variety of taste. read more

We were visiting Springfield from Chicago, and went to the Magic Kitchen on Lewis Street. We eat a LOT of Thai food in Chicago. Food: 4*'s, and reasonably priced. Totally recommended for the food. Service: 2*'s (would be 1*, but she provided us with entertainment). She showed us the beer list, and we asked which ones were on draft. She asked 'what does draft mean?'. She didn't know. (FYI - they're all in bottles). We asked about some of the food items, and she'd never eaten them, couldn't describe them, but said 'lots of people order that'. So - if you know what to order at a Thai place, go here. Good value. Bring your sense of humor for the service... read more

NO MAGIC IN THIS KITCHEN Last evening we ordered oyster beef and ginger pork entrees, take out. The location has no TV, so we went home to watch baseball. The entrees were horrible, so dry and tasteless, for $9.98 each I could have absolutely made better. (We had eaten there dine-in within the last 12 months and the experience was positive.) The only reason I'm giving one star is the appetizer with peanut sauce, at least that was edible. It's incredibly disappointing to go home, 20 miles away, and find that a meal you spent $20 plus tax on is literally fit for the dog. Since they only accept cash, we did not keep the receipt. I work two jobs and do not have $25 to throw away anytime. I called the restaurant this evening to ask were we missing something, like a sauce? Was told no. I told them we would be posting a negative review, their food is overpriced DRY and TASTELESS. It was like Minute Rice with rubbery meat, and since I work two jobs and eating out is a luxury, this was absolutely the worst waste of money. Completely disappointing. It's unfortunate that this location was not kept up in quality of food or physical appearance and has chosen to raise prices despite not making any improvements. Quality food is not longer their priority. For a couple decades it was quaint and also had wonderful food reasonably priced, but my advice is to avoid it and will share that with friends and coworkers. I don't have money to throw away. read more

Terribly dirty and I'm not sure it's ever passed an inspection. That being said. I DON'T CARE!!! The food is insanely good! Pad Thai is to die for! read more

Before eating here for the first time I had heard nothing but good things about Magic Kitchen so I was expecting a lot. If I had been choosing a restaurant purely on the looks of the outside of the building I would have never stopped here. The place looks like a dump. The inside is better, but still not great. To get to the waiting room you have to walk through the dining area,which I found a little strange. The food was good, not the best Thai-ish food I've ever had, but good (to say the least). The restaurant being a BYOB establishment really helps cut the cost of eating there, as drinks are usually very expensive when eating out. Overall, I have to say I'm not overly excited to go back, and don't understand what all the fuss is about. This restaurant is very average. read more