We just moved to Nashville a few months ago, and SS Gai has been a top recommendation we've received and given. Free parking at the nearby church. There's only outdoor seating which can be warm in the summer. You order at the window, and they bring out your food and, if necessary, a little fan to keep flies away. \\ green papaya salad - so fresh and bright and perfect for summer! the flavors are flirty and fun, somehow light but also a full spectrum \\ four piece chicken - would recommend washing your hands (all the time) but I loved making the lettuce wraps with some chicken, fish sauce, veggies, and rice - with the garlic slices in the chicken batter, teasingly savory and tart fish sauce, and pickled veggies, your tongue is just serenaded with FLAVOR \\ mango sticky rice dessert - even in the summer (peak mango season), there was no mango, only syrup - I think it's supposed to be crispy on the outside and chewy and soft in the inside, but our batch was a bit tough on our teeth - I'll skip this next time read more

Delicious Thai chicken in Nashville! This place is definitely a hole in the wall. There's a small parking lot for only a couple cars, so drive a few meters down to a parking lot! The chicken was well flavored and delicious. The sauce dip was great! read more

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Walked here after a night of heavy drinking and realized we were not in Cali anymore. It was lightly drizzling but the humidity was killings me; my shirt was soaked from my sweat from the inside and outside from the rain. I got the grilled chicken leg quarter plate because I don't think my insides would have appreciated the fried chicken. Food was bomb, would definitely come back. read more

When I say I dream about this chicken, I'm not exaggerating. After running a half marathon, the Gai Tod was exactly the meal I was looking forward to & like always it delivered. The crispy fried chicken is on another level, perfectly complemented by sticky rice, fresh veggies, and flavorful dipping sauces. In the winter, their garlic noodles are absolutely decadent, truly out of this world. I'm so excited for the team as they work toward opening a brick-and-mortar location. This is easily one of my go-to spots, because it honestly doesn't disappoint! read more

SS Gai - Gai Tod & Ceviche from leche de Tigre - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Best fried chicken I've ever had. Only bummer was their chicken sandwich stops being served after 3pm. Chicken was super crispy but not greasy and perfectly seasoned. Sticky rice was perfect consistency. Sauce was a perfect acidic spice added. Only thing I wish was there was a mango glaze or something for the chicken. Didn't get a pic but the mango sticky rice was served in a cube and was incredible. Perfectly caramelized and sweet but not overly. One in our group described it as a mango rice version of the outside of coconut shrimp and that's super accurate. Set up was cool too! Absolutely recommend. read more

SS Gai - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I've eaten here 10 times, which is less of a dining preference and more of a cry for help that no one has answered. The chicken sandwich? Not food. A psychological event. A controlled substance. I'm 92% sure if you bring one through TSA, they'll pull you aside and ask who your supplier is. The only problem is they stop serving it at 3 PM, which has personally ruined multiple days of my life and at least one friendship. Everything here is offensively good. Like... relax. Leave some talent for the rest of the city. Now, I need to be honest about my upbringing. I was raised delicately. Gently. Like a Victorian child with weak ankles. My mother used to remove meat from the bone for me like she was performing surgery. I never struggled. I never fought. I never knew adversity. So I grew up avoiding bones. Boneless wings. Boneless life. Boneless personality. UNTIL THIS PLACE. The drumsticks and breast here are so good that I have fully regressed into a feral creature. I'm hunched over the table, elbows out, making eye contact with strangers while absolutely dismantling a piece of chicken like I owe it money. The crispy skin?? I would commit minor crimes for it. Nothing crazy. But like, I'd jaywalk aggressively. I go to therapy now. Not because of this. But also not unrelated. And then, the mango sticky rice. This is where things stop being funny. This dish has altered my brain chemistry. I had one bite and immediately started reconsidering all my life choices, my priorities, and several relationships. If you told me I had to give up sex forever but I get one box of this daily, I'd at least ask a few follow up questions. Two boxes, and I'm signing paperwork. Anyway, great place. Super casual. Totally normal experience. read more

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I've seen a lot of reviews for this place, so decided to check it out. If you got to The Wash, remember you'll need to find street parking and tables are outside. They have a common area outside to eat and there are clean bathrooms. Liked that they have a structure that somewhat blocks the wind in the seating area. Service was great! Took our order quickly and food came out fairly quickly after. The person who brought it, walked us through the dish which was nice. Service is 4 stars! The chicken itself was fried well and juicy however the flavor was underwhelming. I got a lot of turmeric but not much of anything else. The portion was generous and it was a covered in fried garlic (which kind of covered the chicken). Liked that it came with lettuce and all the accoutrements which was nice. The sauce that came with it was okay but not really memorable. Sticky rice was perfect. Presentation was nice. Fun to try but it was just an okay dish for us. read more

SS Gai - 2 Piece Chicken dish - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place, simply blew my mind! It is nestled inside a night market-esque area with an urban feel. The Thai Fried Chicken is unparalleled. read more

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Foods is great. Wish I got some Chili Crisps- needed it. Service was great- food came right out to us. The area is cool if you don't mind the potential rock and dust getting kicked up to your food. I wish there was a better platform the seating was on. read more

SS Gai - 2 piece! Combo (includes the veggies and rice) - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Really enjoyed the chicken which was slightly crispy on the outside and flavorful. It came with sticky rice and a side of veggies. There were a few different sauces that were delicious! Fair warning though that they do use fish sauce in case you're not accustomed to the smell. This was one of the few spots that I could order delivery from in the area. Service was fine - the food came on time and well packaged. Can't comment on ambiance as I ordered delivery. The papaya salad was fantastic as well. Would definitely recommend! read more

SS Gai - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I would just get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store instead of their grilled chicken. However, the two dipping sauces (one fish sauce based and the other vinegar based) were very delicious and tasty. The fried shallots on top were also a nice flavorful crunch. Other than that, the chicken was very plain and wasn't anything special. I probably would not come here again. read more

SS Gai - grilled half chicken - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

People love the fried chicken option but tip...the roasted option is better! The cucumbers and fresh veggies and the sticky rice is SO good. Unclear on what the sauces are called but be sure to grab a few! Finally, the best summer night is spent at the wash! Grab some SS Gai and relax on the patio with friends! read more

SS Gai - Roasted Chicken - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place was highly recommended by a fellow restaurant owner. We walked up and The wash was a number of street food stalls. SS Gai was towards the end. You walk up to the window to order. I was a little skeptical. We decided on the grilled white meat chicken (Gai Yang). We sat at a table and waited till she brought it to us. Let me tell you, this chicken was to die for! So moist but a nice crunch on the outside. Sweet and spicy with a bite of crunch. We also bought the grilled peanut. They were savory and salty. Definitely a great recommendation. We will try the fried chicken next time for sure. read more

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This place was so disappointing. The chicken looked so good from pictures and reviews but the flavor was off. I ordered some extra sauces to try with the chicken because there were so many options, they were all terrible. Thai food is all about the balance of flavors, and here there was no balance, just saltiness. I wouldn't recommend ever, and if you're also Thai just don't bother. read more

SS Gai - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

My relationship with chicken is like a toxic situationship. I just can't get enough, and I just can't stay away. I was in Nashville for a weekend, and felt this itch to find some good bird that I had to scratch. I crowd sourced recommendations through my instagram, and the overwhelming favorite was SS Gai in East Nashville. Their slogan is "Chicken that hits a little different," and that's what really sold me. How could I not go? I took my moms rental car and made the push over. I went with the half chicken ($20), 2 pieces of fried chicken ($14) because when in Rome, and got a chicken sandwich for my sister in law. They were not lying, this chicken does hit a little different. The grilled chicken came with crispy onions on top, and had some thai seasoning or marinade that made the flavor POP. The fried chicken was operating at an even higher level, as I felt like it kicked a hole in the sky. A Crispy exterior with tender juicy meat that just makes you grateful to be alive. This citrusy thai marinade was really shining through again. It came with an abundance of sauces, and I wanted to try the hottest one as I feel like Nashville is known for their heat. I was ready to meet my maker, but it honestly wasn't too bad. Stillhere.com. I think I just gotta start putting more respect on my spice tolerance. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? The chicken also came with this rice ball that you're definitely supposed to eat with your chicken, but I raw dogged it as I felt like I was eating an onigiri in japan. Idk I'm weird. ELITE BIRD IN HERE! THIS CHICKEN DOES HIT A LITTLE DIFFERENT... IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

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I have been dreaming about this place ever since I went. It is part of The Wash which is a strip of multiple food booths. They have a good amount of seating, all outdoor, but it is covered and they have heating. The food was absolutely amazing. We got both the fried chicken and grilled chicken platter and wow. I honestly think it is a good price for how much food you get as well. The mango fried sticky rice was also delicious! The food did take probably around 15-20 minutes to come out, I know online ordering is possible so if you are in a hurry I might use that Parking rating: There is a free parking lot down the street which has lots of parking and it great! the actual parking lot next to The Wash is extremely small but I think most people either parallel park on the street or go into the lot. Bathrooms: There are four single room bathrooms in the middle of all the restaurants. I give them a 6/10 read more

My disclaimer is that I didn't place the order or visit the location. I just showed up and our host had ordered SS Gai to be delivered. Delivery was prompt and we unpacked our feast. They ordered both Fried and grilled chicken, which each come with some sticky rice & 2 sauces, plus a variety of herbs, including some veggies and enough large lettuce leaves to build your perfect bite with all the above. (watch our for the jalapeño if you don't want the heat, I might have learned the hard way....) The chili type sauce has a bit of heat but very manageable and packs some great flavor so totally worth it! I have to say, the fried chicken was soooo good. I found myself even eating the nicely fried and seasoned skin, which I don't normally pursue. Also to note, the chicken stayed nice and crunchy even with the delivery process (you know how sometimes, it's great in house but after a ride in a delivery box it gets soft, not this one!). We also enjoyed a couple of orders of the Mango Sticky rice, which was so unusual and delicious. Again they mange to keep it fresh and the edges had a nice crispiness to them and that Mango.... well, it was sweet and yum, basically a desert. Warning - this is an eat with your fingers experience (unless you are more skilled than I), so bring plenty of napkins or paper towels to the table and dive in! Definitely recommend this one! read more

SS Gai - Don't miss the Mango Sticky Rice! - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Great little Thai chicken joint in a tucked away area shared by other niche food vendors. Highly recommend it as it was the closest to the chicken I had in Thailand. Grabbed it on the way to the airport and this meal was much better than the non-meal served on the plane or any overpriced airport options. Parking can be a bit tricky. read more

S.S. Gai Fried Chicken really tops it for me. I mean it's everything I love in one dish. Gai Tod (Crispy Thai Fried Chicken) + fish sauce + chili vinegar ?! I am sold already, then they proceeded to add sticky rice and fresh herbs on the mix the chicken came out piping hot, super crispy and super moist and juicy inside (chef's kiss ). And the amazing sauces are the cherry on top! This is an asian food lover's dream come true. 10/10 5 stars. read more

SS Gai - 2 piece Gai Tod and Thai Iced Tea - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I love, love coming to this spot!! It places a unique twist on fried chicken. They serve the fried chicken with garnishes of fried garlic and onion, rice, and fish sauce, along with veggies. What should be considered a "heavy" meal is nowhere near that which is so nice LOL. The chicken is crispy and juicy, pairing perfectly with all the toppings. The flavors from the chicken and the sauces mesh well together. I was able to try the fried okra and the mango fried sticky rice the second time around. Both were delicious. The employees are always kind and friendly. It's all outdoor seating!! Lots of other businesses next door to explore too. read more

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I had been hearing really good things about SS Gai for the last several months - and I was NOT disappointed at all when I went for lunch this week! The restaurant is in Bay 3 of The Wash, and had a small line when I got there. I ordered the 2 piece chicken and was shocked at how much chicken it was when it came! It was so delicious, but a little messy if you want to use the lettuce as wraps! Worth the mess, though. I also got an order of the crispy mango rice which was fantastic - it was crunchy, warm, and covered with this sweet mango sauce that was amazing. Highly recommend coming here when you can. They are planning on opening a full restaurant soon and I'm excited to see if they have other great options available. read more

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Enough parking nearby, even for a Saturday afternoon. The Wash itself is such a cool outdoor walk-up vibe it was reminiscent of an LA food market but on a mini scale. We came to get takeout and finally try S.S. Gai after hearing so much about it! I started with a Thai iced tea (half-and-half, though they also offer an oat milk base). It was okay, but I idk if I would order it again. We were able to place our order and get it within maybe 10-15 mins. I appreciate the compostable/sustainable togo boxes they use. My boyfriend is a chicken enthusiast and Asian fusion superfan, we ordered the 4-piece fried meal to split. It was phenomenal and exceeded our expectations!! Perfectly fried, tender chicken with insanely flavorful, crispy skin. I loved one of the two dipping sauces (less vinegary one) and the fresh, herby garnishes on the side (really fresh and abundant), while he ate the rice (said it was just fine, but he's had better-cooked rice). We ended with the fried mango sticky rice pieces and they were exotically juicy, crispy, warm, and the type of thing I know I'll crave again and again! While it was a bit pricey, the unique experience is worth it! We for sure will be back! read more

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Literally my favorite fried chicken in Nashville. So juicy and crispy and flavorful and just amazing!! I like to take the lettuce it comes with and use it as a taco shell, shred the meat off the bone, add in veggies, and dip it in the sauce. It's probably my death row meal. Emma at the front is stellar- so kind and patient and amazing!! read more

SS Gai - Fried chicken - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The chicken is flavorful and juicy. I got white meat. I also love that they give so much veggies on the side. But be prepared to eat with your hands. As for the "mango" sticky rice dessert, I'm not sure why they won't just call it sticky rice. There's no mango at all (or if it's flavor, it's really lacking) not even the real fruit on the side. read more

I wasn't impressed by the Asian food in Nashville until I had SS Gai. Both SS Gai and East Side Pho located in The Wash had great food. I got the grilled chicken leg and thigh quarter, complete with a generous serving of fresh veg and sticky rice. One of the sauce had fish sauce in it and the other one is mostly flavored with lime juice. Chicken was flavorful and juicy, paired nicely with fresh herbaceous vegetable and tart refreshing sauces. Thai tea was good, not a big fan of the fried mango sticky rice. Just too rich for my taste. I refer just the regular Thai mango sticky rice. read more

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SS Gai is one of my go-to spots for a casual, satisfying bite. Located in The Wash (a small outdoor food hall with several vendors and a shared open-air dining space), SS Gai stands out as a staple. I almost always go for the fried chicken, which is super crispy and flavorful, but the grilled chicken is just as juicy and delicious if you're looking for a lighter option. I recommend getting one of each if you're with a friend. You can also upgrade the chicken to a meal which includes sticky rice and veggies, but honestly, I prefer skipping that and getting the mango fried sticky rice on the side instead. The mango sticky rice is a bit different here as it's fried into crispy blocks, giving it a dessert-like feel. It's worth trying. Highly recommend this spot if you're in the area and craving some solid Thai-style chicken. read more

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Really good food! Casual walk up window. Plenty of free parking down the street. Only deducting one star because the cashier kind of pressured us into ordering despite us telling her it was our first time there. The menu was challenging to read because all the specials were written on post it notes around the main menu. We ordered the 4 piece fried chicken and fried mango sticky rice. We ate on the shared patio with other restaurants in The Wash, with our dog. The food was flavorful and crispy with generous portions as well as different than most Thai food in Nashville. read more

SS Gai - Mango sticky fried rice - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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On the list for #1 spot in Nashville - more of an experience rather than just a meal Get the fried chicken option, you will not regret it read more

This is a great little restaurant! We came here at the end of April as we saw the reviews were good and this was a great lunch overall. Parking is plentiful (and free) behind a nearby church and SS Gai is located in the center of a group of restaurants with some nice covered outdoor seating. We got the charred coconut and it was delicious and the sweetness paired very well with our meal. My wife got a two piece fried chicken meal and she really enjoyed the chicken and the sauces that came with it. I had the hot chicken sandwich and it was delicious and very, very flavorful. Service was great and this is an awesome place for some Thai street food! read more

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I came to try this place as photos and reviews looked good. The lady at the front answered to my questions and clearly stated the dish comes with veggies and instead of rice I asked for extra vegies. It turns out if you ask for that you will get plain salad / lettuce and some form of raddish. The chicken was rubbery and greasy. Definitely not what was expected from the photos I've seen online. When I walked back after a few bites to ask for a refund for a food I did not like, and was not up to standard, the owner said there is nothing wrong with the food. If you like greasy / rubbery, thick chicken with lettuce you may like this. Not me. The menu is not quite viewer friendly either. Bad experience will not reccomend nor return. read more

Had a 24 hr layover in Nashville and knew i was going to find some chicken. The question was fried or grilled?? I opted for the grilled quarter meal at SS Gai. And I'm so glad I did! There isn't any indoor seating. But the plaza that the restaurant shares this spot with has plenty of tables and chairs both covered and uncovered by an awning. Ordered at the counter and the individual working was really patient with guiding me to a good choice. Got there about 4pm on a Saturday and waited maybe 10 minutes for my meal to come out. The chicken itself was JUICY. And whatever they marinade it with is truly special. From the pic you can see the grill marks. The whole set up makes for a filling meal. And I can't wait to come back and try the fried chicken! read more

SS Gai - Grilled leg quarter meal - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I'm a born and breaded Kentucky gal so I know my fried chicken. This was some deeeep fried chicken. Crispy and savory and delicious. Definitely a cheat day meal for the fried chicken. The rice unfortunately seemed to be too congealed so we weren't able to get much out of the bag. The side vegetables were delicious and crunchy. The seasonal larb was a bit heavy for me. But my favorite thing was the butternut squash salad! So fresh! The two desserts missed the mark. I was expecting mango sticky rice but instead got the fried squares topped with sticky sweet mango sauce and no fresh mango. The strawberries were good but covered in sea salt which overwhelmed the taste buds. I will be back to try the grilled chicken and get the salad again yum! read more

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1st time in Nashville. My daughter found this eatery. I was not prepared for how great this place would be!!! I'm all about grilled meats but we also had the fried chicken and it was so delicious! We also ordered the mango fried sticky rice.. what a treat! The eggplant was so tasteful! As a special offering Emma (the chef's wife brought us papaya salad. What an explosion of flavor! We have them a standing ovation! The chef/owner, Chris, came out and thanked us. We had such a great chat. The whole experience was a highlight of our trip! read more

This is a very cool unique spin on Thai food and chicken. They have the choice of ether fried or Smokey grilled chicken. I went with the grilled. It came with crispy onions on top. You get a bag of sticky rice, and some lettuce and cabbage leaves to wrap your meat up with . Cilantro, Thai basil and mint leaves come with as well. They have different sauces you can try. I got the burnt chili in lemon grass oil , chicken fat chili crisp. Both good. But the Thai style vinegar sauce they give you is so amazing!!! Will definitely have this next time I come back to Nashville read more

SS Gai - Half bird of the grilled chicken - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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The grilled chicken was absolutely delicious--hot, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The combo meal comes with lao sticky rice, veggies, and dipping sauces that you can make wraps with the chicken. I loved the vinegar sauce and the fried shallots. A half bird was enough to feed two people. The place itself is a takeout window and you sit outdoors. Would come back! read more

SS Gai - Menu - Thai Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I'm perpetually searching for the next great thing in Nashville's culinary scene. And a place like S.S. Gai that looks incredibly unique on paper while fetching near-perfect ratings on every user-driven platform will certainly catch my attention! But I also found something I didn't expect. Arriving at 1101 McKennie Avenue in East Nashville, just on the periphery of the Eastwood neighborhood known for a plethora of fabulous restaurants, I parked on the street and headed for the address. Instead of a single dining option, I found many! In a little strip of six bays called The Wash, each place has a different cuisine (Peruvian, Cuban, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, and cocktails). Only the Cocktail Bar is dine-in, while the others take orders at a window and offer shaded outdoor seating. It's a great option for restaurateurs who don't want to pay the exorbitant rent for an entire dining room in the pricey Nashville market. Five of the six eateries are rated 4.7 or higher by the public - only the Vietnamese spot has a respectable 4.3 rating - an insane concentration of top-rated culinary experiences in one place. It's yet another unique dining adventure that makes our city so awesome! Even on a hot day amidst a cicada apocalypse, the shaded seating was very pleasant! The slogan at S.S. Gai is "Chicken that hits different." Yes! Isn't that the truth! By the way, S.S. stands for "same same" which is a phrase we've heard in Thailand. For instance, a Bangkok taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong temple with a similar name, only to reply "same same, but different" as a way of laughing at the situation. Likewise, this chicken has a "sameness" when compared to the most glorious Southern fried chicken you ever had, but it's uniquely its own thing! The difference with this Thai street chicken is a slightly modified batter, perhaps some turmeric in there, and fried onions coating the chicken! It's spectacular and a flavor you've probably never had. The tamarind sauce with cilantro is wonderful, but it's the chili vinegar sauce that's legit! And the meal comes with the chewiest sticky rice you've ever eaten, an absolutely wonderful addition! The chicken wings are probably even better than the breast quarter, and I'd give the chicken a stellar 4.4 rating. But after careful consideration, the exceptional uniqueness of the whole presentation and that chili vinegar sauce and chewy rice just kicks it up to a perfect five! Oh no! I inhaled it so fast that I didn't even take a picture! read more

If you ate 2 of everything on the menu here I literally would not bat an eye. This place changed my understanding of food. Get the chicken and mango sticky rice. read more

The grill chicken is absolutely delicious. Heats up the next day the same. Sometimes left overs don't taste the same, but this place I highly recommend. 10 out of 10 & they also give a lot of garnishments too, love it We will be back for sure. read more

Soooo good! I ordered delivery and fried chicken was still super crispy, grilled chicken had the most perfect amount of charred/grilled flavor. Eggplant was delicious. Sauces were perfect complement to the chicken don't sleep on this place. read more

I have been back enough times to have now tried everything on their menu. Everything was amazing! Their mango sticky rice was such a great version of this already amazing dessert. Juicy, perfectly cooked, with perfect pairings and packs a flavor punch! read more