There are many thai food selection in Irvine and this seemingly mom and pop shop is my go to when I'm near the Woodbridge area. We ordered the pad thai, angel chicken, wings, Thai iced tea, and garlic beef. The garlic beef was tender and to be honest, had a bit too much flavor. It matches well with the lettuce and or a bit of rice, but definitely not to be eaten by itself. The angel chicken wings was a interesting delight, with ground meat within that's fried in the shape of a chicken drumstick. I wanted to give this a try since it really intrigue me, and it was a very hearty appetizer, leaving no room for a main dish. Nevertheless, I tried to Pat Thai and it was fairly standard, delicious and satisfying. Stand out was the entire iced tea. Creamy. Sweet. Delicious. Parking can be a huge challenge, so be prepared! read more

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Food is always great and with good portions, my sister really liked the spring rolls but my mom didn't think the bbq chicken was all that. My mom had us revisit this spot as she really likes the royal thai fish. You can get seated right away for 4-5 people on a Sunday. Service could use some help - we waited quite some time at the end just for the bill and togo boxes. Not sure if they make everyone pay up front but that's what we did to cut the time. It seems they might have also forgotten one of the items we ordered so it came out later - the server tried to tell us we didn't order it at first but could be language barrier. Interior has an odd smell to it as well. Only one bathroom was available at the time we were there so hopefully they fix that soon. read more

Thai Kitchen - Combo Platter - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

I have not been here in SO long.... as it is further from my work as it used to be, and they stopped doing the lunch specials which I used to love. The woman who owns this restaurant was the sweetest woman EVER. Always welcome you with a huge excited hello when she knew you, and often a hug. The food here is really good and like I said, the lunch specials were always amazing. My mouth is watering remembering all the lunches I ate here over SO many years. I need to go back soon! read more

I have been going to Thai Kitchen since 1989! That is over 37 years as I type this. To say that this review is overdue would be a slight understatement. If you know anything about Irvine restaurants is that they come and they go. Thai Kitchen is an Irvine institution with the staying power due to their awesome reputation. All I can say is that the food and ambiance is great and the and the service is excellent. Thai Kitchen is the place to go if you are looking for a nice lunch or dinner out and have a desire for some good Thai Food at a decent price. read more

One star based on service alone. I was a walk-in and placed a togo order for their $17 combination bowl which is supposed to include chicken, pork and shrimp. This is the plate I received with ONE shrimp and what looks like an ounce of protein. I flagged down the older lady who took my order and asked for a refund and explained why. Her response was that this is a normal portion and there was actually two shrimp in there, if I simply bothered to dig through it, which I proceeded to do in front of her, and found only more rice. I reiterated I simply wanted a refund and not extra food. She then proceeds to tell me I must not be accustomed to eating at dine in restaurants because this is a normal portion ( I am actually a former server of 7 years and an avid foodie). She follows up by saying it must only be fast food chain restaurants that I eat and can afford if I'm making a fuss out of this. Completely uncalled for, not sure if its because I'm Mexican or was in scrubs that would make her assume I can't afford a $17 lunch plate. Regardless, the microaggression and prejudice judgments were unprovoked and unnecessary. Pho Ba Co two doors down is the place I would recommend if you're craving a dense protein fried rice plate. read more

Thai Kitchen - Shrimp, Chicken, AND Pork Combination Plate - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

Came in for a Friday night dinner and had a mixed experience. The entrance area was quite congested due to a crowd of people waiting on takeout orders. A very sweet, elderly woman was serving as the hostess, server, and takeout coordinator, so there was a bit of a wait to get seated. The interior was very dated - like original furniture from the '90s - with worn, peeling seats and our booth still had crumbs from the previous guests. Definitely not the cleanest or most comfortable setup. That said, the service was friendly, and once we placed our order, it took about 30-40 minutes for the food to arrive. While the decor left much to be desired, the main dishes were actually very good. What we ordered: Egg rolls - Wouldn't recommend. Tasted like standard frozen veggie egg rolls. $10.50 for four felt steep. Chicken boat noodles ($14.50) - Excellent! Big portion with lots of veggies and good flavor Tofu pad Thai ($15.50)- Also really good. Generous portion and well-seasoned. All in all, it was about a 2-hour dine-in experience - fine for us since we had nowhere else to be, but it may not be ideal if you're short on time. Like others have said: the food (especially the mains) are solid, but the outdated decor and slow service bring down the overall experience. I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 -- a solid option for Thai food in Irvine, and I respect that they've been a neighborhood staple for over 25 years (as Irvine doesn't tend to have too many pop and mom shops like this anymore). read more

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This place is ok and average is the best way to describe it. The items we ordered here are flavors you are familiar and can expect. While they each stand out on their own with their respective merit, one can find it casual in correlation to its internal décor, stagnant within an older era. Service from the staff is friendly and engaging, something we all enjoy when visiting a restaurant. When stepping inside, you'll notice the environment is dated with a calm vibe. Some maintenance might be needed with the AC unit, though. It's bordering on white noise to a minor nuisance while trying to converse with coworkers. Food-wise, it's ok for consumption with very little memory of what it was. After we left, it was more of an afterthought. If you are looking for Thai food and wanted something familiar/average, this is your spot to visit. It would be best for them to evaluate what the current trend with Thai offerings. There are ways to elevate your dishes without sacrificing its root of origin. If effort is placed into this avenue, with their current location, they can draw more customers through their doors. Best of luck to this establishment and its journey. read more

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Maybe I don't have the appreciation that others may have for hole-in-a-wall type businesses, but let's call a spade a spade - if your restaurant does not look upkept well, it probably isn't. When we arrived to Thai Kitchen on a Sunday afternoon, we saw several tables with leftover plates resting on them. There were only 1-2 other customers at the establishment at the time. Clearly they were incredibly understaffed; it was just the female owner (?). She did not have time to clean old tables despite a relatively light inflow of customers. Maybe another worker called out sick that day. On to the interior... I'm not a stickler for atmosphere or decor, but this place looks like it was establish in the early 90s and has not been updated since. At what point do we consider this negligence rather than "homey charm"? Not to mention the bathroom reeks of sewer stench. Hopefully the kitchen is in better shape. So what does Thai Kitchen do well? Well the food is tasty and the portions are pretty decent. My favorite was the beef salad - great flavor and not something I typically see at other Thai restaurants (slightly different than a Crying Tiger). Our Vegetarian Pad Thai had a great assortment of vegetables. Sticky mango rice, on the other hand, was a bit of a let down. The mango was not ripe and I've had better coconut sticky rice. Now the final saving grace is the owner (mom of the 'mom and pop'?) who served us. She was so friendly and warm despite running a one-woman show. My recommendation: don't dine in and order your food for pick-up. That way you avoid most of the cons of this establishment. read more

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This is my favorite mom and pop Thai place in Irvine! I do pick up at least every month. The portions are large, the food is great, and the service is friendly and easy. My favorite dishes are the Pad Thai and the Beef Penang, as well as the Mango Sticky Rice for a little treat. The prices are very reasonable and cheaper than most nearby options. On weekends they will get busy with to-go orders but are very communicative with timing. Very nice people who run the shop! read more

Thai Kitchen - Pad Thai Tray - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

Food was very tasty! Nice mom and pop shop with friendly service and decent amount of seating! Good portion sizes! Noodles were super flavorful! Would definitely return. read more

Thai Kitchen - Drunken Noodle - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

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This was my first time here, and the food was absolutely delicious! I noticed a few regulars dining in, and it was heartwarming to see the friendly, genuine interactions between them and the staff it really showed how much they care about their customers. The service was excellent, my food arrived promptly, and the waitstaff were incredibly kind and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, a wonderful experience! Will definitely come again! Thank you! read more

Thai Kitchen - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

I had the pineapple fried rice. It didn't have many vegetables, but it was very filling and tasted great, so I enjoyed every bite. The price was reasonable, and the staff were friendly. I'd definitely go back. read more

The food is amazing , I been going to this restaurant for years and it never disappoints. The service is really good read more

Ordered angel wings, pineapple fried rice, and kai kua. The angel wings were deboned chicken wings stuffed with ground chicken and clear noodles. This was a delicious take on chicken, moist, flavorful chicken and spices inside and the sweet sauce complements it well. The pineapple fried rice was also a really nice dish that wasn't too sweet, well mixed and made of shrimp, chicken, pineapples, cashew nuts, tomato, raisins, onions, green onion, and a touch of curry powder. The Kai Kua is stir fried flat rice noodles, chicken, squid, egg, bean sprouts, and green onion. This noodle dish is fairly light, well balanced with decent sized eggs, chicken, and squid mixed together. It's not too fishy and it goes well with a nice crunch from the green onions. Service was quick, courteous, and simple. Ambiance feels very 90s based on how old it seems the restaurant looks inside. Lots of the color choices seem like they haven't updated over time and that's fine, especially if you're here for comfort food and the food quality is great! read more

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Love their chicken pad thai, did not care for their chicken bbq. Got it to go and the service was pretty quick. read more

Thai Kitchen - Barbecue - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

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Food is delicious and very attentive, kind staff. Inside is retro 90's with pastel table clothes under glass. Brings me back to a better time, coupled with delicious food. read more

The lady that owns (?) or run this place really appreciate my business in a good way. Like she shows her gratefulness to her customers in a way that makes you happy you'd visited her place if that makes sense. The papaya salad and everything I've gotten here is tasty & good value. read more

my friends and i ordered takeout over the phone, and i appreciated that the person who took our order read back what we ordered. for 2 dishes (2 chicken pad thais, 1 chicken pad see ew and 1 tofu pad see ew) it took 30 ish minutes. when we arrived at the restaurant, it took some time for us to get noticed but that seemed to be because there was only one person waitressing. she located our order quickly and the check-out transition went smoothly. the restaurant decor looked homey and i would definitely want to dine in the portions were quite generous and i was grateful that the tofu dish was packed separately from the meat dishes! it was all very tasty as well read more

The dishes at this restaurant are superb! The pad kee mao is packed with flavor, the tom Kah is lovely especially in cold weather. Also I often order takeout from here and the quality has always been consistent. Hats off for this family run restaurant, it's my go to Thai spot. read more

This restaurant serves great Thai cuisine. The service is excellent. And quality of food consistent. Everyone working there is attentive and ready to answer questions. I have been going there for fifteen years and have always come away happy. read more

Disappointed with the kitchen. Ordered the whole fish and it came out half raw. Took it back and decided to fry it and came on overcooked. Didn't offer a new fish but just flipped it over to make it look like it was. Will not be going back. read more

Love the food and the service here. They have the friendliest staff. I'm very picky on my vegetable egg roll and I love the ones they serve here. Prices and servings are very reasonable. read more

My go to for Thai food in Irvine. Yellow Chicken Curry, add bamboo. Yum Chicken Pad Thai read more

Me and my dad have been coming here since I was a kid, it's consistently delicious and one of my favorite Thai restaurants. I like the green curry and pad see ew. read more

I've been coming here for many years. Best tom yum in Irvine. Price is great too. It's a little dated and it's family run so don't come if you're in a rush, but try it. read more

Very authentic homey feeling restaurant that is one of Irvine's best kept secrets for Thai food. They have a fairly varied menu from curry to rice dishes to your typical varieties of Thai meat dishes, all of which are great! I appreciate the "treat you like family" vibe from the staff, and definitely want to continue to come back when I am in the mood for their Thai food! I think the one dish they lack for me is a noodle soup dish, but they otherwise have the major offerings. read more

Dined in for the 1st time today, and I will NEVER be back !!!! Service was terrible customer service even worse!!!!! All the pictures posted is what we had, some of the food felt as if it passed its expiration date. I am not a picky person at all I love Thai food with all my being and had Thai food at many places and have never been disappointed by the food and the quality of service. I enjoyed my soup and wontons were 2/5 at best. When it came to the yellow curry it was awful I mean awful it tasted like the ingredients were expired my mother and I did not enjoy, we let our server know and she said we weren't able to get our money back and to get something else at this point I wasn't even in the mood to get something else but I did ask to re look at the menu, and there wasn't anything else that I wanted. I proceeded to tell her that honestly there's nothing else that I wanted and I just didn't enjoy the taste of the curry (the picture of the curry is how full it was when we sent it back) I had a small taste of it and did not enjoy, tasted undercooked and expired. She proceeded to be rude and lecture us on why we probably didn't like it. I work in the restaurant Industry and the level of professionalism wasn't there and I would never allow a guest to leave un happy and make them pay/force them to get something else that they didn't want. I asked if I can get a box for my wontons and she ignored me. She grabbed the box and I asked for another because I decided I would like to take my soup too and she yells at me and says YOU ONLY ASKED FOR ONE BOX!!! It's sad because he genuinely wanted to give this place a try but will NEVER BE BACK!!!! I'd rather drive 45 minutes round trip to a Thai place that is good and a like and that doesn't disrespect you then to drive 8 minutes down the road. read more

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Food is ok..that's the only reason I bother with this place, but wait time is getting beyond ridiculous. Probably the last time I come here.... I've been waiting 40 minutes now...for a to go order that was placed 90 minutes ago. I've seen people be seated, order and get food already. They need to streamline the process... I won't come back here. read more

I have been to Thai Kitchen numerous times over the past 10 years or so and each time it has been excellent in every way - the food (especially), the service, the prices, and the friendliness of the staff. This is one of my favorite places to have a meal. read more

Worst beef laab I have ever had. It did not taste good at all. I threw it out. I should have stick with Thai Bamboo Bistro.

Completely mixed up our Grubhub order. Gave us items we didn't order and didn't deliver items we did order. Not planning to order from here again. read more

Been coming here for 20 years. Good food, never a bad meal and the nice lady up front is a doll.

Thai kitchen is our go to for Thai food in the Orange County area. Wonderful gracious hosts serving delicious food that won't break the bank. Big portions so we get two meals out of each visit. We like the chicken red curry, and the pineapple fried rice. read more

We always love this place. Been coming here for almost 11 years now and it's our go to for great Thai food.

The Pad Thai was one of the best I've had for that I would give it 5 stars. The lady at the counter was so nice as well. The only problem was that the Thai iced tea was slightly bitter but it was fine! 4.5 stars overall. read more

Thai Kitchen - Phad See Iw and Pad Thai Tray - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

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The food is great! I highly recommend coconut milk soup, lemon grass pork, and yellow curry!

A small family owned restaurant. Good food and service. We have been there several times and have tried several dishes. Everything was good. Tom Yum soup and yellow curry vegetables are my favorite. My kids like the combination fried rice . This is our favorite spot for brunch with friends and also dinner with family. read more

I love this place. My comfort food, so close to my house and the hostess is so sweet and welcoming.

Ordered ahead for to go. The approximate wait time was 30 min and I showed up pretty much 30 min after I called in. When I walked in, there was no one to be found that the front desk. It probably took around 5-10 minutes to get someone's attention and they found someone else to help me out. Now going to the food, I got the pad see iw with chicken. I appreciate how much chicken they put into the dish. The flavor overall of the dish was pretty sweet green so by the end, I was getting tired of the taste. It was also a tad too oily for my liking. If I were close by, I would come back, but it wouldn't be my first choice. read more

Thai Kitchen - Pad Phad See Iw - Thai Near Me - Irvine, California

Wonderful as always Been eating here for years. Yummy. Boneless stuffed chicken wings the best.