Thai Original BBQ, Cerritos -- I am awash with nostalgia whenever I visit the Artesia/Cerritos area -- home to a vibrant Filipino community, and where I lived on-and-off for nearly a decade. It's here that I welcomed the familiar comfort foods from home, and I'm in one of my favorite restaurants: Thai Original BBQ. Its name says Thai, but over time its food has evolved to skew subtly toward a Filipino palate that balances sweet, sour, salty, umami flavors, with a mild level of spice. I wondered: how far has it veered off Thai Town's flavor baseline? Entering the place is like getting into a time capsule -- its décor is exactly the same as when I first ate here 41 years ago. The long saltwater aquarium is still there, as are the same red vinyl cushioned booths. But the carpeting is noticeably threadbare, and the starched white table linens are long gone, revealing washed-out Formica. Thai Original BBQ is known for its single-plate meals featuring proteins and vegetables over sweetish rice stir-fried in Nam Prik Pao, resulting in its orange color. Tonight's dinner was our time-tested reliables: the Combination Soup, Satay Dinner, and Chicken Ruby Dinner. The combination soup was served in a fire pot. Its comforting stock is translucent, with no visible scum - packed with umami from the fish sauce and heaped with pieces of chicken, pork, shrimp, and vegetables. So comforting, even on a warm night! The satay dinner consists of eight skewers of thinly sliced flank steak, grilled to perfection, with a sweet-spicy and creamy peanut dipping sauce. And the Chicken Ruby dinner was impressive -- a whole Cornish hen, stuffed with a sausage made from a mixture of pork, rice, and glass noodles, then deep-fried whole. This delectable dish will make the "Colonel" tap out. These dishes are how I remember them -- and they bring back so many fond memories of family get-togethers. Eating here turns every meal into a mindful event. My wife and I hardly spoke to each other while eating - it wasn't being rude at all. The silence came from a quiet joy -- from something familiar, from something comforting. Thai Original BBQ did not veer as far from what we've always welcomed as Thai as I had wondered. In many ways, Thai food is similar to Filipino food: a balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy elements. Fish sauce is foundational to both cuisines, providing saltiness and umami, while coconut juice, palm sugar, and tamarind bring sweetness and sourness. Thai Original BBQ is really a taste of home. Five stars -- no asterisk, no hesitation. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Chicken Ruby Dinner - a whole Cornish Hen stuffed with Thai Sausage and deep-fried! - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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I've been here twice, and I came back because the food is amazing. I'm not a Thai food expert, but I love Pad Thai, Pa See Ew, and curry--and this place does them so well. The Pad Thai is honestly the best I've ever had. Even looking at the plate, the color alone makes you hungry. It has great flavor and was cooked perfectly. The chicken curry is also excellent. The flavor is rich and deep, and the chicken is incredibly tender--it practically falls off the bone. The service is another reason I came back. The staff checks on you regularly, and anything we requested was brought out right away. The restaurant is a bit small, so there may be a wait during busy times, but it's absolutely worth it. I also noticed a steady stream of to-go orders, which says a lot about how popular this place is. Definitely one of my favorite Thai restaurants, and I'll be coming back again! read more

A staple since childhood, this place always stays consistent with its prompt service and delicious food! The BBQ chicken is their staple dish so you'll have to give this a try; the chicken falls off the bone soft with a smokey/grilled flavor that pairs well with a tangy and sweet marinade. It comes with a shrimp fried rice that is a perfect blend of slightly sweet umami and a side of this orange tangy sauce that goes with pretty much everything on the menu! Don't sleep on their other dishes like classic Pad Thai and Crab Rangoons; very solid offerings. Thai Iced tea is a nice sweet touch to wash it down but they offer other deserts as well. The place itself is cozy and has a warm atmosphere, albeit a bit small so it gets REALLY busy so try to come early for lunch if you don't want to wait. Delicious staple in the area so give this place a try! read more

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It has been awhile since I've been here. It is always a pleasure dining here. The staff were great. Ambiance is family oriented with min to mod noise. Service is good. We placed our order of: Angel wings dinner plate, thai bbq chicken dinner plate, and beef satay dinner. The food tastes amazing though the peanut sauce for the satay was very sweet for my taste and seemed diluted instead of the thickness I used to remember. Always loved the pickled cucumber pairing for the satay but then again, it tasted sweet for my taste. The chicken were tender, juicy and cooked just right. Their servings remained the same, which is great. Always a great experience coming here and definitely recommending this place. read more

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We came here for dinner on a weekend and we were lucky to get a parking space in the shared plaza lot. We had to wait about 15 mins to get seated. Staff were nice and prices were fair. The restaurant was clean during our visit. Food was delicious as expected! read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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Everything is good here that's why we keep coming back! Food is always good Their calamari is some of the best calamari I have ever had!! Always attentive and food comes out fast & fresh! Every time we have came to eat there has been a wait time, but it is all worth the wait! read more

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Do not eat here unless you want to be sick. The shrimp in all the dishes were not cleaned or deveined. The soup has a sour pungent taste to it. The Pad See Ew was the worst dish of all. It was mushy and tasted old. We tried to tell the waitress that the food wasn't any good and she told me that's just the way they make it. You can see we didn't eat it. When we asked to have it removed from the bill they told us they didn't have the authority to remove anything. We all came home and threw up. Oh, and why are the cooks smoking out front with gloves on? What's the purpose of wearing gloves? You just spread your germs around. No wonder we got sick. Do they wear their gloves to your dirty bathroom too? read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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01/13/26 Last time I was here was 6 years ago. This restaurant is nostalgic for me. My entire family and I used to come here often when we'd celebrate birthdays or just because my parents were wanting it lol It was always a yes when they'd ask me and my kids if we wanted to go. Their menu looks like it hasn't changed much. As it shouldn't because their staple dishes are so good! No need to reinvent the wheel. My go-to dish is the S-1. Thai bbq chicken with fried rice. So simple yet soooo good. Comes with a sweet and sour sauce. We also ordered combination soup which has sliced chicken, mushrooms and vegetables. So soothing and delicious! I also ordered a Thai iced tea. The crushed ice makes it so much enjoyable to drink! This combo is so good that my daughter got the same exact order. :) The interior of the restaurant has changed slightly and for the better. There used to be high dividers between tables. There are now dividers but low ones which opens up the restaurant so much more. And the fish tank is still up and running! Overall 10/10. I'll be back soon! read more

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Iv been here couple of times even in the past when they used to have green booths way back then, it had darker walls too, and over the years, they have renovated the interior of this place which is more brighter and spacious! I went on Valentine's Day lunch time with my family. Food we ordered spare ribs, fried rice, soup, chicken, noodles, and crispy duck. Everything was delicious but my favorite meal here was the bbq chicken. Iv tried many Thai bbq chicken but this restaurant has to be my absolute favorite. Their bbq chicken is so soft and tender, including the ribs. It was absolutely delicious! Service wise, everyone was friendly, the hostess and our server. They were checked up on and refilled our drinks. I will definitely continue to come back here. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

Portions here are family sized and on my second visit I learned to order a little less :) Food is solid and for the price it can't be beat! Dinner time can get a little busy so plan ahead. Parking sort of sucks here as well but if you don't mind walking a little longer you'll be OK. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Pad Thai - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

Food: Absolutely delicious. I love this chain. They have amazing BBQ Chicken and BBQ Ribs. You cannot go wrong with either of those dishes. I suggest adding the cucumber salad or a papaya salad to your meal. Service: Sweet and very attentive stafff. We received our food fast and with a smile. My brother and I are regulars here for their food and service. Ambiance is Mom and Pop hole in the wall. They are a hidden gem so dont miss it when you turn in. read more

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Delicious dishes with quick and friendly service! Love the pad thai, yellow curry, and sate here. The thai tea is also so bomb here too and they offer thai tea COFFEE for an extra boost of caffeine. My only complaint is that the chicken sate is always only half full or sometimes even a quarter :( The beef fills the whole stick. I have attached a photo for comparison. Nonetheless, I'd come back since this place is so good! Parking can be hard to find esp during peak weekend hours. read more

There is a reason this place has been a neighborhood staple for decades. In a city where restaurants come and go their consistency is unmatched. I've been coming here for years, and the flavors are exactly as incredible today as they were on day one. Whether it's the depth of the curry or the perfect wok-char on the noodles, the food never lets you down. It's the ultimate comfort spot where you don't even need to look at the menu because everything is a winner. Here's to many more decades! read more

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Such a classic Cerritos restaurant. I grew up eating here and still do because the food is so good. Service is pretty efficient and food is served piping hot. Portions are great. I always end up taking leftovers home. They have both booths and regular tables/chairs. Sometimes parking is hard to find but the food is worth it. My go tos are the combination soup, fried tofu, s-8 sate dinner, pad see ewe, and pad Thai. I love taking the left over soup home and eating it with white rice. read more

Thai Original BBQ - BBQ Spare Rib - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

First and last visit. We drove from Irvine and Woodland Hills to try this restaurant and while the food was good, the experience was disappointing. Our waitress rushed us to leave because other customers were waiting for a table. As paying customers, we didn't feel that was appropriate. We've never been rushed out of a restaurant before, and unfortunately it left a negative impression. read more

Another Great visit Quick Service, great food for the price, and friendly staff. I would recommend this place once again read more

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They took an hour to bring me a Tom yum soup and it was overpriced. I'll probably never go back. It was mid at best :(

This place has been a family favorite for many years! It's a small spot that just does it right. Service is good, but it's the food you come in for! They're definitely not rude, but the service you get sometimes depends on how busy and who you have. Whenever we dine-in or do take-out, I'm all about that S-1! Not only because it's delicious, but because the portion is perfect for 2 meals, so it's a pleasant meal TWICE. There's something about their sauce and fried rice that hits soooo good. Their Pad See Ew is also super yummy. Prices are very fair and again, you can probably stretch one plate to two, so it works out even better! I love this spot and it'll always be on of my top Thai spots ever read more

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Always a local fav ! My go to Thai spots hidden little hole in the way Flavor 10/10 Portion 10/10 Price 8/10 read more

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This place is so good!! Been coming here for years and it never misses...love their bbq pork, and just everything really! read more

Thai Original BBQ - Fried wonton, beef skewer, calamari - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

First of all, this place is cute, has an aquarium right beside your table if you choose to be seated towards the aisle area. We ordered pad thai and pad see ew. This is the best pad thai ive had so far and the pad see ew noodles tasted really good too- you can taste the wok hei flavor which made it the best! Service was fast too. If only we live nearby this place will be coming back within a month :) But nonetheless, if we will be going to Cerritos I would definitely love to come back and dine here! read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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S1 & S2... this place is so nostalgic for me; been eating here for 30 something years, since I was a kid. Their combos, consistently delicious... S1 & S2 (chicken and pork ribs) are always super tender and served with their house orange colored "fried" rice and their sweet sauce. Can't go wrong with either combo. Fried calamari appetizer is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Dipped in their sweet sauce is a perfect bite. They also have other dishes, more authentic dishes, but I come here for their combos. read more

Amazing food, delish and authentic. The chicken BBQ is somewhat lacking on flavor, you really need to dip on the sweet sauce. The cucumber side is a great compliment to the chicken. The beef skewers were tender and flavorful. The service was quick, there is a wait during peak times for dine -in. I noticed the person cleaning the tables are also putting new plates, silverware and napkins without changing their gloves. This is unsanitary. read more

Yikes, never had a bad experience here as i've been coming here for over a decade. However, now i'm wondering if old, multiple day old items are being sold as their daily lunch special at a discounted/lunch special price. The L-1 BBQ CHICKEN lunch special today was TERRIBLE. My coworker stopped eating it; we immediately knew that this was OLD fried rice. That is NOT fresh rice. Old, stale, somewhat sour taste when you know food has been sitting out. Look at the amount of chicken is included in this plate. We understand lunch portions are "smaller" than normal entree portions, but WOW. I'm only sharing my experience from today's takeout to see if others have had the unfortunate mishap of receiving OLD food that has been sold as their lunch special. Thats extremely unfortunate as i RAVE about this place to everyone and anyone at work, as I grew up in cerritos and this place is a gem. But wow, what a complete waste of $$, this got tossed in the trash as it couldn't be further consumed. We love leftovers. However, being sold leftovers at a restaurant isn't cool. Its nice and the minimum to be served fresh food, that we can save and choose to eat as leftovers for another day. This was today's takeout order, 6/17. REALLY disappointed and shocked, as thai original bbq hardly ever disappoints and is a staple to my friends and family. I feel bad for my coworker who has no lunch now and wasted money on a sour (we're pretty sure this was supposed to be tossed, but they chose to send it out to their customers) food. read more

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Consistent great food quality. Never disappointed, it is our family and friends go to Thai place. Guarantee you will like anything you order. read more

I've had good Thai food, I've had bad Thai food. This place is terrible. Pad Thai was super dry -- felt like the noodles were stuck together with super glue. Chow mein was bland with no flavor. The worst was the yellow curry. Literally chicken drumsticks in the container??? By the time I took them all out only 1/4 of the container was left with the actual curry -- which had no flavor, just spice. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! read more

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I been trying to eat at this place for a while now. I had chicken skewers so delicious I love the cucumber salad ! The price was right two meals 45 bucks. That's what I'm talking about five stars. read more

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Food is scrumptious as always (been going here since my college days) My favorite is the beef satay, servers are very polite even if they are busy they still have a smile on their face. This place is always packed. They have a lot of plants which gives the Asian atmosphere. If you are in Cerritos this is definitely a place to try. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Chicken BBQ - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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This place is DIVINE! I have been coming here since I was a kid. The S2 (spare ribs) is my go to! Delicious, full of meat and just enough fat, that falls off the bone. The seasoning is perfection The S1 chicken dinner, beef satay, drunken noodle, and Tom Yum soup are all epic! The shrimp rice that accompanies each dinner is delicious. I love drowning everything in the sweet chili, bbq sauce. All the staff is nice and extremely hospitable. The food comes out quick, so don't expect to be sitting down for a 7 course dinner. They are not rude. They just have to accommodate a lot of guests. I love the remodel work! The place has the look and lighting of a 4 star restaurant, but with a casual flair. I can never get sick of this place read more

Had the Thai BBQ chicken and it was delicious! Tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled with great flavor. The sauce and rice on the side made it a solid, satisfying meal. Simple but hits the spot every time. Great service and would definitely come back again. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thai Bbq Chicken - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

Met up with a friend for lunch at Original Thai BBQ in Cerritos and was honestly impressed. I ordered the Penang beef off the lunch menu and was surprised by the quality and flavor of the dish. The beef was super tender and juicy, and the Panang curry had the right spice level for me -- I'd call it medium-hot. It was perfect for my taste, though I'm sure people who like it really spicy could go hotter. It came simply with meat and rice, no extra sides, but I still loved it. All of that for $12.95, which feels like a great deal these days. My friend ordered the beef sautéed lunch plate, which was $13.75, and enjoyed theirs as well. We also ordered a couple Thai iced teas -- can't go to a Thai restaurant without getting Thai tea. The place was busy with a lunch crowd, but we were able to get seated fairly quickly, and the servers were very nice and friendly. Solid lunch spot with great value and tasty food -- definitely worth coming back. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Penang beef lunch Plate - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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We came here on a last minute whim and it didn't disappoint. We had the Tom Kha soup. It's like a warm hug on a chilly day. The creamy coconut broth hits you first--rich, slightly sweet, with a tangy lime, fragrant lemongrass, and a gentle kick of chili. The tender chicken with mushrooms soak up all that goodness, and each bite feels comforting and just a little bit exotic. Then there's the Thai BBQ--perfectly grilled fall off the bone tender meat with just the right smoky-sweet flavor that makes you close your eyes with every bite. The portions are generous, the flavor unforgettable, and it's a standout choice. Definitely recommend this place. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Thom Ka Soup - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

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We were heading back from a big drive and lo and behold. We found the bomb.com Thai food spot in Cerritos. For you 605 freeway drivers this place is close to the South Street exit. Coming from LB where the prices are a tiny bit higher due to higher rents, this place was a welcome array of affordability and taste. As other yelpers have mentioned this place is popular among the locals and they will wait in line. Call in your order pick it up and drive home. That would be my recommendation. On this given Sunday night, there was a packed house, a line outside, and to go orders were all lined up. There's a reason for the success the food is awesome. We went with our favorites - papaya salad, Pad Thai with fried tofu, pad see ewe with broccoli and mushrooms, coconut soup with lemongrass, ginger and bamboo. It was all next level tasty. Great size portions. Super solid spot. Five dishes costed $88 included a $5 tip - afterall it was an order to go. Gotta try this spot! We will be going back! read more

Thai Original BBQ - They have a rad carp stained glass mural in the front but the best thing is for sure the food! - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

I've been going to this place since high school and the food has never changed (at least in my opinion ) in a good way. Brings back good memories to the old days when I used to come here with my family and friends. I ordered the Thai BBQ chicken but I took it to go since I was only on my lunch break and it did not disappoint! Love coming here when I am in town. read more

There's usually a line outside most evenings but I've never waited more than about 15 minutes. Once inside, seated, and ordered, the food usually takes no longer than 5-10 minutes to come out. The quality leaves a tiny bit to be desired, but the prices usually undercut every other Thai spot. Always leave full and satisfied. Recently renovated, very clean and organized spot. read more

Thai Original BBQ - Pad Thai, beef sate - Thai Near Me - Cerritos, California

We went to Thai Bbq to celebrate my husband's belated birthday with our son as we were out of town on his bday. This place never disappoints. I guess I'm a creature of habit. We will drive 46 miles to from my house and back for this location. The other locations are not quite the same. It was a Tuesday night but the place was busy ! We love the bbq chicken with the shrimp fried rice s2 ? I can never remember if it's SI or S2 ! My son loves the thai spare ribs with shrimp fried rice. We always get two orders of the egg rolls ! Left overs for me, but not for my husband ! lol He eats his entire plate ! We have been going here 40 plus years ! The service is fast and friendly ! They also gave a lot of to go orders. Sorry no pics , I was too busy eating , and forgot to take pictures. I was trying to enjoy the moment ! We will be back ! read more

My parents have been eating at Thai Original BBQ for over 20 years, and now it's become a tradition for us. We live all the way in Moreno Valley and still make the drive out at least once a week just for this food -that's how special it is. This place is unlike any Thai food we've had, and we eat a LOT of Thai food. The flavors are bold, authentic, and incredibly comforting. Every single dish is consistent, fresh, and cooked perfectly every time. You always know exactly what you're getting - and it never disappoints. The service is always great: friendly, welcoming, and efficient. You truly feel taken care of here. Thai Original BBQ isn't just a restaurant for us-it's a long-standing family favorite and worth every mile of the drive. Highly recommend to anyone looking for exceptional Thai food that stands the test of time. read more

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Local folks very friendly, good portions fresh ingredients and well cooked and seasoned, the chicken satay and the pineapple rice was spot on. read more

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Our family's favorite for years! We never get tired coming here. Every dish is absolutely delicious and reasonably priced. Their serving is pretty generous, great for sharing. S1 and S2 are a must have. Chicken BBQ is juicy, melt in your mouth tender. Their BBQ spare ribs is tender, sweet and smoky. Calamari is light and crispy, never rubbery. Most dishes come with their sweet sauce that enhances the taste even more. The cucumber salad is a great addition to a meal as it is refreshing and a good palate cleanser. Service is consistently excellent and servers are particularly attentive. The ambiance is relaxed, creating a welcoming and comfortable space for diners. Highly recommend this spot for anyone craving for great Thai food! read more

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My bf and I were in the mood for Thai food and his friend recommended this place. We had gotten drunken noodles, crab fried rice (it was ok), garlic spare ribs (pretty good), and another noodle dish I forgot the name of which was rlly good that has gravy sauce in it along with 2 Thai teas. Portions are so huge you wouldn't be able to finish it unless there is 4 people. Food didn't take that long to come out and service was good. read more