My partner and I stopped here on our way from KC to Bentonville. After eating BBQ for a few days straight, my body needed something with vegetables,. Thai Time was one of the only places that wasn't fast food that was open around 9 PM. The restaurant is very small and I think most people pick up takeout from the drive-thru (Most Thai places in California are sit-down, so experiencing drive-thru Thai was very novel to me), but we dined in. We ordered a peanut-sauce chicken that came with steamed veggies and rice (Rama chicken), as well as a Singapore-style curry noodle with stir-fried celery, pepper, and carrots (Lion City noodles). They were alright--nothing really to write home about, but something that my body appreciated after days of brisket and burnt ends (lol). The chicken dish would have been extremely bland without the peanut sauce, and the curry vermicelli was on the salty side. For fast food Thai, our dinner wasn't cheap, either. I think we paid around $37-40 (including tip) for two dishes. I'm still giving this place a 4/5 because service was fast and friendly, the food was okay, and I always like to support local Asian businesses. read more

We chose to check this place out based on some of the strong recommendations in the reviews. Those must be bogus reviews. I eat Thai food at least once per week. When we walked in we were greeted with "We close in 30 minutes". Keep in mind you order at the counter. I asked if that meant we "had to have our last bite chewed within 30 minutes" and the lady at the counter said, "yes". We were hungry so we went ahead and ordered but I should have just left. Food was mediocre at best. This is like a fast food type place basically. Thai cuisine is very good usually but this would be like calling Taco Bell a Mexican restaurant. read more

This is the best Thai food I have ever had. I downloaded this app just to review this place, it's that good. The crispy duck was perfect. 10/10 would recommend. Also the service was really good despite how busy it was. I ate the food before I could take a photo, my bad. read more

Food- Good but expensive for what you get. Service- Good. Ambience- Cute little place. read more

Thai Time Cafe - Basil fried rice with crispy duck. $17 Thai Time curry. $11.75 - Thai Near Me - Joplin, Missouri

3 stars rather than 5 because it's a fast food Thai restaurant with barely any parking or place to be seated inside. You order at the window, seat yourself in one of the maybe 6 tables, though they do bring the food to you. Food was good, average or a bit above, but again, this is very informal, very little parking, in and out quickly rather than a traditional sit-down restaurant. I had cashew chicken with fried rice, and it was good, perfect portion size for lunch, no extras, frills, garnish, etc...we were there at lunch which is where a place like this shines - would go again if I was alone or in a hurry for lunch, but not something for 'date night' with my wife. Food a 4, tiny seating area and parking a 2, net score 3. Very friendly staff, quick service on the iced tea and food. read more

What a pleasant surprise. A great find for Thai food in Joplin MO. Limited dine in seating with a cafe atmosphere. The service was attentive and friendly. The pumpkin curry and mango chicken were flavorful and hit the spot. read more

We were pleasantly surprised at this little gem! Food was absolutely delicious. The crispy duck was absolute perfection and the basil stir fryer flavor profile was on point. Great service too! If we lived here we'd be regulars. read more

Thai Time Cafe - Basil stir fry - Thai Near Me - Joplin, Missouri

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OMG, both our dishes were amazing!! Will definitely come back when I'm in Joplin. The thia coffee was also great. read more

The food is always fresh and delicious, and is very aesthetically pleasing. Customer service never lacking.

Got to go for sure this is a good idea for the family and it reasonably priced basketball specials

Delicious. Food tastes fresh and the place is clean. Variety of no heat go very spicy. If you are a spice lover this place is the best & they cook to order. Parking is awful so just be prepared for that and you won't be irritated if you have to turn around to get in just right. (They do have a drive thru) Tip the servers they are so helpful read more

Good food and quick service. The small dining area was very cozy and welcoming. Would definitely recommend trying the steamed buns.

This was a little place a ways off the highway. The cool thing is that it has a drive-through, but it's easy to accidentally go into the adjoining parking lot. You pay right away at the counter and sit down. The thai tea ($4) was okay, a little watery. I wasn't a huge fan of the chicken satay either. But the Lion City noodles was surprisingly good. I've never had anything like it before. Think Singapore noodles or pancit, but spicy and with thai spices instead. I loved it. read more

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I love Thai and prefer it to Chinese. Thai Time is a small and intimate place, not fancy, more neighborhood. It can be a little pricey but we go here for the quality. I love the lemongrass soup and really everything we try. COVID hit them hard, they closed for a while, then only did drive-thru. They seem to be back open for full service but the menu has not recoverd. We don't go as often as we used to because the menu is got so few options now. I realize there are supply chain issues and labor too. However other places have been creative and found ways to over new items from what they can get. I love Thai Time as does my whole family but we look forward to some kind of future normal where the full menu comes back so we can come back more often too. Hang in there! read more

My husband and I hadn't ever been to Thai Time so when we pulled up, he said, "Oh, this is going to be good." It's a tiny restaurant that does a lot of drive thru orders, but there are seats inside. The food was delicious, and I was thankful to have some gluten free options. Oh, and that rice was the fluffiest rice I've ever tasted. We were the only ones sitting inside (on a Wednesday evening). Service was quick! And the staff was friendly. We will definitely be back. read more

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Love this place! My fave is spicy pad Thai and steamed dumplings. Only down side is I feel like there could be more meat in the dishes but still delicious. Employees are great as well. Parking kinda sucks but they do the best they can with what they have. read more

Amazing Khao Soi--one of the best I've ever had, even compared to bigger cities! My friend had the basil fried rice and said it was also fantastic. Thai iced coffee and sticky mango rice were great. This is a cute little drive thru place with a few tables inside. Basic but cozy and the lady who runs it is so nice! We ordered take out but I would come back and eat if I'm in town! read more

Best Thai in Joplin! Our go to favorite for Thai .... Must try it at least once! Staff and atmosphere is great!

This was such a great meal! My mother and I both enjoyed our dishes and can't wait to go back. It's definitely worth the stop. We ate in but I live there is a drive thru option!!! read more

Thai Time is one of my favorite places in Joplin. Whether you're dining on, carry out or drive-thru service and food is always great. read more

I dont know, but to me, small spots seem to always have better food!! This is my Thai spot from now on because of the favor food is made with care and the crab rangoon have crab meat in it!! read more

This has been my go-to for a couple of years. I never get tired of the Pad Thai and the Tom Kha, I've recently become enamored of the Yellow Curry. It's not very spicy -- just a little warmth -- and I can't get enough of the seasonings. I get it to go, but it's lovely having it at the table. This place isn't trying to impress anyone with its dining room; it's all about the food. read more

After a long day of driving, we were in town for the night. We decided to try Thai Time Cafe. Couldn't get through to place an order on the phone so we decided to just drive over. You could easily miss this tiny place if you blink but don't. Don't let the strange "drive through" set up discourage you either. The owner was sweet and the food prepared quickly and was outstanding. We are Thai food fans. We got an order of the chicken rama, the soft rolls, and a mango bubble tea. We were hungry but didn't want a full meal so we split our order. The portion sizes were perfect for one of you want your own and the food was delicious. I would have posted a pic of our order but we demolished it before I could get one. Great decision and wish we could enjoy their food again. read more

Love the people here. Went in not knowing at all what to get, asked for their opinion and even got asked how we liked our spiciness. If you like spicy but not burn your tongue off, don't tell them spicy. It's a very small and quiet place, which is exactly my style. read more

I was craving some Thai food and I turned the corner on my way to the falls and there was a drive-through! I have never had drive-through Thai food so I was a little apprehensive. I yelped it and it had good reviews so I tried it! I am so happy that I did! I got the garlic fried rice, green curry and some spring rolls. The Thai coffee was OK but it might be because I did not get it with ice I'm not sure. The garlic fried rice is the best fried rice I have ever had hands-down!! This fried rice is so good I actually was thinking maybe I'll come back for a visit again just so I can try it once more! The spring rolls were good and I haven't gotten to try the green curry but looks really good because I am eating at the waterfalls! I had to give some serious recommendations for the garlic fried rice and the fact that it was made so quickly and taste fresh at a drive-through?! This place is definitely highly recommended!!!! read more

Very affordable with a variety of Thai food! I love eating inside and staff is always nice. Parking could be bigger but it's amazing overall! read more

Fast service and excellent food. I called and ordered, then picked up in the drive thru. Easy peasy!

Pleasantly surprised with the quality considering its in Joplin. The parking situation is a nightmare but they make it work. When we got in the car to leave, we couldn't pull out because cars were in the drive through, and regular guests are parallel parked along a wall next to the drive through window. We were literally stuck until the line went away. On a Friday night, we were seated immediately and the restaurant was pretty busy. We ordered shortly after we sat down and the food arrived quickly. I started with an order of spring rolls and then ordered the chicken pad thai for my dinner. I enjoyed my meal but the portions are on the small side. I felt the prices were reasonable and the dishes were still worth what we paid. The dish had great flavor and the mild level wasn't spicy, which was what I wanted. Overall, friendly staff, reasonable prices, and quality food. I'll definitely come back if I'm in the area again. read more

Thai Time Cafe - Chicken Pad Thai - Thai Near Me - Joplin, Missouri

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Food is almost always mediocre. The young lady that works at the window doesn't ever seem to care about the driver through. The place itself is hard to get into and out of and the building is small. read more

Food and service was great! I tried the Larb which was amazing but they are NOT joking with those spice level stars. It was almost too spicy to eat, but delicious. If you like spicy this is great option for you. If you don't like spicy stay far far from this dish. Everything I've had here so far a good. Definitely be coming back again! read more

If you keep tripping on your laces, then it's Tie Time. Stop what you're doing and tie both of them properly immediately. Or, if you live in Taipei, then you have my permission to just Taiwan. This Thai restaurant in Joplin is really cute and I like it, and the Thai tea is excellent. It's very friendly and it actually has a drive-thru. I mean who doesn't love the idea of fresh hot Thai food at a drive-thru? I don't know how that even works considering how long it takes dishes to be prepared but hey. Let's do this. Cute little Thai restaurant in the unfashionable South part of Joplin right near the highway. It has pretty good Thai Tea and very yummy green curry and they're pretty friendly. It's very rare that I'm actually in Joplin, but the next time I'm in town I'll probably come back here for another meal and another Thai Tea. And the lady is exceptionally friendly. So's your Mum. Next time I come to town I'll definitely give it another try, too. read more

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So good. I was surprised to find such a good Thai place in Joplin. Their curry and spring rolls really good. Beef pad see ew also really good! Service was pleasant and the inside was surprisingly nice. read more

This place is totally a skip - they're disinterested themselves and couldn't be bothered, which shows in everything from the process of ordering to the packaging of takeout to the quality of food itself. We had to repeat the order 3 times on the phone, the food was given to us leaking big time (when we asked to change it, they changed the plastic bag full of leaked sauce, but it continued to leak in the new bag - wouldn't you open the box and put the lid back on on the sauce), the food was meh - spring rolls were just a stuffing of lettuce basically. read more

I thought that they could have given a little more food for my wife's dish (Rama Chicken) but everything else was top notch. We also ordered Lion City Noodles, chicken satay and the Thai Soft Rolls. All dishes were perfectly prepared and cooked. I came here from Carthage because of the reviews and will definitely be back. Again, just a little small on the portion size for the cost but we will definitely be back. read more

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I feel like Thai Time, pre-COVID, was the best Thai restaurant in Joplin. They have the best food for the best price. Since the pandemic they became an "express" store and if you eat in you eat out of styrofoam, use plastic utensils and get a to go cup to get your water from an urn. The food is still very good it just isn't the same when you have to take it home or eat from a styrofoam box. read more

TL;DR: Just have a seat and enjoy. You know you want to. Okay the TL;DR is not really that helpful, but it is truthful. You have to go to this place and experience the food. I would recommend anything that I have gotten on the menu before to anyone. Definitely a great thai choice within the Joplin area and so thankful that they exist. They have your standard thai menu. Thai iced tea is a recommend if you're feeling it. Would also recommend coming here during lunch or dinner time, as they have a bit of a different menu for both time periods. Friendly and attentive staff. Of course I will come back! read more

Thai Time Cafe - Thai iced tea - Thai Near Me - Joplin, Missouri

So sad this place is no longer what it once was. They turned it into an "express" which means a drive thru and food served in to go boxes in the dining room. The food is frozen and no longer fresh. Quality was terrible. read more

Traveling. Picked up easy-to-eat food that was fresh and delicious. The counter help was cheerful. They aren't too far from Hwy 44 so that was a convenience, too. read more

Driving through Joplin and wanted to eat at the top rated restaurant in town. So I stopped at Thai Time Cafe. Real small shop. Even the parking lot is small but didn't have any issue finding a space at 7pm on a Friday night. I was seated immediately upon entry, was able to order in less than 5 mins after looking through the menu, and got my food within another 8 mins. So it was very efficient and strictly business, which is exactly my style. (For the record, there were two other tables with about 5 people each, and a concurrent drive through window being serviced.) I ordered my go to for Thai restaurants - Chicken Pad Thai (least spiciest option) And I gotta say, I devoured the plate in two minutes. I'm fairly well traveled, having grown up throughout California, living in the Pacific Northwest, and even spending some time in Thailand. And this was easily one of top 3 chicken pad thai meals I've ever had. For the scrumptious meal and the efficient customer service, I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in Joplin. Consider this place bookmarked. read more

Thai Time Cafe - Chicken Pad Thai (mild) - Thai Near Me - Joplin, Missouri

Awesome food! Good variety on the menu. Love the pad Thai. The soup has healing powers. Try it and you will know what I mean.