Thai Kitchen isn't fancy, but it is good. Fresh ingredients, prepared deliciously and brought to your table in record time. It's not my favorite Thai food ever, but it is good, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of the menu.
(4)
Adam S.
The food was good but the service was bad. We ordered wonton soup and pork leg. We got the pork leg and 10 minutes later we got the wonton soup which I had to ask what was taking so long and was told by the waitress it's still getting cooked. So after we finished our meal I went up to the counter and stood there for 10 minutes without anybody coming out to help me. The waitress who took our order finally came out and walked right passed me without acknowledging me. I watched her walk into her car and out the parking lot! All I wanted was a to go box and a bag to put my leftovers in. So I stood a little longer for someone else to help me but to no avail. So I just left there and didn't bring home my leftovers. I understand maybe and you're off the clock and were in a rush too leave but she didn't even say a word to me and just took off,leaving me standing there waiting for a to go box and a bag...which I never got.
(1)
Mark H.
Best Thai food in ames hands down! They only take cash so be aware! The food is amazing though!! Must stop in ames
(5)
C L.
Best place in Ames for Thai food. The parking isn't the best and neither is the decor but the food comes out reasonably fast. Also, they only take CASH.
(5)
My P.
The food is good and the price is more than reasonable. My fav are creamcheese crab for appetizers (code A5), tom yum koong/tom yum kai soup and red curry for entrees. It would be nicer if the tom yums were spcier (or maybe it's just me). Anyway, 5-star for the menu.
(5)
Alec W.
I previously was pleased with this restaurant my first visit, however my second time dining here will be my last. I remembered the portions being decent during my first visit. Feeling hungry this time, I decided to order a $10 sweet and sour chicken dish. After a lengthy wait, our food came out. Not only was the white rice lukewarm, but to my dismay, there were just 5 miniature pieces of chicken on my plate. I thought this must be a mistake, so I mentioned it to the older woman who brought us our food. She was extremely grumpy and mumbled something at us before scurrying off to the kitchen. My guess is that she did not understand what I was saying, so she brought out the other woman working at the register. She came over and insisted that they count the pieces of chicken for each meal and it is always that many. I did not want to argue, so I went ahead and finished the meal. It did not even put a dent in my appetite. I can tell you this dish looks nothing like the one on the menu, which has at least three times the amount of meat. Bottom line is, I will not be returning. Being on a college student budget, spending $10 on a $1 portion of processed chicken is not my idea of good Asian dining!
(1)
Aja L.
I've had to bump down 2 stars because after my last couple of visits the food just isn't as good. First visit was fantastic and it's gone down hill ever since. The curries kinda taste the same and the quality of the food has gone down since last year. This place isn't very good anymore. Don't waste your money.
(2)
Keyonna K.
We picked this place on the fly. My friend had the pineapple fried rice and I had the pad see eil with chicken. I added carrots to it as well. If you want to pay using a credit or debit card you have to order $10 minimum so I also ordered a thai iced tea. The food was okay but not stellar. My friend did not like his rice and pretty much picked around and ate out all the pineapples. If that's a good indication of how good it was then there you go! My pad see eil was okay but I've had way better. The reason I gave this place 2 stars was because WE SAW A ROACH IN THE DINING AREA OF THE RESTAURANT! While I understand most restaurants have a bug problem, I do not expect to see them while I'm eating my food! I immediately stopped eating and we left. We both finished maybe half, if that, of our food. I will never go back here. I'd say the best thing about the restaurant was the friendly staff and thai iced tea.
(2)
Kenzie T.
This is my favorite Thai food in Ames, hands down! The place itself is a little bit divey looking, but what it lack in ambiance it makes up for with the food. It is tucked into campustown, but in a nice enough location where parking isn't a nightmare. Bring coins for the meters! It is cash only, but there are accessible atms around the area. After working a few years in higher ed, I have conversed with a few international students who tell me this is the most authentic Thai cuisine in Ames. I always get the Veggie Pad Thai, but there are many good options for veggies!
(5)
Chris B.
This is a nice little place. There's are tons of options on their menu and none of it is terribly pricey. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike have so many different things to choose from. The food comes out quick and seems pretty authentic. One of the downsides is that this place is cash only and doesn't happen to have an ATM there, but at least there are some nearby.
(4)
G L.
One of decent Asian restaurants in Ames. PROS 1. The taste. is really great 2. Price is reasonable, even I'd say it's cheap with comparison of its food quality. CONS 1. Cash only - you have to be sure bring cash. 2. Parking lot is really small, 1-2 out 5 times of your visits, you might need to park your cars somewhere else. The CONS above made me to mark here as 4 stars, but their minus points are completely covered with its strong PROS, taste and price. Cash only might make you little bit annoyed, but you need really little cash- less than 10 bucks for a person. And you can see a large public parking right next to the restaurant's private parking, and it will cost you 25 cents per hour. I think it's fair enough for a good food.
(4)
Luke B.
This is my favorite place to eat in Ames. I love the food and service. I eat here at least once a week. I get the Pad Kee Mao Thai spicy. It's not as spicy as it was in Thailand, but it's close. It is authentic Thai. The only complaints I have to add is the serving size is variable, cash only, and the parking. I usually get more for lunch than dinner. Overall, great people and food. I prefer it over The Spice just due to price.
(5)
Patty C.
Food was delicious, all 5 of us were very happy with our meal. The value was good for the amount of food you got. The reason we didn't give them 5 stars and we almost left was because it was so dirty.
(4)
Ron R.
I came to Ames on a business trip and looked up some restaurants in the area. I decided on Thai Kitchen as I am a big fan of Thai. It was good. I wouldn't say the best I had but definitely good. The place is CASH ONLY, do remember that as they have no ATM or a way to pay if you don't have cash. The price is very reasonable at about $8 a dish. I was with a colleague of mine and we decided to order the Appetizer Platter as well. I was not a big fan of the fried chicken they serve, it appears like they mince the chicken and mix it with glass noodles, then bread it before frying...not good. Also the Tofu triangles were spongy and inedible. Other than that, everything else was good. I got the Pad See Ew (Spelled Phud-Zee-et over there) and my colleague got the yellow curry which he claims was delicious. All in all, a great Thai place if you are in Ames...but a mediocre one if you are in a big city.
I lived in Ames about four years. Thai kitchen is one of my favorite Thai restaurant around this area. I always ordered N4 with beef, sticky rice with mango and Thai tea! This place is full of college years memories
(4)
S B.
Best Thai in Ames. Cash only and the lines can get crazy, but worth it!
(4)
Mandy S.
My family was really disappointed with this restaurant. We read all the rave reviews and though we'd give it a try. We walked in and I was immediately turned off by the smell and the CASH ONLY policy. I was raised on a family-owned hog farm and I know what "good" pork and "bad" pork smells like. The place reeked of "bad" pork, which has an odor similar to hog feces, but we decided to keep going and just not order pork dishes. The woman who took our order looked like she was about ready to have a nervous breakdown and left 3 times to mill about while we were trying to order our 4 meals. We then took our seats, the restaurant was kind of dingy, and waited for our food. The food came out quickly, but I again was immediately turned off. I ordered cashew chicken, which had 3 cashews and my chicken was gray in color. Needless to say, I did not eat it. My children both had noodle dishes, which they said were tasty, but lacked in the veggie department. My husband had a vegetarian curry dish, which he said was tolerable. Maybe it was just a bad day, since most of the reviews are spectacular for this place, but we will not be going back.
(1)
Sarom E.
**Cash Only** Come in. Walk to the counter and place your order. When it is busy - grab a menu and figure out what you want before it is your turn so that people behind you don't give you the stank eye. Don't know what to get? The California Roll equivalent for the un-daring is Pad Thai or Fried Rice. Top it off with Thai Ice Tea or Thai Coffee. And get some Fried Tofu as an appetizer while you are at it. My usual is Tum Yum Kai Hot Pot. Smells like feet but so damn delicious!
(5)
Ian I.
Very authentic, very similar to little restaurants in Thailand. Reasonably priced and very fast. Important to note that this place is cash only.
(4)
Kathie G.
I've loved this place for three years now and I've eaten here at least once a week, but unfortunately it switch either ownership or management over the summer--and it was not a smooth transition. The problems that were evident during the summer have escalated now that the university is back in session and it's become A COMPLETE MESS! I called in an order of fried rice to go and was told it would be 30 minutes. I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes before. Then, when I got to the restaurant after 30 minutes I was told it would be an additional 20 minutes. 50 MINUTES FOR FRIED RICE?! When I expressed my disbelief one of the new managers told me, "That's the way it is, you don't have to wait for it." Rude, rude, rude. And the cashier couldn't count change back! The customers had to tell her how much change they should be getting back. At a CASH ONLY restaurant that should not be a problem. I won't be going back--The Spice just got my business on a regular basis.
(1)
David T.
This is not authentic, fresh or good. I have eaten Thai regularly throughout the US, Europe, Thailand and Laos. This is bad Chinese food, not even bad Thai food. I don't understand the reviews, but I would steer clear.
(1)
David K.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall but it has some really good Thai food. Really hard to get parking as there are like two spaces. They only accept cash. Hands down the best Thai food in Ames.
(4)
Diny P.
There are two Thai restaurants in Ames; Thai Kitchen and The Spice (more upscale, thus more expensive). Being located in Campustown, Thai Kitchen's patron is mostly college kids due to its inexpensive price. Simple decor, GREAT food, and friendly owners. They have a huge menu and the way they prepare their menu is very helpful for a first timer. It has photos and descriptions to help you pick your dish. If it's your first time there, I suggest you grap the menu book and step aside to "study it". Otherwise you can view it online here thaikitchenames.com/menu My personal favorite is the 3-Flavored Fish (under Chef's Special in their menu) which is tilapia fillet in sweet, sout, and spicy sauce, garnished with bell pepper, basil, and cilantro. Delicious! Massamun Curry and Green Curry are also good, top it off with two favorite noodle dishes: Pad See Eil (if you like sweet) and Pad Key Mao for a slightly spicy zing for your taste buds. Both are pan fried flat rice noodle with brown sauce. For a light lunch, you should really try their salad which is interestingly enough is called "Yum'. It IS very yummy. According to their menu, the description is "Choice of meat (my favorite is BBQ beef), sliced and tossed with lime dressing, chillies, red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemongrass. Granished with lettuce, scallions, and mint leaf or sweet basil." I simply called it "Heaven". They do not take credit cash or check, be prepared to have cash.
(5)
Matt E.
Thai Kitchen still reigns supreme in Thai cuisine in the Ames area. We stopped in last night before a movie. I was pleased to see that the "word is out" about this hole-in-the wall food purveyor of greatness. A lot of people eating in here. The Thai classics were done exactly as I recalled from previous visits. My brother had the Pad Thai which is always a smart choice here. I had a bowl of spicy noodle soup, which while delivering on the spice and noodles, and ample amounts of seafood I will probably pass on in future visits for one of my favorite Thai specialties like the Massaman Curry or Pad Kra Pow. Only beef I had was that the "Siamese Crab Delight" which from the menu boasted crabmeat, scallions and shredded limeleaf wrapped in rice paper and deep fried" in actuality only contains a deep fried pocket of cream cheese.
(5)
Rosa K.
The food is pretty authentic tasting and the prices are decent but not cheap. About $9 an entree. The hours are weird.... they close at 8:30 not 9:30 according to yelp, and they don't open till noon and they're closed on Mondays. I literally tried coming here 4 times before actually being able to try it out. I got smart and called before hand to make sure they were open. I got the shrimp for my dish and it was overcooked and dry. But the spices and flavors were nice as well as the curry. I'd pass on the custard dessert though. Not bad but not great either. I don't care for self serve cash only joints which seem to overly plague this college town. 4 stars in comparison to other Ames restaurants... 3 stars if this was in a big city local.
(4)
Megan M.
Ridiculously good Thai food! The prices are also amazing! You get a lot of food for very cheap...and it's all great! My favorite dish is probably the massamun curry, but I'm also a fan of their other curry dishes, pad thai, thai braised chicken and the chicken Rama platter (chicken smothered in peanut sauce on a bed of spinach with rice). Another recommendation: get a glass of the Thai iced tea. It's an incredibly sweet, creamy drink that cuts the spice of the meals perfectly. The service is excellent and lightning fast. The owners are adorable. It's cash only, by the way, so make sure you have enough (less than $10/dish).
(5)
Anna T.
Not sure why there are so many good reviews here. The restaurant is under an apt building and when you go in it smells...bad! I shrug my shoulders and decided to order anyway because of the reviews. The food came out really really fast, too fast for a sit down restaurant. My bf order chicken over a "bad" of vegetables it said bad on the menu. The vegetables were just spinach and didn't look anything like the picture. Mine was lard na and the noodles were so hard. The food there is so bad but they maybe the only Thai food in Ames so that's why people think it's good there.
(1)
Sean M.
We went there after reading all of the reviews online and were disappointed with our meal. The service was very friendly and on the spot. We liked the atmosphere as well. When it came to the food tho it was pretty bland.
(3)
Dave T.
I'm from Nor-Cal where the veggies are more plentiful in the Red Curry. The spice was great. The steamed Thai dumplings were flavorless. No bookmark
(3)
Tony S.
There are many restaurants in the US by the name of Thai Kitchen; the Ames establishment could go head to head with any of them. There is no reason to expect that Thai food in the Midwest could be this delicious, but the home cooking style of the delightful Thai family who owns the place makes it amazing. Favorite dishes: green curry with chicken, mixed seafood tom yum, clay pot rice with veggies and Chinese sausage.
(5)
Drew B.
had the glass noodle soup and the fried rice kra prow was awesome
(4)
Kevin S.
I love Thai Kitchen. The owners are always friendly, and the food is great. My favorite is Pad Ka Prow with beef. It has a little kick but not overwhelming. My kids love the Pad Thai and Pad See Ew.
(5)
H H.
Cheap and good. I've yet to try something that wasn't good here yet. Fabulous Thai Iced Coffee. This place beats the pants off the overpriced Spice.
(5)
Wonder V.
If you've had "REAL" Thai food, you will be disappointed in Thai Kitchen. I've been to Thai Kitchen twice, once for seafood curry and tofu pad thai. It was alright. I think they make the food more Westernized to fit the crowd...In other words, the food lacks some of its traditional Thai flavors. The staff is very nice and service is really quick. The place feels very homey and you will always find a lot of young college students hanging out there. I would go again because of the affordability and quick service.
(2)
Katie B.
I really, really want to like this place. Went last week. The food is okay. but..... The place is so DIRTY LOOKING!!! The walls had dried rice on them in the booth we sat, the dishes are sometimes not washed correctly, the tables not properly cleaned, etc, etc. If they cleaned the place, gave it a new paint job, then it would definitely get 4 stars or more. Their cash only policy is also pretty dumb and outdated. And...its dirty! =(
(1)
MarÃa Jimena G.
The food is very tasty. I have tried several dishes and every single one was delicious. They also do carry outs in case u don't want to dine in.
(5)
Jill B.
Cheap, Easy, Fast and Yummy Thai food.
(4)
Nou Nou T.
Very nice, simple, and homely place. Whenever I go over there for lunch or dinner, I always feel like I'm eating at home there. The food there are great, it's a good alternative to my mother's awesome cooking, which is saying a lot since I am very critical of a lot of Asian food places. Lard Na is by far my favorite dish there, along with their green curry dish and their curry fried rice and their tom yum soup is very tasty as well. You'll have to be willing to try their dishes to fully appreciate the place and not just stick to something you think is "safe" or think you "know". Word of advice, they don't open on Monday, and they can get VERY crowded during the typical lunch & dinner hour, and they only accept cash, so be prepare when you go there.
(5)
James W.
Great food great price. Ames needs more authentic places like this!
(5)
Aaron L.
We had a few very good dishes. Nothing I'd rave about... this is mainly a collage joint with that type of pricing and quality.
(3)
Samantha C.
We got to try dinner here tonight and I must say, it was better than ok. I ordered the chicken panang curry and although the portion was a little small for my taste, the flavors were wonderful. I asked for a medium spicy level and I think I got mild, nearly bland. But the coconut milk was nice and creamy, the chicken was cooked right, and the jasmine rice was awesome. I didn't love the $1 for a regular size can of soda, and the fact they used a small plastic cooler to hold the ice for cups... also their "parking lot" is more like two spaces and if they are full you better have some quarters for the street. If they upped their portions a bit I'd probably give this place 5 stars.
(4)
Robert S.
Don't get your hopes up that this is some great find. It's so-so Thai food for the college student market. The spring rolls were filled with only rice noodles -- no discernible vegetables. The Pad Thai with shrimp was bland, had an off-taste, and smelled of old pork.
(2)
Barrett B.
Thai Kitchen is one of my favorite Thai restaurants outside of Thailand. Great authentic food (that Americans will like) and good prices. Also the owners are very friendly.
(5)
Madelaine G.
Yelp delivers once again. In town for a conference and would definitely go back. Delicious food. Not a fancy place, but that's okay, reasonable prices.
(5)
April H.
I live in Denver now, but I cannot believe how much I miss Thai Kitchen. I always have to go there when I visit Ames. I have found some good Thai places in Denver, but honestly none of them quite measure up to Thai Kitchen. I'm sure there are some dishes that are sub-par, but I am always happy with my go-to dishes: Curry Fried Rice (red, yellow and green are all delicious) and Pad Key Mao (with noodles).
(5)
Sarah W.
This is one of my most frequent places to eat in Ames. The food is fantastic, the owners are friendly and the service ridiculously prompt, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Lunch time portions are usually a little smaller than the regular menu entree, but you get a side of the soup of the day as well, which is always delicious. My favorite entrees are the Pad Key Mao and the Pad Namprik Pao, although the green curry is also great. My favorite meat for all of these dishes is their pork, which is always moist and tender and flavorful. I frequently finish off my lunch with a glass of their Thai Iced Tea, which is a perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and refreshing.
(5)
Marcos C.
Been there about 4 times since I got here from Cali, love the place. My favorite dish is the fried rice red curry or your can call it R3. I like the fact that it isn't high end trendy, it's more like mom and pop friendly. The owners are always around taking orders and picking up the dishes left on the tables. Portions are just right, at least for me. Everything that I have ordered has been spot on filled with great flavor. Very cool place to meet up for lunch fast good and pronto.
(4)
Jess V.
My bf and i finally got to try an authentic Thai restaurant in Iowa (the owners actually speak the language) and were very happy with our overall experience. Unpretentious place, fast service and good, inexpensive food. I knew it would be a decent place when I walked in because there were a lot of asian customers.. this is always a good sign when youre in an asian establishment. This is the first Thai restaurant ive ever been to where i actually enjoyed the Thai Iced tea. It's typically made too sweet for me to drink but Thai Kitchen makes it just right for my taste buds. Im looking forward to the hot, spicy soups and curries in the winter months.
(4)
Sarah G.
I still prefer Thai Kitchen to any of the Thai restaurants I've been to (so far) in Omaha. Sigh... It's so delicious, especially their soups.
(5)
Anna O.
I love Thai Kitchen. I've been there countless times, never been disappointed once. Always fast, fresh, and delicious. I usually get the thai fried rice, out of this wold good. Give it a try, bet you won't regret it.
(5)
Kimberly R.
Always a great place to eat, just don't have any questions about the food because they can't seem to anwser them. I can assure you that what you get will be fast, good flavored, and well priced. Oh, and be prepared because they are cash only.
(5)
Stacy S.
I dig Thai Kitchen quite a bit. While I am originally from CA and have a soft spot for the Thai food over there, this place is my favorite in Ames. The noodles and the rice dishes are fantastic. I usually go for the Panang or the Red Curry, but I would shy away from those at this restaurant. Each time I have ordered one of the curries, they have been watered down a bit. Overall, this is my standard fast food Thai place. You have to hit up the spicy noodle dishes. Grab a Thai Iced Tea, your noodles and have a beer ready for the game. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Danelle W.
This is one of my favorite spots to eat in Ames. The food is delicious and you can't beat the prices. I usually opt for the red curry chicken. They also have the best spring rolls in town hands down. The owners are very nice and always recognize my husband and I when we come in. The only drawback to this place is that they are cash only, but there is an ATM just down the block - so if you forget you're not out of luck!
(5)
CHRIS C.
Very cheap but good meal. Very quick service, sat down and two minutes later our food was ready
(4)
Manop K.
Thai Kitchen is one of my favorite places in Ames. The food is pretty good. I visited there about two or three times a week. My favorites are: Thai Tea, Chive Dumpling, Tasty Seafood, Salmon Fried Rice, Pork Chop, and more. The owners are pretty nice too.
(5)
Jess C.
The food here is quite good. I enjoy the panang, red and yellow curries although they are a bit watery -- and the noodle dishes are all around excellent. The owners are lovely people and I just hope that they don't decide to leave Ames when their son finishes his PhD because I would be devastated to lose this place.
(4)
Danielle S.
Too bad I don't live in Ames -- this place is 5 or so hours away from where I'm at now. It's one of my favorite Thai restaurants. The prices are great, the food is great, portions are always huge. Their yellow curry rice is very, very tasty (and I usually stay away from rice in favor of noodle dishes). The interior has far less of a Thai flair than the other Thai restaurants I've eaten at. Who cares?!
(4)
Jesse V.
This place is amazing. I have eaten here quite regularly during my 5 years living in Ames. The food is always spectacular, the service wonderful & the prices are reasonable. What else could you ask for? This is a must visit for those that enjoy Thai in the Ames area. You won't be disappointed.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Haley R.
Thai Kitchen isn't fancy, but it is good. Fresh ingredients, prepared deliciously and brought to your table in record time. It's not my favorite Thai food ever, but it is good, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of the menu.
(4)Adam S.
The food was good but the service was bad. We ordered wonton soup and pork leg. We got the pork leg and 10 minutes later we got the wonton soup which I had to ask what was taking so long and was told by the waitress it's still getting cooked. So after we finished our meal I went up to the counter and stood there for 10 minutes without anybody coming out to help me. The waitress who took our order finally came out and walked right passed me without acknowledging me. I watched her walk into her car and out the parking lot! All I wanted was a to go box and a bag to put my leftovers in. So I stood a little longer for someone else to help me but to no avail. So I just left there and didn't bring home my leftovers. I understand maybe and you're off the clock and were in a rush too leave but she didn't even say a word to me and just took off,leaving me standing there waiting for a to go box and a bag...which I never got.
(1)Mark H.
Best Thai food in ames hands down! They only take cash so be aware! The food is amazing though!! Must stop in ames
(5)C L.
Best place in Ames for Thai food. The parking isn't the best and neither is the decor but the food comes out reasonably fast. Also, they only take CASH.
(5)My P.
The food is good and the price is more than reasonable. My fav are creamcheese crab for appetizers (code A5), tom yum koong/tom yum kai soup and red curry for entrees. It would be nicer if the tom yums were spcier (or maybe it's just me). Anyway, 5-star for the menu.
(5)Alec W.
I previously was pleased with this restaurant my first visit, however my second time dining here will be my last. I remembered the portions being decent during my first visit. Feeling hungry this time, I decided to order a $10 sweet and sour chicken dish. After a lengthy wait, our food came out. Not only was the white rice lukewarm, but to my dismay, there were just 5 miniature pieces of chicken on my plate. I thought this must be a mistake, so I mentioned it to the older woman who brought us our food. She was extremely grumpy and mumbled something at us before scurrying off to the kitchen. My guess is that she did not understand what I was saying, so she brought out the other woman working at the register. She came over and insisted that they count the pieces of chicken for each meal and it is always that many. I did not want to argue, so I went ahead and finished the meal. It did not even put a dent in my appetite. I can tell you this dish looks nothing like the one on the menu, which has at least three times the amount of meat. Bottom line is, I will not be returning. Being on a college student budget, spending $10 on a $1 portion of processed chicken is not my idea of good Asian dining!
(1)Aja L.
I've had to bump down 2 stars because after my last couple of visits the food just isn't as good. First visit was fantastic and it's gone down hill ever since. The curries kinda taste the same and the quality of the food has gone down since last year. This place isn't very good anymore. Don't waste your money.
(2)Keyonna K.
We picked this place on the fly. My friend had the pineapple fried rice and I had the pad see eil with chicken. I added carrots to it as well. If you want to pay using a credit or debit card you have to order $10 minimum so I also ordered a thai iced tea. The food was okay but not stellar. My friend did not like his rice and pretty much picked around and ate out all the pineapples. If that's a good indication of how good it was then there you go! My pad see eil was okay but I've had way better. The reason I gave this place 2 stars was because WE SAW A ROACH IN THE DINING AREA OF THE RESTAURANT! While I understand most restaurants have a bug problem, I do not expect to see them while I'm eating my food! I immediately stopped eating and we left. We both finished maybe half, if that, of our food. I will never go back here. I'd say the best thing about the restaurant was the friendly staff and thai iced tea.
(2)Kenzie T.
This is my favorite Thai food in Ames, hands down! The place itself is a little bit divey looking, but what it lack in ambiance it makes up for with the food. It is tucked into campustown, but in a nice enough location where parking isn't a nightmare. Bring coins for the meters! It is cash only, but there are accessible atms around the area. After working a few years in higher ed, I have conversed with a few international students who tell me this is the most authentic Thai cuisine in Ames. I always get the Veggie Pad Thai, but there are many good options for veggies!
(5)Chris B.
This is a nice little place. There's are tons of options on their menu and none of it is terribly pricey. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike have so many different things to choose from. The food comes out quick and seems pretty authentic. One of the downsides is that this place is cash only and doesn't happen to have an ATM there, but at least there are some nearby.
(4)G L.
One of decent Asian restaurants in Ames. PROS 1. The taste. is really great 2. Price is reasonable, even I'd say it's cheap with comparison of its food quality. CONS 1. Cash only - you have to be sure bring cash. 2. Parking lot is really small, 1-2 out 5 times of your visits, you might need to park your cars somewhere else. The CONS above made me to mark here as 4 stars, but their minus points are completely covered with its strong PROS, taste and price. Cash only might make you little bit annoyed, but you need really little cash- less than 10 bucks for a person. And you can see a large public parking right next to the restaurant's private parking, and it will cost you 25 cents per hour. I think it's fair enough for a good food.
(4)Luke B.
This is my favorite place to eat in Ames. I love the food and service. I eat here at least once a week. I get the Pad Kee Mao Thai spicy. It's not as spicy as it was in Thailand, but it's close. It is authentic Thai. The only complaints I have to add is the serving size is variable, cash only, and the parking. I usually get more for lunch than dinner. Overall, great people and food. I prefer it over The Spice just due to price.
(5)Patty C.
Food was delicious, all 5 of us were very happy with our meal. The value was good for the amount of food you got. The reason we didn't give them 5 stars and we almost left was because it was so dirty.
(4)Ron R.
I came to Ames on a business trip and looked up some restaurants in the area. I decided on Thai Kitchen as I am a big fan of Thai. It was good. I wouldn't say the best I had but definitely good. The place is CASH ONLY, do remember that as they have no ATM or a way to pay if you don't have cash. The price is very reasonable at about $8 a dish. I was with a colleague of mine and we decided to order the Appetizer Platter as well. I was not a big fan of the fried chicken they serve, it appears like they mince the chicken and mix it with glass noodles, then bread it before frying...not good. Also the Tofu triangles were spongy and inedible. Other than that, everything else was good. I got the Pad See Ew (Spelled Phud-Zee-et over there) and my colleague got the yellow curry which he claims was delicious. All in all, a great Thai place if you are in Ames...but a mediocre one if you are in a big city.
(3)Andrew W.
The Thai Kitchen is a tasty treat. This friendly, locally-owned place hits the major points: Delicious food, reasonable costs, plenty of variety, and generous portions. Their vegetarian choices are wonderful. The only negative: The décor is a little grubby. The place could use a scrub and lick of paint. One of the places for best value and taste buds in Ames, but don't bring your credit card, Thai Kitchen only takes cash..
(4)Cookie D.
I lived in Ames about four years. Thai kitchen is one of my favorite Thai restaurant around this area. I always ordered N4 with beef, sticky rice with mango and Thai tea! This place is full of college years memories
(4)S B.
Best Thai in Ames. Cash only and the lines can get crazy, but worth it!
(4)Mandy S.
My family was really disappointed with this restaurant. We read all the rave reviews and though we'd give it a try. We walked in and I was immediately turned off by the smell and the CASH ONLY policy. I was raised on a family-owned hog farm and I know what "good" pork and "bad" pork smells like. The place reeked of "bad" pork, which has an odor similar to hog feces, but we decided to keep going and just not order pork dishes. The woman who took our order looked like she was about ready to have a nervous breakdown and left 3 times to mill about while we were trying to order our 4 meals. We then took our seats, the restaurant was kind of dingy, and waited for our food. The food came out quickly, but I again was immediately turned off. I ordered cashew chicken, which had 3 cashews and my chicken was gray in color. Needless to say, I did not eat it. My children both had noodle dishes, which they said were tasty, but lacked in the veggie department. My husband had a vegetarian curry dish, which he said was tolerable. Maybe it was just a bad day, since most of the reviews are spectacular for this place, but we will not be going back.
(1)Sarom E.
**Cash Only** Come in. Walk to the counter and place your order. When it is busy - grab a menu and figure out what you want before it is your turn so that people behind you don't give you the stank eye. Don't know what to get? The California Roll equivalent for the un-daring is Pad Thai or Fried Rice. Top it off with Thai Ice Tea or Thai Coffee. And get some Fried Tofu as an appetizer while you are at it. My usual is Tum Yum Kai Hot Pot. Smells like feet but so damn delicious!
(5)Ian I.
Very authentic, very similar to little restaurants in Thailand. Reasonably priced and very fast. Important to note that this place is cash only.
(4)Kathie G.
I've loved this place for three years now and I've eaten here at least once a week, but unfortunately it switch either ownership or management over the summer--and it was not a smooth transition. The problems that were evident during the summer have escalated now that the university is back in session and it's become A COMPLETE MESS! I called in an order of fried rice to go and was told it would be 30 minutes. I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes before. Then, when I got to the restaurant after 30 minutes I was told it would be an additional 20 minutes. 50 MINUTES FOR FRIED RICE?! When I expressed my disbelief one of the new managers told me, "That's the way it is, you don't have to wait for it." Rude, rude, rude. And the cashier couldn't count change back! The customers had to tell her how much change they should be getting back. At a CASH ONLY restaurant that should not be a problem. I won't be going back--The Spice just got my business on a regular basis.
(1)David T.
This is not authentic, fresh or good. I have eaten Thai regularly throughout the US, Europe, Thailand and Laos. This is bad Chinese food, not even bad Thai food. I don't understand the reviews, but I would steer clear.
(1)David K.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall but it has some really good Thai food. Really hard to get parking as there are like two spaces. They only accept cash. Hands down the best Thai food in Ames.
(4)Diny P.
There are two Thai restaurants in Ames; Thai Kitchen and The Spice (more upscale, thus more expensive). Being located in Campustown, Thai Kitchen's patron is mostly college kids due to its inexpensive price. Simple decor, GREAT food, and friendly owners. They have a huge menu and the way they prepare their menu is very helpful for a first timer. It has photos and descriptions to help you pick your dish. If it's your first time there, I suggest you grap the menu book and step aside to "study it". Otherwise you can view it online here thaikitchenames.com/menu My personal favorite is the 3-Flavored Fish (under Chef's Special in their menu) which is tilapia fillet in sweet, sout, and spicy sauce, garnished with bell pepper, basil, and cilantro. Delicious! Massamun Curry and Green Curry are also good, top it off with two favorite noodle dishes: Pad See Eil (if you like sweet) and Pad Key Mao for a slightly spicy zing for your taste buds. Both are pan fried flat rice noodle with brown sauce. For a light lunch, you should really try their salad which is interestingly enough is called "Yum'. It IS very yummy. According to their menu, the description is "Choice of meat (my favorite is BBQ beef), sliced and tossed with lime dressing, chillies, red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemongrass. Granished with lettuce, scallions, and mint leaf or sweet basil." I simply called it "Heaven". They do not take credit cash or check, be prepared to have cash.
(5)Matt E.
Thai Kitchen still reigns supreme in Thai cuisine in the Ames area. We stopped in last night before a movie. I was pleased to see that the "word is out" about this hole-in-the wall food purveyor of greatness. A lot of people eating in here. The Thai classics were done exactly as I recalled from previous visits. My brother had the Pad Thai which is always a smart choice here. I had a bowl of spicy noodle soup, which while delivering on the spice and noodles, and ample amounts of seafood I will probably pass on in future visits for one of my favorite Thai specialties like the Massaman Curry or Pad Kra Pow. Only beef I had was that the "Siamese Crab Delight" which from the menu boasted crabmeat, scallions and shredded limeleaf wrapped in rice paper and deep fried" in actuality only contains a deep fried pocket of cream cheese.
(5)Rosa K.
The food is pretty authentic tasting and the prices are decent but not cheap. About $9 an entree. The hours are weird.... they close at 8:30 not 9:30 according to yelp, and they don't open till noon and they're closed on Mondays. I literally tried coming here 4 times before actually being able to try it out. I got smart and called before hand to make sure they were open. I got the shrimp for my dish and it was overcooked and dry. But the spices and flavors were nice as well as the curry. I'd pass on the custard dessert though. Not bad but not great either. I don't care for self serve cash only joints which seem to overly plague this college town. 4 stars in comparison to other Ames restaurants... 3 stars if this was in a big city local.
(4)Megan M.
Ridiculously good Thai food! The prices are also amazing! You get a lot of food for very cheap...and it's all great! My favorite dish is probably the massamun curry, but I'm also a fan of their other curry dishes, pad thai, thai braised chicken and the chicken Rama platter (chicken smothered in peanut sauce on a bed of spinach with rice). Another recommendation: get a glass of the Thai iced tea. It's an incredibly sweet, creamy drink that cuts the spice of the meals perfectly. The service is excellent and lightning fast. The owners are adorable. It's cash only, by the way, so make sure you have enough (less than $10/dish).
(5)Anna T.
Not sure why there are so many good reviews here. The restaurant is under an apt building and when you go in it smells...bad! I shrug my shoulders and decided to order anyway because of the reviews. The food came out really really fast, too fast for a sit down restaurant. My bf order chicken over a "bad" of vegetables it said bad on the menu. The vegetables were just spinach and didn't look anything like the picture. Mine was lard na and the noodles were so hard. The food there is so bad but they maybe the only Thai food in Ames so that's why people think it's good there.
(1)Sean M.
We went there after reading all of the reviews online and were disappointed with our meal. The service was very friendly and on the spot. We liked the atmosphere as well. When it came to the food tho it was pretty bland.
(3)Dave T.
I'm from Nor-Cal where the veggies are more plentiful in the Red Curry. The spice was great. The steamed Thai dumplings were flavorless. No bookmark
(3)Tony S.
There are many restaurants in the US by the name of Thai Kitchen; the Ames establishment could go head to head with any of them. There is no reason to expect that Thai food in the Midwest could be this delicious, but the home cooking style of the delightful Thai family who owns the place makes it amazing. Favorite dishes: green curry with chicken, mixed seafood tom yum, clay pot rice with veggies and Chinese sausage.
(5)Drew B.
had the glass noodle soup and the fried rice kra prow was awesome
(4)Kevin S.
I love Thai Kitchen. The owners are always friendly, and the food is great. My favorite is Pad Ka Prow with beef. It has a little kick but not overwhelming. My kids love the Pad Thai and Pad See Ew.
(5)H H.
Cheap and good. I've yet to try something that wasn't good here yet. Fabulous Thai Iced Coffee. This place beats the pants off the overpriced Spice.
(5)Wonder V.
If you've had "REAL" Thai food, you will be disappointed in Thai Kitchen. I've been to Thai Kitchen twice, once for seafood curry and tofu pad thai. It was alright. I think they make the food more Westernized to fit the crowd...In other words, the food lacks some of its traditional Thai flavors. The staff is very nice and service is really quick. The place feels very homey and you will always find a lot of young college students hanging out there. I would go again because of the affordability and quick service.
(2)Katie B.
I really, really want to like this place. Went last week. The food is okay. but..... The place is so DIRTY LOOKING!!! The walls had dried rice on them in the booth we sat, the dishes are sometimes not washed correctly, the tables not properly cleaned, etc, etc. If they cleaned the place, gave it a new paint job, then it would definitely get 4 stars or more. Their cash only policy is also pretty dumb and outdated. And...its dirty! =(
(1)MarÃa Jimena G.
The food is very tasty. I have tried several dishes and every single one was delicious. They also do carry outs in case u don't want to dine in.
(5)Jill B.
Cheap, Easy, Fast and Yummy Thai food.
(4)Nou Nou T.
Very nice, simple, and homely place. Whenever I go over there for lunch or dinner, I always feel like I'm eating at home there. The food there are great, it's a good alternative to my mother's awesome cooking, which is saying a lot since I am very critical of a lot of Asian food places. Lard Na is by far my favorite dish there, along with their green curry dish and their curry fried rice and their tom yum soup is very tasty as well. You'll have to be willing to try their dishes to fully appreciate the place and not just stick to something you think is "safe" or think you "know". Word of advice, they don't open on Monday, and they can get VERY crowded during the typical lunch & dinner hour, and they only accept cash, so be prepare when you go there.
(5)James W.
Great food great price. Ames needs more authentic places like this!
(5)Aaron L.
We had a few very good dishes. Nothing I'd rave about... this is mainly a collage joint with that type of pricing and quality.
(3)Samantha C.
We got to try dinner here tonight and I must say, it was better than ok. I ordered the chicken panang curry and although the portion was a little small for my taste, the flavors were wonderful. I asked for a medium spicy level and I think I got mild, nearly bland. But the coconut milk was nice and creamy, the chicken was cooked right, and the jasmine rice was awesome. I didn't love the $1 for a regular size can of soda, and the fact they used a small plastic cooler to hold the ice for cups... also their "parking lot" is more like two spaces and if they are full you better have some quarters for the street. If they upped their portions a bit I'd probably give this place 5 stars.
(4)Robert S.
Don't get your hopes up that this is some great find. It's so-so Thai food for the college student market. The spring rolls were filled with only rice noodles -- no discernible vegetables. The Pad Thai with shrimp was bland, had an off-taste, and smelled of old pork.
(2)Barrett B.
Thai Kitchen is one of my favorite Thai restaurants outside of Thailand. Great authentic food (that Americans will like) and good prices. Also the owners are very friendly.
(5)Madelaine G.
Yelp delivers once again. In town for a conference and would definitely go back. Delicious food. Not a fancy place, but that's okay, reasonable prices.
(5)April H.
I live in Denver now, but I cannot believe how much I miss Thai Kitchen. I always have to go there when I visit Ames. I have found some good Thai places in Denver, but honestly none of them quite measure up to Thai Kitchen. I'm sure there are some dishes that are sub-par, but I am always happy with my go-to dishes: Curry Fried Rice (red, yellow and green are all delicious) and Pad Key Mao (with noodles).
(5)Sarah W.
This is one of my most frequent places to eat in Ames. The food is fantastic, the owners are friendly and the service ridiculously prompt, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Lunch time portions are usually a little smaller than the regular menu entree, but you get a side of the soup of the day as well, which is always delicious. My favorite entrees are the Pad Key Mao and the Pad Namprik Pao, although the green curry is also great. My favorite meat for all of these dishes is their pork, which is always moist and tender and flavorful. I frequently finish off my lunch with a glass of their Thai Iced Tea, which is a perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and refreshing.
(5)Marcos C.
Been there about 4 times since I got here from Cali, love the place. My favorite dish is the fried rice red curry or your can call it R3. I like the fact that it isn't high end trendy, it's more like mom and pop friendly. The owners are always around taking orders and picking up the dishes left on the tables. Portions are just right, at least for me. Everything that I have ordered has been spot on filled with great flavor. Very cool place to meet up for lunch fast good and pronto.
(4)Jess V.
My bf and i finally got to try an authentic Thai restaurant in Iowa (the owners actually speak the language) and were very happy with our overall experience. Unpretentious place, fast service and good, inexpensive food. I knew it would be a decent place when I walked in because there were a lot of asian customers.. this is always a good sign when youre in an asian establishment. This is the first Thai restaurant ive ever been to where i actually enjoyed the Thai Iced tea. It's typically made too sweet for me to drink but Thai Kitchen makes it just right for my taste buds. Im looking forward to the hot, spicy soups and curries in the winter months.
(4)Sarah G.
I still prefer Thai Kitchen to any of the Thai restaurants I've been to (so far) in Omaha. Sigh... It's so delicious, especially their soups.
(5)Anna O.
I love Thai Kitchen. I've been there countless times, never been disappointed once. Always fast, fresh, and delicious. I usually get the thai fried rice, out of this wold good. Give it a try, bet you won't regret it.
(5)Kimberly R.
Always a great place to eat, just don't have any questions about the food because they can't seem to anwser them. I can assure you that what you get will be fast, good flavored, and well priced. Oh, and be prepared because they are cash only.
(5)Stacy S.
I dig Thai Kitchen quite a bit. While I am originally from CA and have a soft spot for the Thai food over there, this place is my favorite in Ames. The noodles and the rice dishes are fantastic. I usually go for the Panang or the Red Curry, but I would shy away from those at this restaurant. Each time I have ordered one of the curries, they have been watered down a bit. Overall, this is my standard fast food Thai place. You have to hit up the spicy noodle dishes. Grab a Thai Iced Tea, your noodles and have a beer ready for the game. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Danelle W.
This is one of my favorite spots to eat in Ames. The food is delicious and you can't beat the prices. I usually opt for the red curry chicken. They also have the best spring rolls in town hands down. The owners are very nice and always recognize my husband and I when we come in. The only drawback to this place is that they are cash only, but there is an ATM just down the block - so if you forget you're not out of luck!
(5)CHRIS C.
Very cheap but good meal. Very quick service, sat down and two minutes later our food was ready
(4)Manop K.
Thai Kitchen is one of my favorite places in Ames. The food is pretty good. I visited there about two or three times a week. My favorites are: Thai Tea, Chive Dumpling, Tasty Seafood, Salmon Fried Rice, Pork Chop, and more. The owners are pretty nice too.
(5)Jess C.
The food here is quite good. I enjoy the panang, red and yellow curries although they are a bit watery -- and the noodle dishes are all around excellent. The owners are lovely people and I just hope that they don't decide to leave Ames when their son finishes his PhD because I would be devastated to lose this place.
(4)Danielle S.
Too bad I don't live in Ames -- this place is 5 or so hours away from where I'm at now. It's one of my favorite Thai restaurants. The prices are great, the food is great, portions are always huge. Their yellow curry rice is very, very tasty (and I usually stay away from rice in favor of noodle dishes). The interior has far less of a Thai flair than the other Thai restaurants I've eaten at. Who cares?!
(4)Jesse V.
This place is amazing. I have eaten here quite regularly during my 5 years living in Ames. The food is always spectacular, the service wonderful & the prices are reasonable. What else could you ask for? This is a must visit for those that enjoy Thai in the Ames area. You won't be disappointed.
(5)