Thai Pavilion
131 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, 60115
Thai Pavilion Menu
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Visit below restaurant in DeKalb for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in DeKalb for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in DeKalb for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
131 E Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL, 60115 - Phone (815) 756-6445
- Website https://thaipavilionskokie.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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R J.
One evening a group of us found ourselves searching for a place to eat in De Kalb, so I went to the trusty Yelp reviews to find something that looked good. This restaurant had a high rating, so we decided to give it a try. Success! We were very pleased with the flavorful food, reasonable prices, and great service. Today we went back a second time, and were just as pleased. Our party of three had crab rangoon (with actual pieces of crab in the filling, not just flavoring), green curry, mango chicken, and a beef dish with thin noodles (don't recall the name). All were great, washed down with Thai Iced Tea and followed by Thai custard. Once again, the food was fresh and flavorful, the prices were lower than we would expect for the quality, and the service was just the right amount of attentitive and friendly. The menu boasts a large selection, and we will most certainly be back to try more of the choices. I wish the place were a little larger, though, as it was difficult to seat our party of six the first time.
(5)Umair Q.
Went back the other day and got the green curry fried rice with chicken. I think its my new favorite item on the menu! Also, the quantity was more than enough for 2-4 people. Would definitely recommend the green curry fried rice!
(5)Elizabeth F.
Hands-down, best Thai food in the DeKalb-area. I was a DeKalb resident for nearly a decade & visited or ordered take-out from the Thai Pavilion at least once, if not twice a month. I know there were periods of time when my Thai craving got so bad that I ordered from the Thai Pavilion at least once a week! Now when I return to visit friends & family in DeKalb I ALWAYS stop off for dinner at the Thai Pavilion. Easily the most flavorful, diverse & down-right tasty place to eat in DeKalb. My best friend loves their Thai Pepper Steak entree. If you like Pad Thai, I highly recommend the Bean Thread Pad Thai (the bean thread noodles are clear & a far more healthy alternative to the regular Pad Thai noodle.) I simply am addicted to the Bean Thread Pad Thai! I always ask for it to be made with no eggs, extra crushed peanuts & I choose tofu instead of meat (they will make almost anything on their menu with tofu or vegetables for all you vegetarians out there!) Another addiction... the Thai Pavilion's green curry. If you like spice, ask for it "Thai spicy." You will not be disappointed! I just had green curry at the Thai Pavilion last weekend for the first time in a long time, & it was simply incredible. Super-fresh veggies including FRESH FIGS. Not the dried, weird figs you're used to... but fresh, delicious figs. INCREDIBLE.
(5)Jonathan B.
Very happy with giving Pad See Ew a try and I probably picked the right place to pop my cherry! I also ordered the Crab Rangoon and had high hopes for it based on the reviews (and price). However, I do have to say as a lover of crab rangoon this place was a let down. Maybe it was an off night, but it was actually the worst I've ever tasted (even compared to store bought in the frozen aisle). Either way I'm coming back.. I'll just have to find another place for Crab Rangoon!
(4)Shiraz B.
Not too big on Thai food, but the food is well done. The atmosphere is decent and the servers are courteous. The portions to price ratio is definitely reasonable. The amount of time it took them to actually serve us was probably the best I've experienced in a long time, compared to other restaurants like Red Robin and Chili's.
(4)Dee C.
who would ever expect such a hidden jem in DeKalb....for goodness sakes, it's DeKalb!! No one really travels here unless they live here, go to NIU, work here, or stopped in the middle of a destination. I am so glad this place exists. This was actually my first date with my boyfriend. I went here 5 years ago and I have been hooked since. The decor is pretty lousy, but their food makes up for it. I went there today and had their pad Thai and it seems to get better and better every time I go. I have also tried and love the spicy basil and love that too. The other thing we usually get is one of the curries: red or green, love them both! Service is pretty good. Most of the people get their food ordered for take out, but it's a nice little cozy place to enjoy a nice meal. I think I would drive a few hours just to eat this Thai food when I eventually move out of DeKalb. If I move out of the state I might just have to fly back for this hunger that I have for Thai food. This place is a must try though! I definitely recommend!
(5)Pat E.
This place is awesome! Downtown DeKalb has some hidden gems, and this is one of them! We ordered the spring rolls and satay as an appetizer. They were both really great. Came with peanut and cucumber salad sauce. Our waitress was very good as well, and our food was out fast! I ordered Pad Kee Mow (Pad Kee Mao, Drunken Noodle), and I ordered it spicy, and man, it had a kick! I enjoyed it! I ate a little fast and started coughing, and it was embarassing because the waitress thought she made it too spicy, but I just didn't know how to eat like a 22 year old should! Prices are good, for 2 apps and 3 trays it was about $40 plus tip! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! This is the best food in DeKalb. Sure Fatty's is where everyone else goes and most other college kids want "drunk" food. If you're ready to grow up, to to TP!
(5)Mike M.
If you find something you like on the menu then this place is pretty good. My problem with this place is that when you call in an order and they tell you 15-20 min, they really mean 45-60 min. Multiple times I've called in an order for pickup I've came when they told me and had to sit for 30+ minutes while they actually made my food.
(3)Ruth F.
They've done some cosmetic upgrades,such as finally reprinting the menus, slightly refreshing the decor,replacing the awful old torn awning, and ordering more matching glassware, which is good as the place was starting to look a little run-down. Instead of generic mints, you now get little Asian guava candies, which is a nice touch. The food is still very good; they also now have some daily specials which I don't remember before. While a few prices have risen since the old menu, appetizer and noodle dish prices are still the same. Open surprisingly late.
(4)Stef S.
My absolute favorite Thai place in the area. This is some of the best Thai food I have ever had!! The panang curry is so flavorful! I also have had Tom Yum soup. It had the perfect balance of salty/sour/spice. The Pad Kee Mow was wonderfully smoky and tasty. We also tried the Pad See Ewe. It was super tasty! I try to get here at least once a week. Oh!! The service was prompt, friendly, and personal. I LOVE this place!!
(5)Ray N.
This was my first time eating Thai from an actual Thai restaurant. All I can say is, "So *that's* what tofu should be like!" Now I understand why people try to substitute it for chicken and whatnot - because when it's cooked properly, it's really good. Not like the Jello-ish things I end up with normally. Anyway, I came in at the tail end of the lunch special (ends at 2:30), which came with miso soup and an egg roll. I got mine vegetarian, which meant tofu in the soup. Great. Tried it... and was pleased. The entree was the Pad See Ew, which according to my extensive 30 seconds of research is actually a Thai take on Chinese food. But that doesn't matter. You have your choice of meat (or tofu for vegetarians), and it came with scrambled-ish eggs, broccoli and huge flat noodles mixed together with a great soy sauce blend. Combined with a Thai iced tea and it made it the perfect lunch. Service was very quick, even given my 2:00 arrival, and the waitress was also quite friendly. If by some chance I wind up in DeKalb again, I'll come back, but if I don't, I at least have a metric to go by for Thai food now.
(4)Anne M.
How can I not love the restaurant I am proud to say I named, back in 1994, it first opened it on my 14th birthday April 25th, 1994. I am so happy it's still here under new management as it's where I met wonderful people, from great professors, to talented artists who were playing across the street at Ottos, NIU students, family members and great locals too. Thank you to my father and mother who worked so hard here as I learned great work honor, respect, kindness, and many more wonderful ethical traits from seeing them work as I would go to school, and work from High School, till receiving my bachelors from NIU to masters as well. Funny story: Before we moved here from the south side of Chicago it was a ribs place and I remember craving ribs from my neighborhood in Chicago. So I found an old phone book to call 815.756.6445, but the place was always busy. Well, it turned out I was calling our place! No, this was not a blonde moment, just a food crazed craving moment where my mind is in my belly. Funny Story 2: We used to have something called Benjamas Chicken which was named after my mom by my dad, and someone went to Thailand and asked for it and never found it. That was back when we owned it but I just had to share in case that person ever googles for it :) Thai food will satisfy your taste buds because not only is it herbilicious, but it can have 5 flavors in one bite! Sweet, salty, sour, natural, and Spicy! Myth: All thai food is spicy. Fact: No, many Thais do not even like spicy so go in there and ask for Pad Thai or Pad See Ewe, make sure you ask the waitress what they like that is not spicy. Enjoy! Love you all Patrons!!! Many of you are now my friends. Thai food for life!
(5)Mikel S.
Great food, the service is prompt, but on busy nights it can get hectic. The larger your party is, the longer it takes for people to get food, my friend had to wait 40 minutes once and other times 20.
(3)Alexandra N.
Best basil rolls, Thai iced tea, fried rice, and Thai-style curries in town! They have a little bit of something for everyone, very dietary needs-friendly and conscious. My sister is a vegan and sometimes has trouble ordering when we go out to eat, but not here! The pineapple fried rice and green curry are "must haves".
(5)david l.
For a family of four, we only spent ~$30 plus tip. We got the tom yum(hot sour soup), tod man pla(orange fish paste patties), standard pad thai, the sweet potato curry, and the thai iced tea. I can't remember the other dish we had. But overall it was pretty good. The sweet potato curry was surprisingly good. We left full and had leftovers. The main portions are huge. Definitely worth visiting but make sure you plan time wisely bc they cook everything to order and can take awhile.
(4)Bharath S.
Great food.. great service.. best in Dekalb...
(5)Nicole A.
Honestly, hands down, the best Thai I've had. Anywhere. Ever. Not joking. Thai Pav is my favorite restaurant within a 50 mile radius of the dirty d. I lived in DeKalb for 5 years for school and would frequent Thai Pav at least every 2 weeks (probably more like weekly). The prices are incredibly reasonable for how much food you get (you can easily make it into 2 meals) and it's authentic. Some highlights are: Pad See Ew-- It's perfect. The texture of the noodles and the sweetness is just right. THEIR TOFU, my god, their tofu. It's so moist and fried perfectly. I haven't had better tofu. Chive Dumplings-- I know, I know, this menu item is easily over-looked. In fact, I never even considered ordering them until a server suggested them... it was the best day of my life. But you have to get them fried, the steamed ones are a soggy mess. They're crispy but soft on the inside and the sauce is so good. I get them every time I go. Panang Curry-- It's a sweet orange curry made with coconut milk so it's not at all spicy but this with chicken over rice is so good. My sister, whose fav thai dish is Panang Curry, assures me that Thai Pavilion's is the best she's ever had. Thai Iced Tea-- Best. Mango Chicken-- I only got this once or twice (because it's hard for me to stray away from my usual) but it's so good. The chicken is so crispy but oddly light and the sauce is sticky, sweet, gooey and delicious. The fresh mango bits are a plus. It's not too authentic though. Pad Thai--they've got this thai classic down pat. It's sweet and the portion is huge! I've never had a bad experience or bad dish at Thai Pavilion (except maybe the spring rolls--they're not bad, they're just not great). I am a loyal Thai Pavilion customer and when that other thai place opened up, I was, in a word, livid. I won't give Thai Jasmine or whatever a chance because Thai Pavilion has just been so good to me. I recently moved away from Dekalb to Austin, a city known for good food, and I have yet to find a Thai place that tops Thai Pavilion. In other words, GO HERE. THAI PAVILION CAN DO NO WRONG.
(5)Amber K.
Okay so I have something serious to talk about here. Thai Pavilion is so good it makes me wanna swear!! This is serious, I try not to swear becasue of the kiddo but swearing when eating Thai Pavilion is justified and worth it. If the kids swear cause they love Thai food I will let that one slide ;-D The green curry is super and the Pad Thai (tofu & no egg) is so (insert swear word) good. There is no way you can beat the price and portion size. When I eat here it's an all day event that goes like this: order/eat Thai for lunch, wolf down Thai for a snack, inhale Thai for diner. And for 8 something what?! what?! what?! It's true! The first time I ate here I needed some schoolin' on Thai food. Our server was great. She answered questions and had wonderful suggestions. After I received my food I realized I really wanted noodles but got rice. I offered to just buy the noodles, it was my mistake not theirs. And guess what, she brought my noodles quick and didn't even charge me!! Sweet deal for a new-b. When I ordered carryout it was quick about 15-20mins. Some how they still make the food look beautiful in a styrofoam box. They defiantly don't skimp on presentation, even if you are eating in the car. If your in the area defiantly stop buy Thai Pavilion it has to be one of the best restaurants in town! AND......My kids love it when I eat here 'cause they get more money for their swear jar. Its a win-win for everyone!!!
(5)Tom S.
Good food and prices are good
(5)Priti N.
Until today, I have never experienced such rude, unprofessional service from a vendor, especially in a pick-up context. I'm generally a friendly type that tips generously, even for pick-up orders. I am fairly forgiving and can overlook an error with a sufficient apology. Today, I placed a large order by phone for pick up. The first woman who took my order was gruff, unwilling to help me with the menu, and unfriendly. I overlooked it. I called back 6 minutes later to add an additional appetizer, to which she informed me that she would require a credit card as my order now exceeded $50. Again, she was rude, but I figured the restaurant is busy on a Saturday. At NO point was I read back my order nor was I thanked for my call. When I arrived 35 minutes later- affording the restaurant 5-10 minutes of extra time to prepare my order- I was surprised to see a rather empty restaurant, which means that the noise over the phone was in the kitchen area. Without letting me review an itemized receipt and without reviewing my order with me, there was a blanket receipt with the total of $52 that had already been charged to my car. I signed, received no thanks for my generous patronage, and had to walk with two hands full behind a slow server who did not even bother to open the door for me or say excuse me as she decided to cut in my way. I'm not done. I get home and unpack my food. I realize that the noodles are rather dry, but everything else seems okay. But, then I see that the appetizer- the one that I ordered that put my total over $50 and required my credit card for deposit- was NOT in the bag! I normally overlook this type of thing, giving the restaurant the benefit of my doubt, but given the rude service I had received, I found this unacceptable. Wait, I'm not done. I called Thai Pavilion to complain about their flawed order and I explained my experience. I was given a haphazard apology and was asked to hold. I then heard the female repeating my complaint and giggling about it with other workers. UNACCEPTABLE. RUDE. UNPROFESSIONAL. They promised to refund the price of the appetizer and give me a credit upon my next visit, but I assure you that I will not be returning. In a bad economy, a $50 pick up order is valuable. You just lost yourself a loyal and generous customer. Shame on you. Get better staff and train them about treating customers with courtesy and respect because, regardless of the quality of your food, bad service voids good food and makes your restaurant an utter failure. I will be going to newer Thai restaurant down the street in the future and urge others to do the same.
(1)Kayci S.
This was my first dining experience in DeKalb, and I'm glad to say it was a very good one. I ordered the Tom Kha Gai and basil rolls. The Tom Kha Gai was on par with what I've experienced before -- rich, spicy and fragrant -- utterly satisfying. The basil rolls were really fresh and tasty and the accompanying sauce was good. We arrived when the restaurant was empty, so of course our server was very prompt and attentive, but beyond that, she was nice and seemed familiar with the menu. She was helpful in recommending dishes to my roommates, who were unsure of what they wanted to order. I'll definitely be going back the next time I'm jonesing for Thai food.
(4)Josh D.
I introduced my wife to their Pad Thai and now we have to drive to Dekalb for it often. I have even attempted to try other places in the Elgin area as a substitute but Thai Pavilion has ruined her :) I try something new every time we go. I was blown away by the Panang Curry and am a huge fan of the Pineapple Fried Rice.
(5)Monique C.
I haven't been here for about 7 months, so I don't know how much this place has changed or if it even did, but I'm rating this 5/5 because considering it's located in Dekalb, where it's all cornfields and hardly any Asian food, it is GOOD. (If I were to compare it to other Thai restaurants I've been to, then I'd give it a 3.5 or 4) From the outside, it kind-of looks run down, but then again so does everything around it. The awning had holes, but if i remember correctly, they eventually took it down. The first things you notice when you walk in is the bomb-ass decor (lol jk.. it was pretty old and weird) and that the menus were falling apart and all taped up. However, the food is delicious. This had to be one of my favorite food places to eat when I went to NIU. Everything I've ever ordered here was just so full of flavor.
(5)Ronald H.
The first time we went here was around Christmas 2010. On that trip, we had the Lime Chicken, which is a delightful combination of fried pieces of chicken and crispy fried "greens" with a sweet lime sauce and small slices of lime. I've seen this on the menu at Thai restaurants only a few times, and it's a favorite. We also had the Larb (sort of a salad), also quite good. Our other entree was the Panang Salmon. Panang curry is one of our favorites, but we'd never seen it offered with Salmon. Gotta be our new favorite Panang meat. We went back a few weeks ago, and had another delicious meal. This place is one of our DeKalb area favorites.
(4)Missy L.
Went to a friend's birthday and am sad to say I never went here before. When you walk up the restaurant it looks like a regular store front and can blend in with the downtown DeKalb area. The location is small but reminds me of the many restaurants in the Chicago area that are small and intimate. The waitress was very nice and friendly. We ordered the crab ragoon which as very tasty (I would think it would be hard to mess this appetizer up but have had bad experiences in the past). The Chai Tea was delicious.
(4)Stacy W.
Really a wonderful Thai restaurant, great food and a cozy atmosphere. I am a fan of the bean thread noodle Pad Thai. Unfortunately this is not on the lunch menu, and you can only order off the lunch menu at lunch. That's my only complaint! This is one of the better restaurants in DeKalb by far.
(4)Nat H.
Whenever I walk out of here my tummy is super happy. You just want to walk up to everyone and be all up in their face like, "I HAD THAI PAVILION FOR LUNCH AND IT WAS DELICIOUS AND I BET YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING EVEN NEAR THAT DELICIOUS!" Yes. That is how it feels. And speaking of lunch, their lunch special is super-well priced and comes with soup! It's pretty much the best time to go and helps you along with the menu. I've ordered the time-tested and typical Pad Thai. It's very flavorful and great, best Pad Thai I've ever had, but I like to be more adventurous! I also have eaten Pad See Ew many times and I've learned that I am just absolutely crazy for wide egg noodles. I've also had Lad Nar, and it was good but I wouldn't really recommend it over the Pad See Ew unless you're watching your egg intake. Their appetizers are also great, although pricier. Their soup is great too, especially their Tom Kha and Wonton soup. I'm sure all their food is great! I want to try their curry eventually, but their noodle dishes are soooo yummy. The service is friendly and quick. The last time I was there over the summer we were even offered some new free dip and vegetables! I've only gone for dinner once, but rest-assured, afternoon-eaters, it was packed. This place gets good business.
(5)Patricia L.
The DeKalb location is THE best to be when my roommates and I wanted to grab something "special" to eat. What do you expect? We were college students...and broke...and paying $7.95 for an entree each was us going "all out." My top two things to order were the Beef Pad See Ew (Stir-fried flat rice noodles mixed with broccoli, eggs, sweet soy sauce, and your choice of meat) and the Chicken Pad Thai (Stir-fried thin rice noodles, tofu, egg, bean sprouts, topped with crushed peanuts and your choice of meat). Both very well seasoned and delicious! I never walked out of that place dissatisfied. The ambiance was neat too. Quite intimate and serene. My favorite place to sit was by the window because it was slightly elevated. Not very many Thai places around, SO TAKE ADVANTAGE! Follow the meal off with thrift shopping down the street. Adventure...complete.
(4)Christie L.
Really awesome food! I had the shrimp rolls and crab rangoon. The crab rangoon was by far the best I've ever had and they were hommade! The resturant itself was a liitle run down structure wist but clean and warm feeling!
(4)Jessica D.
A saving grace for those of us (NIU students) desperate for 1) real food or 2) somewhere to entertain visiting family members... back in the day when they were still building the Applebees and moving Wal-Mart to the SuperWalmart location. Excellent food, freshly prepared, and very nicely presented. The service can be a little slow, but I find this typical of most Thai restaurants because you should enjoy both the company and the food. I love the tofu appetizer with lime/lemon sauce, and of course, the pad thai. Their lunch specials include several dishes for a low, low price and they come with soup! Back when the owner used to know me and my mom we even used to get orange wedges every now and again. Good times.
(4)Adam P.
My wife and I have been going to the Thai Pavilion for years. They have great food and its inexpensive. Up until very recently their service has been terrible, but they got some new waitstaff that's top notch. I was there on Friday, the service was great. The decor needs a lot of work, but the food is incredible.
(5)Lexi S.
This was the first restaurant my fiance and I tried after moving to the area. I have been a fan of thai food for many years, specifically Pad Thai, and the Thai Pavilion did not disappoint. Over the course of a year the Pavilion has become one of our favorite places to eat, though not just because of their delicious food. All of their servers are friendly and attentive, serving your meal in a comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend their chicken satay, pork fried rice, tom kha soup, and Thai iced tea. Located at the head of DeKalb's downtown shopping center, Thai Pavilion is also a great place to eat when out shopping. Both lunch and dinner are served in generous portions at reasonable prices, and it is all delicious.
(5)Ashley C.
This is my favorite place to eat in Dekalb. Its not very fancy and the atmosphere could be better but everything we have had there we have loved. I try and make it for the lunch specials and I always get the pad Thai with tofu. Overall I recommend it to anyone.
(5)Dwight D.
Food is great! No doubt about that. However, that is the only area TP succeeds in. The service is the worst I've ever experienced because of the long waits for food after being seated and the low number of staff available, typically 1 wait staff. For a while I thought it was just chance but after eating here 10 or so times (because I've been dragged by friends) there is no way an average wait time of over an hour is chance. I've been for lunch and for dinner. It always takes an hour or more to get your order. The fact that they have good food doesn't make up for that. Especially, when there is a place that has food that tastes just as good a block away and they don't have the service problems. If you want take out this place is probably a good choice aslong a syou order far ahead. As I said, the food is great. If you want to dine in please go down the street to Golden Thai Jasmine. You'll be happy you did.
(2)Adrian W.
I'm not really into Thai, but I know some people that are, and we ate here a few times. I go easy on the basic, not spicy stuff like Ginger Chicken and pot stickers. I enjoy them. As well as their crab ragoon. Oh boy, does this place get another star just for that. You seat yourself, and most likely, Jeremy will serve you. He needs no pen and pad for he's got a memory. Gladly he'll fill up your water and not turn a stink eye when he catches how bad you smell. he's quick and overall makes this place run smoothly. Then again, how much smoother, I have no idea when every time we are here there's MAYBE another table filled here. Still, I come here and eat nicely. Plus, there's a Yelp sticker here.
(4)Scott K.
I'm a big fan of Thai food and though I have to be honest and say Thai Pavilion isn't a top notch favorite it is better then just OK. I usually get my dinner to go but have eaten on site for lunch on a few occasions and if I got one gripe it is the service has been less then good on a few occasions. Nonetheless it is good tasty and is a place I eat at quite regularly
(4)Eric M.
Had the pad thai and ordered it spicy. Boy was it spicy! The food was amazing! The service was overall good, and one downside (to me) was the use of can soda instead of fountain drinks. Very highly recommended!
(4)Josh H.
One of, if not the best restaurant in DeKalb county. Not going to set the standard for Thai food, but it is consistently fresh and good both for meats and vegetables. Not the paragon of Thai, but if you visit DeKalb this is a good choice. Personal favorites for me and those i visit with are usually amongst the following: Lime chicken or tofu: lightly breaded, deep-fried, served with shaved-thin lime slices and sauce. Really refreshing and satisfying, not overly greasy. Chicken or tofu satays: nothing super-original, but are nice, with a good balanced peanut sauce. Curries: i prefer panang (partial to a little heat and the peanut) but massaman, green, yellow, really all varieties offered are good. Pad see ew: i prefer with beef. A little sweet, a little salty, not very strong with good fresh broccoli. Broccoli and peanut: not much to this dish, peanut sauce, broccoli, rice. A great dish to match with lime chicken. It doesn't seem like much, but that's what i'd typically order. Pavilion beef: Not recommended for takeout, crispy noodles will get soggy fast. Really, i've never had a dish i felt was prepared poorly, just some that suited my tastes more than others. Service, to put it nicely, can be a bit relaxed. Eating in is nice, but it's not a restaurant you visit for the atmosphere. The food is good, I probably get take-out the most, and recommend this to out-of-towners more than anywhere else (assuming they have any interest).
(4)Lauren C.
Delicious curry, great service. The boyfriend loves the pad thai. I wasn't crazy about the Tom Yum soup, but I've got high standards to live up to. :) I recommend the lunch special, where you get an entree, soup, and an appetizer. The entree is supposedly a smaller portion, but it looked like dinner to me! All of this tasty food for a lunch special price. If you like Thai, you have to try this place! Definitely a local favorite.
(4)Sou P.
Love the food here. Tasty and authentic Thai. Be sure to name your spice and oil level. They can be adjusted (although Thai food is not oily compared to regular Chinese food). We love Spicy Eggplant, Thai Basil Fried Rice, Masaman Curry, Pad Se Ewe (wide rice noodle stir fry). Sticky Rice with Banana (dessert) makes us happy. :)
(4)Saif R.
Quite good and they now deliver which is awesome. I've Neenah ordering from them for 5 years now and they are always good. The only downside is that the cook keeps changing...the pad Thai is different tasting every few months.
(4)Liz S.
Who knew that a good Thai restaurant was possible in DeKalb. It's barely possible to get fresh produce outside of the Farmer's Market. So the thought of good Thai food is unthinkable. But thank the lord there is. I love this place and when I went to school here I'd order from them at least once every two weeks. They have a great Lunch special, so if you haven't had Thai, that's the best time to try it. Honestly, in a town where most of the food is fast food, this is a welcomed change.
(4)jay w.
Oh Thai Pavilion, how my mouth waters for your curries and pad see ew. Seriously, I think this place convinced me not to transfer and run far, far away. So I suppose I owe the Thai Pavilion a lot.
(5)Stefanie B.
This restaurant was my first experience with Thai food so i really don't have anything to compare it too. Thai Pavilion is a quaint little place nestled in downtown DeKalb. The decor is pretty average, nothing special and it's a seat yourself kind of place. My boyfriend and I decided to go here in hopes of finding an inexpensive ethnic cuisine that we could agree to go back to if we liked the food. We were greeted by a nice girl who seemed enthusiastic about the place. I told her it was my first time trying Thai food and it seemed like she was trying her best to help me figure out which types of foods on the menu i might like to try. We ended up starting out with some pot stickers (you can get them steamed or fried, we got them fried) that were filled with chicken and vegetables and came with a homemade dipping sauce on the side. We both really enjoyed them, but the portion seemed a little small for the price. I had really wanted to try a curry since i have never had it before. there were about 5 or 6 different ones to choose from all ranging from different types and heat levels. I am someone who can handle a lot of heat and there was one particular curry, the kangpa, that said it was very hot on the menu. I asked the girl taking care of us if it was really hot and she said no, it's that that hot so i decided to try it. O..M..G.. like i said i can handle heat but Jesus.. my freakin mouth was on fire!! i literally tried half a spoonful when the dish came out and started coughing. i tried mixing it in with the rice that came with it to try to cool it down, but that didn't do a damn thing. i politely explained that there was no way i could even attempt to eat a fraction of this and she let me swap it out for another one i wanted to try which was really nice. I ended up trying the milder green curry. it was flavored with basil and coconut milk with veggies. I wasn't particularly liking the coconut flavor that was in it but hey, that's how all the curries were prepared so i just deemed myself a person who didn't like curries.. o well at least i tried it. We also tried the different noodles that they offer there. There are wide and skinny noodles, we tried the wide ones first. i would compare these noodles in shape to little chunks of straight lasagna noodles which were really really chewy. we both didn't care for them so we tried the skinny ones and those were made with the same ingredients but like a linguine size noodle; much better. Between the appetizer, and me trying the 2 curries (which i took most of the 2nd one home with me), we didn't have any room for desert. i have to say, though, that i was impressed with the flexibility of the restaurant to accommodate to their customers in trying to please us with the food and making sure that we like what we had in front of us even though it wasn't the best. I would try this place again only to say that i would stay away from the curries and try one of their noodle dishes instead.
(3)Janet B.
Superb dinner! We had take-out tonight. It was well packaged & came home hot & fresh. Loved the crab Rangoon. The pad Thai was light & delicate.
(4)JarHarms P.
Great Thai food in downtown DK. Once of my very favorite places to eat. While the inside may not impress, I insist you to stick it out until the food arrives. I find that their pad noodles, flat noodles, and panang are very good. Lately I order the red curry most of the time. You can find something as spicy as you can handle. The BOYB thing is still a bit fuzzy if it is still OK or not.
(4)David R.
I have never once been disappointed by Thai Pavilion! The decor, while dated, is decidedly cozy and the minimal staff seems to cover phones, food expo and table service with remarkable ease. It is obvious that the staff appreciates its employer and takes pride and ownership in the quality of your experience. The food, while not the BEST thai I've eaten, comes in a very close 2nd to Thai Lotus in Naperville, but the fact that this little gem exists in po-dunk Dekalb, Illinois more than makes up for it. Appetizers like the lime tofu and entirely-homemade hot & sour soup are what make this place superb! Pot stickers, shu mai and spring rolls are also available, and delicious, but nothing to write home about. The staples (pad thai, pad see ew, green curry) are top notch and even non thai eaters will can be found noshing away on a regular basis. Real thai lovers can order their dishes with some extra kick from "Mild" to "Thai Spicy" with two stops in between. I personally save up so once a month I can get the Duck Curry... regular spicy. If you have any money left after all that (which you probably will because their prices are so reasonable) I recommend the pineapple or basil friend rice. I can't comment on the desserts because I've never saved room for them! But my check has never been more than $15, and that's with a generous doggie bag. If you are in town, make sure you don't miss this place. Oh, also, it's BYOB!! Bring a bottle of wine with a date and save yourself 20 bucks!
(5)Alex M.
I have been here 2 times now, and both times I have been impressed. I had a bad Thai experience as a child and was dragged here by my girlfriend we had the spring rolls, the duck pavillion, and the pad see ew. All of them were delicious but the pad see ew is especially tasty. Not cheap but not expensive. The spicy eggplant is good too. Definately should invest in fountain beverages over $1.50. Cans of pop. Very good on refilling water too.
(4)Scott S.
Who figured there would be a good Thai restaurant in DeKalb?
(4)Claire C.
Yes, their food is delicious. However, their menu is dishonest. The pad thai is listed as a vegetarian dish, but the waiters will tell you it contains fish sauce. I don't expect a DeKalb restaurant to cater to my dietary restrictions, but I do expect them to be clear about their ingredients. I'll never eat at the Thai Pavilion again.
(2)Alanna K.
I LOVE Thai Pavilion. It is one of the best Thai restaurants I have eaten at. Everything that I have ever had there tastes amazing. The service is quick, and the owner is so nice. It has that real kind of family feel also. The servers are knowledgable about the dishes, and are able to answer you questions. Everything is very tasty, and doesn't necessarily need to be spicy. The price is right, and the portions are big enough to have you leaving with a full stomach and usually doggie bag!
(5)davia t.
I get take out and dine in at least once a month from Thai pavilion! The owner must be really nice or give great benefits because alll the wait staff is so friendly and knowledgeable about the food's origins! I was trying to get my boyfriend into Thai but he is on a low sodium diet so I explained our situation to the employee over the phone and he was happy to go through the entire menu to explain the best dishes to try! So besides the super upbeat staff, the food is delectable and comes in HUGE portions! So flavorful, always fresh and the closest thing to Thai I've had in the USA. If you can eat anywhere in Dekalb, this place is a must! It has been In business forever so you know it is doing something right!
(5)Lauren E.
Great food for the Dekalb area. I have yet to be disappointed. My boyfriend attends NIU and we are sure to eat at Thai Pavilion whenever I visit. (We went twice in one weekend!) My favorite is the Stir Fried Bean Thread entree. We love the Crying Tiger appetizer as well. We have tried the other Thai restaurant in Dekalb, but found that Thai Pavilion has larger portions for just $1 more.
(4)Jungle D.
Unreal how addicting this place is, I drive almost an hour 3 times a week just to eat here!
(5)Alison M.
Thai Pavilion is a great little find that fed me on many occasions during my college years. Their Pad Thai is fantastic, as are the curries, and the Pad Kee Mao is amazing, probably some of the best anywhere (and I've been to Thailand). The people that run this place are super nice, I used to go in and wait for carry out and the older gentleman that I think owned the restaurant would chat with me about Buddhism, once he even gave me a book! If you are in DeKalb, check this place out, you will not regret it.
(5)Charm S.
Consistently fresh with many vegetarian choices, and most dishes can be made vegetarian. Decline in food quality since recent staff changes. Wait staff are not as friendly as before, making mistakes with orders, such as serving chicken when tofu is ordered, (big issue for a vegetarian).
(3)Doc C.
Always fantastic! Their pad thai is my favorite! Their crab rangoon and eggrolls are also very good. The wait staff is always very friendly and efficient, & it has a very comfortable atmosphere. Also, the prices are very reasonable-- and they have lunch specials so you can get a whole meal for $10 or less!
(5)K N.
Best Thai Restaurant! I love it here. Still drive from Chicago to relive my undergrad days of eating delicious Thai food. I've been to Thailand and Thai Pavilion is still the best. I love this place--but quality can vary depending on who's cooking that day. I'm also not the biggest fan of their green curry.
(5)Brande O.
My current Thai Holy Grail! Alas, it is over an hour away from me or I'd be there every weekend. I ate here when visiting my sister in law and fam a few months ago, and am on a mission to find something comparable in DuPage County. So far, nothing even close. You wouldn't think there'd be such a perfect Thai place in DeKalb, of all places. Those college kids get all the luck. Thai Pavillion is a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant in downtown Dekalb, but once you step foot through those doors you will be forever changed (unless you don't like Thai food. Then I can't help you). Prices are reasonable, service is great, and food is AMAZING. I have a little special order that I do at Thai restaurants because I'm super needy, and they got all of my requests perfecto. I went there with a huge group (15 or so of us) and they took great care of us. We tried pretty much every appetizer, and between the table had a huge variety of dishes, and everyone loved their food (even the kids). I personally had the Hawaiian Fried Rice and it was generous, perfectly cooked, spicy, and basically all the things to earn a 5 star review. Keep on rockin my world, Thai Pavillion! (And also open a location in Lombard, please).
(5)Daniel B.
Wonderful quiet sit down atmosphere, great for take out, I've even done delivery orders to work locally. Lime Tofu or Chicken is something amazing that I have not found in any other Thai restaurant. Our regular go to favorites are Pad Kee Mow, Pad See Ew, the various curries and Pineapple Fried Rice. Most important is I am a fairly picky eater and they have never failed to get my order right asking for certain things not included. We've ordered about once a month for the last several years.
(5)Brittani J.
The food was delicious best thai I have had in a long time. Service was great and the food was fresh. The waitress voice carried it was a little distracting but overall great experience.
(5)Shira Y.
So let me start out with the food, it was extremely good, I ordered the panang curry and expected to get a small bowl like most places but this was a gigantic soup bowl I had leftovers for a midnight snack. For first time impressions it made a good one the food was really good and the wait staff was attentive. Our waiter was very good, helpful, and friendly. I will definitely come back.
(5)Sana H.
Thai Pavilion is one the most consistently yummy places in DeKalb. The food is great, the portions are huge and the service is spot on. You can't go wrong with the chicken pad thai or the pad se ew.
(5)Shug A.
Love their mild chicken fried with extra cucumbers. It's to die for!!! Best dish in town. ツ
(5)Joe G.
My daughter and I shared the Larb salad which was fantastic! She had pad Thai with chicken and gave a raving review. I had the pad see ew with chicken and I do have to say that it was quite possibly the best I have ever had. Not to mention portion size was plentiful, my daughter and I now have lunch for tomorrow as well :) we LOVED our meals!!
(5)Leah O.
In the words of Austin Powers, "Yeah, baby!!!" This place doesn't skimp on flavor, food or friendly service. We ordered take out. I got the Curry Fried Rice, and my husband ordered Spicy Beef Red Curry. Both were bursting with yummi-in-your-tummi flavor. We were very pleased to see we that we were given generous portions. Like "I must be from Lilliput Island because that looks like a literal mountain of rice" size. I accepted this challenge and had really really tried to eat it all in one sitting, but alas to no avail. The Fried Rice got the better of me, and I was forced to have the leftovers for lunch. Which is pretty amazing. Because see, I can eat. My husband too, really tried, but he too called defeat. Although he called it earlier than I did. We had wanted to try the Thai Iced coffee but we're hesitant to order. The lady at the counter was super nice in offering us a sample of it to try. Always a plus in my book. It was fan-freaking-tastic!!! My husband two days later is still talking about that stuff and I wouldn't t be surprised if he went in just for that item. The dining area itself seemed nice although perhaps a little small. They serve your water in a wine glass which I think is always an elegant touch. You'll see my face is here again.
(5)Jake W.
Love this place, I love Thai food because of this place now! If you havent been here your messing up! GOOOO! Great service, great food, HUGE portions! But dont get disappointed if your wanting more than the normal huge proportions.
(5)Julia D.
Always satisfied when we go here. Favorites are the satay appetizer and basil chicken.
(4)Sendmeinfo R.
I visited here first time with my friend. This is really good place for really delicious food. We ordered Basil Role, Tom Kha Soup, Pad Kee Mow and Spicey Basil. All were really good. Definitely once a visit place if you are around this place and you are hungry for Thai Food :-) Bon Appetite !!!
(4)Timika S.
I always enjoy my dining experience at Thai Pavilion! The food is made from fresh ingredients. The service is nice. The Green Curry, Basil Fried Rice, and Thai Coffee are favorites. Overall, great meal at a good price!
(5)Kyle D.
Best Thai food I've ever had. I studied Thai at NIU and was lucky enough to get turned on to Thai Pavillion. The quality of the food is excellent, the portions are big enough for a hungry person, and the service is great too. I get the Thai curry fried rice and it has never disappointed. My standard for Thai cuisine is high, but this place surpasses expectations. I highly recommend Thai Pavillion to anyone looking for a delicious dining experience.
(5)Ber J.
avoid avoid avoid, found a cockroach in my food. needless to say, will never eat here again.
(1)Rachel M.
The waitresses are always nice and attentive. The lunch special is the best deal around- they give enough of the entree to have leftovers for two days. The Thai ice too is great if you like Rooibos tea (some say it tastes like cigarettes). Also, this place cookies the best tofu in the county. It's got the perfect texture every time.
(5)Becky C.
Excellent food! Was my first Thai experience.... so happy to have finally made it there! The pad see ew was delicious.... as well as the pad thau with chicken! Also had the basil fried rice and crab rangoon!!! I can't wait to eat my leftovers and go there again!!!
(5)Abi M.
My favorite local spot. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. The lunch special comes with a small soup and egg roll, and you're guaranteed to have leftovers. Personal favorites are all of the fried rice dishes, bean thread pad Thai, and the masaman curry. The ginger chicken & chicken delight are great, too. Great service & yummy Thai comfort food.
(5)Mark M.
I was surprised on how good this place is. Was in town for business and didn't want to go out and they deliver. Food was as good if not better then what I get back home. If I lived here, this place would be my go to for good Thai food
(5)Crystal H.
Really like the currey fried rice with chicken. The portion size is huge. It is easily enough for two people to share. My son loved the pad thai with tofu and is always pleased with the vegetarian options. The window seating is nice for people watching and service is always friendly.
(4)Seth M.
This is hands down the best restaurant I've ever been a regular at. The food is amazing and the prices are more than reasonable. If you're in DeKalb it's definitely worth a stop, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Joe E.
Honestly... this is the best place to eat in DeKalb! This is some of the best thai food I've ever had! Great Pad Thai, great Pad Kee Mao, and great appetizers as well. The Tom Yum is honestly a cut above the rest. I might be biased because I used to have Thai every Thursday, but THIS PLACE ROCKS.
(5)Lin S.
Great shrimp pad thai. Ask for it extra spicy if you like a little extra kick! The service is great and it's very affordable with their lunch specials.
(5)Heather M.
I lived on and off in DeKalb for something like 10 years, and Thai Pavilion was consistently one of my favorite places. They offer a wide variety of Thai favorites, which is an essential characteristic in a town severely lacking in any kind of ethnic cuisine. Thai Pavilion offers a solid mix of favorite Thai dishes. Among them for me: 1) Chive dumplings, which are made either steamed or fried (I recommend fried). Even as someone who generally doesn't like onions, these have a tasty flavor and are even better when you ask for sweet soy sauce to accompany. 2) Basil rolls. These cold, salad-like rolls are fresh and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. They come with shrimp, tofu, etc. as filling and are served with a semi-spicy peanut sauce. A great choice, especially for basil lovers. 3) Green or yellow curry. They offer many curries, but these two are my favorites (and less spicy than some other options). They also do a good job of adjusting your meal to accommodate whatever spice level you'd prefer. 4) Pad Thai and Pad See Ew. Both good noodle dishes, one heaped with peanuts, carrots, and other classic toppings, and the other flavored with sweet soy sauce and egg. Both are good choices! Overall, the restaurant has excellent food (dine in or take out). The biggest struggle is that, although the lunch deals (with soup and an appetizer) are great deal and a good size, it is very difficult to actually eat lunch here on any kind of job-induced time liimit. Service is consistently S.L.O.W., not because of the service itself so much as the fact that the restaurant is serially understaffed. This is also a point to the fact that Thai Pavilion has been around for many years--and hasn't changed a bit. That means that all of the decorations and furniture I first enjoyed in 2003 (it was fairly old then) are exactly the same fixtures in 2014. Things are a bit dusty and frayed around the edges, and those factors are unlikely to improve without a major makeover. Nonethelss, This restaurant is definitely a solid choice.
(4)Marissa C.
I love this restaurant! I work in downtown Dekalb and order from here all the time. Always a friendly staff and prompt service. I have yet to find a dish here that I do not like! Highly recommended.
(5)Gerry A.
I am a long time lunch fan of Thai Pavilion, probably decades, and it has always been good. If I'm in the area I try and catch my usual late lunch and get one of the tables in the front windows, well before 2:30 though. NO mercy after 2:30 on the lunch special. I think Thai Pavilion is showing a little wear these days if you look around but the lunch specials are fantastic at $6.95. I think they do a really nice job on their Pad See Ew, just a little sweet and then I hit it up with just a little heat. The massaman is also sweet and it gets the similar a little heat treatment from me, but not so much the sweet still doesn't come through. Otherwise I really like the red and green curries. I'm not so crazy about their soups but they are still hot and wet. Way above average pots of brewed jasmine tea and refills if you are nice. It is possible to get out of there with small leftovers, so for less than $10 I really don't know why you would ever go to McDonald's or almost anywhere else in Dekalb for lunch unless you plan on drinking it, no alcohol. It IS a shame that BYOB is disappearing in Dekalb, because generally Dekalb doesn't have any any culinary breakthroughs to offer, BYOB would rock here. It used to rock across the street at Mediterraneo, but now I am back to Thai Pavilion with far better food and tea than Mediterraneo. Enjoy.
(3)Kaye D.
One of my favorite places while I was a student at NIU. Prices are moderate and was a treat to eat here as a student. They have a M-F lunch special of $7 which includes an appetizer, soup and a selection of 14 different entrees. That's some good stuff right there. The lunch portions are "healthy" and the dinner portions very generous. The staff are also very nice. The tom yum soup is perfect for warming up from the cold days, which is a familiar temperature from walking to and from class during winter time. Also to note, I haven't been disappointed with the pad thai or any of the curry dishes. I finally figured out that when they ask how spicy you want your food and asking for "thai spicy" was the right level for my stomach and taste buds. You can always ask for the spice rack though! The restaurant isn't huge, but I been gone here to celebrate birthdays in a group of 15-20 people on multiple occasions. I suggest reservations though if you have a big group. Having a thai restaurant close to campus that also provides catering, pick-up and delivery was a win. I am most certainly a fan.
(4)Arnie N.
A most excellent Thai restaurant! The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about the offerings, and can help steer you if you have any food allergies. The food was very good - nicely presented, tasted great, and very generous portions. It's not a large place, but it's a good one. I'll definitely stop back if I'm in the area.
(5)David N.
Underwhelming. Living in Chicago I am spoiled when it comes to Thai. So know that I am a little Thai snobby in the lens that I saw this place. I saw this place was well reviewed by Yelp and honestly did not see what the hype was about. The spicy food was not spicy AT ALL. The Tom ka soup was not spicy either. Usually it's not a matter if if, but how spicy would you like it. The portions were average for the cost which was good. The spring rolls were very bland. Honestly none of my party or I were impressed. The Mediterranean place a cross the street provided a much better quality of food. Finally, the place is small and I wAs stuck in such a narrow walkway as I waited for a table with my people that there was nowhere to go and I was constantly shimmying out of the way of waitresses. I really didn't like it so much. Probably won't return.
(2)Michael S.
Everything about this small, but quality Thai restaurant was fantastic. The service prompt, quick and friendly. The food was awesome. The See Ew was incredible as was the Pangnan curry. I highly recommend dining here!
(5)Paul D.
Easily some of the best food in DeKalb. They have several dishes I really love, but I most strongly recommend the Kao Soi, Pad See Ew, and Lime Tofu or Chicken. The thai fried rice is less exotic, but really nice. I dont think the food is authentic per se, but it is delicious. Lunch specials are very reasonable.
(5)Jacqueline C.
My first Thai food experience 5 years ago and still haven't found a better Thai restaurant. I'm convinced that Thai pavilion could be the best Thai restaurant ever. The first dish I tried here was garlic chicken. Can't go wrong! I went through a phase in which I ordered pad Thai at least once or twice a week my sophomore year. Then I went through my pad see ewe phase which lasted junior and senior year My last semester at niu I was hooked on ginger chicken The meat is always tender and cooked to perfection...I've always wanted to spend a day in the kitchen to learn their secrets bc Till this day no other restaurant can do for my taste buds what thai pavilion has done my favorite restaurant and comfort throughout college...tear
(5)Sadie P.
Love this place! Food tastes great, service is great. I live walking distance to downtown so in the summer I walk there. Great prices and atmosphere. Only bad thing is sometimes the smell in the restaurant is overpowering because they don't have AC to circulate air, and you will leave remaking of a grill.
(4)Larry G.
my first time eating here & I definitely enjoyed it. I ordered the Pad See Ew with Chicken and it was delicious! Very peaceful place & professional employees. Only negatives was that we had to use a spoon, not a fork, & they put 18% tip to the bill. An expensive ramen for a college student lol
(4)Ryan T.
This place has excellent food. A little pricey but worth it... I would recommend the pad Thai or the pad kee Mao. I've eaten a lot of things here and haven't tried a bad dish get.... Also very friendly waitress staff!
(5)