Rice Paddy
1720 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI, 49855
Rice Paddy Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Marquette for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1720 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI, 49855 - Phone (906) 225-0368
- Website https://www.eatricepaddy.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Stacey B.
Delicious! Don't forget to try an almond spring roll.
(5)Jasmeet L.
The most awesome, authentic, reasonable, yummiest thai food ever. Kudos to the lady chef. My favorite has to be green curry and curry fried rice and yes, coconut chicken soup.
(5)Alister H.
Best Chicken Pad Thai I've ever had.. Aoy is the real deal and loves to cook, you can just tell!
(5)Lisa Y.
This is a two person team! She cooks, he bags. Order ahead or plan to wait a while during busy times. Food is so good, we live 100 miles away, but get there several times a year! The coconut soup is a favorite! Thank You Aoy!
(5)Luke O.
Best place for lunch in Marquette! Aoy is great to talk to and so is the guy that works with her (not sure what his name is). The food is great, love the Thai curry. Prices are very reasonable with nicely sized portions. The best part about Rice Paddy is Aoy's knowledge of food allergies. She was able to make any of her dishes gluten free.
(5)Carley L.
The best Thai food in Michigan, probably in the Midwest. Go here soon, I heard she is planning on retiring in the next year or so. I would make the trip anytime if I were really craving her cooking. Cream cheese wontons, exotic green thai(the coconut milk makes it) and curry fried rice are my personal favorites. She also uses extra money to return to her homeland in Thailand every year with necessities for the school children such as clothing, shoes, school supplies and food. If that's not reason enough to try it, I don't know what is.
(5)Alicia D.
Aoy is a Marquette legend, Girlfriend. Her food can't be beat, as evidenced by the wait for lunch on a Friday. She is take-out only, and (again)be prepared to hang for a bit when you pick up. She will greet you (Boyfriend) while stir-frying or mixing something, and her news-anchor husband might tally your tab. Memorabilia from her journeys in Thailand adorn the walls and make for interesting perusal during the wait. She sells t-shirts ("Girlfriends and boyfriends of Aoy") and the proceeds go to her annual trip to bring supplies to schools in Thailand. She is an amazing woman-I am proud to be her 'girlfriend'. The 'unhealthy' almond chicken is my go-to, and the fried won-tons are exquisite. She is the first person to ever serve me sriratcha (waaaay before we all had it chilling in the fridge), which tells me that she knows her stuff.
(5)Alan H.
Best Thai food I've been able to find in Michigan! Homecooked taste from an awesome lady- Aoy is half the reason to stop by! I was a Michigan Tech student and every time I'd make the long haul, I'd forgo the dreaded fast food stops and hold out for the Rice Paddy to stock up on a weeks worth of Thai cuisine for $20. Just remember this place only takes cash and its a busy takeout spot- I usually call ahead 30-40min before I would get there to place an order. Aoy's pork pad thai(thai spicy!) is always my go-to, all of hercurries are good, the coconut chicken soup is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet, and the steamed combination wanton may be the best dumpling I've ever had(sometimes they can't make them and the cream cheese wantons make a good backup). I will always be Aoy's boyfriend ad make a point to stop here on my travels!
(5)Michelle C.
Broke? Hungry? Go to rice paddy. For $5, you can get a fabulous lunch with enough left over for a mid-day snack! Great pad thai here (again, huge portion). I'm also a big fan Stop reading reviews. Just go there. spend $5. Each your heart out. Oh, and it's cash only here.
(5)Mark O.
It is truly local flare, so no fancy ness. However, the chef is hilarious in a sardonic sorta way, the food is really really good, and the price is phenomenal. We are vegetarian so we ordered green curry, pad Thai, and stir fry, all with tofu and veges. The quantity was just right. For those three dishes, and cream cheese wontons, and two soups, we paid only $23. We enjoyed a Thai picnic at beautiful Presque Isle Park, the most gorgeous city park we have ever seen.
(5)Jordan M.
Really good food. Not the best Thai food I've ever had, but up there. When considering the price it is very good. I miss it a lot. When I lived in Marquette I would go there a lot. I probably would have eaten it every day if I could have convinced my wife it was okay.
(5)Seth J.
That this place doesn't have 5 stars is an embarrassment to Yelp. This is the best Thai food you'll ever eat outside of Thailand. California is a distant second.
(5)Alisa M.
Rice Paddy is so yummy! I recommend calling your order in as it is more of a take home kind of place. The owner is very sweet and makes everyone smile walking through her door. When looking for something that you can take home and enjoy, order here!
(5)Dan H.
This is a must. We eat here every time we come back home, Aoy is awesome. All the bad reviews must come from foreigners, not native to the area. Disregard the bad reviews, eat here.
(5)Melissa M.
One word: delicious.
(4)Andrea E.
I love Rice Paddy, and it's one of the things I miss about living in Marquette. I was a huge fan of the coconut chicken soup and of course the cream cheese wontons, or Aoytons as we always called them. I've probably ingested an obscene amount of those in my time up there. The wait can be ridiculously long, but you can always just call ahead or walk around downtown until your food is ready.
(5)Margarita R.
Owner is great person Excellent menu Yummy Food
(4)Amber R.
I never liked Thai good until I had Aoy's good. She does an amazing job that keeps people coming back. It's amazing how she does it all in such a small place with only a couple other people. She keeps it authentic. I seem to always crave it the most the two weeks she goes to Thailand.
(5)Marin C.
Very good food. We arrived when they opened and it was about a 20 minute wait. We each ordered cream cheese wontons, egg roll, and soup. I had the coconut soup, my friend had egg drop. We both really enjoyed our food. If you are able, choose between the wontons and the egg roll. Eating both will lead to guilt and extreme fullness. The cream cheese goodness was worth it though. A very friendly place and worth a stop in if you are in the area, or for a special trip. Depending on your orders, the prices are reasonable and affordable.
(4)Olaf R.
Worst green curry of my life. Stay away!
(1)N W.
My friends and I were on our way to a ski resort, and strolled in here after reading the rave reviews on yelp. We ordered four different dishes (pad Thai, pad see ew, Thai fried rice, and green curry). We were disappointed by the food (note: all 4 of us are from east Asian descent) but thoroughly impressed by the service. Aoy, the thai owner and cook is super friendly and I can see why the locals love coming to eat her food (as well as the Olympic athletes who visit Marquette like Apollo Ohno). She ended up giving us six dessert sesame balls for free, which were not only delicious but completely undeserved. Even though the food was mediocre (but appropriately priced), we left as happy customers due to the excellent service. There is practically no seating available, and because the food is made to order, I highly recommend calling in beforehand to order. They also only accept cash. I recommend ordering #16, the thai green curry!
(3)Gerry Z.
Great food, great value. I wish it wasn't in a styrofoam dish.
(4)Jason P.
I've been to many Thai places over the years, but none can quite replicate the amazing taste of Rice Paddy. If you are in Marquette, go there now. It might not be open, but just wait. And then thank me.
(5)Mr. T.
Cons: wait was 30- 40 minutes. no indoor seating cash only Pros: Food tasted very yummy. I now know how to order here. Never go here when you are really hungry to wait for another 30 minutes. Right amount of food for very affordable price and delicious too
(5)Alicia M.
Absolute gem of the UP.
(5)Eric J.
All I can say is "wow". Finally, a place that makes excellent Thai food that doesn't cost a fortune! The owner and chef, Aoy, is just the coolest person, and you can tell she enjoys cooking, she doesn't just do this because she has to. My family ate an amazing amount of food for 20 bucks, and it was tasty! I am originally from Detroit, and consider myself somewhat of an expert on Thai food. Although Aoy's dishes were not all traditional Thai menu items, they were an excellent fusion of great flavors, and quality ingredients. We left extremely full and happy. I will recommend the Rice Paddy to everyone I know!!!
(5)Sarah N.
For the first 18 years of my life, I lived no further than 20 miles away from Rice Paddy. Of course it wasn't until two weeks before I moved away from Marquette when I discovered the wonderful, unforgetableness that is Rice Paddy. Aoy is the most amazing person in the world. Unfortunately, being the most amazing person in the world requires giving practically any profit you make to a charity in Thailand. Aoy's demonstration of philanthropy at its finest comes with a cost: sometimes Rice Paddy is closed for weeks at a time. That's right, weeks. It always happens to be during a week that I'm home as well. Oh, and it's closed on Saturdays which is always weird and inconvenient. But that's okay because once you are assured it's open and you arrive, Aoy will greet you by either "boyfriend" or "girlfriend," take your order, and complete it in record time. Don't plan on dining in; this is take-out only. While you're waiting you can look at all the pictures of Aoy on the wall with random celebrities (my favorite is the creepy picture of her and Apolo Ohno) who have ventured in at one time or another. Everything you order will be great and will cost you next to nothing - 12 cream cheese wontons for $3.50, a monstrous pile of Thai fried rice for $5.25. The experience of going to Rice Paddy is one you will never, ever forget. If I ever get married, Aoy is catering my wedding (though I probably should just marry her).
(5)Sidney A.
I drove from Indianapolis because I missed Rice Paddy. Enough said.
(5)Nicole U.
I tried this while in Marquette on business, the owner is kind and charming and the food is delicious. She added the vegetables I liked and everything was cooked fresh to order. A welcome change from all the unhealthy food I have to eat while traveling. Will definitely be coming back!
(5)Bat M.
Mediocre greasy thai food. The pad-thai tastes like brown sugar. Not sure what the hype is about. I suppose, if I were super hungover and needed some grease in my belly, it would be okay. The whole shtick here feels forced and disingenuous.
(1)Chris S.
Order sweat n sour soup and egg rolls and wait at the Wooden Nickel with a White Russian in hand. Send the wife or kid back to get your complete truly delicious chow and eat it in the Nickel. You will be a happy long time customer of AOy!
(4)Michael G.
Aoy kept me fed throughout my entire time at Northern. Her food is the best, original Thai in Marquette and you get her famous personality for free. My favorite was always the chicken curry fried rice with her fried wontons. Try some Thai iced tea if she has a batch made up. She's kept her prices competitive throughout the years and has helped countless students fuel up and stay well-fed while at NMU. It doesn't get any better. Thank you Aoy!
(5)Adam D.
My favorite place EVER!! I eat there every Sunday. The Pad Thai (extra hot) is awesome and the Cream Cheese Wontons and the Hot and Sour Soup are AMAZING! Aoy is an amazing woman. Tip her well, they all go toward her philanthropic trips to Thailand to aid impoverished children. Prices are super low and she hasn't increased them in years.
(5)Amy M.
Haven't had the absolute pleasure of eating Aoy's delicious food in a few years but this place was my favorite go to. I miss her giant egg rolls, and while I've been looking, No one's cellophane noodle or pad thai is as good as hers. This place is a gem and I hope it never closes!!!
(5)Cindi B.
I feel a bit bad giving the Rice Paddy such a poor review since the cook/owner Aoy is a such a nice lady with a sweet personality. Unfortunately, the food is just. that. bad. I can't believe this passes for "Thai" here, even if it is the U.P.! I tried three different entrees the day we ordered as well as two appetizers. We had the most bland, greasy Pad Thai (for my kids), I've ever seen. I ordered a coconut curry rice that had almost the same flavor, except with rice, instead of noodles. Completely bland, grease-laden glop. We had grease-soaked, goopy spring rolls as a side and even the Thai iced tea was just icky (excessively sweet with chunks of tea leaves floating around in it). All of this, plus waiting 30-40 minutes for food in a cash-only restaurant? Um, no. Even if I were a broke college student, I wouldn't dare return, nor recommend it. Sorry, Aoy! We'll stick with Sai Uwa from now on.
(1)Ed F.
The last reviewer is right on target. The owner makes this otherwise hole-in-the-wall, take-out restaurant a very special place. Oy called me "new boyfriend" on my first-time visit. She was very busy but still had time to joke with the customers waiting for their orders. She has a very good sense of humor and combined with her thick Thai accent, she puts a smile on everyone's face. I ordered the "world's best" Pad Thai, according to an article on the wall, as Oy suggested (see photo). It was my first Pad Thai, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was quite good. She even rushed my order because she wanted me to catch up with the rest of my family that were eating at the pasty place up the street. Worth the visit just to meet Oy...soon to be world famous!
(4)Tia V.
All thru college this was the place to go for authenic thai food and Aoy is amazing taking special care to get your order right.
(5)Brendon C.
This seems to be too big of a project for one little old lady. She doesn't keep anything separate so what you're eating is basically the same thing as what the person before you had. Not great for people with allergies or dietary restriction. Her charm is what seems to keep people going in but it gets old pretty quick. I like a bit of professionalism in my eating. She doesn't actually cook thai food, just bastardised recipes that were once thai but are now way too american to come close to the real thing. Save your cash, go to the thai house on third instead.
(1)Jami D.
Aoy really is something else. She looked at me and my friends with a knowing smile and told us we wouldn't forget her, and that we'd be back. I sure haven't forgotten her or her cooking, which is delicious. The eggroll I had was so good that all other eggrolls I have had before or since just seem...unappetizing/disappointing. My friends and I bought many different items and shared, and everything was good (which is certainly hard to do!) Also, after eating her cooking, we all felt a sense of well-being and perfect nourishment. That's only happened a handful of times in my life. I haven't been able to make it back just yet (it is a looong drive from Indy!) But I don't think I'll forget her or the amazing food that comes out of her kitchen.
(5)penn p.
All about really good Thai food, no ambiance. Paper and plastic.
(4)Jacob B.
The best, most delicious, greasy spoon Thai food imaginable.
(5)Adam B.
I used to live in Marquette, now live in NYC, and travel to Asia for work on a regular basis. This is, with absolutely no hesitation, my favorite restaurant anywhere. As in anywhere on earth. Aoy is a culinary genius, there's just no other way to put it. Ask for super spicy ('pet ma' in Thai, or 'like Adam eats it' to Aoy), you will never look at food the same again. In no way am I kidding when I say that Rice Paddy should be on every tourist to Marquette's itinerary. The wait can be long because everything is made fresh to order and this is basically a one woman operation. Take a few dishes to Presque Isle Park or the Black Rocks, and take two bites. You'll forget about the wait, and have the best memory of your trip to the UP. I have to say too, Aoy is just a good human being. She raises money for school kids in Thailand. Also, she gives food to broke NMU regulars with the promise to pay her back. That's just old school hospitality like you almost never find in America anymore.
(5)Kait G.
I LOVE the Rice Paddy! It was Marquette's first, original, real Thai restaurant. Aoy is great..everyone is "girlfriend" or "boyfriend" and she treats you like a long lost relative. Aoy is not only a great cook but a compassionate person, she takes a trip home every year using her tips to buy supplies for children in her village. Be sure to tip her big time!!! She likes to make things spicy so be sure to tell her how much you can handle. I highly recommend the Rice Paddy, not much atmosphere but the food is awesome and made with love by Aoy. You go girlfriend!!!
(5)Lutrinae A.
THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best pad thai I have ever had, sweet and sour chicken that is amazing, chicken fried rice, cream cheese wontons, egg rolls as big as your hand. She knew me as 'the girl from the place I worked at" and she would cook my meal spicy level based on that. Recently moved out of the area and cannot find food anywhere close to hers. It is so affordable I can't believe it. She basically fed me when I went to college. Absolutely Amazing!
(5)Kimberlee M.
I agree with everyone, Oy makes this worth the stop! She still seems to remember everyone who walks through the door, even years since they have moved. For me, 2nd best Pad Thai I have ever had and first for egg rolls. Yum! Egg rolls are huge and so worth your money. Great spice and flavor.
(4)EL T.
Serve great food and is darn cheap. Couple of Thai restaurants in town but this one is definitely worth trying. The deep fried shrimp appetizer that goes along with the sweet and spicy sauce was excellent. Had Pad Thai in other Thai restaurants but I think Rice Paddy scored for this one. One of the friendliest and nicest owners I have ever met. Not many seats available in this restaurant. Make sure to be there early.
(3)N H.
Aoy is the greatest, and has been since opening her doors years ago. The egg roll is the best dollar you can spend in town, and is stuffed full. All the entrees are amazingly balanced and will fill you up. The cream cheese wontons are very popular, and with good reason - about $3 and you get a dozen!
(5)Wendy H.
Apolo Ohno eats here when in town for training! Great photos of him cooking Thai! Great portions cooked to perfection! When your order wonton's be specific; two wontons became 24 ... two servings!
(4)Alex M.
Any one visiting Marquette should understand that it is a local institution. Whether you eat here or not you know Oy( the proprietress) and love her. In recent years a number of Thai restaurants have opened up in the area, and are doing well. But the rice paddy is a Marquette original. The owner cooks the food herself with minimal help. In fact if she isn't there the place just isn't open. And the food is good. It's become kind of a comfort thing to me at this point. i particularly like the curry fried rice. Fair warning though, at peak times the wait for your order can be a bit long so call ahead!
(4)Justin O.
You ever eat chinese/thai in a different city and wonder why the almond chicken and general's house special taste the same. Because its crap, unathentic americanized asian food girlfriend...THE RICE PADDY on the other hand, is real food made by one real women. She's one of the most wonderful people I've ever met (on a service -small talk basis). Always friendly, and hands down the best comfort asian food I've ever had comes from her and her little shop in Marquette. I went to school in MQT in 99-04 and have the honor to say I've enjoyed many meals of home made egg rolls, crab wontons, chicken cocunut soup, pad thai and many other amazing dishes. Eat here, tell her hello, and thank yourself for making a wise choice. Take out only...very small inside! Call ahead!
(4)G I.
Great food especially the stuffed chicken. That woman has a memory like an elephant. Hole in the wall or not its good food, at a good price.
(5)Jennifer B.
Aoy and her Rice Paddy probably saved my life in college. When sick with laryngitis I had only to come in and attempt to squeak out an order and she would instruct me to sit and rest my voice meanwhile whipping me up some deliciously spicy soup. She remembers every ones spice preferences, caters to wheat allergies, makes absolutely sure she prepares vegetarian and vegan items sans animal broth. In short she cares about you and the quality of her products. Prices are low, flavor and portions are mighty! I'm in love with this woman and I have missed her terribly since relocating. I recommend the Curry Fried Rice and Almond Spring Rolls, to die for!
(5)Leah B.
Oh. My. God. I went to NMU for a year and had heard about rice paddy through friends. IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD!! Aoy is amazing, one of the nicest people I've ever met. She even remembered me when I visited and gave me a bonus order of wontons! I love the food, love her and wish I could get it delivered to IL.
(5)Michelle D.
Aoy is an amazing woman. She cooks the most delicious Thai food you will EVER have and has a wonderful personality. My husband and I were regulars at the Rice Paddy from 2001-2005 when we were attending NMU. We just went back yesterday (3 years later!) and Aoy remembered us. :D It was like visiting an old friend who happens to be a WONDERFUL cook. She is aware of how to cook for people with gluten issues (which made me SO happy. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to eat there which would have made me SO sad). She also let us order our one favorite off menu item - Kaffir Lime Curry. My husband and I both agree that it was the most delicious meal we've had in a long time and her prices are INCREDIBLY reasonable for the amount of food you get. My husband and I now live in Los Angeles and eat Thai food every week, but nothing ever compares to Aoy. We've tried desperately to find something at least remotely close and it just cannot be done. Aoy is simply the best. Aoy - if you're reading this, we will miss you and will try to come back again soon. And I am SO taking you up on being my personal chef if I'm rich & famous someday. ;o)
(5)