This place is legit. As in it...2 Legit, 2 Legit 2 Quit. I came here for a late lunch. I love the fact I can get either sushi or Thai or both for lunch. They're really good with customizing your order -- the service was great. Really simple menu with the basics (e.g. Pad Thai, Pad See You), but a good selection, too. Prices are good -- most of the Thai dishes is under $8 (depending on what meat you get) and most rolls are just under $10. Forgo on the parking -- I'm not a local, but I can tell parking will be a pain in the ass. Loves it, will be one of my lunch favorites!
(4)
Susan T.
Great Thai food, the best I've had in Knoxville. I haven't tried their sushi selections but the Thai is excellent. Great service if you're staying in, or fast service if you're taking out. Try the sweet & sour, or the kee mow noodles (drunken noodles), or especially the Tom Kah soup. In fact, everything I've had there has been excellent. YUM! Oh, and free wi-fi, so stay as long as you like.
(4)
Russell C.
Just had a wonderful meal here. Dumplings were great, James roll excellent, and the pad Thai was the best I've had in along time. This has just become our go to place for Thai.
(5)
Charlie C.
Sushi better than expected. Drunken noodles were great, but the portions are small for the price.
(4)
Ishtiaque H.
Overall it's not a bad place, but I still think it plays second fiddle to Taste of Thai. I haven't tried their sushi but I hear it's good. They do have a lunch menu which is pretty reasonable. So far I have tried the drunken noodles and the pad thai. The drunken noodles were pretty good, but the pad thai was not all that. I told them to make mine spicy, but it wasn't. Either they forgot or their definition of spicy just doesn't do it for me, neither of which is good. I had to douse my dish in srirachan sauce to make it tasty. I live on campus, but for those who don't, parking may be a problem, so paying for parking to come eat here isn't something I would do. If you are in the area and just have to have thai food, go ahead and eat here. But other than that, I think i'll take my business elsewhere
(3)
Jon C.
I don't really have a lot to say about this place. They have your typical Chinese/Thai/Sushi food that one would expect. It is a very safe bet if you're in the mood for food from the far east, but I wouldn't say that it's the place I'll be a regular at.
(3)
Laura C.
This four-star review is based strictly on what I ate and the demeanor of the staff. This is not a fancy place. It is close to the UT campus. It is not large. It does have parking. It includes a dubious mix of Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese (well, just sushi), and Chinese. After learning the chef was Thai, my fellow Asian American dining companion and I decided to go for the Thai food. I had the Pad Khing (ginger stir fry) with tofu. I asked for double spice. It was perfectly delicious. Quite spicy, with great flavor. I was so happy. I had companions who ordered pho and lo mein and were pleased. I might order non-Thai food next time! The staff were so nice.
(4)
Samuel H.
Go, get the Thai tea. The convo it soup and anything else on the menu. It's all good. I love it here. I usually get the drunken noodle or pad Thai. Be wary of the spice level. It can get really really hot.
(5)
Canny F.
I finally decided to try thai food in Knoxville. I was hesitant with any Asian cuisine since sushi was a fail at Nama. Tofu drunken noodle - it's a full plate of wide noodles, a few veggies on the side and fried egg. It wasn't spicy and there wasn't any flavor to it so I can't really describe it as anything besides oily. I was a bit disappointed by their definition of wide noodles. It was slightly wider than the pad thai noodles, which are thin noodles. I was hoping for wider noodles. Veggie roll - the best sushi roll I've had in Knoxville. This is what real sushi taste like! I was so surprised. Usually joint cuisine restaurants lack in something but they was amazing. You'll get the "sushi" taste; the rice doesn't make up 50% of the sushi; the choice, quality, and quantity of the veggies were perfect. It was also tightly rolled so when I picked it up, it didn't break! There were sesame seeds on it too which was a plus on my list. As for the service, there was only one waiter and he was attentive. The tables are spaced out and there is a bar section to your right when entering.
(4)
Erika S.
Chaiyo is one of those unassuming restaurants that you drive by a billion times before you ever go in. It's tucked away on a side street on campus so you only see it on the way to another destination. I have made so many mental notes to remember to come and eat here. Of course, I always forget. But not this time. The Mister and I seem to be creatures of habit when it comes to Thai. He ALWAYS gets massaman curry and I ALWAYS basil fried rice. It's not that we aren't adventurous, we just really love those dishes. Somehow the stars aligned and without even talking about it, we both ordered something different. I see that as a testament to Chaiyo's menu. We ventured to the house specials. I landed on the Kra Pao Gai (Ground chicken, red and green bell pepper, Thai basil and garlic basil sauce). It was delicious. The chicken was obviously high quality and hand minced. The sauce was flavorful and complex without being to salty. The vegetables were cooked to perfection without being limp. I would order this again in a heart beat. It just might give my basil fried rice addiction a run for it's money. Or maybe I'll get wild and crazy and order something new again. Go ahead and try to stop me. We received really great service and the menu was broad without being overwhelming. I am really excited to make another stop at Chaiyo. This is no longer just a place that I drive by.
(4)
Samuel B.
Chaiyo's Tai and Sushi has a terrifically friendly atmosphere, and was an excessively fun experience. It located behind the University Of Tennessee School Of Law, so while the location is off the beaten path of Cumberland avenue restaurants, it's worth seeking out. I had lunch with a group of co-workers at Chaiyo's on a Wednesday and we had so much fun we were late back to work! They offer yummy stir fry and delectable sushi in a small, more intimate setting that is bright and open. I had the Lo Mein , which was a delectable mixture of stir fried egg noodles with garlic, egg, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, zucchini & yellow squash. The ingredients were fresh, and despite having a large group, the meals arrived in a timely manner. I can also confidently recommend their Po and the Pad Tai which I also tried. Chaiyo's claim to fame is there heat challenge: you select which dish you want and tell your server what heat level you want ranging from 0 to 100. If you order and finish every bit on your plate at level 60 or above, they take your picture and put you on the "wall of fame", which hilariously depicts a guy in a stretcher with the number 400 on his picture. DISCLAIMER: This heat is made from some super crazy and powerful chili pepper that is NOT to be trifled with. I would strongly recommend a dish with coconut milk in the recipe if you decided to go 60 or above to save yourself from melting your face off or try something around a 10 on your first time. Also, they don't serve milk: My friend's Pad Tai was so hot (he went with 100) he had to order a class of half and half to keep his taste buds from melting. Since I ordered my Lo Mein with a 0 heat, which was delicious, I was able to watch the other brave souls I dined with destroy their intestinal track and nearly die laughing in the process. Whether you're a thrill seeker looking for a food challenge or just want a moderately priced Tai dinner, head down to the Fort Sanders area and try out Chaiyo's Tai and Sushi.
(4)
Amber W.
I had Pad Thai with tofu! Good stuff. My friend enjoyed the Mushroom and Coconut Milk soup with chicken. They stray a bit from Thai (there was some Teriyaki), but all the classics are there. Plus, the dessert "sweets" selection looks fantastic. The prices are reasonable for sushi and regular dinner items. Service is good. Location is good. There seems to be a "challenge wall" to test your ability to deal with the hot spices...I forgot to ask about it before I left, but any local place with a wall of photos of their patrons sets a good precedent in my book!
(4)
Brent F.
I wasn't expecting much since it's so close to campus. Chaiyo has great reviews, but the college diner isn't always such a discerning palate. That said, all those stars on Yelp were beckoning us, so we gave it a try. Inside is pretty normal. Nothing fancy, but everyone looks happy. Our server included. A little Thai guy decked in Orange, finished with a smile. He was very helpful and gave some solid suggestions. My normal litmus test for Thai is Massaman Curry, which they have, but I was feeling a little crazy, so I branched out. I know. I know. What's wrong with me? If you knew me, you'd ask that question regularly. That said, I went with a solid choice that I was happy with! Before my mysterious entree came, we enjoyed some tasty steamed dumplings. I was pleased to find out that they make a lot of their stuff in house. The dumplings were a good size, and chock full of the deliciousness I'd expected. They didn't disappoint. Just about the time we finished our dumplings, our dinners came. Yum Woo Sen. It's got 'Yum' in the name, so how could it be bad? Well it wasn't, so I ended up being pretty happy about that. Silver noodles, ground chicken, shrimp, scallions, red onions and cilantro in a spicy chili pepper, lime juice sauce. Delicious right? Indeed. There were only a couple of shrimp, which I was a little bummed about but the whole dish was really good! Glad I branched out. It was served in a lettuce bowl, which made cleanup a snap, and delicious. How spicy was it? Well it didn't get my name on the wall. Normally you don't want your name and number written on a restaurant wall, but Chaiyo has a wall of fame(or maybe shame) for all of its bravest patrons. You normally order a level 1-5 on the spicy scale, but if you amp it up past 10, you get your picture on the wall along with your spiciness. Those on the lower end of the scale were more plentiful and brave than I (I only clocked in with a measly 5 out of 5), with the bravest of all earning an ambulance ride after making it halfway through his 200 level spicy Pad Thai. Ask your server about it. It's a pretty funny story! Too bad for you though, they no longer (for obvious reasons) offer the 200. Be like all the adventurous college kids! Get your name and number on the wall, or maybe you'd prefer to taste your food rather than feel it. Either way, Chaiyo will do you right!
(4)
Katelyn H.
Very nice place, very clean. I wasn't expecting much because of it's location so close to campus, and I thought it might be just generic, not authentic food. But I couldn't be happier to be wrong. The food was delicious and filling. The service was great. I had the UT roll and miso soup. Both so yummy and the UT Roll wasn't just about the color, it had good ingredients and several nice flavors combing into one beautiful thing. I loved it.
(5)
Leah O.
Great food. Loved the chirashi! The servicer was a little slow but the food was delicious. The restaurant says sushi but individual nigiri or sashimi really isn't on the menu. The waiter said he wasn't sure what the choices were for nigiri because they don't usually sell it that way. The prices weren't horrible and since it isn't sitting on the strip it wasn't as busy.
(3)
Sarah P.
My boyfriend is in law school, which is within easy walking distance, so we have met here for lunch a few times. I must say, the vegetarian red curry is very good. The Lo Mein is also a solid bet. The negatives here? The service leaves a lot to be desired. The servers are usually pretty slow, which is the WORST when you have a short break from work/school for lunch. Also, I have had some issues when being seated. A couple of times, I have requested to change tables and have been flat out denied. For this reason, I rarely eat here anymore. The location is honestly the biggest draw.
(3)
John S.
Another Asian restaurant that I will gladly frequent. EXCELLENT food. Sushi here is great. As always, the Thai food is my favorite. Also, if you happen to be a chili head like myself, this place can REALLY bring the heat. Their scale goes from 1-100. For you average humans you'd be safest if you stay in the 1-10 range. If you order a 30 or more (very very spicy) they will take your picture and put it on the wall. The atmosphere is very laid back as you might expect from a restaurant on campus. It's always refreshing to see restaurants that truly care about quality and service. This is one of those places. Do yourself a favor and make a trip here asap. And on a side note, I ordered the drunken noodle at a 50 and crushed it. I'm going all the way to 100 next time. And now for an amendment. I have now dominated the 100. It was intense and amazing. It still burns when I use the bathroom.
(5)
John G.
Really have enjoyed my first two visits to this place, love knowing there's good Thai food on campus! I've only had the Pad See Eauw, with spice level 4 and 5, 5 was a bit too much for me. Very friendly service, think this place is local and family owned which I try to support. Prices are very reasonable too, never seen squash and zucchini in a Thai dish before, nice touch. I'll have to explore some other dishes other than the noodles sometime.
(4)
Anna G.
Chaiyo's is such a great spot for campus eats. They have deliciously fresh sushi and noodles. Whenever I crave Lo Mein or Pad Thai, I always order from Chaiyo's! Their Shrimp Lo Mein is super tasty, and it is fast. I can order it on my way home from work and it is ready to be picked up in 10-20 minutes.
(5)
Rachel S.
I've eaten here multiple times, and I never get tired of it. Great food, great service! I think that their food is tastier and more affordable than Nama's too.
(5)
Maja W.
We rode bikes here on a Tuesday night and arrived around 8:30. The place was already closing down and so we got takeout and ate outside on the patio. Unfortunately they don't have service on the patio so it was a little uncomfortable without much lighting. They also do not serve beer, which i had specifically asked about beforehand and was given the answer that they did. This is a college type place inside, not fancy. I got drunken noodles which were very good, but not spicy at all. The Coconut chicken soup was a little disappointing with not enough chicken. I would get take out from this place because it is close and fairly priced.
(3)
Cecil C.
Authentic Thai food made by authentic Thai folks... nuf said. I'll try the drunken noodles next time as they are apparently the American version of pad kee mao (forgive the spelling), my favorite Thai dish.
(4)
Brian C.
One of my favorite Asian spots in Knoxville. Best pad Thai I've had, best lo mein, and the sushi is fantastic. The owner is great too, you can tell she has a lot of passion for what she does. That passion is reflected in the quality of the food. Check it out!
(5)
Ricky T.
The food is actually pretty good. I haven't had any of the curry dishes but I have had all of the noodle dishes, the 3 star heat isn't actually that spicy (for me), I've seen other reviews that say otherwise. The sushi is really good as well, I would recommend not getting the deep friend rolls because although they are shaped bigger, they give you less. Oh, and the fried rice is FANTASTIC! Only issue with this place, is the portion size. They are REALLY SMALL. I don't mind spending a little more money to have a good lunch, but I also don't want to leave the restaurant spending $12 - $15 and still relatively hungry. I just think that they are too stingy with their food. If they weren't near campus, I would have definitely gone somewhere else.
(3)
Debra C.
So far I'm impressed.....best sushi I've had since moving to Tennessee and good crab raggoon...look forward to trying the rest.
(4)
Yasi L.
the service is bad, making us waiting for extra time without water and apologies when we were going to check out. No asking during the meal. I pay them 9 bucks, they charged me 10 in my account in the end without permission! Toooo bad! Can't believe what they did as such a welcome place!
(1)
Jason T.
Stopped in Saturday afternoon and was very happy with the meals we were served. To start with there was only one other couple there, so we had our choice of seating and the server was very attentive. We had the red curry and the chicken satay and both were really good and came rather quickly. The crab rangoon for an appetizer was as good as any I had ever tasted. If I am ever in the area in the near future, I will be making a return trip to this restaurant.
(4)
Chris C.
I am not sure where to star because everything I have had is awesome. I typically go for one of the curry dishes, Pad Thai, or any of the rice dishes. The sushi is pretty good too. I love this place and try to stop by once every couple weeks at minimum. Best Thai food in town by far (yes, I said that Taste of Thai lovers).
(5)
Brandon L.
Clean. Well priced. Average friendly. Amazing food choices. I recommend!
(5)
Sam C.
Try their Panang curry. Spice level 3 provides plenty of heat for those who like spicy food!
(4)
Gobo B.
A great Thai place! Their curry is awesome and for the price, you get a pretty good sized portion. I've never tried their sushi but all my friends say they love it. If you're like me and like spicy food, this is where to find it. You have the option to request as many stars as possible so you can make your dish as spicy, or not as spicy, as you like it. I eat here at least once a week when I'm in school.
(5)
Dee O.
Updated review. Chaiyo has the best Thai food I have eaten so far in Knoxville. Definitely better than Taste of Thai and Surin. Infinitely better than Lemongrass and Little Bangkok. The food here is consistently good. I've never had a bad meal here. Drunken noodles, peppers and basil, garlic and peppers. All pretty tasty. They also have the best avocado rolls. I love the fact that their veggies are super fresh. Service is really good too. I almost always get take out and the staff is really nice and friendly. I know them all and they have yet to give me a hard time for eating there everyday. They just smile and ask me what I want, even though they know I'm going to get the same thing I always get. Definitely a bunch of non judgemental servers :) Their normal spice level is from 1-5 but if you really like spicy, you can go all the way to 100. They have a nice wall of fame with pictures of the many risk takers who have finished their very spicy (and likely uncomfortable) meals. Many of them started at the 30 level and the really crazy ones went all the way to a 100. I generally tend to stay around number 3. Which is actually pretty spicy. You know, this place doesn't look like very much from the outside. Worse still, it is stuck right in the middle of campus. But you should definitely give it just one try and see if you are not hooked!
(4)
Hanna K.
Yummy Thai food! I love that they do their spice on a 1-100 star scale. You gotta wonder how spicy the 100 star is. Their noodles and curry are both delicious. Never been for dinner, but their lunch prices are good. Normally there's not a wait. Definitely recommend it.
(4)
Bill K.
I visited on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't too busy. The waiter was excellent and friendly. I had the Tom yum koong ($5 thai spicy shrimp soup) and it was great with two large shrimp. The Penang curry ($9.95) I ordered Thai hot was a very generous portion and it was very flavorful. Nice people, good food, a real gem in Knoxville. I will be back!
(4)
Tim M.
How has nobody reviewed this place yet? I'm here multiple times a week during the school year. It's only an addiction if you admit it, right? In the space formerly known as "Felafel Hut," Chaiyo is close to UT, cheap, fast, and delicious. Opens at 11a for your convenience. The people are all very friendly and offer Thai food on one side of the menu, sushi on the other. Top Picks: James Roll, Pad See Ew, Veggie Eggrolls, Sushi / Sashimi Combo I don't think there's anything on the menu for more than $10. Lunch for two is usually about $20 with an appetizer. Expert tips: Rush hour is between 12p-1p - seating gets a little tight, but the place empties out around 1. Alternately, go around 11. Parking is atrocious. There's a little side lot next to the building by the hookah place. If you can catch a free spot there, go for it, otherwise try for a metered spot on the street.
(5)
Hannah T.
Really great, inexpensive sushi and Thai. Love that there are so many different options, even though every time I get spicy tuna rolls!! Loved the Rangoon and miso, seaweed salad is fantastic!! Oh, forgot to mention that their spicy tuna is REALLY spicy. Their Philly roll is always good and the presentation at lunch and on weeknights is fantastic. Great service every time.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jennie C.
This place is legit. As in it...2 Legit, 2 Legit 2 Quit. I came here for a late lunch. I love the fact I can get either sushi or Thai or both for lunch. They're really good with customizing your order -- the service was great. Really simple menu with the basics (e.g. Pad Thai, Pad See You), but a good selection, too. Prices are good -- most of the Thai dishes is under $8 (depending on what meat you get) and most rolls are just under $10. Forgo on the parking -- I'm not a local, but I can tell parking will be a pain in the ass. Loves it, will be one of my lunch favorites!
(4)Susan T.
Great Thai food, the best I've had in Knoxville. I haven't tried their sushi selections but the Thai is excellent. Great service if you're staying in, or fast service if you're taking out. Try the sweet & sour, or the kee mow noodles (drunken noodles), or especially the Tom Kah soup. In fact, everything I've had there has been excellent. YUM! Oh, and free wi-fi, so stay as long as you like.
(4)Russell C.
Just had a wonderful meal here. Dumplings were great, James roll excellent, and the pad Thai was the best I've had in along time. This has just become our go to place for Thai.
(5)Charlie C.
Sushi better than expected. Drunken noodles were great, but the portions are small for the price.
(4)Ishtiaque H.
Overall it's not a bad place, but I still think it plays second fiddle to Taste of Thai. I haven't tried their sushi but I hear it's good. They do have a lunch menu which is pretty reasonable. So far I have tried the drunken noodles and the pad thai. The drunken noodles were pretty good, but the pad thai was not all that. I told them to make mine spicy, but it wasn't. Either they forgot or their definition of spicy just doesn't do it for me, neither of which is good. I had to douse my dish in srirachan sauce to make it tasty. I live on campus, but for those who don't, parking may be a problem, so paying for parking to come eat here isn't something I would do. If you are in the area and just have to have thai food, go ahead and eat here. But other than that, I think i'll take my business elsewhere
(3)Jon C.
I don't really have a lot to say about this place. They have your typical Chinese/Thai/Sushi food that one would expect. It is a very safe bet if you're in the mood for food from the far east, but I wouldn't say that it's the place I'll be a regular at.
(3)Laura C.
This four-star review is based strictly on what I ate and the demeanor of the staff. This is not a fancy place. It is close to the UT campus. It is not large. It does have parking. It includes a dubious mix of Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese (well, just sushi), and Chinese. After learning the chef was Thai, my fellow Asian American dining companion and I decided to go for the Thai food. I had the Pad Khing (ginger stir fry) with tofu. I asked for double spice. It was perfectly delicious. Quite spicy, with great flavor. I was so happy. I had companions who ordered pho and lo mein and were pleased. I might order non-Thai food next time! The staff were so nice.
(4)Samuel H.
Go, get the Thai tea. The convo it soup and anything else on the menu. It's all good. I love it here. I usually get the drunken noodle or pad Thai. Be wary of the spice level. It can get really really hot.
(5)Canny F.
I finally decided to try thai food in Knoxville. I was hesitant with any Asian cuisine since sushi was a fail at Nama. Tofu drunken noodle - it's a full plate of wide noodles, a few veggies on the side and fried egg. It wasn't spicy and there wasn't any flavor to it so I can't really describe it as anything besides oily. I was a bit disappointed by their definition of wide noodles. It was slightly wider than the pad thai noodles, which are thin noodles. I was hoping for wider noodles. Veggie roll - the best sushi roll I've had in Knoxville. This is what real sushi taste like! I was so surprised. Usually joint cuisine restaurants lack in something but they was amazing. You'll get the "sushi" taste; the rice doesn't make up 50% of the sushi; the choice, quality, and quantity of the veggies were perfect. It was also tightly rolled so when I picked it up, it didn't break! There were sesame seeds on it too which was a plus on my list. As for the service, there was only one waiter and he was attentive. The tables are spaced out and there is a bar section to your right when entering.
(4)Erika S.
Chaiyo is one of those unassuming restaurants that you drive by a billion times before you ever go in. It's tucked away on a side street on campus so you only see it on the way to another destination. I have made so many mental notes to remember to come and eat here. Of course, I always forget. But not this time. The Mister and I seem to be creatures of habit when it comes to Thai. He ALWAYS gets massaman curry and I ALWAYS basil fried rice. It's not that we aren't adventurous, we just really love those dishes. Somehow the stars aligned and without even talking about it, we both ordered something different. I see that as a testament to Chaiyo's menu. We ventured to the house specials. I landed on the Kra Pao Gai (Ground chicken, red and green bell pepper, Thai basil and garlic basil sauce). It was delicious. The chicken was obviously high quality and hand minced. The sauce was flavorful and complex without being to salty. The vegetables were cooked to perfection without being limp. I would order this again in a heart beat. It just might give my basil fried rice addiction a run for it's money. Or maybe I'll get wild and crazy and order something new again. Go ahead and try to stop me. We received really great service and the menu was broad without being overwhelming. I am really excited to make another stop at Chaiyo. This is no longer just a place that I drive by.
(4)Samuel B.
Chaiyo's Tai and Sushi has a terrifically friendly atmosphere, and was an excessively fun experience. It located behind the University Of Tennessee School Of Law, so while the location is off the beaten path of Cumberland avenue restaurants, it's worth seeking out. I had lunch with a group of co-workers at Chaiyo's on a Wednesday and we had so much fun we were late back to work! They offer yummy stir fry and delectable sushi in a small, more intimate setting that is bright and open. I had the Lo Mein , which was a delectable mixture of stir fried egg noodles with garlic, egg, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, zucchini & yellow squash. The ingredients were fresh, and despite having a large group, the meals arrived in a timely manner. I can also confidently recommend their Po and the Pad Tai which I also tried. Chaiyo's claim to fame is there heat challenge: you select which dish you want and tell your server what heat level you want ranging from 0 to 100. If you order and finish every bit on your plate at level 60 or above, they take your picture and put you on the "wall of fame", which hilariously depicts a guy in a stretcher with the number 400 on his picture. DISCLAIMER: This heat is made from some super crazy and powerful chili pepper that is NOT to be trifled with. I would strongly recommend a dish with coconut milk in the recipe if you decided to go 60 or above to save yourself from melting your face off or try something around a 10 on your first time. Also, they don't serve milk: My friend's Pad Tai was so hot (he went with 100) he had to order a class of half and half to keep his taste buds from melting. Since I ordered my Lo Mein with a 0 heat, which was delicious, I was able to watch the other brave souls I dined with destroy their intestinal track and nearly die laughing in the process. Whether you're a thrill seeker looking for a food challenge or just want a moderately priced Tai dinner, head down to the Fort Sanders area and try out Chaiyo's Tai and Sushi.
(4)Amber W.
I had Pad Thai with tofu! Good stuff. My friend enjoyed the Mushroom and Coconut Milk soup with chicken. They stray a bit from Thai (there was some Teriyaki), but all the classics are there. Plus, the dessert "sweets" selection looks fantastic. The prices are reasonable for sushi and regular dinner items. Service is good. Location is good. There seems to be a "challenge wall" to test your ability to deal with the hot spices...I forgot to ask about it before I left, but any local place with a wall of photos of their patrons sets a good precedent in my book!
(4)Brent F.
I wasn't expecting much since it's so close to campus. Chaiyo has great reviews, but the college diner isn't always such a discerning palate. That said, all those stars on Yelp were beckoning us, so we gave it a try. Inside is pretty normal. Nothing fancy, but everyone looks happy. Our server included. A little Thai guy decked in Orange, finished with a smile. He was very helpful and gave some solid suggestions. My normal litmus test for Thai is Massaman Curry, which they have, but I was feeling a little crazy, so I branched out. I know. I know. What's wrong with me? If you knew me, you'd ask that question regularly. That said, I went with a solid choice that I was happy with! Before my mysterious entree came, we enjoyed some tasty steamed dumplings. I was pleased to find out that they make a lot of their stuff in house. The dumplings were a good size, and chock full of the deliciousness I'd expected. They didn't disappoint. Just about the time we finished our dumplings, our dinners came. Yum Woo Sen. It's got 'Yum' in the name, so how could it be bad? Well it wasn't, so I ended up being pretty happy about that. Silver noodles, ground chicken, shrimp, scallions, red onions and cilantro in a spicy chili pepper, lime juice sauce. Delicious right? Indeed. There were only a couple of shrimp, which I was a little bummed about but the whole dish was really good! Glad I branched out. It was served in a lettuce bowl, which made cleanup a snap, and delicious. How spicy was it? Well it didn't get my name on the wall. Normally you don't want your name and number written on a restaurant wall, but Chaiyo has a wall of fame(or maybe shame) for all of its bravest patrons. You normally order a level 1-5 on the spicy scale, but if you amp it up past 10, you get your picture on the wall along with your spiciness. Those on the lower end of the scale were more plentiful and brave than I (I only clocked in with a measly 5 out of 5), with the bravest of all earning an ambulance ride after making it halfway through his 200 level spicy Pad Thai. Ask your server about it. It's a pretty funny story! Too bad for you though, they no longer (for obvious reasons) offer the 200. Be like all the adventurous college kids! Get your name and number on the wall, or maybe you'd prefer to taste your food rather than feel it. Either way, Chaiyo will do you right!
(4)Katelyn H.
Very nice place, very clean. I wasn't expecting much because of it's location so close to campus, and I thought it might be just generic, not authentic food. But I couldn't be happier to be wrong. The food was delicious and filling. The service was great. I had the UT roll and miso soup. Both so yummy and the UT Roll wasn't just about the color, it had good ingredients and several nice flavors combing into one beautiful thing. I loved it.
(5)Leah O.
Great food. Loved the chirashi! The servicer was a little slow but the food was delicious. The restaurant says sushi but individual nigiri or sashimi really isn't on the menu. The waiter said he wasn't sure what the choices were for nigiri because they don't usually sell it that way. The prices weren't horrible and since it isn't sitting on the strip it wasn't as busy.
(3)Sarah P.
My boyfriend is in law school, which is within easy walking distance, so we have met here for lunch a few times. I must say, the vegetarian red curry is very good. The Lo Mein is also a solid bet. The negatives here? The service leaves a lot to be desired. The servers are usually pretty slow, which is the WORST when you have a short break from work/school for lunch. Also, I have had some issues when being seated. A couple of times, I have requested to change tables and have been flat out denied. For this reason, I rarely eat here anymore. The location is honestly the biggest draw.
(3)John S.
Another Asian restaurant that I will gladly frequent. EXCELLENT food. Sushi here is great. As always, the Thai food is my favorite. Also, if you happen to be a chili head like myself, this place can REALLY bring the heat. Their scale goes from 1-100. For you average humans you'd be safest if you stay in the 1-10 range. If you order a 30 or more (very very spicy) they will take your picture and put it on the wall. The atmosphere is very laid back as you might expect from a restaurant on campus. It's always refreshing to see restaurants that truly care about quality and service. This is one of those places. Do yourself a favor and make a trip here asap. And on a side note, I ordered the drunken noodle at a 50 and crushed it. I'm going all the way to 100 next time. And now for an amendment. I have now dominated the 100. It was intense and amazing. It still burns when I use the bathroom.
(5)John G.
Really have enjoyed my first two visits to this place, love knowing there's good Thai food on campus! I've only had the Pad See Eauw, with spice level 4 and 5, 5 was a bit too much for me. Very friendly service, think this place is local and family owned which I try to support. Prices are very reasonable too, never seen squash and zucchini in a Thai dish before, nice touch. I'll have to explore some other dishes other than the noodles sometime.
(4)Anna G.
Chaiyo's is such a great spot for campus eats. They have deliciously fresh sushi and noodles. Whenever I crave Lo Mein or Pad Thai, I always order from Chaiyo's! Their Shrimp Lo Mein is super tasty, and it is fast. I can order it on my way home from work and it is ready to be picked up in 10-20 minutes.
(5)Rachel S.
I've eaten here multiple times, and I never get tired of it. Great food, great service! I think that their food is tastier and more affordable than Nama's too.
(5)Maja W.
We rode bikes here on a Tuesday night and arrived around 8:30. The place was already closing down and so we got takeout and ate outside on the patio. Unfortunately they don't have service on the patio so it was a little uncomfortable without much lighting. They also do not serve beer, which i had specifically asked about beforehand and was given the answer that they did. This is a college type place inside, not fancy. I got drunken noodles which were very good, but not spicy at all. The Coconut chicken soup was a little disappointing with not enough chicken. I would get take out from this place because it is close and fairly priced.
(3)Cecil C.
Authentic Thai food made by authentic Thai folks... nuf said. I'll try the drunken noodles next time as they are apparently the American version of pad kee mao (forgive the spelling), my favorite Thai dish.
(4)Brian C.
One of my favorite Asian spots in Knoxville. Best pad Thai I've had, best lo mein, and the sushi is fantastic. The owner is great too, you can tell she has a lot of passion for what she does. That passion is reflected in the quality of the food. Check it out!
(5)Ricky T.
The food is actually pretty good. I haven't had any of the curry dishes but I have had all of the noodle dishes, the 3 star heat isn't actually that spicy (for me), I've seen other reviews that say otherwise. The sushi is really good as well, I would recommend not getting the deep friend rolls because although they are shaped bigger, they give you less. Oh, and the fried rice is FANTASTIC! Only issue with this place, is the portion size. They are REALLY SMALL. I don't mind spending a little more money to have a good lunch, but I also don't want to leave the restaurant spending $12 - $15 and still relatively hungry. I just think that they are too stingy with their food. If they weren't near campus, I would have definitely gone somewhere else.
(3)Debra C.
So far I'm impressed.....best sushi I've had since moving to Tennessee and good crab raggoon...look forward to trying the rest.
(4)Yasi L.
the service is bad, making us waiting for extra time without water and apologies when we were going to check out. No asking during the meal. I pay them 9 bucks, they charged me 10 in my account in the end without permission! Toooo bad! Can't believe what they did as such a welcome place!
(1)Jason T.
Stopped in Saturday afternoon and was very happy with the meals we were served. To start with there was only one other couple there, so we had our choice of seating and the server was very attentive. We had the red curry and the chicken satay and both were really good and came rather quickly. The crab rangoon for an appetizer was as good as any I had ever tasted. If I am ever in the area in the near future, I will be making a return trip to this restaurant.
(4)Chris C.
I am not sure where to star because everything I have had is awesome. I typically go for one of the curry dishes, Pad Thai, or any of the rice dishes. The sushi is pretty good too. I love this place and try to stop by once every couple weeks at minimum. Best Thai food in town by far (yes, I said that Taste of Thai lovers).
(5)Brandon L.
Clean. Well priced. Average friendly. Amazing food choices. I recommend!
(5)Sam C.
Try their Panang curry. Spice level 3 provides plenty of heat for those who like spicy food!
(4)Gobo B.
A great Thai place! Their curry is awesome and for the price, you get a pretty good sized portion. I've never tried their sushi but all my friends say they love it. If you're like me and like spicy food, this is where to find it. You have the option to request as many stars as possible so you can make your dish as spicy, or not as spicy, as you like it. I eat here at least once a week when I'm in school.
(5)Dee O.
Updated review. Chaiyo has the best Thai food I have eaten so far in Knoxville. Definitely better than Taste of Thai and Surin. Infinitely better than Lemongrass and Little Bangkok. The food here is consistently good. I've never had a bad meal here. Drunken noodles, peppers and basil, garlic and peppers. All pretty tasty. They also have the best avocado rolls. I love the fact that their veggies are super fresh. Service is really good too. I almost always get take out and the staff is really nice and friendly. I know them all and they have yet to give me a hard time for eating there everyday. They just smile and ask me what I want, even though they know I'm going to get the same thing I always get. Definitely a bunch of non judgemental servers :) Their normal spice level is from 1-5 but if you really like spicy, you can go all the way to 100. They have a nice wall of fame with pictures of the many risk takers who have finished their very spicy (and likely uncomfortable) meals. Many of them started at the 30 level and the really crazy ones went all the way to a 100. I generally tend to stay around number 3. Which is actually pretty spicy. You know, this place doesn't look like very much from the outside. Worse still, it is stuck right in the middle of campus. But you should definitely give it just one try and see if you are not hooked!
(4)Hanna K.
Yummy Thai food! I love that they do their spice on a 1-100 star scale. You gotta wonder how spicy the 100 star is. Their noodles and curry are both delicious. Never been for dinner, but their lunch prices are good. Normally there's not a wait. Definitely recommend it.
(4)Bill K.
I visited on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't too busy. The waiter was excellent and friendly. I had the Tom yum koong ($5 thai spicy shrimp soup) and it was great with two large shrimp. The Penang curry ($9.95) I ordered Thai hot was a very generous portion and it was very flavorful. Nice people, good food, a real gem in Knoxville. I will be back!
(4)Tim M.
How has nobody reviewed this place yet? I'm here multiple times a week during the school year. It's only an addiction if you admit it, right? In the space formerly known as "Felafel Hut," Chaiyo is close to UT, cheap, fast, and delicious. Opens at 11a for your convenience. The people are all very friendly and offer Thai food on one side of the menu, sushi on the other. Top Picks: James Roll, Pad See Ew, Veggie Eggrolls, Sushi / Sashimi Combo I don't think there's anything on the menu for more than $10. Lunch for two is usually about $20 with an appetizer. Expert tips: Rush hour is between 12p-1p - seating gets a little tight, but the place empties out around 1. Alternately, go around 11. Parking is atrocious. There's a little side lot next to the building by the hookah place. If you can catch a free spot there, go for it, otherwise try for a metered spot on the street.
(5)Hannah T.
Really great, inexpensive sushi and Thai. Love that there are so many different options, even though every time I get spicy tuna rolls!! Loved the Rangoon and miso, seaweed salad is fantastic!! Oh, forgot to mention that their spicy tuna is REALLY spicy. Their Philly roll is always good and the presentation at lunch and on weeknights is fantastic. Great service every time.
(4)