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Name: T.H.A.I. in Shirlington
Address: The Village at Shirlington,4029 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA, 22206
Telephone: (703) 931-3203
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.84

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

The Village at Shirlington,4029 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA, 22206

(703) 931-3203
Store is closed

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington Menu

Appetizers

Spring Roll*

Fresh Summer Roll*

Popcorn Shrimp*

Satay Chicken*

Fried Calamari*

Smoked Duck Wonton

Crispy Salmon Roll

Pan-seared Squash Potstickers

Steamed Shrimp Dumplings

Steamed Crab Shu Mai

Pan-seared Gyoza

Crispy Crab Finger Roll*
Soup

Wonton Soup

Chicken Coconut Soup*

Lemon Grass Seafood Soup*
Salad

T.h.a.i. Chicken Salad

Thai Mint Chicken*

Papaya Pok Pok*

Grilled Beef Salad*

Seafood Salad*

Mixed Green Salad
Not Your Ordinary Thais

Lemon Grass Crusted Salmon*

Crispy Trout*

Steamed Atlantic Cod Fish

Mango Bbq Sauce

Grilled Shrimp Noodles*

Asparagus N Tofu

Mussamun Tofu*

Grilled 5-spice Ny Steak*
Entrees

Green Curry Chicken*

Panang Perfect*

King Pad Ped*

Kapow Delight*

Ginger Root N Broccoli

Wild Chicken*

Nua Siam

Garlic Lover Shrimp

Sizzling Seafood Prik King*

Salmon Teriyaki

Crying Tiger*

Crispy Whole Flounder Daily
Noodles

Pad T.h.a.i.

Bamee Spicy Mussels*

Bamee General Tso*

Drunken Noodles*
Fried Rice

Beef Pork Or Chicken

Shrimp Or Seafood

Fried Tofu N Vegetables
Vegetarian Entrees

Mixed Garden N Tofu*

Panang Tofu*

Green Curry Veggie N Tofu*

Spicy Eggplant*

Kapow Tofu*

Ginger Veggie N Tofu

Stir-fried Wild Mushroom
Extra

Steamed Premium Jasmine Rice

Steamed Jasmine Brown Rice

Steamed Side Vegetables

Steamed Rice Noodles

Peanut Sauce
Desserts

Sorbet Mango Or Strawberry

Fresh Mango And Sticky Rice

Fried Roti Dough

Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake

Banana Bread Pudding

Healthy Meal suggestions for T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

Appetizers

Spring Roll* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Summer Roll* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Popcorn Shrimp* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Satay Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Duck Wonton [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Salmon Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan-seared Squash Potstickers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Shrimp Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Crab Shu Mai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan-seared Gyoza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Crab Finger Roll* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup

Wonton Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Coconut Soup* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Grass Seafood Soup* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

T.h.a.i. Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Mint Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papaya Pok Pok* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Beef Salad* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Salad* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Not Your Ordinary Thais

Lemon Grass Crusted Salmon* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Trout* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Atlantic Cod Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Bbq Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp Noodles* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus N Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussamun Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled 5-spice Ny Steak* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Green Curry Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panang Perfect* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Pad Ped* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kapow Delight* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Root N Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nua Siam [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Lover Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Seafood Prik King* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crying Tiger* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Whole Flounder Daily [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Noodles

Pad T.h.a.i. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bamee Spicy Mussels* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bamee General Tso* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Drunken Noodles* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fried Rice

Beef Pork Or Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Or Seafood [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Tofu N Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetarian Entrees

Mixed Garden N Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panang Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Curry Veggie N Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Eggplant* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kapow Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Veggie N Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stir-fried Wild Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Extra

Steamed Premium Jasmine Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Jasmine Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Side Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Rice Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peanut Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Sorbet Mango Or Strawberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Mango And Sticky Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Roti Dough [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 4817 Lee Hwy )

Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill ( 2424 Wilson Blvd )

Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 4817 Lee Hwy )

Write An Anonymous Review

Cactus D.

We decided to check this place out since we wanted Thai and it was close and got good reviews. I thought it was promising since the hostess was very friendly and the space was nice. However, upon seeing the "American" names of the dishes on the menu I started to worry. My suspicions were confirmed - the food was very bland for Thai. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't great. I took off a star because the service was terrible. The restaurant was pretty loud and the server was very soft spoken. We had to ask her to repeat herself multiple times. That was annoying, but not nearly as much as waiting 20 minutes after we were finished for our check. There are better Thai restaurants and there are better restaurants in Shirlington. I won't be back.
(2)
Valarie G.

Very good food and it was nice to sit outside. Much more authentic thai food than I usually find in the DC area. There was some confusion with out waitress on drink orders but it was eventually figured out. I will be back for sure
(4)
Cory R.

This place was very nice! I went here with coworkers for Happy Hour and dinner. I spent about $50 and that was with 3-4 beers, an entree, plus tip. It was worth it, though. I got the Panang Perfect and it was my first time ever having curry chicken; I loved it! I definitely recommend coming here with a date, with friends, with coworkers, or with your family. The staff was friendly and would explain what dishes were if you had any questions. Very nice restaurant!
(4)
Deanna J.

I've been to T.H.A.I. a few times and here's what I think. It's easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of this place, with it's very modern theme and dimly lit tables. But rave about this place, I can't do. I've had really good Thai before, and comparatively this place is good but nothing amazing. In fact some of the dishes are quite pricey. The staff is nice and takes care of you. One evening I left my umbrella in the restaurant and when I called they let me know they had it and would keep it for me.
(3)
Courtney B.

Consistently good Thai food. Their pad Thai, my favorite thing to order at any Thai restaurant, it quite good, my only complaint is they don't give you lime with it, I always have to ask for it. Service is good, nothing amazing but good. You don't ever have to wait very long for your food which is great. This is my go-to Thai restaurant, in part due to the proximity to my house. =)
(4)
Karen C.

Nothing like I expected...could have been easily persuaded that I wasn't eating at a Thai restaurant! -Thai tea...you might as well brew it yourself too! We were served the Thai tea with the sugar syrup and cream on the side. The tea wasn't strong at all and by the time I mixed my syrup and cream with the tea...I don't even know what I was drinking...it sure wasn't Thai tea. Did not enjoy this at all! -Duck Wontons, the duck was dried and the sauce served with it didn't compliment the flavor of the duck. If you've ever had a crab rangoon from the Chinese carryout, this is just like it except with dried pieces of duck inside. -Crispy Spring Rolls, these were okay; however, they were the length of 2 springs rolls with the filling of one. -Pad See Ew, this was just okay. I honestly think I could have made this at home. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't great...and I can't tell if it was a Pad See Ew. -Chicken and Broccoli with rice (lunch special), this is literally what it is. Again, the flavor was bland and minimal and if you have soy sauce, cornstarch and some sugar at home...you can cook this too. -Beef Noodle Soup (lunch special), for $6.99, this is probably one of the best deals on the menu. The bowl is completely filled, a very generous portion. I honestly think they could have given a little LESS noodles and I would still be happy. In the end, I wouldn't go back to dine here again if I want Thai food nor would I ever recommend this place to a friend. The other 2 in my party agreed...thank you but no thank you.
(1)
Ryan Z.

I've been here many times, and I'm never disappointed. I love everything on their menu but I always tend to gravitate to the Penang curry, with its rich peanut flavor, and I don't usually like curries. Pad Thai is excellent as well. Portions are large, and service is usually good, though the waitresses are generally better than the waiters for some reason. I'm knocking off a star because their Thai iced tea is very weak. And what is Thai food without a Thai iced tea?
(4)
Jenny L.

The flavors here are overly strong -- too salty, sugary, limey. I couldn't finish my papaya salad because of the lime and sugar overload. My lemon grass pork tasted overly salty, and the dipping sauce was very sweet. I'm thankful for the sticky rice to balance everything out, but I definitely could've used another bowl of rice for that purpose. I did enjoy our summer roll appetizer, though -- the rolls tasted very fresh.
(3)
Nina R.

Service over the past few years has been great. This used to be my go to Thai spot in Shirlington for **years**. However, service, portion size and customer service has changed significantly. I am not sure whether they are under new management or what. One of the head server's is polite on the surface, but its more like nice-nasty. Like he's being polite, but in a back-handed, sarcastic, stubborn sort of way. Therefore, not pleasant. I ordered the Chicken Satay as an app, delish, and Thai Iced Tea. I meant to order a Thai Iced Coffee, but oh well, my mistake. Mom order hot tea. Ok so far. I ordered Chicken Pad Thai, my mom ordered Vegetable Pad Thai, with extra veggies steamed on the side, (which she's been ordering for YEARS!!) The head server guy refused her a side of steamed veggies. Why not? He said that the veggies had to be mixed in with the stir fry, not on the side. This made absolutely no sense. My mom mentioned that she's been ordering it that way, for years, and I supported her on that. He said, no, they've never done it that way. (At this point, I am thinking, "Oh no he didn't just contradict my mother on Mother's Day!!??") We told them we were happy to pay for them, geez! After going back and forth in confusion, he refused to provide a real answer as to why the veggies could not be steamed and served on the side. He made up a huge story that the chef has to measure and mix it all together. Not separate. Which made absolutely no sense. It was as though he was being stubborn on purpose, like it had to be his way, no other way. I even asked him why not? Or if he could please ask the chef to just make a side of steamed veggies. He just kept smiling and saying, "No, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Sorry about what? Sorry that he was not making logical sense? I told him that it was Mother's Day and a side of steamed veggies should not be this complicated and he was totally ruining the dining experience. It finally boiled down to price. He was refusing the side because he assumed we did not want to pay for the side dish. I said over and over, if its about price we are more than happy to pay. He just kept saying he could not do it. Finally, he came back and said he could do it, but it would cost $4.50. Horrible dining experience. Head server was not very welcoming, very tacky. Will not return.
(1)
Barb B.

Excellent thai food! Never have I ordered something that I haven't enjoyed. A multitude of options for unique cocktails and other drinks as well. Green curry was lovely. One of the best pad thai dishes I have ever had. Lots of veggies, noodles, and protein, with the perfect amount of flavor. This is the real deal! Nice ambiance both inside and out, with plenty of seating! Shirlington can be both romantic or a fun, trendy place to go out with friends. Highly recommend!
(4)
Stephen H.

Average at best. Like most of Shirlington, its conveniently located but nothing to write home about. Really enjoy sitting outside and walking around Shirlington, but the food is C- at best. If folks think this is Thai food, then they need to get out more. Cannot recommend anything here but at the same time couldnt recommend any spot in Shirlington.
(3)
Will O.

First time, and not the last. General Tso', Thai style. Excellent! Tons of flavors, light, tender chicken, and awesome noodles. Also the veggie spring rolls were fantastic. The crispy salmon rolls were very tasty, fully cooked. The wasabi sauce really amped up the flavor.
(5)
Hannah H.

About a 2-2.5: T.H.A.I. Shirlington is one of my friend's favorite Thai restaurant in the area. I was really excited to finally try them out. They are located in Shirlington, and it seemed like a pretty popular spot with the locals. They offer lunch specials daily between 11:30-4PM, and offer items such as soups, salads, appetizers (dumplings, shu mai), noodles, entrees (curry, panang, etc.), vegetarian options, as well as desserts. I was suggested to order their special Duck Spring Rolls, but this was not listed, and I believe it is a special that they have once in a while. We started off with the crispy spring rolls instead, but they came out kind of limp and soggy - not the usual crispiness that I expected it to be - their sweet and sour sauce was also more on the watery side, not the thicker syrupy-consistency. For our entrees, we ordered their Pad T.H.A.I. with shrimp, which came with bean curd, peanuts, bean sprouts, scallions, eggs, and noodles. I was not a fan as the shrimp, as it was just not fresh, which also caused the dish to have a weird aftertaste. The Chicken Panang was also on the less-than-thick side, which could be okay, but the flavor was not there - I thought that there was a lack of depth in the spices, which made the curry more on the bland side. We also tried their Drunken Noodles, which the noodles were extremely overcooked, causing them to be very wet and slimy. Service was friendly, and I am glad I was able to check this place out - however, I will not return, as I have my personal Thai eateries in the area! +soggy spring rolls T___T +overcooked noodles T___T +not fresh shrimp T___T +bland curries T___T +friendly staff :D +located in Shirlington +limited free parking along Campbell
(3)
Arvie M.

Came here for Valentine's Day a few months ago. It was so cozy inside. I remember there was a blizzard outside the window and my boyfriend and I were entranced by the snow blowing outside. I had a Thai iced tea, and that was very good. I got to pour my own milk and syrup into my tea. We had a chicken satay to start with, and for my entree I had the drunken noodles, which were delicious. For dessert, we ordered a creme brÃ»lÃ©e, which came with a chocolate covered spoon! That was pretty cool. I wish our server had brought two chocolate covered spoons, since he must have known we were going to share this dessert (we were a couple on Valentine's Day ordering one dessert???), but since we didn't ask, I can't blame him. He was a pretty good server, especially considering they must have been busy. I keep thinking about how much I want to go back again!
(5)
Pegah Y.

I really enjoyed T.H.A.I. in Shirlington. We got seated right away on a weeknight (and it was quite crowded too). I like that they have plenty of space (both indoors and on their patio). It's great for small and large parties alike. Our waitress was extremely friendly and smiley and attentive throughout (awesome!) and our food was delicious. We ordered the crispy spring rolls as an appetizer. For our entrees we ordered the chicken Pad Thai and the Pad See Ew. The meal was truly tasty. We also enjoyed the drinks - their pineapple-mango Mojito and their Long Island Iced Tea (actually not as strong as those usually are). I have no complaints at all. And since this is located conveniently in Shirlington (tons of other restaurants and shops in the area), I will certainly be back.
(5)
An L.

Food was good but our server was very lackadaisical. Really no emotion nor enthusiasm towards the guests needs.
(3)
Pete B.

It was my first time in Shirlington with my girlfriend, and as we walked down the village street , Thai caught our eye. The interior decor is tastefully modern, but since the weather was nice for a mid-June day, we decided to eat outside. Service was prompt and friendly. The appetizer course consisted of winter vegetable pot stickers. These familiar shaped dumplings were filled with a well-balanced butternut squash filling and accompanied by a "I want to drink this" savory dipping sauce. It was an awesome starter. The entrÃ©e course featured chicken pad Thai and seafood drunken noodles. The drunken noodles were offered in a choice of lo mein noodles or wide Thai noodles. I opted for the wide noodles in this dish. It just seemed appropriate for the venue. The pad Thai was an excellently executed version of this classic Thai dish. It was far better than standard, for sure. If nothing else peaks your interest on the menu, and there is plenty of interesting stuff to try, the pad Thai will surely make a satisfying choice. The drunken noodles were exceptional. This dish had plenty of hot pepper punch to keep a steady burn through the dish (as indicated by the three hot peppers on the menu) but not too much to overpower the dish. I welcomed every single bite of this dish with its perfect balance of sweet, savory and spicy. It made me wish the dish never ended. Definitely for the adventurous in its "spicy" form, but I'm certain the less adventurous would find a mild spice version of the dish equally as satisfying. As for the seafood add-in, five mussels, four or five large scallops, some jumbo shrimp, and calamari made for nuggets of treasure among the sea of tasty, tasty noodles. Both dishes are recommended.
(5)
Karen L.

3 stars for food. Extra star for dog friendliness. Pad Thai was pretty decent, but the flavoring of my drunken noodles seemed a bit off. I like that they bring the Thai Iced tea with cream and simple syrup on the side you can sweeten to taste. Don't think I'd go out of my way to go here in the winter, but we definitely spend our fair share of time here when the weather is nice.
(4)
Jon M.

We were so impressed with everything. Ate too much but every thing was very good. Recommend without reservation.
(5)
Alexis B.

As a first timer- I must say, I was impressed. The ambiance is very relaxing, almost romantic in a way. Great place for a date. I ordered a dumplings appetizer and pineapple fried rice. It was absolutely delicious. We also ordered calamri and the chicken basil. Everything was very good. The service was great and its definitly a place I would visit again.
(5)
Leanna C.

This place is pretty mediocre. Not much flavor to the food but it'll hit the spot if you're craving for Thai. Go during lunch for the best deal for your buck!
(3)
Heni V.

I loooooove this place, I've been to this place multiple times and I've never been disappointed. I've pretty much tried almost everything on the menu and everything is great and their prices are very affordable. Today my girl and I went in and had the Thai Mango chicken salad & the General Tso chicken with Noodles and both meals were very good and their timing was great. I recommend this place to anyone that enjoys good Thai food. Place is always clean and the services is excellent.
(5)
Khondker I.

The service and food is good for a change. Prices are reasonable. Great varieties to choose from. Please ask the way you want it.
(3)
Mary H.

THAI Shirlington is our go-to place for Thai. I wish I could say more for the Thai places much closer to our home in MD just outside NE DC, but they are just not that good. THAI Shirlington only misses 5 stars because wouldn't it be nice if they were cheap for all that delicious food? But que sera sera, the food is fresh, imaginative, and delicious, the service has always been good for us, and we've only gone once where we walked in and couldn't be seated in a reasonable amount of time even on a weekend night. We're from Chicago and great hole-in-the-wall Thai food is around every corner in the right neighborhoods. While that's not true where we live in the area, it's so great to have a place on which we know we can rely. When it's crowded, the atmosphere is energetic and communal (definitely not intimate, you can almost certainly hear what the people next to you are saying and vice versa)--when it's slower, the place is quiet, pretty intimate, and classy-casual. Are there other places in NoVA that have quality food for better prices? Definitely. But we don't live anywhere near them. This is a great place where we know we can get good quality and a parking spot a finite distance from home. Also, as a currently-pregnant lady, they do not use any MSG (and you can taste it...so fresh!). We'll be back again (and again).
(4)
Jihad B.

Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines. It's very rare you can gorge yourself to such an extent and not feel awful afterwards but Thai food somehow provides a reasonable accommodation to being fat. A list of what I tried on my visit; Fried Calamari, Crispy Salmon Rolls, Kapow Delight, Sizzling Seafood Prik King, and some beef and broccoli dish. The calamari is a must order. I pretty much order calamari whenever it's on the menu so I consider myself well traveled in the fried squid world. This calamari is thin and crispy and what really sets it apart is the tangy sauce drizzled on top of it. I would recommend ordered extra sauce on the side. The Crispy Salmon Roll seems to be a sushi roll deep fried. Obviously that's going to be good. Kapow Delight was probably the best thing I've had here. The beef is absolutely tender and the thick sauce is spicy and exquisitely flavorful. I ordered my dish, the Sizzling Seafood Prik King, extra spicy even though it was listed alongside two peppers on their spicy rating. It was delicious and painful all at the same time, satisfying any sadomasochistic needs you need fulfilled. Beef and broccoli was aight I guess.
(4)
Mia C.

I've been here a few times , 3 times for lunch and 1time for dinner. Each time the service has been spot on, the food served fast and hot and the flavor of the good consistent. The lunch specials offer a nice portion for such a low price. They have ( in my opinion and probably yours once you order it) the BEST Pad Thai in Arlington!
(4)
Ayanna C.

The food was tasty I got the Drunken Noodles and the ingredients were very fresh no rotting on the vegetables etc. The server we had the first time was friendly and the waitstaff throughout the evening rush on Friday were attentive when we needed our drinks refilled and table cleared. Returned again this Sunday during brunch and it was not crowded too much because I went with early birds but my experience was blah with the waiter we had, so that dampened my experience and I probably won't be going back considering the fact that it's out of my way but people I know really love their food who work around Shirlington. In all honesty the food was good but the service and the fact that the restaurant was not full but it took us longer to get our food this time, and our server was spilling our drinks everywhere just annoyed me. Plus I don't really like trying to many asian style restaurants in the DMV considering a lot of those individuals seem to despise Black Americans. But if you want somewhat authentic Thai food it's not bad, but I have had better.
(3)
Alison S.

I do not understand how this place got 4 stars! I came here with my cousin (both of us are from Thailand) and my 2 kids. We actually came for a different restaurant, but that place was closed, so had to find an alternate lunch place. My daughter picked this one as she likes Thai food. First of all the menu is not traditional Thai at all. Seems fusion-like .... or at least adapted. They had a section for Bowls (that's all the rage right now with places like Cava Mezze, Sweetgreens etc.). I ordered a Shrimp Shumai appetizer for my 6 yr old son. It was $8 and there were only 3 pieces. The rest of us got a bowl of noodles each and we all added on the Spring Rolls. First the Shumai (dumplings) and spring rolls came out. And then the rest of the orders took forever. People the coming and going. They sat down, ordered after us, and still got their food first. I actually had to call over one of the waiters to ask where our food was. Finally the noodles came. My cousin ordered the Beef Noodles (which she said was pretty bland), I had the Tom Yum Ramen which looked and tasted like instant ramen with a few shrimps and veggies added, and my daughter got the wonton noodle soup. I wanted a "Do Over" lunch somewhere else as it was so unsatisfying and I was still hungry. The whole meal with tip came to a little over $48!! What a rip off!!! I DO NOT recommend anyone going to this place. What an embarrassment to Thai cuisine!
(1)
Angelica R.

Just enjoyed a very delicious valentine's dinner. We decided to order directly from the regular menu instead of the special valentine's day menu. We had spring rolls "to die for", steamed edamame, shrimp fried rice and chicken basil. Every dish was absolutely wonderful.
(5)
Ray W.

This was our go-to THAI for years, and still would be if we hadn't moved. The Chicken Basil Big Bowl is to die for.
(5)
Lauren B.

I went back to DC to visit some of my girlfriends and this place was not conducive to dinner conversation. There were 8 of us and we were at a long table and I could not hear a word anyone said a few seats down from me. I wasn't all that hungry but I did order the chicken satay and it was good but wouldn't have enticed me back.
(2)
C M.

I love Thai of Shirlington! Everything that I have had here is delicious! Not to mention, the staff is always kind. I really like the dumpling soup here. Try it on your next go round!
(5)
Courtney L.

Awesome red curry! The seafood was very fresh! Customer service is excellent! I also had the spring rolls which were delish!
(5)
Laura S.

One of the consistently best restaurants I frequent in the DC area. I love their fried rice, my boyfriend is obsessed with the Thai curries. Chicken satee is great, spring rolls too. Nice friendly service, quick. I have celiac disease and they understand gluten and have made me fried rice with only fish sauce and no soy sauce several times. I've never gotten sick! Enjoy the atmosphere, especially if it's nice enough to enjoy the patio. Great place.
(4)
Laila B.

Came here to grab some lunch and left a very happy camper! Was greeted at the door and the service is really great, waiters make eye contact and always smile, always making sure I didn't need anything. I ordered the ginger iced tea, which was delicious, and the chicken potstickers for our appetizer, also really yummy! I had the drunken noodle with chicken and it was honestly the best I've had, it was spicy and really flavorful. It's a great place to have any meal and ill definitely be back!
(5)
Kat P.

My friend and I had a late dinner here last Friday. We arrived around 8:45 and were seated immediately, and didn't need a reservation. We both split the papaya salad which was super good. It was big enough to share, and had a good amount of heat which I loved. For entrees we both had curry, I had the Panang curry sauce with chicken for $13 and she had the green curry with mixed seafood for $17. While some might think these prices are a little high for Thai, I had no problems with them as the portions were quite large and we were dining in Shirlington. We both were happy with our choices, and took the leftovers home. Service was attentive, but not over the top. I have no complaints and would definitely come here again should the opportunity arise.
(4)
Sue M.

Love the chicken basil lunch bowl. Husband likes the pads see ew and other soups.
(4)
Lee U.

I've been here 3 or 4 times now and each time has been a pleasant experience. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself is very nice. The ambiance is perfect for a nice evening out where you can have a pleasant conversation with out having to raise your voice or strain your hearing. They have a relatively good selection of appetizers and if you have a party of 4 (or you'd like a big starter) go for the assorted dumplings. It's good! I've tried a couple of their curries with chicken and with shrimp and have not been disappointed. I do like my curries spicy, but I'm not ready for "Thai Spicy." With that said, their chili pepper rating on their menu is a little on the conservative side. Although, you can always specify to the waitstaff to up the spiciness or cool it down depending on your preference. If all else fails, you can always request their chili sauces and add as much heat as your heart or should i say, your taste buds desire. I would definitely recommend this place if you are in the mood for Thai and I will continue to frequent this establishment.
(4)
Cid H.

A solid choice if you are in the mood for Thai. I'll be the first to admit that Thai isn't my favorite type of food (and it may not even be on my Top Ten list), but my wife loves the stuff so I am a captive diner. That being said, the drunken noodles were...typical (yet not very spicy, even though they were advertised with three red peppers next to their name) and my wife seemed to enjoy her Pad See Ew. Mixed drinks were surprisingly affordable for the area ($7.50 for a fair-sized Long Island Iced Tea), and the banana brÃ»lÃ©e sundae was a nice way to finish the dinner. But at the end of the day, I just don't think I could ever get excited about this place. It's a very "functional" restaurant. It's nicely decorated, the food came out in a reasonable amount of time, and ingredients seemed fresh. Solid. Gets the job done. I just wouldn't go out of my way to return to this place with so many other carbon copy restaurants in the area (e.g., Thaiphoon in Pentagon City, Urban Thai in Crystal City, Sawatdee in Courthouse). My recommendation would be to give each of these different restaurants a shot and see which you prefer. You can't go wrong at any of them [though Thaiphoon is at the top of my list], but we all have our own preferences.
(4)
Daniel T.

I am a regular here. This place has good Thai food for a decent price. You can get good deals, especially during lunch. This is the place where I first fell in love with chicken satay. I have ordered that each and every time I have visited. It's nice to sit outside when the weather cooperates. Being in Shirlington, you can have your canine friend sit outside with you while you enjoy. An awesome thing about this place is that they let you mix your own Thai Iced Tea, which is the only place I know of.
(4)
Betrice Y.

I came here over the weekend for lunch and the food was delicious! For appetizers I got the crispy salmon rolls and the fried crab (yum!). They were good enough portions to share with someone else also. For an entree I ordered Pad See Ew with pork off of the lunch menu. I feel like lunch menus are usually smaller portions, but I got a lot of food! I couldn't finish it all so I had to take the rest home. Service is also great. Our server was sweet, funny, and always there when we needed her. Definitely one of my favorite places in Shirlington. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Itpurt R.

Have been here numerous times and I think the lunch specials are a good meal for the price and portion sizes. You can add an egg roll for $1.25 more. The place is great for dinner as well. With a good selection of desserts and teas, you can have a hearty meal with friends and family. Came here for the lunch special today and tried the Tom Yum Ramen. It was very passable. I might as well have had some Top Ramen from the packet! Stick to the Chicken Basil. It is probably the best on that menu. Apart from that, my favorite is the Drunken Noodles. This place is a must try for Thai food lovers.
(4)
Rebecca S.

Stopped in while on a business trip. Bartender was super friendly, but included the shrimp dumplings in his description of what appetizers were on happy hour special. Wound up spending $7.95 on three dumplings...ouch! Food was good, but I wound up with a $40 bill at happy hour for 2 glasses of wine, three dumplings, and some chicken curry. The food was yummy, but it was really pricey and didn't seem worth the inflated cost.
(3)
Cat C.

Great location, really friendly service, and generous entree portions. However, the food leaves much to be desired. I ordered Pad See Ew noodles with fried tofu and a shrimp shumai appetizer. My noodles were partially cooked, and the shumai tasted as if they were pre-packaged and frozen, and later thawed for steaming. Needless to say, I will not be returning for my Thai food fix.
(3)
Gwen B.

Decent Thai for a decent price. We had the pad Thai and fried rice. Both were good but Bangkok 54 is better in our opinion. It was packeddddd in here when we came and it was our last resort (first choice was Carlyle) but we weren't disappointed.
(3)
Ryan E.

Went there after Mass for something different on a Sunday. Very good, solid Thai place. We got a side of rice noodles for the little kids, some Pad Thai which we ended up splitting, Thai chicken salad for the wife, and Panang (peanut sauce) Chicken and jasmine rice. Very good and will repeat the next time I'm in the mood for Thai, which is about annually.
(4)
Oggie E.

Second time around i havent disappointed so far on either service or food. I just moved to this area and im so glad i found my favorite thai restaurant!
(4)
Walito A.

***RUDE HOST*** The food may be good here, unfortunately we didn't get the try it. This review is based on the bad service when we walked in and were seated in the back near the noisy kitchen, I politely asked if we could be seated else where and I got a hand to face "hold on sir". When I pointed out it was not polite , he said "do you want to eat here or not?!, and it's fine if you want to go"....guess they don't need customers, fortunately Lotus next door had great food and greeted us with a smile and excellent service.
(1)
Grand Y.

Solid place. I got the green curry. I asked them to make it thai hot, which they didn't, but it had some kick and was pretty good. Soupy, with slightly-undercooked eggplant. The items were reasonably priced, and the portions were big. The boy got the drunken noodles. I can't comment, since I was too stuffed to take a bite. But he left half of it behind, and he's a big eater. The Thai iced tea is a three-part affair, which I hadn't seen before. You add your own sugar syrup and milk.
(4)
N P.

After Bangkok Joe's closed down, I was on the mission to find a comparable place. Since both restaurants are owned by the same people, I decided to try THAI for lunch. Even though the interior begs to be renovated, the food was good. I had General Tsao's chicken over noodles. And if course the famouse ginger lemon iced tea.
(4)
Terry M.

I love this place because it's walking distance from me. The food is good and decently priced, especially for the location. Shirlington isn't exactly inexpensive. I always get the pad see ewe, my gf always gets the pad thai. The waiters/hosts are always friendly and welcoming. The patio seating is a bit cramped, I always inadvertently eavesdrop on my neighboring patrons' conversations. The inside dÃ©cor is beautiful.
(4)
Matthew T.

Great service, fast kitchen, good value. Coconut soup is wonderful, great amounts of chicken and mushrooms. The drunken noodles list as three peppers in spice but was Mild by my standards. So flavorful. My wife got the basil chicken and they made it mild to her liking. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Karen A.

Very relaxing Sunday lunch with outdoor seating. Dog Friendly =) Was surprised and pleased to see their daily lunch special menu (nice way to try the food). Food was yum, Popcorn shrimp, spring rolls, chicken basil and Pad Gai. Service was great, very attentive and very nice. We will be coming back indeed!
(5)
Ryan D.

Very good thai food. Not the best I've ever had but I got the drunken noodles while staying at the hotel around the corner for the night and it was great. I would recommend them.
(4)
Sima T.

Tofu Todd (aka fried tofu) can be ordered outside of the menu and it's perfect. Loved the roti taro dessert - I got mine with coconut ice cream. Waiter Pang was very helpful.
(5)
A J.

I enjoy going here for dinner or lunch.. good service and food. Like the Drunken Noodles and the Lemongrass-Ginger Sauce... would eat there all the time but a lot of good thing in Shirlington.
(5)
Camille A.

Ordered the Pad Thai, was very pleased. The food was hot and fresh and good service. Would go back!
(4)
Stacy L.

This was my first time having thai food and all I can say is that I am sad that I waited 31 years to try it. I wasn't too adventurous though. I had the chicken pad thai. But I absolutely loved it. I took the bean sprouts and chunks of peanuts out and the dish was perfect. For appetizers, my boyfriend and I shared the wonton soup and spring rolls. The wonton soup was very different than what I expected. I loved the fact that the wantons were chicken and shrimp instead of pork. But the overall taste of the soup was different though good. The spring rolls were great. Giving this 4 stars because of two things: our water glasses were empty several times and we couldn't find our waitress to ask for more. The other thing was my boyfriend's dish. He got the garlicky shrimp with vegetables. It was very very bland. We probably should have sent it back.
(4)
Charles S.

On the way to DCA and looking for a sandwich in Shirlington, and a lightbulb goes off over my head. Thai food. I got a lunch-sized portion of drunken noodles with chicken to go. At $6.99 it was cheaper than anything you could find in that miserable excuse for a terminal known as DCA Terminal A. Next time I think I'd get drunken noodles with fried tofu. The attraction are the noodles, not the chicken. The guy next to me on the flight to Austin kept eying my drunken noodles while he ate his miserable slice of pizza. (No food for sale on SW.) The drunken noodles were great, even at room temp. Next time I'm in NoVa and looking for Thai, I'll try a full meal at T.H.A.I.
(4)
John P.

Good food and nice ambiance! I rarely eat Thai and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor.
(5)
Patrick S.

I love Thai Shirlington. I eat there twice a week and never disappointed. Chicken basil and pad Thai are 2 of my regular dishes. I am always greeted by name and with a smile. If you have not been here you should try it out.
(5)
Tom S.

Best Thai for the $$! Have had more expensive Thai elsewhere but never better flavor balance plus their consistency with their "heat" is great. Service is always lightning fast and superb! The greatness of this place is that they could charge more for the quality that they put out..... But they don't and that's what keeps their loyal customers coming back!..... Upscaled Thai cuisine at a great price with excellent service.
(5)
Emy D.

I live by this Thai restaurant and I go here all the time! The Green Curry is AMAZING! I get it every time! Go go gooooo to this place!
(5)
John B.

Out to dinner. We ordered the Pad Thai and the Green Curry Chicken. We asked them to spice them up for us. Loved them both! Nice crispy vegetables in the GCC! Prices are reasonable. We are visiting, but we would come back again if we had the chance.
(4)
Chris S.

As good as it gets in this area! There are many to choose from, but this is my 3rd favorite, and you will like it too! Love the service as well!
(5)
SN D.

This is on of my favorite places for lunch, they have a great lunch menu, and specifically the Spicy Thai basil rice bow is my favorite. Last week I went there for dinner, ordered the same dish, I asked the server to make it Thai hot. Dish comes to the table, there's no spice in it at all. Nor can I see a single leaf of basil in it. I asked him again what this was. He said it was the spicy Thai basil dish. So I told him this is not hot, then he brings me the spice tray and says you can add spice. Which is not why I ordered the dish Thai hot. I'm pretty sure I've had Thai hot before and definitely felt my sinuses clearing up. Not this time. I'm going to say this might be a one off situation. Normally this place is pretty spot on. It's clean, staff is friendly enough, they work hard, and food comes to the table pretty fast and usually tastes really good. I've had their pad Thai, drunken noodles and a few other dishes, all have been really good. Give this place a try, its pretty good.
(4)
Felipe H.

My favorite Thai place. However, last night was the worst service I received in the five years visiting. The hostess told me the wait would be 20 minutes and it ended up being 45 minutes. In addition to the wait we discovered they gave away our table twice. When I confronted the hostess, she blamed it on the other hostess and started laughing. When the hostess finally sat us we ended up waiting 15 minutes at our table without being greeted. Bottom-line, the hostess were very inexperienced and the waitstaff were horrible. I will give this place another opportunity to improve their service and provide an update soon.
(1)
Megan E.

This was my second visit for lunch with my toddler. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the nice weather. While not over the top, they are accommodating to children. The first visit I had a Thai coffee (yum!), lemongrass seafood soup, spring rolls, and shrimp pad Thai. The soup and spring rolls were good, my son loves the spring rolls! But the shrimp pad Thai was just so-so. I wished I had ordered something with a bit more flavor. Today I had the spring rolls again, squash potstickers, and drunken noodles with chicken. This was a much better meal. My son loved both the appetizers, and I loved the drunken noodles! Just the right amount of spice and flavor. My water glass stayed full and the service was good- nothing special. I would definitely visit again. Another plus is the prices- especially their lunch specials. The bill was under $20 before the tip for 2 appetizers and a lunch entree. Really not bad at all for this area!
(4)
Monica H.

Solid Thai food, and perhaps a little healthier than most because the food isn't doused in sauces and oil. My drunken noodles were not at all spicy, though. Like, I could've had the whole thing without so much as a sip of water. Disappointing. Fried spring rolls were yummy. Wine selection was really really really small and didn't have anything worth writing home about. Portion sizes were fine. They should look into using OpenTable for reservations.
(3)
Mandana Y.

One of, if not, the best dining option for a workday lunch in Shirlington. Outdoor, indoor and group seating all available without a reservation. They have a lunch menu but their prices are reasonable enough to just order off their regular without breaking the bank. My favorite dish is their green curry, but my coworkers typically go for the pad thai and never have any complaints. This past week they were celebrating the Thai New Year and took the time to explain the holiday and traditions to us. They let all of the patrons participate in a ritual where you pour water over the buddah and ask a question about your future, then get your fortune. So rarely do ethnic restaurants put forth such effort to teach others about their culture. I really loved this, and generally the staff here. You can be in and out in under 45 minutes, feeling full but not rushed. And if you're lucky, a little smarter. :)
(5)
Stephanie U.

I've been here close to a dozen times now. It's my office's favorite spot on the block. Order: Wonton soup- absolutely delicious wontons. Best i've ever had. Panang Perfect Pad Gai - Office favorite Pad Thai - crowd pleaser for all you fellow health nuts- I usually get the salmon and broccoli dish and it doesn't come smothered in sauce. The salads are generally disappointing. Steer clear of them. On the heat scale they use, one pepper next to the dish's name is enough to get you warm. It's not overwhelming and i'm not very good with spicy food.
(4)
Gene S.

Excellent food. We live in walking distance from the restaurant. We usually do carry out and although they dont do our favorite dish overall the menu is great and food is ready on time. Recommended!
(5)
Emily L.

3.5 stars would probably be a more accurate rating for this place. - service was great - everyone was really friendly and attentive - food came out quickly - food is presented nicely - as others have noted, atmosphere is nice, and the shirlington area is super cute! - servings sizes are good - we both had leftovers for lunch today - i'm no authority on authentic thai food, but we didn't love the dishes we ordered: spring rolls (3 really long rolls in 1 order - almost as long as the plate!), green curry and the general tso's bamee noodles. the flavors were mild and the green curry had tons of veggies (squash, zucchini, eggplant), which i appreciated...but everything was sort of missing that quality that makes you want to keep eating, even if you're getting full.
(3)
Jessica W.

Delicious food! I dream about their Grilled Street Meatballs and I have to get them every time I go. I also typically get the fried rice with chicken and spicy sauce, which is AMAZING. I also got the Chicken Basil w/ rice one time, but it was too spicy for me to finish (perhaps it's because the girl I was with ordered the same thing but asked for "very spicy" and he gave me very spicy too?) The service hasn't been fantastic either time I ate there. On the patio it was decent, but one time I sat inside and we had like 3 waiters because who we had kept disappearing, so we had to flag people down once or twice. Overall, this is my favorite Thai place, and the food is great whether you're dining in or carrying out.
(4)
Lisa H.

I've eaten here many times in the past 6+ years and it is always consistently good. The servers really hustle and your food comes out pretty fast. If the menu shows 3 peppers, believe every pepper! They offer very reasonably priced lunch specials (under $7), even on Saturday. You can add a spring roll for about $1.25-1.50 more. If you are into outdoor seating or want to bring Fido along, they have quite a number of seats for you! You will enjoy your meal and their menu is large enough to cater to many tastes, diets, etc...
(4)
Amanda M.

I have eaten here several times but am just now getting around to writing a review. I have always had good service and good food. I tend to stick to the vegetarian or seafood options so I really can't comment on the quality of their meat dishes. My most recent visit was Tuesday night (3/6). I stopped in on my way home from work after a very frustrating commute (why they allow motorcades during rush hour is beyond me) and just wanted to relax with my book. The restaurant was fairly busy but I was seated right away and my server promptly took my drink order. I started with the pan seared gyoza - shrimp and crabmeat dumplings served with a sesame-ginger-soy sauce. These were tasty but a little oilier than pan seared dumplings that I have had elsewhere and while crispy for the most part, there were a few places where the dumpling was too soft. On a past visit I had the steamed shrimp dumplings which are served with a lime cream sauce, these were nicely steamed and quite good. For my main I ordered the vegetarian green curry - mixed vegetables with soft tofu. It is marked with two peppers for the spice level in the menu, however, the last time I was there I found this to be a tad mild. I told my server that I would like it spicy and he informed me that their spice levels go from 1 to 10 and asked what level I wanted. I love that. I asked for a 3 - 4 and I think next time I might go for a 5. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bland by any means, it had a decent kick, I'm simply curious as to what level will be too spicy for me. My server was great, attentive but not overly so, and I never felt rushed. The restaurant while busy was not too loud and I was able to enjoy a nice relaxing meal with a glass of wine and my book. Nice end to a hectic day. Is T.H.A.I. authentic? I have no idea. I love Thai food but have never been to Thailand. I have, however, had Thai food at several different locations and based on that I think T.H.A.I. is a solid choice.
(3)
Candy C.

You can not beat $6.95 big bowl lunch special price. I order drunken noodles with chicken and it's so good. It's rice noodles stir-fried with Thai basil in a chili garlic sauce. My friend order Pad See Ew which is rice noodles stir-fried in sweet soy sauce with egg & broccoli. Thai Iced Tea is a good presentation with milk and syrup on the side. So you don't have to worry about if it is too sweet because you make your own mix. And the best thing I like about lunch special is the special goes until 4pm. So if I went out to party late and woke up late on the weekend, I can still make it to a 3pm late lunch. It's a lot of variety on the lunch special. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
C And G W.

So far the best Thai I've had here in NoVA. The staff is very friendly. We come about once a week. Love this place!
(5)
Nikki Z.

Delicious and authentic Thai food. Great value for money. Did not like the crispy salmon roll (too fishy), but the Pad Thai, Nua Siam, and fried roti taro dessert were all heavenly! Can't wait to bring my friends and family here.
(5)
Jane M.

Definitely one of the best sit-down Thai places in Arlington. Great service and delicious food. Love their pad Thai. I come here often with friends and it's a great place to sit down since other Thai places are sketchier...
(4)
Sanaa A.

I would've given this place 4.5 stars if they hadn't discontinued the Tempura Fresh Tilapia Filet... that was my favorite dish!!! I wish they would bring it back. Without it, this place is the same as most other Thai places. I wouldn't go back unless they brought this dish back. Please bring it back!!!
(3)
Hugh N.

Definitely not a restaurant that offers authentic Thai cuisine but the the food was good. Seafood Tum Yum soup was very tasty and not too sour or sweet. The shrimp and squid used were good size and tasted very fresh. The Meang-kum, an appetizer that they only serve during the Thai new year was AMAZING!!! The Thai iced tea was very good. Most Thai restaurants make them very sweet but this place gives you the syrup so you can make your ice tea as sweet as you like. I also had the lemon grass crusted salmon which was descent. The waitress was very helpful and attentive.
(4)
N T.

I have been going to Thai Shirlington since my husband and I began dating in the late 90s. I love Thai Shirlington!! The food is amazing and the decor is nice and welcoming. Our friends joke that since we have been going there since the late 90s and most of the staff knows us, we are VIPs there Lol. They do always make up feel like VIPs.
(5)
Mirela T.

I can't count the number of times I've eaten at this place. It must mean that i love it! What can i say, you must keep going back to a place you enjoy eating at. I love Thai food, and this place truly does it for me. From the appetizers to the entrees and dessert, it never disappoints. A list of by favorite dishes below: Appetizers --Spring Rolls --Coconut Shrimp Entrees --Pad See Ew --Panang Curry --Chicken Basil Dessert --Mango Sticky Rice The service is very quick and all the servers are very friendly. Reminder Lunch dishes are smaller, but more affordable, i feel that it is a perfect portion. Remember you do want to continue working after lunch. :) One negative about this place is that they do not give our straws unless you ask them for one. Strange in my opinion.
(4)
zubin l.

I love thai food and if I had eaten places like this, I am not sure I would have the same opinion. The service was ordinary (the attendant took a lot of time to take our order and was not able to jot down the orders properly) but the biggest complain is the average taste of food. Unlike many thai restaurants, they serve you Thai tea separate from milk and sugar which I believe is a good thing. I gave one extra star for that. Ordered their steak and the portions were very small and price exorbitant. Maybe I am being harsh but I don't plan to come here again.
(2)
Alexandra B.

This place absolutely makes it worth it for us to go all the way back out to Shirlington again just for funsies and not because I have to be there! T.H.A.I. in Shirlington is an extremely enjoyable restaurant. You should definitely go in expecting Americanization and maybe even fusion, but at the end of the day I care about getting a great meal at a good price, and that is what you get here. The atmosphere is really nice, with low lights and clean, eye-catching decor. They use low-backed booths with a cushiony base for the seating. The service was also very good. Our waitress was the perfect balance between attentive and yet not overwhelming. The prices are extremely reasonable, especially for the size of the plates that you get. The bartender the evening that we were there was absolutely great. My boyfriend ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, which had the perfect balance between packing a major punch and yet still hardly tasting like alcohol at all. I ordered, of all things, a margarita, which to my surprise was absolutely delicious. It was sweet but strong and packed in both great punch and great flavor. Whoever was working the bar was definitely on that night! For food, we had a wide variety of dishes to try. Something to note for us vegetarians is that they not only note what dishes are vegetarian but also offer a pad thai without fish sauce so that we can enjoy that dish, too. For appetizers, my boyfriend had the lightly fried calamari, which he found to be very tasty but different and delicate in flavor. I had the steamed butternut squash dumplings--obviously not authentic, but 100% delicious. The filling-to-pastry ratio was perfect and the flavor was amazing. For dinner, we both had pad thai, one with meat and one without. Both were absolutely delicious and mine was big enough to feed me for lunch the next day, as well. T.H.A.I offers truly tasty food that is well worth a visit in and of itself, even without all of the other great elements to the restaurant. I would highly recommend making the trip out to NOVA for this one!
(4)
Rose M.

First time coming here and I was pleasantly surprised at how great the dishes tasted! I've been to Thailand a few times and although it wasn't quite the same, it was very close! We ordered the Drunken noodles with chicken and the King Pad Ped. The drunken noodles had a nice spice to them but I thought it could have been a little more spicy. I just added some spice from the condiment tray our server brought over and it was delicious! The only gripe I have is I wish I would have asked for them to add a few more vegetables to this dish. (It was mostly noodles and a few green onions). The King Pad Ped had a great ginger sauce which wasn't too overpowering to the dish and the portabello mushrooms were really delicious in the dish as well! The ambiance was very nice, the restaurant is very clean and cozy. It is in a great location in Shirlington Village and it was nice to come to dinner and just relax after a long day at work. I will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Megan G.

My favorite Thai place in the area. I'm lame and generally order pad Thai, so be more adventurous and try something crazy. Easy parking in the multiple Shirlington garages. Takeout seems to be a very popular option on weekday evenings, at least the last time I was there waiting for a friend. She was running late so I popped over to the library and got a book to read. Very convenient!
(5)
Chanel D.

I've been here several times, but it'd had been a while, so I went for lunch on Friday for a memory refresher. And, guess what? I still feel the same that I did three years ago. This place isn't the worst, but it is also not the best Thai food that I've ever had either. The fried dumplings made me wish that I had gotten the spring rolls instead. I got the drunken noodles with beef. I asked for extra spicy (four peppers on the heat scale) and it was so far from that that I asked for the extra hot peppers on the side. That did the trick and made the meal more enjoyable. The noodles were so drunk that they were just a pile of squish in a bowl. And, after the very sparse serving of beef ran out, I was just left eating the greasy pile. I never want to have food regret but it abounded during my recent meal. I wondered if I should have gotten a curry, but I feel like I would have felt the same about the meal. I didn't get it this time, but the Thai ice tea is delicious. So, that's a plus. Service was attentive and fast. But, I just wasn't feeling my meal. I will not be back, T.H.A.I. of Shirlington.
(2)
A V.

Popular thai place in the Shirlington area, and one of the better ones. Wont say the food is amazing or fabulous, but for the price its a great option. Also the other thai places in the area suck... The appetizers are decent, the entrees are good. One of the few places that offers Musammun curry- a dinner special- is definitely one of their best dishes on the menu.
(4)
Deborah N.

Came here with a group before a Signature Theater show. Place was chosen on the following criteria: 1) Took reservations 2) Took reservations for large groups 3) Did have a heart attack when I kept calling to increase the number in our party (ended up with 16!). 4) I like Thai food and I was the one who was organizing the expedition 5) Was not the Carlyle. Under those guidelines, it was great. Under more lofty guidelines, it was still great! We all loved the decor and the food was really fresh and delicious. Personally I ordered the spring rolls (came with three giant ones!), chicken basil salad, and vegetarian panang. Plus brown jasmine rice. Plus a Singha beer - one of the best beers around, imho! Portions were huge, I really wasted money ordering too much. Having said that, I didn't find the place particularly expensive. Given the lovely decor and yuppie neighborhood, that was a pleasant surprise. :) Service was also spot on and as good as the food. All in all a great experience. This will be my new "go to" place for pre-theater meals in Shirlington!
(4)
Deeny N.

This is my go-to Thai restaurant whenever I have a craving. Their menu has a wide variety of choices that can cater to almost everyone. Can't go wrong with the pad thai! I also like the General Tso's tofu (that I get with rice instead of noodles). Still, the food is good, not great. Prices are decent, but not spectacular. Service is nothing to write home about. I write this as a former resident of Boston/Brookline where I would frequent an amazing Thai place as often as I could (and had other back-ups). For Arlington, I would definitely say this place is the best.
(3)
Ria S.

Definitely not authentic Thai food - more like Chinese takeout food but less greasy, with a mix of Americanized Thai and other Asian dishes. But the food and service were decent enough. The space is beautiful though.
(2)
Tan T.

Food was very good! The Banana split was excellent! Service a bit slow.
(4)
Mia N.

I don't know why I haven't written a review for this place before since I have been eating here for the last 20 years. We don't go here often, but the lunch is cheap, especially the lunch bowls. Probably come here once a year or every other year. I recently ordered the drunken noodles, which I did not like. Not spicy enough and very slimy and sticky. Pad Thai is good. I guess I don't like this place because the panang chicken ,which I love, tastes too much like coca nut milk over here. So we come here once in a blue moon for cheap lunch, but I like how they serve their Thai Iced tea. This place has a lot of loyal customers because it's always crowded and the prices are nice and low.
(3)
Barbara A.

Love this place so much! Service is always so fast and the food is always delicious. You also can't beat the location. Sitting outside and watching all the cute dogs walk by! It's the best!
(5)
Alison M.

Came back in the mood for a red curry. Mind you that Thai in Shirlington only Offers two curry dishes on the neither are red. So, I ordered the green curry and it was so mild that I actually had to ask them to bring out the spices. It was so mild that I think a young child would enjoy, but come on, this is a Thai curry! Yes it was tasty, but this dish should be made with chilli peppers. It needs to be at least a little spicy. Service was again very slow.
(3)
Kin C.

Not bad, but not great. We had the spring rolls and calamari starters, neither was impressive...very mediocre. More batter than stuffing. Perfect panang was good, but lacked a wow factor, would have been better if made with two star spiciness or more. Thai tea was delivered with the ice tea, syrup and cream separate, so you can mix it to your desired taste. Decor was modern but service was slower than We'd like. Thai food is everywhere and this place didn't really stand out.
(3)
Justin C.

Really great Thai food. Love their Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and Panang Perfect... and I've tried a lot of other stuff and it's all great. Really good spring rolls and squash potstickers too.
(5)
William M.

It's not Thai Xing, but what do you expect? Prices are outstanding. Can't beat em! Veg entrees are around 10 bucks. Nice decor too in little Shirlington. Worth checking out! So yeah, maybe it's "Americanized" Thai Food, but I'll take it!
(4)
Daraja A.

This is a great place to come for Lunch. Their Drunken noodles are very flavorful. If you like spicy order as is, I like mild myself and it's perfect. I also like their Thai ice tea. They let you mix it up yourself so you get the perfect sweetness for your taste.
(4)
Mejgan L.

Amazing food and amazing service. My family and I have been dining here for years. It's the one place we all agree on. I recommend the larb gai and pan gyoza for appetizers and then green curry, pad Thai or pineapple fried rice for entrees.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

Went here because we yelped "Thai" and this place came up. We were here during lunch hour so this were pretty quite. I got the Pad see ew and it was pretty good. I'm not too found of the egg rolls because it was super oily and fried. The portions for lunch was just right. we were stuffed afterwards. Will def return.
(4)
Angela S.

I listened to the reviews of others on yelp and was disappointed. The food was not nearly as good as other places I've been to around here. We ordered pad thai and green curry to go and both were just ok. I had the tofu green curry and it lacked a lot of veggies (other places usually pack in be veggies) and the pad thai flavors were just ok. Not coming back here...
(2)
Max S.

The tables are so close I feel like I'm eating someone else's food. A crappy experience- don't go.
(1)
Natasha S.

I'm not sure why this place is such a hit. I honestly don't see it. We had a group of 6, and came here on a Sunday night for a family member's birthday dinner. An early birthday dinner. Appetizers: Smoked Duck Wontons\ Crab Shu Mai Pan Seared Seafood Gyoza Entree's: Green Curry Chicken Tofu Panang Chicken & Tofu Drunken Noodles Seafood Fried Rice Garlic Lover Shrimp Everything was decent. The standard Drunken Noodles and Fried Rice were a hit. However, the Garlic Shrimp wasn't anything to rave about. The Tofu Panang was decent, but really lacking ingredients other than the Tofu itself. I ordered the Chicken Green Curry and was disappointed. It was a very thick, and almost imitation like curry. I didn't feel that it was authentic, and the taste was very bland. The veggie selection was unusual and didn't really compliment the dish. The only good thing that I really liked about this place was the Thai Iced Tea. I liked that they brought the tea out in it's natural state, and you get to customize your drink by adding the sweetener syrup and cream. Very often, when ordering Thai Iced Teas in other restaurants, I always run into the issue that it is super sweet or has way too much cream and get stomach aches. This concept was perfect and ideal. The parking was pretty easy. If not street parking, there's garage parking as well as parking lots. The service was ok. The server was pushy, not very friendly and a tad bit rude. Would I return? Nope! Unless, I was just coming for the Thai Tea.
(2)
Adam G.

Lunch here is the best deal in town. The food is very good, the prices are low, the service is attentive (though don't bother asking for brown rice in a rice bowl lunch special...you'll never get it), and the location is clean and pleasant. A reliable source of tasty Thai in the middle of a lot of other restaurant options...you can't go wrong.
(4)
kelley r.

Service was alright, and the location is good, but the food was just not authentic or tasty. They tried to hard to make things very attractive or high end looking - for instance this stacking effect with the satay. But not enough attention is paid to taste - the flavors aren't there. Everything was bland.
(2)
Walt O.

20 January 2013- This place was OK. All tables were full. Receptionist was excellent getting us a table in 10 minutes. Waiter was good. Ordered spring rolls and they were excellent, Order Beer PadThai and Chicken Salad. The Chicken Salad was excellent. The Beef pad thai was bad. I reported to the waiter the beef was tough. He said, he would report it to the cook. But, he seem not to be concerned. The noise level was very high. Conversation was difficult. For me there are better places. Walt Okon
(2)
Eric B.

You have to go to Thailand to get better Thai food and I'm dead serious. I have had Thai from MANY MANY places in the DC area. The Pad Thai at this place is the best I have EVER had. The other dishes are top notch also and everyone I take here says the same thing!! Very reasonably priced as well and the food comes very quickly. Good service also.
(5)
Dan N.

T.H.A.I. has really great food and service. I regularly get their panang perfect chicken. The ginger beef with broccoli is also very good, but a bit expensive at $14.
(4)
Alex W.

This is my go to Thai spot even though I have a decent Thai restaurant walking distance. The food is great and the food prices are fair. The drinks are a tad pricy considering how small the martini glasses are. At least they were very strong drinks!
(4)
Robyn P.

My favorite Thai restaurant. Lived here for 7 years and ate here all the time. Now I make a point to come by for dinner every time I'm back in DC. Try the calamari, you won't be disappointed! Fun, unique, delicious appetizer! For entrÃ©e you really can't go wrong. I've ordered all over the menu and never had a bad dish.
(5)
Diana D.

So cute! Service was wonderful. We came by for lunch and sat in the outdoor patio. We ordered: Beef pad see ew - best pad see we I've ever had!!!! Sauce wasn't too greasy or salty and yet still full of sweet flavor. Was it the MSG? Probably... Spring roll- very unique interpretation. It's not like the Vietnamese ones that Thai restaurant usually serve. Very delish and comes with side of sweet and sour sauce. I prefer the peanut sauce that is traditionally served with spring rolls however. Thai tea - not overly sweet delish and yet still so good!!!! Green curry chicken - just ok. Comes with jasmine rice. I wish I could take this place back to Dallas cuz it's better than my favorite go to Thai place in the big D.
(5)
David T.

Very good, and inexpensive, Thai food! I had carryout drunken noodles w/beef and Chicken Pad Thai. Drunken noodles were a bit oily; but great taste. Only downfall was their website was not mobile-friendly, and actually didn't even load on 2 different iphones b/c of their flash. You'll have to order via a computer - just FYI.
(4)
Megan A.

T.H.A.I. provides good Thai for a decent price. I can only comment on takeout, though. We waited perhaps 15-20 minute wait after walking in and placing an order. I've only tried the Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodles, and Pad Thai and they were all decent - I wasn't jumping up and down but it was tasty and satisfying. I don't remember the prices being unreasonable either. A good option if you're looking for a place in Shirlington.
(4)
Norry H.

Compliments to the lady chef! A Thai friend of mine told me long time ago, that a Thai restaurant where the head chef is a female is usually very good. And It has been true for me so far. I tried my most favorite Thai dish as I always do to judge the restaurant's authenticity - Krapow Gai or Chicken with Basil. Seriously, this one may beat the famous one on Columbia Pike with this dish. What is so special about this restaurant's Chicken with Basil is that without asking for it, they make it with minced chicken, instead of sliced chicken breast just like in Thailand. And it was very flavorful. I got the spice tray on our table and poured some red chili sauce on top of my Krapow Gai and it became fiery! Oh wow! But I liked it a lot. Their Som Tam was really good with very thinly julienne sliced papaya. After trying their Chicken with Basil twice in two weeks, I think I am now addicted to it.
(4)
Tron D.

The Bottom Line: If you are in Shirlington and want Thai, then come here. It is the best in the area besides Duangrat's Thai Restaurant. Every time I come to this restaurant, I order a new dish and also the drunken noodles which I have Thai spicy and am slowly adding more peppers. I can do 10 ten now and love it. All the food is top notch. I have yet to be disappointed. The only downsides are it can be crowded and there isn't much of a beer/wine selection. Overall the price and the food are amazing. Note: Tron Davis has lived in Thailand and has his black belt in indulging Thai cuisine. He also rarely gives out 5 stars, unless they ninja stars to his enemies.
(5)
Rosie M.

Definitely LOVE this place. Decor, ambiance, waitstaff and food does not disappoint. I've been several times, with friends, family, on dates and on occasion, solo - and I don't usually do solo, but this place is that good. I definitely recommend this spot if you are looking for a flavorful and different from the norm dining experience.
(4)
Tim B.

This is a lunch review; Ambience - 4: was nice, not too crowded or loud, clean Food - 3: food was good , had rice bowl with broccoli Location: 5: located in Shirlington Price: 4: price was right for lunch Service: 5 Service was good, no issues, nice waitress, attentive, food came quickly, good menu
(4)
Jenny J.

My favorite Thai place, hands down. I love the Shirlington area, especially in the summer. This spot has an awesome outside area during the summer and all of the food is delicious. I love pad thai, but I'm also very adventurous with what I will try, especially when it comes to Asian food. I've tried a few things on the menu including basil chicken (awesome), pad thai (awesome), chicken fried rice (awesome), penang chicken (awesome), mango sticky rice (awesome), I could keep going...
(5)
Andrea B.

Quite possibly the best thai food that I've ever had. Recommend the squash pot-stickers, the beef kapow, and the pad thai. Best of all, service is fast.
(4)
Jessica M.

What can I say? This is my absolute favorite restaurant! The staff is absolutely wonderful and extremely attentive every visit. They go out of their way to make you feel special--remembering names and always greeting when dining! You couldn't ask for better service! Their portion sizes, taste, ambiance, service, and whatever else you can think of (except maybe parking) is AMAZING. I always get the Panang Tofu. It's delicious. However, at some point I've had almost everything on the menu (benefit of living next door) and enjoy everything! The best part: the PORTIONS. I always have leftovers which is awesome for lunch the next day!!
(5)
VM B.

I read the Yelp reviews for this place. they were spot on. I had the Drunken Chicken Noodles. portions were just the right size and the food was tasty. When ordering this, ask for a lime slice, squeeze some lime on the noodles and enjoy!
(5)
Steve E.

Not my favorite thai place...but close. Tastey food, good portions, friendly staff, reasonable prices. I asked for a little rice to go with my leftovers...they charged $1 more? Don't nickle and dime me please....
(4)
Nicole W.

After a long day with the dog (Shirlington Dog Park, Shirlington Dog Day Festival, etc).. we were starving! This place has a great 7 days a week lunch special ($5-6.95). The drunken noodle was excellent (just the right amount of spice!). The jasmine tea was a perfect addition to my warm cozy meal. Yum! Service is adequate, nothing special. Atmosphere is inviting, and well decorated for both casual and romantic affairs. I definitely will be back. Outdoor/indoor seating.
(4)
Sharon L.

My friends and I were lucky enough to discover T.H.A.I. when we had to leave a nearby restaurant due to a fire alarm, and it turned out to be the Most Perfect Backup Plan! There were six of us (and a b-day cake!), and even though the restaurant was hopping, we were seated within minutes at a super nice and comfy table with a booth. The restaurant has a really nice vibe (energetic but not loud) and the staff was so pleasant, welcoming and attentive. They happily accommodated questions, customizations of dishes and our cake, even making sure to ask how best to keep it prior to serving later ($10 serving fee, which by now I know is usual; the other place was going to charge $1.50ea. for that). We ordered the edamame and assorted dumplings appetizers -- both were delishy. A few of us ordered rice bowls; mine was with chicken with Roasted Chili Sauce (yummy!!); one ordered Pad Thai and one ordered a tofu dish. Everyone loved their food and most of us had left overs to take home (very big servings!) - so I had a super yum lunch the next day, too. The birthday cake was served with a beautiful knife and server (think wedding quality), and a big group of staff members sang Happy Birthday with gusto! It was really sweet, and made our night. Our whole experience here was fabulous, and next time T.H.A.I. is going to be Plan A! Highly recommended.
(5)
Bill D.

Whenever the husbear's having a bad day, this is where I take him to put him in a better mood. Inevitably, it's going to be summer rolls followed by kakapao gai sub. What's that? It's not on the menu? Yeah. it's that kind of place under the veneer of hipster preening. Once you've gotten past the teeming hordes of $500 urban attack prams and the pushy mommies who demand a table near the door so they can block everyone, the very loud tables of tourists and maybe found yourself someplace quiet at the somewhat garishly decorated inside locale or the dog-friendly outside tables, you can go off menu. Nobody tells you this, but you can. We order off menu. split up stuff, Nobody bats an eye. Unlike most places in the area, Thai Ice Tea is presented to you in three parts: cane syrup, milk, and ice tea. Mix it yourself. Husbear likes it much better this way. The menu is rated in "tourist thai peppers". If you want it in actual thai peppers, you better be really serious because they're going to ignore you unless you can demonstrate you know what you're talking about. It's in Shirlington, so of course it's awesome for people watching. We bring foodie friends here from Boston and they've liked it too. My biggest complaint is that people have become extraordinarily self-indulgent. I'm not particularly interested in your desire to be comfortable. I would like to not hear your screaming child during dinner, though. I don't want to see your inappropriately exposed body parts at dinner, either. Please, Washington - learn to dress appropriately in restaurants. The world is not your Denny's.
(4)
Jenn H.

it'd been a long day, so we thought we'd eat close to home. Thai sounded yummy, so I stopped by this place, for the second time in the 2+ years that i'd been here. We sat down, noted that it had a nice atmosphere, and ordered--I got the penang perfect (a peanut-based chicken curry), and the bf got a green curry. Service was great--our waters were refilled quickly, our food came out pretty quickly, etc. The food came in bowls that made me question if the meal was a good value--but I was only 2/3 into my meal when I felt too full! Two things I disliked. My penang perfect pretty much only had chicken in it. I had two very small red pepper strips...I expected some veggies, or potatoes, or something...and it was basically sauce and chicken. which is great, I'm glad they're not stingy...but I found myself craving some veggies. #2: they don't give you enough rice for your curry. or, perhaps given that I couldn't finish my food, they gave me too much curry for my rice. either way, that ratio's off. Overall, this place was great. I wouldn't place it high on the authenticity scale (seems too trendy-ish for that), but their food is solid, and there's a lot of it.
(3)
David H.

Decent Thai, but would not go here over others in the area (B54, Thai curry, duangrats). Most Thai places don't give you enough rice for curry, but this was especially bad. Chicken in the curry was very dry. Drunken noodles were pretty good, but the beef was not. And the mango sticky rice was a let down, rice was too thick, a little tough, and the sauce was thick too.
(3)
Karisa D.

One of many great places to eat in Shirlington, but this place has been in Shirlington for years. I like coming here. The food is always delicious (I highly recommend their panang dishes) and the food tends to come out quickly. I also like ordering their Thai Iced Tea. They bring the ingredients to the table and you get to mix the ingredients to get your desired sweetness. The staff is good but they are quick and some aren't very engaging. But don't let that stop you from coming. It clearly hasn't stopped me.
(4)
Mattie C.

Very conveniet to the movie theater, and fast service which makes it a great pre-movie choice. Outdoor seating is a plus. I ordered my standard meal there - chicken in some kind of garlic sauce and a chang beer. It was good! Other than that, not much to say. This is a pretty standard Thai place, with nothing about it that stands out like at Pasa Thai, Kanlaya Thai, Thai Chili, or even Mai Thai. It is nice to have Thai near the movie theater, and that is the only reason I would come here. No reason to seek it out.
(3)
Richard D.

If you love ginger, you'll love THAI of Shirlington. For smarters we had the summer rolls and the crab rolls. Excellent presentation on the crab rolls, they use the claw fingers as the handle and remove the rest of the claw to make the rest of the crab roll. For dinner i had the ginger and broccoli beef. It was excellent, especially if you love ginger. The taste was not over powering but enough you got the individual taste in each bite. My wife had their pad thai and I thought they used too much fish sauce, that taste was too overpowering for me. Prices are bit higher than most Thai restaurants but that made sense with the location and the decor.
(4)
Nini T.

I have been here many times and each time is wonderful (it's never get old). The services is superior, the hostess, waiter/waitress are very friendly. The manager on duty always try to go around to make sure things are in order, and greet guests. They chat and check with the customers to make sure things are alright. The price is reasonable especially for the location and the quality and quantity of the food is awesome! My usual order here are : drunken seafood noodle and I love their Thai ice tea. My favorite part about the ice tea is that you can mix it yourself. I sometime tried new dishes or ordered different dishes, but I noticed myself keep coming back to the same order. The atmosphere here are nice and relaxing. (If it's weekend, can be a bit noisy, as expected). You can sit outdoor or indoor. If you are coming here for lunch, dinner (after 7pm), or weekend, plan ahead because parking here can be a challenge. There are a lot of parking garages and street parking. You just have to drive around :-) I have recommend this place to my family and friends. My mother is very picky with restaurant food and she loves it here. I have and will continue to come back here.
(5)
Christine O.

This place is absolutely yummy and fantastically located. Thai in Shirlington has outdoor seating - a big plus, especially during the summer. Pets are allowed outside as long as they are on a leash. Their lunch menu is greatly priced with great portions. The wait staff is nice... could have been faster with refilling drinks. I asked for less oil to be used on the pad see ew but doesn't seem like that was done. Still was tasty though.
(4)
Ken E.

As a matter of course, I do not like gucci asian restaurants. Give me hole in the wall any day of the week. T.H.A.I is gucci Thai, although not the greatest of evil incarnations (read: asian fusion). The food is mostly tasty, although tweaked a bit to appease American tastes. Two examples of westernizing asian cuisine for the local demographic include cutting egg rolls in asymmetrical patterns and what I consider to be mostly bland won ton offerings. A very popular stop over in Shirlington with outdoor seating. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. You will have a decent meal here.
(3)
Sallie L.

My favorite thai restaurant in all of nova. I've tried everywhere but nothing comes close. It is a bit more expensive than the other restaurant but the quality makes up for it. I only wish parking was easier for pick-up customers - Other than that, no complaints!
(4)
waleska p.

Been here a couple of times, good service, but the usual americanized thai food. Has a good clientele, nothing special.
(3)
Katie S.

Only been here once but the food was great and great service and atmosphere as well. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Donald P.

Spring Roll - long but pencil thin. Pad Thai - Good Pad Wonsen - Good Price - Good Atmosphere - Good Location - Good What's there not to like?
(4)
Jessica M.

good stuff!! I love Thai so I love finding more places to eat it. they move really fast though so be careful when ordering appetizers... they seem to wanna flip the tables really fast. ask them to slow their role so you can enjoy your spring roll! lol
(4)
Jennifer S.

I was pretty impressed with this place! Lovely decor, great service, and an interesting menu. Well priced, as well. I had ginger beef and broccoli, which was pretty good, and my companion loved her pad thai. If folks are having a hard time with parking, there are at least two big garages in the area - street parking can be tough - but it's mostly a walking street.
(4)
Jenna G.

By far my favorite Thai restaurant to go to for lunch. We are always greeted with a smile and quick drink service. There is a lot to choose from on the Lunch Special "Big Bowl" Menu, so I have never had a problem with folks not being able to find something that suits their fancy. I love their Basil Chicken which always comes out piping hot. I always add spices to my bowl, but my friends tell me it is already very spicy. The spring rolls are phenomenal which are always brought out on a cute little "posh" plate. I have not been here for dinner since the interior and menu revamp, however, the times I went I was not overly impressed with the dinner menu. It seemed like there was more to choose from for the lunch menu. The seats outside are very quaint, and with the added ambiance of the Shirlington Shops area, it is a great place to go on a date. The decor on the inside is very appealing as well.
(4)
Vanessa S.

I must say this is one of my favorite resturaunts by far, even though I've only been there twice. The service is quick and the food is delicious. You won't get that one on one "connection or time" with your server because they're so busy but who cares the food is delicious and that's what I came for !
(4)
Tony T.

Would actually rate 3.5 stars if I could. Were greeted and seated right away. First time here, really like the interior decor. Server needed more menu knowledge and although friendly didn't seem very comfortable interacting with guests. That being said both the server and busser were very attentive and kept the table clean and uncluttered. Duck wontons were good, not great. Good flavor but the duck was too dry and the sauce a bit too sweet. My Drunken Noodles were excellent, nice and spicy, but the chicken was bland and dry. My wife had the Garlic Shrimp, great sauce and smoky flavored, tender shrimp. We will definitely be back if in the area but not sure if we would make it a trip as we live about 30 min away and there are plenty of great Thai restaurants closer to home. Overall worth a visit but could greatly benefit from additional staff training and not overcooking proteins.
(4)
Mimi C.

The decor is elegant and modern. On a Saturday night, the restaurant is definitely a popular dining option Saturday night. Craving something spicy, I had ordered the drunken noodles with fried tofu but my overall impression was more "too sweet" and not "awesome!!" Yes, it was wonderful that I had at least 3 pieces of broccoli, 3 pieces of tofu, and other vegetables but I couldn't get over the sweetness to really enjoy my food. When my dish arrived, it was steaming hot which speaks to the efficiency of the cooking and waitstaff. I was very pleased because I do like my food hot. After serving our food, our waitress walked by and offered us "Chopsticks?!" in such a tone of voice that had most of us convinced there was no good option other than "Yes." One member of our party joked he was afraid to refuse chopsticks. The atmosphere was energetic and nice. It's just too bad that my drunken noodles were oversweet.
(2)
Maria K.

This place has the BEST THAI food I have ever tried! Get the green chicken curry, it's amazing!!
(5)
S C.

A very nice Thai restaurant in the Shirlington strip... I liked the decor and atmosphere, though it was quite loud in the place. Our server was slow to show up but quite friendly. We had the papaya pok-pok salad - a definite recommendation!, as well as drunken vegetables and pad thai. The green curry and panang perfect were good, but very similar in flavor except for their color - I feel they could also punch these up in spiciness and flavor. The one type of restaurant in the US I believe spice levels is Thai - but everything in this place was mild, which was a little disappointing. They do have a very nice 4-pot array of chili sauces and powder, which is awesome. Overall - a good experience, well worth a visit.
(4)
Faye B.

Definitely get the ginger tea lemonade- it's fabulous. The vibe here is nice though slightly tight on the inside. No worries, it's worth it. The service is great and the food comes out FAST! The veggie spring rolls were crisp and tasty and the garlic lover's shrimp was definitely full of garlic and delicious! My friend enjoyed his spicy fried tofu dish but I couldn't hang. The desserts looked great going to other tables but I was too stuffed. This is a good date night place and you could even squeeze a group in there...lol. Service, food, and vibe is all A+. Definitely worth a visit. I hadn't had thai food this good in awhile. Update...finally tried another dish and the tofu was fried hard and tasty, sauced up yummy with eggplant. Definitely recommended- Eggplant Pad Ped. Though listed as spicy, it's really not which is good because it'd take away from the flavor. The spring rolls were just okay this time though. Kind of mushy on the inside. Normally they are point though but I had to point it out.
(4)
Carolyn W.

I'd eaten here before years ago and thought it was fine so I went back for a dinner's worth of appetizers last night and it was horrible. The wonton soup's broth was watery and flavorless with thick, rubbery wontons that had to be cut with a knife. Veggie potstickers were mushy and greasy, and the garden rolls tasted faintly like disinfectant. Dipping sauces were nondescript, which may have actually been a plus. Sweet sticky rice with mango tasted like it should, but doubling the meager coconut milk would have been nice. Service was inconsistent - ignoring me one minute; whisking away dishes the next. I'll never go back.
(1)
James C.

Food is always good and reasonably priced. Everyone is nice and service is efficient.
(4)
Shreya M.

It's probably my fault because i wanted to try a new dish. Don't get the maussamun curry. very anticlimatic. will go there again to try a another dish.
(2)
Erin G.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Northern VA. They are consistently friendly and attentive. The food is always good, arrives quickly, and is the perfect temperature. I eat here frequently for lunch, and would recommend it to anyone!
(4)
Alexis Y.

I like my Thai food, I eat a lot of it. If you are what you eat, I may turn into a drunken noodle at any moment. I have a few favorites in the area, and I have only eaten here once but it was the best Thai food I've ever had, although I think we lucked out with our selections. I went with a good friend - the ambiance is elegant and simple, and we got a seat by the window as this is a good spot for people-watching. The service wasn't the fastest but it was quite friendly and we weren't in a hurry so we didn't mind. We decided to split an appetizer and two entrees so we could try different things. The entrees were the chicken drunken noodle which was a bit sweet for my taste but good, and a peppercorn lamb special which was incredibly tender, savory, and delicious. I actually forgot it was lamb momentarily because it had no gamey taste whatsoever. For the appetizer, we had the smoked duck wontons - if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, these would be in the top 5 choices. It was tender (perhaps slow-cooked/roasted?) duck perfectly seasoned and fried in a wonton wrapper that was suprisingly delicious in itself. I only wish there had been more than 3 of them, we delicately split the 3rd and practically licked all the plates clean. I thought the dishes had the perfect amount of heat; just enough to make me sniffle a bit. The prices were also quite reasonable considering the quality, and the presentation was well above average. I would definitely go back or recommend it to anyone. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Laura V.

T.H.A.I. Shirlington, How is it possible that I've walked past you so many times, yet never partook of your lovely atmosphere, wonderful service, and outstanding food? That is my bad and I promise it will never happen again. Seriously, how could I not go back after having one of the best Thai meals I've had in the DC area at your establishment? I enjoyed you thoroughly and will return very soon. You had me at T.H. Yours Truly, Laura V. Seriously, I enjoyed everything about T.H.A.I. Shirlington. To start, my friends and I shared the steamed gyoza - shrimp and crab in wontons with a spicy/tangy sauce. We all actually fought over how we would split the one remaining wonton. Good stuff. yummy wontons pleasantly stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp steamed and then seared on the outside. Divine! I had the Penang Tofu and I ordered it extra spicy. The server asked me, "like how many peppers? 5? 6? 7?" REALLY? I can do 7 peppers? BRING IT ON! Penang curry is something I've just recently taken to trying and being able to turn up the heat was awesome. I loved this dish through and through. Would get it again, and it sure was a nice departure from the usual pad thai I get. (not that there's anything wrong with pad thai.) My friends had the ginger tofu and the drunken noodles. Both cleaned their plates. We all rested back and patted our full bellies. The thing I liked the most about this place was that, while the service was attentive, they didn't rush us at all. Many times, I feel like I must order, eat, pay as fast as I can and it often leaves me stressed out. Not at T.H.A.I. Shirlington. We hung around after our meal and talked for a long time. Except to check from time to time that we were still ok, our server left us to catch up. She earned bonus points for that. If you're in the market for good Thai food, and maybe want a little bit different atmosphere, give T.H.A.I. Shirlington a try. You'll have a pleasant experience in one of the best little restaurant strips in the DC area.
(5)
Keon D.

somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars I pretty much like any thai food and have eaten it at tons of places (and cooked it myself too). The advantage of that is that I think I've tried and tasted enough that I can start to distinguish between the truly remarkable and the simply ok ones. I'd say the food here was solidly good but not spectacular. When you come inside it actually looks quite nice in here. There are neat textures on the walls and array of inviting warm colors. It looks like a much more expensive place than it actually is. Prices here are great! I got the panang curry and got them to make it a bit spicier for me. I also had thai iced tea which is a favorite of mine. For the iced tea they do it differently here than at other places. They brought out the iced tea with the cream and sugar syrup seperately. The server was kind enough to explain to us how to do it and everything. This was cool because I was able to make my tea as milky and sweet as I like it. Our server was very kind and informative, it felt like your mom was giving you dinner. Solid place, great location :-)
(4)
Qui H.

accepts credit card good for big groups park on streets or in parking garage at certain times nice location I had the chicken drunken noodles and it was spicy. even though the waitress made a mistake on one of the bills the service was good overall.
(4)
Rachel B.

Had dinner with six ladies here last night and enjoyed it all around. We started with the spring rolls, coconut shrimp (that night's special), and squash potstickers. All were tasty, although the spring rolls were pretty typical, but I really thought the potstickers were something unique and special. I had pad thai with chicken for my entree. It was definitely one of the better pad thai dishes that I've had. I also enjoyed that they used green onion as an ingredient and didn't just rely on it as a garnish. There was also a ton of chicken in the dish. For dessert we split the THAI banana flambe and fried roti dough. Definitely unique, not-your-everyday-desserts, but they were absolutely delicious (and I usually never go for a dessert without chocolate). I would definitely make a stop here just for dessert. Both were also reasonably priced at $5.95 for pretty large portions. They treated our group well and the service was fine. Not the best service I've ever had, but I also appreciated that they didn't hassle us while we waited for the rest of our group showed up or rush us through our meal. For two glasses of wine, two bottles of Malbec, three appetizers, four entrees, two desserts, tax, and a 20 percent tip, we spent $180. Definitely not bad for a girls' night out!
(4)
M B.

Seriously, this place has been great for years. The staff members are friendly, gracious and remember returning customers. The food is consistently delicious. Check out the presentations in the photos from a recent visit. Not something you see frequently at such reasonable prices in a neighborhood restaurant. The tilapia fillets are featured with the asparagus side. Crispy but not tough. Tasty basil leaf sauce was flavorful but not overwhelming to the fish. Perfectly cooked. The chicken pad thai was fresh, slightly sweet and the noodles were the right consistency. The decor is starting to show a bit of wear but it's clean. A Shirlington favorite!
(4)
Stephen D.

Best thai I have had in NOVA and everyone is super friendly here. And its often cheaper than other thai restaurants I've been to in the area. Only negative is that if you sit towards the front by the windows inside it can get a bit loud so that you can notice it and force you to speak louder to be heard by your table. Not a big issue and every thing else is top notch.
(5)
Samnang S.

The service was ok. We got Pad Kee Mao a.k.a drunken noodles. It's one of the worst I had thus far. Very oily and no veggies, only onions. They were also skimpy on the beef but prices are cheap for NoVA.
(2)
Asher Jude C.

Food is average. Service is well below average. The waitress charged me 50 cents extra for peanuts! Capital G in Greedy.
(1)
Zac G.

I've been here twice but never again. The first time I went I was new to the area and came straight from work after a long day. I was by myself so I looked for an open spot at the bar but they were all full. So I asked the hostess for a table for 1 and she LITERALLY chuckled out loud. I couldn't believe it. Did she seriously just insinuate that I'm a loser because I'm eating dinner alone? It was pretty humiliating. Apparently those who like thai food enough to eat it even without company are of the lowest lifeforms on earth in the village of Shirlington. Their loss - I was looking to spend some money in this joint, maybe try several dishes, maybe order a few nice cocktails or something. Nope. I was so pissed I seriously was in and outta there in 20 minutes. I actually came back here months later (this time with a chick on my arm)but was still sour over my previous experience, although I could now laugh about it with my date. Typical Shirlington - food was really average and overpriced. No thanks. (P.S. Shout out to Shirlington Carlyle, though, friggin' awesome food) Luckily I saw the light and found Po Siam, which now gets my business sometimes several times a week. Smooth move, THAI in Shirlington.
(1)
Katie W.

Been here several times over the past few months. The food is consistently good. We are vegetarian and the tofu options were excellent! Highly recommend the Ka Pow Tofu....spicy but very good! Service is always great too!
(5)
Tiffany J.

Its the best Thai food that Ive ever eaten! The food is fresh to order and its tasty. I ordered the shrimp fried rice and my husband had the drunken noodles. Both were superb!
(5)
Mac O.

Still my favorite Thai restaurant. After 15+ years eating here, I've yet to find better Pad Thai Jae or spring rolls. My only regret is not trying the calamari sooner. It's my newest benchmark courtesy of T.H.A.I. Shirlington.
(5)
Kristine B.

GREAT lunch specials. The chicken basil lunch bowl is so good. It is suppose to be spicy but they always tone it down for me - and it is always perfect! Lunch service is quick and efficient. I would highly recommend the restaurant for lunch. They also do a great dinner. It is a go-to place for me!
(4)
Liv D.

I used to love this place, but In the past year the food has taken a turn for the worst. The last time was there, I sat in disbelief as I watched roaches; yes ROACHES! crawl across the wall. To make matters worst; if that's possible, the staff was non- responsive when I pointed out the creepy crawlies. Needless to say, I won't return.
(1)
yobodish y.

My go-to Thai place for rice and noodle bowls. Thai in Shirlington has the best summer rolls hands down
(5)
Ronda D.

My meal had ingredients in it that weren't listed in the menu and my flank steak was overdone. I could only eat a few bites as the flavor of the non-listed ingredients were overpowering and they were ones that I wasn't a fan of. My steak was too hard to chew. Luckily my fried calamari appetizer was enough to fill me and I wasn't depending on my entree. The servers are way too hasty to take your order and get you out of there--for some people at least. I watched them interrupt the people next to me who were still eating to ask if they could take the plate away, but my finished appetizer plate had sat there for the last ten minutes untouched. The people next to me came in 10 minutes after me and ordered 15 minutes after I placed my order and our food came out at the same time. I wanted dessert and the waitress did not offer it to me, but she quickly offered it to the table next to mine. I had to ask for the menu. I'm not sure why my service differed from the others. As soon as I finished filling out my credit card receipt she swooped in to check her tip. If I came back here, I would order a few appetizers, sit at the bar, and call it a night.
(2)
Dan B.

For NOVA this is as good as it gets. All of the noodle dishes are superb for the price! Portions are healthy and the seating layout is great for groups.
(4)
Shannon C.

The food here is simply just okay. My preference- authentic or not- is that my curry have more than just meat, i.e. vegetables. You can ask to have some added, but they clearly just take a few random veggies and toss them on top before serving it to you. I leave unsatisfied every time I have been and probably won't be going back. Also- if you go with a group, prepare yourself to be stuck at the awkward table by the door and freeze if it is in the winter- not an enjoyable experience.
(2)
Negar M.

Great food I had drunken noodles. Large portions, Spring rolls are huge! Good service. Nice interior design
(5)
matt s.

One word: :-(
(1)
Step J.

Best Thai in the area (sorry, never been to Bangkok 54, so can't make that comparison like some others have). The food is consistently good, no matter what day or time you go, carry-out orders are always fast. Try the drunken noodle.
(5)
Joy W.

Yummy Thai food! The hubby & I have been here twice in the past two weeks, and we wish we had started eating here sooner. Appetizers: So far we have gotten the spring rolls and some type of duck/mushroom dish for appetizers. The spring roll appetizer consists of 3 very long spring rolls served with some type of carrot sauce, I believe. I actually wish they would give you more of that sauce, because it is delicious, as are the spring rolls. We've gotten them twice now. The duck appetizer had a very esthetically pleasing presentation. I remember thinking that it was interesting, and it was good...but I would probably try something else instead of ordering it again. Entrees: The hubby got the Wild Chicken the first time around, and the spicy lamb dish (can't remember the name) on our 2nd visit. He enjoyed both of them, but the lamb in particular. Both dishes come with lots of sauce and rice, which makes me happy since I tend to steal that part of his meal (I loooove drowning the rice in whatever sauce he gets...yum). When I find something I like, I stick with it, so... I have gotten the Pad Thai twice now, and I loved it both times!! It was that perfect, yet elusive, taste I was looking for when I think about Pad Thai noodles. I'm not vegetarian, but I ordered to tofu/vegetable Pad Thai just to be healthy. I haven't experienced the beef or chicken versions, but I bet they are really good as well. The entree sizes are very generous, so we've ended up taking home leftovers both times. That is a whole 'nother meal for both of us right there. My husband has been happy with the wine selections. Our most recent waiter even gave him a sample of some wine, and then also suggested another kind of wine that my husband really enjoyed. Even though he couldn't give us a sample of that due to the small bottle size, the waiter said he wouldn't charge us if hubby didn't like it. Fortunately, he did. :) I'm rating at 4 because the service the first time around left a bit to be desired. I was hungry - and pregnant, which is not a good combination. It was a busy night, and it was just the two of us stuck in a side table in the back next to some big groups, so that probably contributed to the lack of attentiveness. However, our waiter the 2nd time was absolutely fantastic, and I wish I could remember his name (born in Thailand...only works Sunday nights...). He was super friendly and very helpful, and we enjoyed talking with him. This place always seems to be busy when we walk by, which is a sign of good food. It can get a bit loud inside the restaurant when full, but the trendy people in Shirlington probably enjoy it and/or don't notice it. In short, we highly recommend T.h.a.i. Shirlington for excellent Thai food!
(4)
lauren s.

After my last review, the manager here, Nui, contacted me and asked us if we would be willing to give the restaurant a 2nd chance (very nice lady). We did, and this time both my husband I were more than satisfied with our entrees. We both got what we ordered, and the dishes were piping hot and fresh. We also ordered some of the appetizers that we enjoyed the first time - the sweet potato potstickers are incredible. Again, the service was very good and I was really impressed by the level of customer service they extended.
(4)
Amy S.

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington has been a go-to of mine for several years now. I think they have some of the nicest service staff ever, from the waitstaff to the guys who refill your water. Some personal favorites are the chicken gyoza, stay, and shrimp pad Thai. I'm a little boring with my choices because I have a huge obsession with rice noodles and refuse to stray into trying other choices. It's also a decent wine selection for an asian restaurant, with great pricing. $25 for a bottle of sauvignon blanc makes me happy! This week I tried the Thai coffee dessert drink, which is rimmed with sugar and cinnamon. Other than the fact that I think she forgot to give me decaf coffee... it was amazing. Good, consistent food for a very fair price.
(5)
Yumi W.

Best drunken noodle in DC area. Fresh cuts of meat are very good quality. When you heat up left over...noodle will melt in your mouth...this is coming from I hate leftover person. Chicken is never birdy....Awesome food.
(5)
Brian J.

second-ish to bangkok 54 for thai food in dc area. very, very good. everything we've ever gotten here has been perfectly prepared. i'd put this spot on a level with thai noy, in the westover area of arlington. service is very good. friendly, attentive staff. recommended.
(4)
Keisha D.

The time has finally come. After a gazillion stops to my favorite neighborhood Thai spot I actually tried a dish other than my beloved Shrimp Pad Thai. I know I am shocked at my deviant behavior too. I was living on the edge and ordered the Drunken Noodles (Shrimp) and it was absolutely wonderful. I love this place, they are so consistent. Most of my stuff is usually take out but I dined in last time and service was excellent as always.
(5)
Judy C.

3.3 stars. I've been here quite a few times for weekday lunch. It's a decent size restaurant. The service is quick, so you can have a quick meal, but you can also linger without feeling like others are waiting for a table. They have lunch bowl specials, which to me are perfect lunch size portions. The chicken drunken noodle is what I usually get. The prices are reasonable. My only gripe is that I don't like the way they serve their thai ice tea. You sweeten it on your own with a syrup water that they provide. I can never get the portions right and my drink becomes unbearably sweet. I'd rather they sweeten it in advance.
(3)
Andie C.

Great food and service. Seating can be tight, and if you are on the bench along the wall your experience can vary depending on the conversations occurring around you and how loudly they talk. That is the only reason they do not get 5 stars.
(4)
Takaki K.

Great and inexpensive ($5-8) lunch options that are available every day. I also really liked the Thai-iced tea that you mix yourself. The patio on the street is dog-friendly so it's a nice stop after visiting the dog park across the creek.
(4)
Laura R.

This is definitely a good local spot. The server was attentive and quick to make suggestions. The wine list was short, but the prices were very reasonable. I agree with a previous reviewer, that they don't know what spicy is, I asked for my green curry to be "thai" hot, and well, I didn't even break a sweat. However, the server did bring over hot condiments so that if we'd like to add more heat, we could. Overall, good experience and I'll be back.
(4)
george k.

I had lunch on Sunday at T.H.A.I in Shirlington on Sunday with a few friends, I had the Pad Thai it was great, my friends had 2 of the bowl lunch specials and they also said their food was great. I highly recommend THAI at Shirlington..
(4)
L A.

food was so-so...it was good, but not worth the price AT ALL. The seating is too contemporary and crammed in-very uncomfortable. Won't go back.
(3)
Phil J.

I've tried many different Thai places in the DC area, but i keep coming back to THAI shirlington. Prices are very reasonable, food comes out crazy fast, and it's almost always tasty. Service is extremely friendly. Panang and drunken noodles are my favorite. I'm usually too full to order one, but their desserts are usually very good and worth it. Easily recommendable.
(4)
christina j.

Just returned from my first dinner here. DELICIOUS!!!! I had the steamed crab shu mai for an appetizer, tasty and my friend had the pan fried goyza even tastier. We each had pad thai, II had the shrimp and my friend had the veggie &tofu. My friend said "this is the best pad thai i can recall having" !! Portions were generous. A great place for Sunday dinner. We left satisfied and with leftovers.
(4)
Ellen L.

I'm sure you guys know what i'm talking about.. Me: "Ooh! Let's go eat at THAI!" Friend: "Oh okay, sure! Which thai restaurant?" Me: "Like, THAI! THAI in Shirlington." Friend: "Oh. Right, but which one?" Me: "No like, it's called THAI. No joke." Friend: "Ohhhhhhh!" Yeah, exactly. What does T.H.A.I. stand for? Who knows. Why couldn't they come up with something else? I'm really not too sure. However, I really like this place. It may not be the most authentic thai food you've ever eaten, but it's still pretty solid and tasty. My favorites are the pad thai (with crispy tofu!), green curry (with chicken), and the drunken noodle (seafood!). It's hard to choose, but the drunken noodle with seafood is still my favorite. Where else can you find like a ~$10 drunken noodle that has plenty of mussels, squid, scallops and shrimp to boot?? Om nom nom! The crab finger roll (i think that's what it's called) appetizer that my friend recommended was pretty decent too. I also like that when you get the Thai Iced Tea, they allow you to mix it yourself in case you want more/less syrup and cream. This way, you won't be drowned completely in sugar! An added plus is that the waiters are always real friendly and they bring things quickly too! Anyway, it's worth the confusion. (On a side note, I always manage to get lost on the way to Shirlington...but that's okay too!) Yumz :)
(4)
Robin F.

Really good! Went here for lunch on Saturday when in Shirlington getting a gift for a friend of mine. Staff was very friendly and attentive. I had the noodle bowl with chicken and brocolli and it was really tasty - love the bigger rice noodles!! I would definitely go back and even try something else. Prices were very reasonable for lunch.
(4)
Allison R.

This restaurant was a huge disappointment. I am a big fan a Thai food and will definitely be looking for a different place to go in Arlington. The decor looks nice. However, we were seated near a window and it was awfully drafty. Also, the tables are about 6" too deep, making you too far away from your partner and making it a little hard to hear. Also the bench against the wall is very uncomfortable and covered in a fabric that cannot easily be cleaned. (There were some stains near my head). The waitress was not good. First, she picked up and moved my purse. (I hate it when people touch my purse) Then I asked about making spring rolls in a vegetarian manner. I was told absolutely not...they can not customize my meal. Then she told me to order to squash potstickers instead. The food was down right awful. The squash potstickers not only tasted bad, it also had a terrible texture. The squash was overcooked, seasoned with curry, and the dumpling itself was fried in too much oil. I ordered tofu with mushrooms and ginger. It was a plateful of tofu covered in soy and oyster sauce. The ginger was absent and the mushrooms were sparse. It is clear that they don't cook much tofu, because it was fried too long, and took forever to chew. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables. There were pieces of chicken it in. I enjoy leisure dining. Leisure was not an option at Thai Shirlington. We were asked to order right away. I said we need more time and a minute later, the waitress was back, ready for our order. Fewer than 5 minutes later, the potstickers arrived. Before we finished the potstickers, our dinner arrived. I am a slow eater, and at times will put my chopsticks down. Another waiter took my plate away before I was done without asking. We were in and out in 45 minutes. We felt like they were hoping to get another seating in. Then it makes sense why they couldn't customize orders - they are more interested in serving as many people as possible over quality. I will not be returning.
(2)
Jamie M.

I've been slacking lately and have gotten a bit behind in my reviews. I grabbed some take out from here a few weeks ago after running some errands in Shirlington. I had the King Pad Ped with chicken and it was a big enough portion to almost last me three meals. I was a little nervous about the little red chile next to the item on the menu since I can't handle a ton of heat, but it didn't turn out to be spicy at all, more sweet. My order was ready in the 15 minutes they quoted me and the guy I spoke to on the phone and in the restaurant was very friendly. Would definitely recommend for take out.
(4)
Ashley H.

Easily the best place in Shirlington to eat, especially for lunch. Not the most authentic Thai ever, but the lunch menu is incredible value for money. I go with the Pad See Ew usually, and enjoy both meat and tofu versions. The tofu is really well done (not always easy to find!)
(4)
Danielle D.

Best Thai in the DC metro area. Seriously. I crave their kow kapow gai sub on a regular basis. The minced chicken and basil is greatly complemented by the jasmine rice. Thai fried rice is kickin' and the kee mao is delish as well. They also have excellent lunch specials. Yum.
(5)
Steve M.

Big fan. Great place. The kind of place that stands out purely for the quality of its food.
(5)
Per J.

This is a nice restaurant but the food is only ok and not as good as the other Thai restaurants we normally eat at.
(3)
Mimi K.

The food is not what it used to be but still decent!
(3)
Mia C.

Thai places are a bit of a hit or miss -- do some use the catsup version of coconut milk verses the Heinz version? This place was a big hit. The presentation was unusually fantastic, with a really nice green color to my green chicken curry, and a really nice mauve to my friend's pnut curry. both tasted great, with high quality chicken and a lot of sauce. I would suggest more vegetables, but that does not take away from how fabulous it was.
(5)
Reese G.

I have no idea why this place is getting good reviews. I've been four times and this past time we had fruit flies all around our table to the point we had to leave. The service was terrible, food was average and staff was less than helpful. Would never go back.
(1)
Raena C.

totally dig this place. this is the only thai place i've ever been that allows you to mix your own thai iced tea - yeah!! SO MUCH CONTROL. love it. the people are always really nice and the food is great. mussamun curry with tofu is excellent - has butternut squash in it - YUM. their spring rolls are awesome too - long and skinny and delicious. i've been twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.
(4)
Crystal B.

Their food is good, their service is good, their decor is good, their prices are good.......need I say anymore? Get the lunch special it's worth every penny!
(5)
Deb I.

A little street cart in Bangkok's Siam Square (Soi 6), across the street from the Novotel hotel, serves up the best pad thai I've ever had. T.H.A.I. in Shirlington serves up the second best. It's pretty close to perfection, and had I not had the pad thai from the street cart in Bangkok, T.H.A.I.'s would define the quintessential pad thai - salty sweet rice noodles with pieces of fried tofu, shirred egg, prawns, bean sprouts and tiny morsels of some kind of pickled condiment that makes all the difference. No matter what else I order here, I always order the pad thai. And when I lived in NY, I'd order one or two extras to take back with me (even when I was returning via the $15 Chinatown bus). Everything I've had here has been nothing less than excellent - standouts include the drunken noodles, seafood with fried basil, Crying Tiger and deep-fried whole fish.
(5)
Zphi S.

My favorite Thai spot... Love the Beef Pad See Ew or the drunken noodles. Try the Ginger Lemon Ice Tea and ask for the sugar syrup so if you want to sweeten the tea you're not opening 10 packs of sugar LOL :0)
(4)
Mark G.

The food is good, but it is a bit on the pricy side, its a nice addition to the restaraunts in the Village and is a convenient to our home! Also, the service is always fast and friendly!
(3)
Joe G.

Had Panang Curry there with a friend two weeks ago. This is the real thing. Love that when I asked for heat the waiter brought a lil stand with four separate categories of heat in jam like jars. He recommended exactly the right one for me. Ha, Singha tastes so much better than when I had it in Thailand so many years ago (I'm a Viet Vet). We used to joke that it had formaldehyde in it then. Certainly doesn't now. Great servce, great food. Hope I get to go back. Was visiting from Cleveland area and am so jealous I can't see straight.
(5)
Kira M.

Great food. Great location. Great time.
(4)
Giancarlo B.

Can you say Kow Kapow Gai Sub? The best in DC and the free world! Big Bowl lunch is the deal of deals too! (Best Pad Thai too!)
(5)
Frank W.

Yummy food. Make sure you leave room for the Banana flambe (;
(4)
Jennifer S.

"T" is for Tasty Thai Cuisine. "H" is for Hospitality. "A" for Architectural Elegance. "I" for Innovative Seasonal Menus. "T.H.A.I." is actually more than what's on the menu, it's an acronym for Mel's (the owner) mission statement for his restaurant. Believable. I love this little Thai spot in Shirlington Village. I have never had anything less than great service and their pad thai is one of the best I've had in the area and the chicken panang curry is also delish. Many of the dishes on the menu aren't typical Thai, but always interesting and always tasty. The decor also is not typical of Thai restaurants, but that is one of the reasons I enjoy it.
(4)
Mickey S.

Amazing food great service. The food was outstanding extremely flavorful and fresh.mservice was superb. The place is very bussyband parking in the garage isn't too bad. Recommend you go there iv been 5 times so far
(5)
Suzanne M.

I am not a Thai food lover, but this is close to my apartment and seemed like a great place to try when you walk by. The food was really good. I am not a peanut or curry loving eater, so I explained to them I didn't like these things and they recommended me some wonderful dishes and I was very impressed. I will definitely try Thai food again thanks to this restaurant.
(4)
Zoe T.

Quick service, good prices, perfect place to hang out during the summer on the outdoor patio area. The pad see-ew is wonderful.
(4)
Joey K.

I love the soup and the Panang Perfect curry. The best Thai place in Northern Virginia
(5)
Tiger C.

You can run, you can hide, but you really should skip this place. Here's the deal, ordered the Pad Thai, and having had Pad Thai from so many places, this is by far the blandest and tasteless one I have had. There are way too many peanuts in the dish, the sauce is not unique at all, pretty much just salty, and the meat and veggies in the dish have no flavor other than salty. I would say one way to counteract this would be to get the dish as spicy as possible, but a better option would be to go to a different Thai spot. The setting is also pretty plain compared to some of the other restaurants in the Shirlington area. I must admit, I go to places just for the ambiance sometimes, but this place would not qualify for that either.
(2)
Cathy K.

Great, fast, and friendly service. The food was great!
(5)
Emily B.

I love this place. I no longer nearby (now in DC) so I rarely get down there, but it's such a treat when I do. The food is really authentic, tasty, and beautifully plated. I also love that when menu items are listed as hot that they actually are spicy. I find that so many restaurants disappoint in this area. Service is always excellent, and the food is reasonably priced.
(5)
Stephanie H.

Very lackluster. I had the Garlic Shrimp, which was short on shrimp and heavy on sauce & limp vegetables (which were probably from a bag in the frozen foods aisle, in retrospect). There are so many restaurants to choose from in Shirlington; hitting up any one of them instead of this place will probably yield better tasting and less costly results.
(2)
Dan S.

The panang curry is amazing. This place is always busy which tells me the food is very good. The spring rolls are enormous and fun and also delicious. One of my go to places in S-ton.
(4)
Lauren E.

Absolutely my favorite Thai restaurant in Arlington. The prices are extremely great and the portions were giant. My boyfriend and I shared the Panang Curry and Pad Thai. We could have gotten another meal out of them, but they were so good we couldn't help but finish them at the restaurant. Good service, great location in Shirlington!
(5)
Dana U.

What can I say... I've been to DC twice in the past few months and I've been to this restaurant each trip. Awesome service. Really good food. Good atmosphere. I got the pad thai with tofu and vegetables and it is soooo good. I can't rave enough about it. Calamari and summer roles were awesome as well. I tried my friends General Tso's chicken and drunken noodles... both were good as well. I'm looking forward to my third trip to DC, because I will plan a trip back here.
(4)
Dawn B.

The food is good, but what they consider spicy... is not. I've went to a bunch of thai places before and this is the first thai basil that I've tasted that's been pretty tame. Oh and just a warning do not go there on a lunch break unless you have over an 1 hour to spare. It took me 30min to be served there and an 1 hour to order/finish paying the bill after being quickly seated.
(3)
Chrystina Z.

I've had better Thai food elsewhere, though I did like the extensive menu choices and location along the Shirlington strip. It did crack me up that some of these places were "chains" from DC. Anyways, I had the panang tofu (nothing special, but reasonably tasty) and coconut punch (yummy!). Someone else ordered the Thai iced tea, which I always find repulsive. I guess here they don't mix it for you. It comes unsweetened, and you have to add the sweetner and cream. Little lazy if you ask me.
(2)
Elina T.

I've walked by this place for years and always thought it to be just any other Thai restaurant. Finally, yesterday we stopped in to dine and I was very pleasantly surprised. Our appetizer, the pan-seared squash potstickers, were morsels of heaven. The butternut squash and the sweet potato melted in your mouth and the ginger-soy sauce dip was the perfect accompaniment. The real star, however, was the chicken green curry. Yes, it's a boring order, but often when I go to a new Thai restaurant, I like to order the green curry as it is usually a representation of how good the other dishes might be. This was definitely the best green curry I've had outside of Thailand and honestly, curries I had in Thailand, don't have anything to rival this one. The curry was creamy and rich, the chicken was well cooked, the Asian eggplant was in abundance, and the keffir lime leaves were bountiful. It was just perfect. My husband enjoyed his ginger root n' broccoli, which comes well stocked with slices of flank steak. For dessert, we had the banana bread putting with a dark rum whipped cream, which was fluffy and not heavy. You could really taste the banana in the pudding, which is always a plus! THAI in Shirlington, I'm a big fan!
(5)
Rick R.

Not sure about all the great reviews. Yes the food is good but the portions are very skimpy for a high price. We've ate here a few times, sometimes ordered from the office. Both times the portions were extremely small especially for $10+ worth of food. The also managed to screw up my order more than a few times and it took forever to speak with the manager. In a pinch I might dine here again, otherwise I stay away.
(2)
Janet C.

okay, i'm going to try to forget today's lunch experience and write this review based on the sum total of all the times i went here. the food is pretty tasty, in my opinion. for some reason, i really like the pad thai, although it doesnt taste "authentic," not that i know what authentic pad thai tastes like. this one tastes a bit sweeter than others, but i think thats what makes it delicioso. i also like the drunken noodles. and their curries. and their beef salad... and i like how they let you sweeten your own thai iced tea/coffee, so you dont end up with crazy high blood sugar levels. so yeah, their dishes are decent. nothing spectacular, but pretty decent. i guess the last star is there because it's close to my place. so usually the waitstaff is on point, but today.... TODAY.... they blew. it's taking all my self control to keep from downgrading to 3 stars, but i will be magnanimous... i had to look that up to spell it correctly. sad.
(4)
Faith F.

Here is the thing, I would have given this place 3 stars, but considering everything, I am judging harsh... read on: I went a couple years ago, it was unmemorable, I couldn't remember much about it. This past week, a good friend said she was going there for her birthday. SHE IS A REGULAR. The staff knows her, and only because she eats often there. She called ahead and made reservations for a small group (6 people). So, they knew we were coming. It wasn't busy (weekday). The service was so sub-par I couldn't believe it. They knew her. They had all the reason to be ready for us & they still couldn't pull their act together. Also, everyone raves about the decor. It is alright, but not as nice as the INTERIOR of Bangkok 54, their outside is questionable, but inside the atmosphere is much better over there. The food is good. Not great, not average, good. Food alone, I would give them a 3.5. I tasted 6 different dishes and like the Panang Perfect the best. I got it with 3 peppers and it was spicy.
(2)
sarah l.

I've been to THAI Shirlington at least once or twice a month for years now. My favorite dish there is the noodle soup Tom Yum Gai Sub, but everything there is delicious - all across the board. The service is always very nice and the servers very polite. Even though this restaurant is great for dinner, I prefer eating there at lunch because their "Big Bowl" lunch menu is awesome and very inexpensive (something like $5.95 a big bowl). My most favorite Thai restaurant in the area. Seriously!
(4)
Jen K.

After living one block away from the action in Shirlington for over 6 months now, I finally went to a restaurant other than Carlyle or Guapos. Stepped into T.H.A.I. on Thursday night around 6pm, looking forward to carbo loading before the big Redskins season opener against the Giants. Though the drunken noodles with veggies and tofu were beautiful and delicious (perfectly toothy/gummy big rice noodles tossed with fresh huge pieces of colorful al dente veggies, with light fried tofu and a yummy spicy basil sauce), they apparantly didn't contain enough carbs to help my Skins in their athletic endeavor that evening. Fooey. I also had the smoked duck wontons and ginger lemon iced tea upon recommendations of other yelpers, and was not disappointed. My friend had the penang tofu, and it was delicious -- overly creamy but in a good way; sweet, spicy... and that thai basil makes the dish. The menu had some interesting choices beyond the standard Thai fare -- one lemongrass-crusted salmon entree was begging my attention -- maybe next time! Quick service and a great location round out this cute little Thai place that will now see me more frequently.
(4)
Lei G.

Whether traveling past or visiting the area, I always stop here for dinner (for the past decade) because it's that good! I've always enjoyed the King Pad Ped with chicken and it has always tasted the same. So far, everyone I've brought to this restaurant has enjoyed it and so will you.
(5)
Scott A.

On the recommandation of a friend, I ate at this restaurant tonight. I have to say that I was very pleased with what I found. The wait staff were very friendly, the decor was nice, the food selection was very good, and the quality of the food was great. The only negative that this place may have is that parking can be a challenge on a busy night.
(4)
Amanda B.

Yummmmmmmmy. We order from here all the time. The spring rolls and the sauce with which they come are just delightful. Everything here is good. My husband always orders the Bamee Mussels (v. good) and I love the pad thai, eggplant, veggie curry, penang and basically everything else I've tried. I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Lauren C.

This Thai is a welcome surprise in NOVA. The slightly sweet Panang curry was wonderful and the meat tasted great. Quick service, and tasty flavors. I'll be returning soon!
(4)
Heath A.

Tasty Thai can be had in Shirlington. T.H.A.I. is the name on the window and what you'll find inside this sleek dining room in Shirlington's Village strip. The food is dependable on the good side but can be priced a bit steep for Thai food in general. Some of my favorites are the Spicy Chicken and Basil, Duck Curry and Thai beef salad. Makes a great companion to dinner and movie dates with the Movie theater just up the street.
(3)
Holly M.

T.H.A.I. Shirlington was one of my first NoVA Thai experiences on a quick weekend visit from down south around 5 years ago. In all this time the place has remained consistently good, the staff consistently attentive and helpful, and the overall feel of the place the same comfortable atmosphere. Every dish is a winner so pick something you've never had before to experiment. I say ignore the Pad Thai at just about any Thai restaurant (though the pad thai here is my favorite in the DC area). Try the Basil Chicken, the beautiful green curry, and the Bamee Tso Tofu here. Any of their whole fish preparations are also fantastic. Perfect for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. In the spring take advantage of the outdoor seating for some people watching with your meal.
(5)
Allan N.

Based on one visit here, I'd say it wasn't that impressive. I'd give it another chance though. It has a very cool interior space. It is big and noisy though. The food was average to me.
(3)
Carson D.

This is the place where my husband and I go when we want Thai food that we know will be good. We go here all the time for lunch, dinner and carryout. Our tips are that lunch is a lot cheaper for the same amount of food and we absolutely love the drunken noodles and the panang perfect. They are pretty fast and the customer service has always been good.
(5)
Benjamin H.

Fantastic! This place has the best Thai food I have ever had, by far. Although I had never previously thought much of duck, after ordering the delicious crispy duck wontons once- I can now say that everytime my husband and I eat here we look forward to their sweet and smokey flavor. All the entrees I've tried have been wonderful. My husband grew up vegetarian(he's not anymore)- so he's tried tofu in about every possible form and has declared their preparation of it to be excellent in all of the dishes he's gotten. We have even come here after seeing a movie just to order the "warm chocolate flourless cake"- a yummy dessert you won't soon forget.
(5)
Matthew L.

This place stands out among Thai restaurants. The wait staff is very friendly and efficient. You can sit outside people watching in nice weather. The best deal is the lunch menu. All the soups i've tried have been good. Larb is excellent, drunken noodles, curries, this noodle dish with mussels, basil, and anise (my wife orders it every time) . There are lots of restaurants in Shirlington Village, and this stands out as one of the best.
(4)
Lynn H.

3.5 I'm probably biased because I love Thai food, make some at home, and have tried many places. I got the pad thai with fried tofu and vegetables. The portion was HUGE, which is good but the flavoring was only so-so. I've definitely had better. My friend order the wonton noodle soup (which is usually only found on their lunch menu, but you can order it for dinner). I'd say her's was better than mine because the spices in the soup had much more of a kick to it. I'd try it again if I was in the area, but I'd go for the green curry or drunken noodles.
(3)
Matthew R.

I ate here with my wife after a long day at work. It was adequate, if mediocre. The green curry was mostly sauce (a little bland despite its "two chili pepper" rating on the menu) and zucchini, and very light on the chicken and eggplant. Still, it was better than most of the other restaurants on that strip. I'd go here again in a pinch, but that's about it.
(3)
Holly G.

The food is fantastic and the wait staff is great. The lunch menu is a great deal, with several options around $8 and quick add-ons like a spring roll. The mango sticky rice dessert is also delicious. You can get the lunch prices throughout the afternoon, and on take-out orders. I moved away from Arlington but always make a point to go back to T.H.A.I. when I'm in town.
(5)
Jina K.

2 only because of the decor. The food is very very average. Thai Square is truly the best Thai food around DC area. THe price is much cheaper and the food is super.
(2)
CYNTHIA C.

I absolutely LOVE this Thai restaurant. The decor inside is contemporary and very nice. The service is superb. The food is some of the best Thai food I have ever had. I definitely recommend this place!!!
(5)
Jen F.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Arlington, and right now is my favorite Thai place. They have a great take-out service, but the restaurant itself is really nice with very attentive servers and consistently good food. The panang curry is awesome, and the prices are pretty good for the quality and quantity of the food!
(4)
Christine E.

One of my favorite Thai places in the area. Tucked away in Shirlington (which is altogether a "hip" little corner, without sacrificing "coziness"), T.H.A.I. offers great food at overall competitive prices; the entrees average at around $7. They serve lunch offerings of noodles and soup, which are all pretty tasty. My personal favorite is their version of the General Tso...and yes, that is traditionally "chinese", but deal with it. It's served on a bed of stirfry noodles...deeeee-licious. The ambiance is also notable--the decor is classy and contemporary, but not pretentious. I stopped at four stars due to the fact that the heavy appetizer prices don't sync up to the portions. $6.25 for two...TWO...summer rolls. Come on.
(4)
Jessica L.

I like thai food, but it's not really one of my favorites. So please keep this in mind as you read my review. I typically stick with pad thai and I would say T.H.A.I. in Shirlington's was pretty good. I ordered it with shrimp and it was completely pealed all the way down to the tail. My husband and I both had big lunches and didn't order an appetizer or anything else. But I would go back here again.
(4)
Neil N.

Great lunch specials, and above average service. The food comes out fast, piping hot.
(4)
Young P.

Went there for dinner. It had nice ambiance. I ordered Pad Thai based on other reviews. It was not that great and seem to have been loaded with tons of MSG. I couldn't stop drinking water during/after the meal.
(2)
B R.

Best Thai I've ever had. I live in the area and have eaten there over 30 times by now and every dish is a winner. Plus desserts are awesome. Go with friends and be sure to order the make your own Thai iced tea (the ginger lemonade is fantastic too) and order the banana flambe for dessert. It's a bit of a show.
(5)
Rhonda W.

Not bad. I've had some bad Thai experiences and some great Thai experiences. This would rate pretty good. We went there for lunch and had the pad thai and the kapow. tasty! tasty! Would like to visit sometime for dinner.
(4)
vinnie t.

not the most authentic Thai food but still good. lunch menu is limited but price isn't bad. parking can be a pain there though.
(3)
Brian S.

If I can choose any restaurant in the area to go to this is my pick. I absolutely love the Panang Perfect and the Drunken Noodles are a close second. This place is a must try if you like Thai.
(5)
Amy T.

Standard Thai fare, nothing special, you won't be disappointed...but you probably won't be impressed either. A safe bet.
(4)
My T.

This is the worst Thai restaurant I ever been to. First of all, the food is bad, and it's over priced. They charged you a cup of cheap and bland jasmine tea for $3. All the food I ordered was way too salty, even for people eat a very salty like my family. The beef in the crying tiger dish was horrible, it tasted nothing like fresh beef. The beef salad was done poorly, again too salty and the beef is again tasted horribly. The only decent dish was calamari and papaya salad. I was ate here 3 years ago, and it was horrible then, today I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and thinking it might changes. I don't understand how can people rate this restaurant 4 star. I would never ever come back here again. I guess people come here just for the decor and the service. Never ever go here for the food, so horrible. They don't even offer to change your dish when you complain about it. Horrilbe horrible experience. For those of you who want to try this restaurant, please do not, it's a waste of your money. This restaurant is over rated and over priced.
(1)
Melvin B.

Had the lunch special pad gai this week. Pretty good. Nice fragrance, not overseasoned at all. Price was about $7.50+ tax, which was excellent. Service was prompt, though not overly attentive as my water was never refilled throughout the entire lunch. No one ever came to check on us until the check. That said, I'd have given this place another star, but there was one big black mark. . .FLIES! They were everywhere and seemed to particularly like our table. We had to constantly swat at them to get them away. That made the meal quite annoying and unappetizing (Yes, we were sitting inside). Anyway, hope that was just an anomaly.
(3)
Healey S.

I'm a little surprised to see so many negative reviews, because this is quite possibly the best Thai food I've ever had. A friend recommended we go and I'm all for trying new places, so off to Shirlington we went! I thought the decor was lovely. It's modern, clean and not too overdone, and they had a nice outdoor area which I might try until May or after September, because I'm a heat wimp. We were seated right by a window and our server was friendly and attentive. We had some delicious spring rolls for an appetizer; they were longer than I expected (that's what she said) but perfectly crisp and tasty, served with the requisite chili sauce. I also ordered a Thai iced tea and kind of appreciated that it came as a "make your own" type thing. Perhaps I like it sweeter or with less milk than places normally make it or something because I enjoyed it here a lot more than I usually do. My Thai standby is panang chicken. At this restaurant they label the dish "Panang Perfect" and let me say that that is truth in advertising. It came with plenty of delicious sauce and was a very generous portion. It was white meat chicken which might be Americanized but I prefer it (I am American; maybe that's why). I thought the prices were very reasonable. With the appetizer, two good sized entrees (I probably could have taken half home but it was so darned delicious I couldn't stop myself) and two thai iced teas it was around $35 total including a 20% tip. IMHO that's reasonable for around here but maybe I'm numb to the priciness of everything. They also have lunch deals during the day (including weekends) with some good options; if you went for one of those you could easily walk out for under $15 with a drink and tip. Enjoy!
(4)
Dan L.

My gf and I had the lunch specials here (pad see ew and chicken walnut noodles). Both entrees were really good. I like how you make your own thai tea here so you can determine how sweet you want your tea to be. Will definitely return soon.
(4)
Nicole F.

Too bad we are leaving the area as I only got to try the garlic shrimp and mango sticky rice which were excellent. Oh, and the ginger ice tea - refreshing and unique! I liked the service, the decor and the food. The menu had thai and chinese selections so it will please even those who aren't huge Thai fans.
(4)
Cary W.

The kakapao gai sub is delicious. Service is prompt and staff very friendly. Give it a go!!
(4)
Sophia C.

Thank you Yelp for helping me find this place! I've been here several times and I have never been disappointed with the food! All their appetizers have been wonderful opening acts to our dining experiences here. As a main course, I love the Crying Tiger. I am by no means an expert on Thai food, but I often find myself comparing all other Thai restaurants to this one. The only reason why this place does not get a 5 out of 5 is because service can either be fantastic or frustrating. I have had more fantastic experiences than frustrating but it doesn't make them disappear. I love that they are right in the middle of the strip so you can park in the back shopping area by the Bungalows and just take the elevator up. Such a cute little place. Love that they're usually very quick to get you a seat and they even do a great job with birthday groups. Definitely one of my favorite places to go eat!
(4)
D. H.

T.H.A.I. is now my favorite Thai restaurant in the DC area. My friend and I both really enjoyed our dishes. Service: We were seated promptly and the waiter was friendly. The waiter also didn't give us any grief about our late decision to get separate checks. The table service was a little too relaxed for my taste - there was a wait for the waiter to get to the table and take our order, and it took longer than expected to receive our appetizer. There was also a long wait in between the first check in after our dishes were served and the waiter asking if we needed anything else. Food: Excellent. Order the squash potstickers as an appetizer and thank me later. They had a light sweetness and were served with a tangy soy-based sauce. My Crying Tiger entree with flank steak was very spicy, reasonably tender, and served with a robust sauce that had the perfect mix of sweet and heat. I wasn't in the mood for alcohol, so I went with the Ginger-Lemon tea, which had a wonderfully strong lemony tartness. Cost: The prices are what you might expect of the top-notch Thai restaurants in the area. Ambiance: This restaurant is good for a casual evening out. Also, like most restaurants in Shirlington, it has outdoor seating. Definitely the best reason to visit Shirlington.
(4)
Kerianne K.

Fantastic! Best Thai food in Northern VA in my opinion. Pro: -Indoor/Outdoor seating- meaning it's dog friendly -Cute area, tons of places to walk and shop afterwards. Dog parks in the area, bars, coffee, etc. -Great food at reasonable prices -Great atmosphere- its great for a romatinc evening, first dates, special occassions, etc. -Great menu, lots of selections and choices and they will alter things to your taste -Great lunch menu and prices! Why would you go to fastfood when you can get better food/more food for around the same price?! -Service is good Cons: -Can get busy on the weekends so you might have to wait :) - I have seen it, but I wouldn't recommend it to be a 'kid friendly' restuarant. Hint: Order the calamari appetizer- absolutely to die for! You will not regret it.
(5)
Christopher P.

first time there and I would definitely go back. The chicken and basil had a great mix of flavor and spice. It was hot but not overly so. Nice setting and good service.
(4)
Andy G.

This is the best Thai food I've had, and I am fortunate it's only 200yds from my apartment complex. I've never had anything other than takeout, so I can't review the service, but the food is top notch. I generally order the green curry chicken which has an amazing flavor. Perfectly cooked combination of sweet and savory. The drunken noodles are fantastic, and will if you are not used to spicy foods, they might give you a bit of a brow sweat. I definitely recommend T.H.A.I. in Shirlington for Thai food in the Arlington area.
(5)
Matt C.

I eat a lot of Thai food. I've eaten a lot in the DMV area as well. This place is the best I've found as of yet. You walk in and their architecture is amazing inside, it's a really nice treat. The wait staff and managers were exceptionally nice, just an all around great experience. The food, oh the food! Some of the best Thai curry I've had. It's thicker than any other Thai place does it, I love that. You can get a big glob of rice and have all that curry goodness stick to it. I got the Panang Perfect, which was chicken Panang. I bumped it up to the highest spice level. While it was very flavorful the spice didn't over power the dish, but it was a perfect level of spicy if you like it hot. I also really like how when you order a Thai Ice Tea they bring the cream and simple syrup so you can make it to taste. A very nice surprise. And, by the way, T.H.A.I. stands for: Tasty Thai Cuisine Hospitality and Warmth Architectural Elegance Innovative Seasonal Menus (And they aren't lying)
(5)
Meg S.

I went two months ago but forgot to write a review. I've been walking around with the receipt in my wallet ever since, so I could remember the name of the awesome dish I had: Mussamun Tofu. Freakin' delicious. A peanutty, sweet curry sauce with delicious tofu, carrots and potatoes. Total comfort food. The Thai Iced Coffee was great, too, and on the Saturday I was there the alcoholic beverages were quite strong. The ambience is gorgeous - the furnishings, dim lighting and pretty colors make it a great place to impress a date, though it's got enough volume that it feels like an energetic and social restaurant, not an intimate one. Perfect for dates 1 through 4, I'd say.
(5)
Isabel B.

I've been to T.H.A.I. several times in the past couple of years, I even had a birthday dinner for my friend here once, and so far all of my experiences have been great. The decor in the place is lovely, and the high-ceilings and low lighting really add classiness to the place. As for the food, the reasonably priced dishes are excellent. I love the curry and am especially a fan of the Stir Fry Wild Mushroom plate ($10.95). There is a great vegetarian selection and one can find veggie options in pretty much every section of the menu. The wait staff is friendly, and the food is ready fairly quickly. T.H.A.I is definitely a great addition to the already awesome Shirlington area.
(4)
Sarah S.

Not feeling the authenticity or consistency of this place. Not to mention my to-go orders have been incorrect on more than one occasion. My vote: for classic, delicious Thai food, stick to Bangkok 54 on nearby Columbia Pike in Arlington; they do dumplings, fish cakes, curries, and drunken noodles exceptionally better, and for cheaper.
(2)
Badrul F.

Probably the best Thai I've ever had. The fried shrimp dish was awesome. Kind of dark inside, but otherwise it was a flawless experience.
(5)
Jenn G.

This place is easily one of the best Thai restaurants in the Arlington area. The chicken pad thai was phenomenal, and the General Tso's dish was also really good. we finished off dinner with the signature coffee drink and it was reeeeeally good. Totally will be going back here again and again.
(5)
Charlotte M.

Ate here last night for dinner with one of my friends. Service was extremely slow and our server most definitely didn't take her happy-pill. Once our food finally arrived, it was delicious. Maybe the menu should print a disclaimer next to the brown rice option-- $1.00 and 45 minutes extra? Wine list by the glass was very limited, but the veg options were quite good. Would recommend if you have unlimited hunger willpower on Fri/Sat evening, otherwise come before the dinner rush or be prepared to wait.
(3)
marc a.

Four and five stars? Really? When there is *sooooooooooooooooo* much better Thai food nearby like Raubieng, Thai Square and even Bangkok 54? I live in Shirlington and have been to this place probably a half dozen times and have always found that they violated the first principle of their name (the "T." stands for "Tasty Thai Cuisine"). So a couple of things iritate me about this place. First and foremost--even when you order things "Thai spicy" you still don't really get all that spicy, but the waitress (who otherwise is decent if a bit slow) will keep bugging you about whether it was hot enough or if it were too hot. Sorry, waitress, but your "seven star" spiciness is maybe not even a two-star in Bangkok. Second thing that annoys me--Thai cuisine is known for some great noodle dishes, but this place overcooks their noodles every time. As the wife said tonight: the drunken noodles are too drunk! It's not like it's that hard to make, but if you pour oil obver overcooked noodles, you don't deserve a four or five star when nearly any other Thai place in the area can get it right. Bottom line--with so many other better places within a few miles, why would anyone go here? On second thought, maybe I should give this five stars--then all the other places might not be so full. Hmmmm.....
(2)
Carey A.

This wasn't our first pick! We actually were across the street at Guapo's to meet up with some friends. Long story short, the power went out in the restaurant right after we placed our order! We gave them some time to figure out what was going on, but sitting in the dark while it is extremely hot with no food in front of you...well let's just say they didn't give us much reason to stay. Anyways, this restaurant isn't too big and we had about a 20 min. wait. After grabbing a Sapporo at the Bar we were seated and menus were presented! My Hubby and I shared the Coconut Shrimp...excellent and the popcorn shrimp...which I've had better frozen, but I was starving! I ordered Drunken Noodles with chicken, which was pretty popular at our table, and it was excellent! My husband ordered Green Curry which looked like Pea Soup, but he loved it and has had it before there. I thought this place was pretty fairly priced, but then again I've have only been to one other Thai place. I really don't have any bad comments about this place, however, the waitress we had could have been a little bit nicer! I will definitely come back to this place!
(4)
Drew S.

Great atmosphere, interesting menu, courteous wait staff. The chefs take some chances on unusual dishes, but they work. We've been twice and will be going many more times!
(5)
Mike Y.

Loved this place. I nearly at my self to explosion here. 2 appetizers and 2 entrees all in my belly. Loved it. Very stylish restaurant. with artsy decor. Service was great. I had the THAI mint chicken salad. Very different but incredibly good. Fried calimari was in a tempura batter and although very good it was my least favorite thing. For entrees I had Drunken Noodles with chicken and it was one of the better iterations I've had. Not too sweet with a good amount of spice and lots of veggies. I also had the Kapow Perfect and it was very tasty.
(5)
popalnet p.

So far my favorite Thai restaurant in the DC area! Best Chicken Basil I've ever had. Probably best drunken noodle I've ever had, outside of SF Bay Area. The seafood soup is a must try!
(5)
D. T.

Friendly, fast service and great food. Oh, yea....at excellent prices, too. Drunken noodles ... good choice for lunch. Definitely will return.
(4)
Neil J.

First I love Thai. Second I've never been to Thailand so I can't claim any real expertise. So while traveling to DC I was staying in Arlington and found some good reviews for this place and went for it. Got the drunken noodles (shrimp) and Panang Perfect. Oh my dear sweet Lord (and that isn't taking his name in vain but offering sincerest of thanks).... The Panang Perfect was just that....perfect. It was this rich (not too rich) nutty (not too peanut infused and in fact it was subtle....so subtle) savory and sweet (but not too sweet!). Perfect. I'd never had this dish and I don't usually go for the coconut milk based stuff.....but this is well...PERFECT. Loved it. The noodles as someone else said were perhaps a tad too drunk as they seemed to have moved past drunken and on to mating with one another in a mushy delicious mess.....but again a bit (just a bit) less gooey might have been better. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that I am not certain enough of my Thai training to give 5, so I gave 4. But I'm feeling 5 right now and I sure was chowing down. I wish I'd tried a desert. Next trip.
(4)
Olivia T.

This is an excellent lunch spot, with friendly staff, elegant and chic seating, and GREAT food! The Bamee Wonton Soup is a spectacular mix of herbs and flavor, and the wontons and rice noodles are perfect. The Pad See Ew noodles are also a great choice for their unique taste and texture. All of the lunch specials are really delicious, and their prices are a pleasant surprise. On a nice day you can sit outside in the sun and eat delicious, fresh thai food in an adorable, put-together atmosphere!
(5)
james b.

We've been going here since it opened and are rarely disappointed. Love all their fish dishes. Seasonal specials are usually outstanding. The lunch bowl specials are a great value and very good.
(5)
Lauri S.

I work right near this delightful Thai restaurant, so I can only speak to the lunch menu. As such, I love the Drunken Noodles here. I alternate between the Chicken and Tofu varieties, and couldn't be happier with either. The atmosphere is great, the service has always been quick and friendly, and the food is delicious. I would have to agree that the spiciness is a little lacking. I generally order things at about a 7, but was a little disappointed in the lack of kick. The flavors are there, but the heat is a tad low. I knocked off one star for that, otherwise it would have been a 5-star rating for me.
(4)
Jan E.

Excellent and affordable lunch specials with crispy spring rolls and a lovely, elegant-ish atmosphere in the always popular Shirlington. Easy-going outdoor seating. Really good food and service.
(4)
Christie E.

Completely over-priced, americanized "thai" food. The food is like mediocre chinese food with thai basil and chili thrown it to make it "thai" food. My husband and I had the fried calamari with creamy chili sauce, peppercorn lamb and tempura fried fish with basil chili sauce since they didn't have the crispy fried flounder I was looking for. Well, correction, they only had the "small size". The crispy calamari was more greasy than crunchy and obviously came from a frozen bag. The creamy chili sauce was...creamy, which was weird. Like the bottled sweet chili sauce mixed with mayo - I think that is what it was exactly. FAIL. When our entrees came out we quickly realized it was the same sauce, but the lamb had "fresh" peppercorn stems in it which added no flavor to the dish at all. It tasted exactly like the sauce I had on my fish and the lamb was especially gamey. Not that lamb dishes are indiginous to Thai cuisine or anything, but we were hoping to find an interesting fusion. FAIL. The tempura fish with chili basil sauce was exactly as expected. A fried piece of cod served with rice with the same thick gravy-like sauce on top. FAIL. Thai chili basil sauces are typically thinner and maybe even syrup-like rather than gravy-like which is where the bad chinese brown gravy influence comes from. We also had ordered cocktails which were also mediocre. My husband had the bangkok slinger which I'm not familiar with so can't critic, and I had a lemongrass martini. It tasted like a regular, standard, not so high quality vodka martini. When I ordered a ginger martini, it tasted exactly like the first one. Maybe the waiter ordered ir wrong, maybe he didn't. Still FAIL. Well, I didn't have high expectations for this place as we only came here looking for fried crispy flounder and a chance to eat outside. I think their outdoor patio is their only saving grace, but if you're into getting overcharged for bad chinese with thai basil and a slight chili kick, then go for it.
(1)
Cindy C.

Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this place! The vegetable spring rolls (3 long thin rolls) with a sauce with carrots in it is amazing. Best spring rolls ever! I almost always get the chicken pad tai. A real treat! I don't eat red meat and only some chicken (if cooked very well) and the chicken is great!
(5)
Jason E.

Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 1 Star at best The food is GOOD, but it is by no means indicative of authentic Thai cooking. It seems to be very americanized in many ways which is understandable, but is not what I was expecting from reviews and from what they tout themselves as. I had the Panang Chicken which was certainly good, and worth the price of $11.95 but I've had much better for the same price. My dining companion had the Pad Thai, which I didn't try but she enjoyed. Now to the service... I so badly want to call this guy out because he was quite possibly the most obnoxious server I've ever encountered. I'll keep his name to myself for fear of him losing his job but I hope to god that he reads this and straightens his act up... 1. It took about 5 minutes for him to acknowledge our presence even though he was in the vicinity the entire time. 2. I inquired as to whether or not they had a full bar because the menu only listed beers/wine... a simple inquiry as far as I could imagine, but to his rolling eyes and sarcastic response of "Uh, yeah" I could tell that it was clearly too ignorant a question to ask him. 3. I ordered a Gin/Tonic. That's how you order a Gin/Tonic unless you're picky. His response (imagine a horrendously impatient tone): "Um... could you be more specific?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Who the hell talks to their guest that way? Your damn right I could be more specific, A fucking glass with ice cubes, 1.5 ounces of Gin topped with Tonic water. No, I don't care for a lime, but I would like a lemon because it gives it a completely different flavor profile that I enjoy more during the summer months. If your well Gin is something disgusting then I'd assume that you'd ask if it was acceptable, and if you have Hendrick's I would prefer that but since you don't, Beefeater will do just fine. I was in SHOCK at the way he came back at me as if I didn't supply him with an acceptable amount of information and should probably be shot immediately for not doing so. 4. I'm a fairly quick drinker so I have always been lenient with servers who take a few minutes to realize that I guzzled down my first drink, but this time I was almost half way through with my food and had to get his attention to order another drink. I decided to go with Sake, which I ordered hot (to which he smirked and said, "don't you mean warm") No, you arrogant little shit, I mean HOT Sake, as in not cold, not warm but HOT. I prefer my sake on the hotter side and have NEVER been questioned when ordering it. 5. After we finished our meals we were presented with our check which we agreed to split. I was paying cash, my friend was paying with her card. When he came to collect the payment we explained that we would like to put the cash towards the bill and the remainder on the card. His response: "Well... who's card is it?" I thought to myself why the hell does it matter whos card it is? We explained that it was my friend's card and my cash. His response: " So why don't you just take the cash and I'll put the entire bill on the card, isn't that the same thing?" I was BLOWN AWAY. No it's not the same thing you apathetic, horrendous excuse for a server. When instructed to put the cash towards the bill and the remainder on the card you DO IT, you don't ask questions, you don't pass go and collect $200, you say "Thank you, I'll be right back". Now, I understand that many servers are weary of putting cash towards a bill and the remainder on a card because most people are ignorant and forget to leave the full gratuity on the card and will just leave a tip based on the amount shown on the receipt, which in most cases would be significantly less because cash was put towards the full balance... I am NOT most people and know how to do my math. If he wants to notate the original balance, then by all means do so on the receipt but you NEVER question someone like that. Our bill was $46.xx... $30/cash and $16.xx on the card. We left him $5... not because we're cheap and can't calculate gratuity, but because he was literally the rudest person I have ever encountered in the service industry. I have never in my life left less than 20%, even for bad service, but when you're downright disrespectful and impatient you don't deserve ANY money from me. I hope that $5 all went to tipping out the bussers/bartenders because he certainly didn't deserve a dime from us. So, to sum it all up... Good food, nice atmosphere, and most likely they normally have pretty damned good service, but not this time. If I was from the area I would most likely return hoping for someone that knew how to take care of people but I'm not... I will happily return to Atlanta and enjoy Surin of Thailand where not only is their food incredible but their servers enjoy their jobs and treat people with genuine hospitality and care.... and always get 30% tips from me.
(2)
Kristi D.

My favorite thai restaurant in the area because when you combine its yummy food (seasonal menu!) with the lounge-like ambience, accommodating staff, and fun drinks, you get "favorite." For some reviewers who said their food wasn't spicy enough, for example, when they order something with a 2 pepper rating on the menu: -when in a thai restaurant, always order spicy to your liking I love Pad See Ew and while it's now off their menu, I can still order it because it's simple classic thai and T.H.A.I's is perfect. I also love the only thai restaurant I know that lets you make your own thai iced tea. Have any other regulars noticed how the menu is evolving, with sometimes the smallest additions to an entree that lend wonderfully to the flavor? Neat to note Chef Aulie's versatility in her creations.
(5)
Dane S.

I'm no Thai food aficionado, however I am originally from Seattle and feel like I have a good sense of what is good thai food and what isn't. This is good thai food. I lived in the immediate vicinity of this restaurant for two years. I became a regular, usually for take out. The drunken noodle, pad thai, and garlic basil rice bowl are all top notch. Those I have taken there have agreed that it is some of the best thai food they have had as well. The ambience in the summertime makes it a great place to casually eat thai food on their patio and people watch in Shirlington. Eating inside is by no means fancy, but they have a 5 stool bar and a nice, non-extravagant area to eat lunch/dinner. The prices are pretty standard for thai food at dinner time, though I feel that the lunch prices are spectacular and the portions are more than enough if you are famished, or fancy having some left over for the evening or next day. Of all the places in Shirlington VIllage to eat lunch or dinner, this would be my choice 9 out of 10 times. Try it for yourself if you haven't! It's worth it and will keep you coming back.
(5)
Donald G.

I'm a big fan of THAI Shirlington. The summer rolls are the best and the dipping sauce is so good I could drink it. The drunken noodles are my favorite dish, especially with chicken and beef. The meats and shrimp they use in their dishes always taste very fresh unlike many asian restaurants. Have been numerous times, even with larger parties and the service has always been very good. The atmosphere is warm & cozy, and most important, CLEAN! Would highly recommend if you are a fan of Thai food!
(5)
Hoon C.

This place is often underrated. They have great food and atmosphere. Their price is right and is great for lunch or dinner. My coworkers frequent the restaurant and it's always been great!
(4)
Jeffrey S.

The food and drinks are both very good and reasonably priced for the area. My favorites are the spring rolls as an appetizer and the drunken noodles for dinner - make sure to get them spicy! The atmosphere is pretty nice but I suppose it could be a little more cozy. Overall a great bet if your out in the Shirlington area.
(4)
K S.

Decent Thai food in a cute atmosphere...I'd probably rank this my second-favorite in the area, after Bangkok 54 and before Thaitanic or Thaiphoon. The 'famous' squash dumplings were flavorful, if a bit soft, Prices were average-to-high, but portions [of green curry chicken and ginger beef] were ample. Service was a bit spacey, but not absent or intrusive on the meal. I'd return if in Shirlington and hungry for Asian fare, but would probably not make this my take-out staple over Bangkok 54.
(3)
Dave L.

I work in Shirlington and get lunch at THAI in Shirlington on a regular basis. For my money their Big Bowl Lunch Specials are where it is at. I haven't tried them all and I like some better than others but I find them to be very tasty and very filling. My favorites are: Chicken Basil, Pad See Ew, Pad Wonsen, and Chicken Cashew Nut Noodle. Can't go wrong with any of them but it all depends on what you are looking for. I prefer to get carry-out and always call ahead. My food is always ready when I get there. I do have one bone to pick: the spring roll (see photo) that you can get with your lunch special. It only costs an additional $1.25 but is very meager; too much roll and not enough filling. I'm not expecting much for a buck-an-a-quarter but it still doesn't live up to my expectations. Not even enough to whet my appetite. The staff are always very friendly. The prices (on the Big Bowl Lunch Specials) are great. I've had better Thai food elsewhere in the DC area but if you are stuck in Shirlington for lunch then this place should definitely be on your short list of places to eat.
(4)
Sharon E.

I enjoy eating at THAI. Everything that I've sampled on their menu has been well prepared and tasty. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Their lunch specials are reasonably priced and the seafood lemongrass soup is a huge portion and delicious. The sticky rice and mango is similar to what my sister-in-law served in Bangkok. It isn't the spiciest, so if you are looking for so hot it makes you cry and sweat when eating it, then you might be disappointed. If you want well seasoned and an enjoyable meal, then check it out. They are plenty spicy for many people.
(4)
Martina W.

Meh. i dont understand why they sneak chicken into everything....chicken in the coconut shrimp. chicken in the crabmeat and shrimp dumplings. and the only reason i thought to ask was because i saw that the chicken ingredient was actually listed on the coconut shrimp, so i started questioning everything...thus my "overly enthused server" really hating my guts by the end of our visit. if there is chicken in a dish, list it. some people, a lot of people, dont eat meat, or only eat seafood, or are vegan. Meh. and my shrimp and veggie pad thai was salty.....
(1)
Judy C.

While living in Shirlington for a year, this was one of the restaurants my roommate and I ventured to the most. The restaurants in Shirlington are all pretty much decent, but T.H.A.I was definitely one of the few that made us come back over and over again (Busboy & Poets too)! The restaurant is beautifully decorated, love the colors and ambiance. Though I wouldn't recommend sitting on the seats along the wall unless you have a long torso. I always felt like the tables were too high when sitting there. You can't go wrong with the food there, everything is good! Portions are good, presentation is good, service attentive, entrees cooked near perfection! The satay chicken and the drunken noodles were my favorite. And I absolutely loved how they let you make your own thai iced tea! Once I got too excited and poured too much syrup into my drink, one of the servers saw me and offered to put more tea in my glass. Although I still think Thai Square is more authentic, I miss coming to T.H.A.I in Shirlington. When you factor in the food and decor, I prefer it over Bangkok54. If only it wasn't so far south from the orange line, I'd return more often. Otherwise, definitely a delicious place for thai cuisine!
(4)
T. A.

I have to preface this by saying I'm not a big fan of Thai food. That being said, I fell in love with the shrimp dumplings appetizer and found myself going out of my way to get them. When I was there last week, they were gone from the menu. Can you please bring them back?!
(4)
Lindsey T.

This place, the more I think about it, both grosses me out and annoys me. First off, we order "steam shrimp dumplings" for appetizer, straying from my old standby, the spring roll. For $6.95, 4 lukewarm dumplings come in a tepid cream/mushroom sauce. No flavor. No color. Nothing remotely Thai about them. Tasted like weird, bad Italian food. Then, there are only 2 curry options on the menu--panang and green--and for the vegetarian panang, there are no vegetables included, just tofu. Yep, no vegetables in the vegetarian curry. Well, there could be, for $3 extra. So, I get green curry, to get something other than tofu in my curry sauce. It was too thick, too sweet, and not spicy enough (or at all). It tasted vaguely artificial; I still can't quite pin down what was so odd about it. There were seasonal veggies in it, but they were all too mild and tasted the same. Big portion, but not enough rice. Again, you can have more; for $2. Poor food coupled with the restaurant space itself--weird combination of 80's lounge and theater space--made this an experience I do not wish to relive again. I wish I had that $16 back.
(2)
Jaime L.

Went before grabbing a show at the Signature Theater. There was plenty of parking in the garages. We were sitted right away, as it wasn't too busy. It is very open, little dim, but definitely has a nice decor. Based on the ryelp eviews, had the veggie spring rolls - they are super long about twice the length of a regular spring roll, but skinnier. Tried the Massaman Curry that was part of the specials. The server suggested it because it was on special. It was good, but the server (hopefully) just didn't hear me when I said I wanted something spicy because although it was good there was, for me, absolutely nothing spicy about it, and it was supposed to be 3 peppers spicy. I'd still try it again though because with my boyfriend's drunken noodle, I could feel the heat...
(3)
Cory W.

Food was good but the service is something to be desired. In the time we sat at the restaurant (we were there for an hour and a half) we had out waiter come by 2 times. Once to take our order and the other to give us our drinks. We finally received refills on our drinks after the check came. It was not busy in there but our waiter made no effort to assist us. I'll probably never return here just because the service was so horrible. There are several thai places in old town that are far superior and actually care about your business. I had heard great things about this place, but I don't believe the hype anymore.
(1)
Andrew M.

Very nice place and lunch menu was sufficient. I ordered the egg noodle soup, along with a friend and the wife ordered a grounded chicken dish. The egg noodle dish was very good except for the fact that they used grounded chicken which made it very dry, even in the soup. The grounded chicken dish with mint leaf and rice was very good but ended up being a bit too salty towards the end of the meal. I think that the food here is catered more towards "healthy" individuals and not people who like traditional Thai dishes.
(3)
Laura P.

I thoroughly enjoyed the green chicken curry. For $10.95, this dish can definitely feed two. It had great flavor and exceeded my expectations! Very delicious! Service was good as well.
(4)
Allison K.

Their chicken Pad See Ew is delicious and since I get it almost every time, I can't comment much on the other menu options. Though the apps I've had are all delicious and the service is really fast. I like the way they do their thai ice tea, they bring you iced tea, simple syrup and cream and you mix it yourself to your desired sweetness. Yum! I also like their dog-friendly outdoor seating which sadly disappears in late-October when it's cold. Yay! I'm a total fan!
(4)
KeL L.

I am a fan of this place. Def one of my fav in Arlington, I haven't had any complains on any of the dishes I've tried. The waiters are often courteus and friendly. Lot's of parking space around.
(4)
Desiree D.

My favorite Thai restaurant, even though it may not be authentic Thai cooking, I love it. The place is well-decorated and has nice outdoor seating. Parking can be tricky. Service is average, as expected. Great prices on lunch specials and delicious ginger tea.
(5)
Rich H.

Not too far from where I live, this is definitely one of my favorites places to eat in Shirlington. I absolutely love the Drunken Noodles here and the decor is modern without being obnoxious. Great for dinner with friends or your significant other. Prices are great, decent beer selection, sizable food portions. I've never had a problem getting a table, even on busy nights. The longest I've waited was about 20-25 minutes and the hostesses were nice and updated my party on the wait.
(4)
M B.

Seriously, this place has been great for years. The staff members are friendly, gracious and remember returning customers. The food is consistently delicious. Check out the presentations in the photos from a recent visit. Not something you see frequently at such reasonable prices in a neighborhood restaurant. The tilapia fillets are featured with the asparagus side. Crispy but not tough. Tasty basil leaf sauce was flavorful but not overwhelming to the fish. Perfectly cooked. The chicken pad thai was fresh, slightly sweet and the noodles were the right consistency. The decor is starting to show a bit of wear but it's clean. A Shirlington favorite!
(4)
Stephen D.

Best thai I have had in NOVA and everyone is super friendly here. And its often cheaper than other thai restaurants I've been to in the area. Only negative is that if you sit towards the front by the windows inside it can get a bit loud so that you can notice it and force you to speak louder to be heard by your table. Not a big issue and every thing else is top notch.
(5)
Samnang S.

The service was ok. We got Pad Kee Mao a.k.a drunken noodles. It's one of the worst I had thus far. Very oily and no veggies, only onions. They were also skimpy on the beef but prices are cheap for NoVA.
(2)
Asher Jude C.

Food is average. Service is well below average. The waitress charged me 50 cents extra for peanuts! Capital G in Greedy.
(1)
Zac G.

I've been here twice but never again. The first time I went I was new to the area and came straight from work after a long day. I was by myself so I looked for an open spot at the bar but they were all full. So I asked the hostess for a table for 1 and she LITERALLY chuckled out loud. I couldn't believe it. Did she seriously just insinuate that I'm a loser because I'm eating dinner alone? It was pretty humiliating. Apparently those who like thai food enough to eat it even without company are of the lowest lifeforms on earth in the village of Shirlington. Their loss - I was looking to spend some money in this joint, maybe try several dishes, maybe order a few nice cocktails or something. Nope. I was so pissed I seriously was in and outta there in 20 minutes. I actually came back here months later (this time with a chick on my arm)but was still sour over my previous experience, although I could now laugh about it with my date. Typical Shirlington - food was really average and overpriced. No thanks. (P.S. Shout out to Shirlington Carlyle, though, friggin' awesome food) Luckily I saw the light and found Po Siam, which now gets my business sometimes several times a week. Smooth move, THAI in Shirlington.
(1)
Katie W.

Been here several times over the past few months. The food is consistently good. We are vegetarian and the tofu options were excellent! Highly recommend the Ka Pow Tofu....spicy but very good! Service is always great too!
(5)
Tiffany J.

Its the best Thai food that Ive ever eaten! The food is fresh to order and its tasty. I ordered the shrimp fried rice and my husband had the drunken noodles. Both were superb!
(5)
Mac O.

Still my favorite Thai restaurant. After 15+ years eating here, I've yet to find better Pad Thai Jae or spring rolls. My only regret is not trying the calamari sooner. It's my newest benchmark courtesy of T.H.A.I. Shirlington.
(5)
Kristine B.

GREAT lunch specials. The chicken basil lunch bowl is so good. It is suppose to be spicy but they always tone it down for me - and it is always perfect! Lunch service is quick and efficient. I would highly recommend the restaurant for lunch. They also do a great dinner. It is a go-to place for me!
(4)
Liv D.

I used to love this place, but In the past year the food has taken a turn for the worst. The last time was there, I sat in disbelief as I watched roaches; yes ROACHES! crawl across the wall. To make matters worst; if that's possible, the staff was non- responsive when I pointed out the creepy crawlies. Needless to say, I won't return.
(1)
yobodish y.

My go-to Thai place for rice and noodle bowls. Thai in Shirlington has the best summer rolls hands down
(5)
Ronda D.

My meal had ingredients in it that weren't listed in the menu and my flank steak was overdone. I could only eat a few bites as the flavor of the non-listed ingredients were overpowering and they were ones that I wasn't a fan of. My steak was too hard to chew. Luckily my fried calamari appetizer was enough to fill me and I wasn't depending on my entree. The servers are way too hasty to take your order and get you out of there--for some people at least. I watched them interrupt the people next to me who were still eating to ask if they could take the plate away, but my finished appetizer plate had sat there for the last ten minutes untouched. The people next to me came in 10 minutes after me and ordered 15 minutes after I placed my order and our food came out at the same time. I wanted dessert and the waitress did not offer it to me, but she quickly offered it to the table next to mine. I had to ask for the menu. I'm not sure why my service differed from the others. As soon as I finished filling out my credit card receipt she swooped in to check her tip. If I came back here, I would order a few appetizers, sit at the bar, and call it a night.
(2)
Dan B.

For NOVA this is as good as it gets. All of the noodle dishes are superb for the price! Portions are healthy and the seating layout is great for groups.
(4)
Shannon C.

The food here is simply just okay. My preference- authentic or not- is that my curry have more than just meat, i.e. vegetables. You can ask to have some added, but they clearly just take a few random veggies and toss them on top before serving it to you. I leave unsatisfied every time I have been and probably won't be going back. Also- if you go with a group, prepare yourself to be stuck at the awkward table by the door and freeze if it is in the winter- not an enjoyable experience.
(2)
Negar M.

Great food I had drunken noodles. Large portions, Spring rolls are huge! Good service. Nice interior design
(5)
Joy W.

Yummy Thai food! The hubby & I have been here twice in the past two weeks, and we wish we had started eating here sooner. Appetizers: So far we have gotten the spring rolls and some type of duck/mushroom dish for appetizers. The spring roll appetizer consists of 3 very long spring rolls served with some type of carrot sauce, I believe. I actually wish they would give you more of that sauce, because it is delicious, as are the spring rolls. We've gotten them twice now. The duck appetizer had a very esthetically pleasing presentation. I remember thinking that it was interesting, and it was good...but I would probably try something else instead of ordering it again. Entrees: The hubby got the Wild Chicken the first time around, and the spicy lamb dish (can't remember the name) on our 2nd visit. He enjoyed both of them, but the lamb in particular. Both dishes come with lots of sauce and rice, which makes me happy since I tend to steal that part of his meal (I loooove drowning the rice in whatever sauce he gets...yum). When I find something I like, I stick with it, so... I have gotten the Pad Thai twice now, and I loved it both times!! It was that perfect, yet elusive, taste I was looking for when I think about Pad Thai noodles. I'm not vegetarian, but I ordered to tofu/vegetable Pad Thai just to be healthy. I haven't experienced the beef or chicken versions, but I bet they are really good as well. The entree sizes are very generous, so we've ended up taking home leftovers both times. That is a whole 'nother meal for both of us right there. My husband has been happy with the wine selections. Our most recent waiter even gave him a sample of some wine, and then also suggested another kind of wine that my husband really enjoyed. Even though he couldn't give us a sample of that due to the small bottle size, the waiter said he wouldn't charge us if hubby didn't like it. Fortunately, he did. :) I'm rating at 4 because the service the first time around left a bit to be desired. I was hungry - and pregnant, which is not a good combination. It was a busy night, and it was just the two of us stuck in a side table in the back next to some big groups, so that probably contributed to the lack of attentiveness. However, our waiter the 2nd time was absolutely fantastic, and I wish I could remember his name (born in Thailand...only works Sunday nights...). He was super friendly and very helpful, and we enjoyed talking with him. This place always seems to be busy when we walk by, which is a sign of good food. It can get a bit loud inside the restaurant when full, but the trendy people in Shirlington probably enjoy it and/or don't notice it. In short, we highly recommend T.h.a.i. Shirlington for excellent Thai food!
(4)
lauren s.

After my last review, the manager here, Nui, contacted me and asked us if we would be willing to give the restaurant a 2nd chance (very nice lady). We did, and this time both my husband I were more than satisfied with our entrees. We both got what we ordered, and the dishes were piping hot and fresh. We also ordered some of the appetizers that we enjoyed the first time - the sweet potato potstickers are incredible. Again, the service was very good and I was really impressed by the level of customer service they extended.
(4)
Amy S.

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington has been a go-to of mine for several years now. I think they have some of the nicest service staff ever, from the waitstaff to the guys who refill your water. Some personal favorites are the chicken gyoza, stay, and shrimp pad Thai. I'm a little boring with my choices because I have a huge obsession with rice noodles and refuse to stray into trying other choices. It's also a decent wine selection for an asian restaurant, with great pricing. $25 for a bottle of sauvignon blanc makes me happy! This week I tried the Thai coffee dessert drink, which is rimmed with sugar and cinnamon. Other than the fact that I think she forgot to give me decaf coffee... it was amazing. Good, consistent food for a very fair price.
(5)
Joey K.

I love the soup and the Panang Perfect curry. The best Thai place in Northern Virginia
(5)
Tiger C.

You can run, you can hide, but you really should skip this place. Here's the deal, ordered the Pad Thai, and having had Pad Thai from so many places, this is by far the blandest and tasteless one I have had. There are way too many peanuts in the dish, the sauce is not unique at all, pretty much just salty, and the meat and veggies in the dish have no flavor other than salty. I would say one way to counteract this would be to get the dish as spicy as possible, but a better option would be to go to a different Thai spot. The setting is also pretty plain compared to some of the other restaurants in the Shirlington area. I must admit, I go to places just for the ambiance sometimes, but this place would not qualify for that either.
(2)
Cathy K.

Great, fast, and friendly service. The food was great!
(5)
Emily B.

I love this place. I no longer nearby (now in DC) so I rarely get down there, but it's such a treat when I do. The food is really authentic, tasty, and beautifully plated. I also love that when menu items are listed as hot that they actually are spicy. I find that so many restaurants disappoint in this area. Service is always excellent, and the food is reasonably priced.
(5)
Stephanie H.

Very lackluster. I had the Garlic Shrimp, which was short on shrimp and heavy on sauce & limp vegetables (which were probably from a bag in the frozen foods aisle, in retrospect). There are so many restaurants to choose from in Shirlington; hitting up any one of them instead of this place will probably yield better tasting and less costly results.
(2)
Dan S.

The panang curry is amazing. This place is always busy which tells me the food is very good. The spring rolls are enormous and fun and also delicious. One of my go to places in S-ton.
(4)
Lauren E.

Absolutely my favorite Thai restaurant in Arlington. The prices are extremely great and the portions were giant. My boyfriend and I shared the Panang Curry and Pad Thai. We could have gotten another meal out of them, but they were so good we couldn't help but finish them at the restaurant. Good service, great location in Shirlington!
(5)
Step J.

Best Thai in the area (sorry, never been to Bangkok 54, so can't make that comparison like some others have). The food is consistently good, no matter what day or time you go, carry-out orders are always fast. Try the drunken noodle.
(5)
Dana U.

What can I say... I've been to DC twice in the past few months and I've been to this restaurant each trip. Awesome service. Really good food. Good atmosphere. I got the pad thai with tofu and vegetables and it is soooo good. I can't rave enough about it. Calamari and summer roles were awesome as well. I tried my friends General Tso's chicken and drunken noodles... both were good as well. I'm looking forward to my third trip to DC, because I will plan a trip back here.
(4)
Dawn B.

The food is good, but what they consider spicy... is not. I've went to a bunch of thai places before and this is the first thai basil that I've tasted that's been pretty tame. Oh and just a warning do not go there on a lunch break unless you have over an 1 hour to spare. It took me 30min to be served there and an 1 hour to order/finish paying the bill after being quickly seated.
(3)
Chrystina Z.

I've had better Thai food elsewhere, though I did like the extensive menu choices and location along the Shirlington strip. It did crack me up that some of these places were "chains" from DC. Anyways, I had the panang tofu (nothing special, but reasonably tasty) and coconut punch (yummy!). Someone else ordered the Thai iced tea, which I always find repulsive. I guess here they don't mix it for you. It comes unsweetened, and you have to add the sweetner and cream. Little lazy if you ask me.
(2)
Elina T.

I've walked by this place for years and always thought it to be just any other Thai restaurant. Finally, yesterday we stopped in to dine and I was very pleasantly surprised. Our appetizer, the pan-seared squash potstickers, were morsels of heaven. The butternut squash and the sweet potato melted in your mouth and the ginger-soy sauce dip was the perfect accompaniment. The real star, however, was the chicken green curry. Yes, it's a boring order, but often when I go to a new Thai restaurant, I like to order the green curry as it is usually a representation of how good the other dishes might be. This was definitely the best green curry I've had outside of Thailand and honestly, curries I had in Thailand, don't have anything to rival this one. The curry was creamy and rich, the chicken was well cooked, the Asian eggplant was in abundance, and the keffir lime leaves were bountiful. It was just perfect. My husband enjoyed his ginger root n' broccoli, which comes well stocked with slices of flank steak. For dessert, we had the banana bread putting with a dark rum whipped cream, which was fluffy and not heavy. You could really taste the banana in the pudding, which is always a plus! THAI in Shirlington, I'm a big fan!
(5)
Cactus D.

We decided to check this place out since we wanted Thai and it was close and got good reviews. I thought it was promising since the hostess was very friendly and the space was nice. However, upon seeing the "American" names of the dishes on the menu I started to worry. My suspicions were confirmed - the food was very bland for Thai. It wasn't that it was bad, it just wasn't great. I took off a star because the service was terrible. The restaurant was pretty loud and the server was very soft spoken. We had to ask her to repeat herself multiple times. That was annoying, but not nearly as much as waiting 20 minutes after we were finished for our check. There are better Thai restaurants and there are better restaurants in Shirlington. I won't be back.
(2)
Valarie G.

Very good food and it was nice to sit outside. Much more authentic thai food than I usually find in the DC area. There was some confusion with out waitress on drink orders but it was eventually figured out. I will be back for sure
(4)
Cory R.

This place was very nice! I went here with coworkers for Happy Hour and dinner. I spent about $50 and that was with 3-4 beers, an entree, plus tip. It was worth it, though. I got the Panang Perfect and it was my first time ever having curry chicken; I loved it! I definitely recommend coming here with a date, with friends, with coworkers, or with your family. The staff was friendly and would explain what dishes were if you had any questions. Very nice restaurant!
(4)
Deanna J.

I've been to T.H.A.I. a few times and here's what I think. It's easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of this place, with it's very modern theme and dimly lit tables. But rave about this place, I can't do. I've had really good Thai before, and comparatively this place is good but nothing amazing. In fact some of the dishes are quite pricey. The staff is nice and takes care of you. One evening I left my umbrella in the restaurant and when I called they let me know they had it and would keep it for me.
(3)
Melvin B.

Had the lunch special pad gai this week. Pretty good. Nice fragrance, not overseasoned at all. Price was about $7.50+ tax, which was excellent. Service was prompt, though not overly attentive as my water was never refilled throughout the entire lunch. No one ever came to check on us until the check. That said, I'd have given this place another star, but there was one big black mark. . .FLIES! They were everywhere and seemed to particularly like our table. We had to constantly swat at them to get them away. That made the meal quite annoying and unappetizing (Yes, we were sitting inside). Anyway, hope that was just an anomaly.
(3)
Healey S.

I'm a little surprised to see so many negative reviews, because this is quite possibly the best Thai food I've ever had. A friend recommended we go and I'm all for trying new places, so off to Shirlington we went! I thought the decor was lovely. It's modern, clean and not too overdone, and they had a nice outdoor area which I might try until May or after September, because I'm a heat wimp. We were seated right by a window and our server was friendly and attentive. We had some delicious spring rolls for an appetizer; they were longer than I expected (that's what she said) but perfectly crisp and tasty, served with the requisite chili sauce. I also ordered a Thai iced tea and kind of appreciated that it came as a "make your own" type thing. Perhaps I like it sweeter or with less milk than places normally make it or something because I enjoyed it here a lot more than I usually do. My Thai standby is panang chicken. At this restaurant they label the dish "Panang Perfect" and let me say that that is truth in advertising. It came with plenty of delicious sauce and was a very generous portion. It was white meat chicken which might be Americanized but I prefer it (I am American; maybe that's why). I thought the prices were very reasonable. With the appetizer, two good sized entrees (I probably could have taken half home but it was so darned delicious I couldn't stop myself) and two thai iced teas it was around $35 total including a 20% tip. IMHO that's reasonable for around here but maybe I'm numb to the priciness of everything. They also have lunch deals during the day (including weekends) with some good options; if you went for one of those you could easily walk out for under $15 with a drink and tip. Enjoy!
(4)
Dan L.

My gf and I had the lunch specials here (pad see ew and chicken walnut noodles). Both entrees were really good. I like how you make your own thai tea here so you can determine how sweet you want your tea to be. Will definitely return soon.
(4)
Nicole F.

Too bad we are leaving the area as I only got to try the garlic shrimp and mango sticky rice which were excellent. Oh, and the ginger ice tea - refreshing and unique! I liked the service, the decor and the food. The menu had thai and chinese selections so it will please even those who aren't huge Thai fans.
(4)
Cary W.

The kakapao gai sub is delicious. Service is prompt and staff very friendly. Give it a go!!
(4)
Sophia C.

Thank you Yelp for helping me find this place! I've been here several times and I have never been disappointed with the food! All their appetizers have been wonderful opening acts to our dining experiences here. As a main course, I love the Crying Tiger. I am by no means an expert on Thai food, but I often find myself comparing all other Thai restaurants to this one. The only reason why this place does not get a 5 out of 5 is because service can either be fantastic or frustrating. I have had more fantastic experiences than frustrating but it doesn't make them disappear. I love that they are right in the middle of the strip so you can park in the back shopping area by the Bungalows and just take the elevator up. Such a cute little place. Love that they're usually very quick to get you a seat and they even do a great job with birthday groups. Definitely one of my favorite places to go eat!
(4)
D. H.

T.H.A.I. is now my favorite Thai restaurant in the DC area. My friend and I both really enjoyed our dishes. Service: We were seated promptly and the waiter was friendly. The waiter also didn't give us any grief about our late decision to get separate checks. The table service was a little too relaxed for my taste - there was a wait for the waiter to get to the table and take our order, and it took longer than expected to receive our appetizer. There was also a long wait in between the first check in after our dishes were served and the waiter asking if we needed anything else. Food: Excellent. Order the squash potstickers as an appetizer and thank me later. They had a light sweetness and were served with a tangy soy-based sauce. My Crying Tiger entree with flank steak was very spicy, reasonably tender, and served with a robust sauce that had the perfect mix of sweet and heat. I wasn't in the mood for alcohol, so I went with the Ginger-Lemon tea, which had a wonderfully strong lemony tartness. Cost: The prices are what you might expect of the top-notch Thai restaurants in the area. Ambiance: This restaurant is good for a casual evening out. Also, like most restaurants in Shirlington, it has outdoor seating. Definitely the best reason to visit Shirlington.
(4)
Kerianne K.

Fantastic! Best Thai food in Northern VA in my opinion. Pro: -Indoor/Outdoor seating- meaning it's dog friendly -Cute area, tons of places to walk and shop afterwards. Dog parks in the area, bars, coffee, etc. -Great food at reasonable prices -Great atmosphere- its great for a romatinc evening, first dates, special occassions, etc. -Great menu, lots of selections and choices and they will alter things to your taste -Great lunch menu and prices! Why would you go to fastfood when you can get better food/more food for around the same price?! -Service is good Cons: -Can get busy on the weekends so you might have to wait :) - I have seen it, but I wouldn't recommend it to be a 'kid friendly' restuarant. Hint: Order the calamari appetizer- absolutely to die for! You will not regret it.
(5)
Christopher P.

first time there and I would definitely go back. The chicken and basil had a great mix of flavor and spice. It was hot but not overly so. Nice setting and good service.
(4)
Andy G.

This is the best Thai food I've had, and I am fortunate it's only 200yds from my apartment complex. I've never had anything other than takeout, so I can't review the service, but the food is top notch. I generally order the green curry chicken which has an amazing flavor. Perfectly cooked combination of sweet and savory. The drunken noodles are fantastic, and will if you are not used to spicy foods, they might give you a bit of a brow sweat. I definitely recommend T.H.A.I. in Shirlington for Thai food in the Arlington area.
(5)
Matt C.

I eat a lot of Thai food. I've eaten a lot in the DMV area as well. This place is the best I've found as of yet. You walk in and their architecture is amazing inside, it's a really nice treat. The wait staff and managers were exceptionally nice, just an all around great experience. The food, oh the food! Some of the best Thai curry I've had. It's thicker than any other Thai place does it, I love that. You can get a big glob of rice and have all that curry goodness stick to it. I got the Panang Perfect, which was chicken Panang. I bumped it up to the highest spice level. While it was very flavorful the spice didn't over power the dish, but it was a perfect level of spicy if you like it hot. I also really like how when you order a Thai Ice Tea they bring the cream and simple syrup so you can make it to taste. A very nice surprise. And, by the way, T.H.A.I. stands for: Tasty Thai Cuisine Hospitality and Warmth Architectural Elegance Innovative Seasonal Menus (And they aren't lying)
(5)
Meg S.

I went two months ago but forgot to write a review. I've been walking around with the receipt in my wallet ever since, so I could remember the name of the awesome dish I had: Mussamun Tofu. Freakin' delicious. A peanutty, sweet curry sauce with delicious tofu, carrots and potatoes. Total comfort food. The Thai Iced Coffee was great, too, and on the Saturday I was there the alcoholic beverages were quite strong. The ambience is gorgeous - the furnishings, dim lighting and pretty colors make it a great place to impress a date, though it's got enough volume that it feels like an energetic and social restaurant, not an intimate one. Perfect for dates 1 through 4, I'd say.
(5)
Isabel B.

I've been to T.H.A.I. several times in the past couple of years, I even had a birthday dinner for my friend here once, and so far all of my experiences have been great. The decor in the place is lovely, and the high-ceilings and low lighting really add classiness to the place. As for the food, the reasonably priced dishes are excellent. I love the curry and am especially a fan of the Stir Fry Wild Mushroom plate ($10.95). There is a great vegetarian selection and one can find veggie options in pretty much every section of the menu. The wait staff is friendly, and the food is ready fairly quickly. T.H.A.I is definitely a great addition to the already awesome Shirlington area.
(4)
Sarah S.

Not feeling the authenticity or consistency of this place. Not to mention my to-go orders have been incorrect on more than one occasion. My vote: for classic, delicious Thai food, stick to Bangkok 54 on nearby Columbia Pike in Arlington; they do dumplings, fish cakes, curries, and drunken noodles exceptionally better, and for cheaper.
(2)
Badrul F.

Probably the best Thai I've ever had. The fried shrimp dish was awesome. Kind of dark inside, but otherwise it was a flawless experience.
(5)
Jenn G.

This place is easily one of the best Thai restaurants in the Arlington area. The chicken pad thai was phenomenal, and the General Tso's dish was also really good. we finished off dinner with the signature coffee drink and it was reeeeeally good. Totally will be going back here again and again.
(5)
Rick R.

Not sure about all the great reviews. Yes the food is good but the portions are very skimpy for a high price. We've ate here a few times, sometimes ordered from the office. Both times the portions were extremely small especially for $10+ worth of food. The also managed to screw up my order more than a few times and it took forever to speak with the manager. In a pinch I might dine here again, otherwise I stay away.
(2)
Charlotte M.

Ate here last night for dinner with one of my friends. Service was extremely slow and our server most definitely didn't take her happy-pill. Once our food finally arrived, it was delicious. Maybe the menu should print a disclaimer next to the brown rice option-- $1.00 and 45 minutes extra? Wine list by the glass was very limited, but the veg options were quite good. Would recommend if you have unlimited hunger willpower on Fri/Sat evening, otherwise come before the dinner rush or be prepared to wait.
(3)
marc a.

Four and five stars? Really? When there is *sooooooooooooooooo* much better Thai food nearby like Raubieng, Thai Square and even Bangkok 54? I live in Shirlington and have been to this place probably a half dozen times and have always found that they violated the first principle of their name (the "T." stands for "Tasty Thai Cuisine"). So a couple of things iritate me about this place. First and foremost--even when you order things "Thai spicy" you still don't really get all that spicy, but the waitress (who otherwise is decent if a bit slow) will keep bugging you about whether it was hot enough or if it were too hot. Sorry, waitress, but your "seven star" spiciness is maybe not even a two-star in Bangkok. Second thing that annoys me--Thai cuisine is known for some great noodle dishes, but this place overcooks their noodles every time. As the wife said tonight: the drunken noodles are too drunk! It's not like it's that hard to make, but if you pour oil obver overcooked noodles, you don't deserve a four or five star when nearly any other Thai place in the area can get it right. Bottom line--with so many other better places within a few miles, why would anyone go here? On second thought, maybe I should give this five stars--then all the other places might not be so full. Hmmmm.....
(2)
Carey A.

This wasn't our first pick! We actually were across the street at Guapo's to meet up with some friends. Long story short, the power went out in the restaurant right after we placed our order! We gave them some time to figure out what was going on, but sitting in the dark while it is extremely hot with no food in front of you...well let's just say they didn't give us much reason to stay. Anyways, this restaurant isn't too big and we had about a 20 min. wait. After grabbing a Sapporo at the Bar we were seated and menus were presented! My Hubby and I shared the Coconut Shrimp...excellent and the popcorn shrimp...which I've had better frozen, but I was starving! I ordered Drunken Noodles with chicken, which was pretty popular at our table, and it was excellent! My husband ordered Green Curry which looked like Pea Soup, but he loved it and has had it before there. I thought this place was pretty fairly priced, but then again I've have only been to one other Thai place. I really don't have any bad comments about this place, however, the waitress we had could have been a little bit nicer! I will definitely come back to this place!
(4)
Drew S.

Great atmosphere, interesting menu, courteous wait staff. The chefs take some chances on unusual dishes, but they work. We've been twice and will be going many more times!
(5)
Mike Y.

Loved this place. I nearly at my self to explosion here. 2 appetizers and 2 entrees all in my belly. Loved it. Very stylish restaurant. with artsy decor. Service was great. I had the THAI mint chicken salad. Very different but incredibly good. Fried calimari was in a tempura batter and although very good it was my least favorite thing. For entrees I had Drunken Noodles with chicken and it was one of the better iterations I've had. Not too sweet with a good amount of spice and lots of veggies. I also had the Kapow Perfect and it was very tasty.
(5)
popalnet p.

So far my favorite Thai restaurant in the DC area! Best Chicken Basil I've ever had. Probably best drunken noodle I've ever had, outside of SF Bay Area. The seafood soup is a must try!
(5)
D. T.

Friendly, fast service and great food. Oh, yea....at excellent prices, too. Drunken noodles ... good choice for lunch. Definitely will return.
(4)
Neil J.

First I love Thai. Second I've never been to Thailand so I can't claim any real expertise. So while traveling to DC I was staying in Arlington and found some good reviews for this place and went for it. Got the drunken noodles (shrimp) and Panang Perfect. Oh my dear sweet Lord (and that isn't taking his name in vain but offering sincerest of thanks).... The Panang Perfect was just that....perfect. It was this rich (not too rich) nutty (not too peanut infused and in fact it was subtle....so subtle) savory and sweet (but not too sweet!). Perfect. I'd never had this dish and I don't usually go for the coconut milk based stuff.....but this is well...PERFECT. Loved it. The noodles as someone else said were perhaps a tad too drunk as they seemed to have moved past drunken and on to mating with one another in a mushy delicious mess.....but again a bit (just a bit) less gooey might have been better. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that I am not certain enough of my Thai training to give 5, so I gave 4. But I'm feeling 5 right now and I sure was chowing down. I wish I'd tried a desert. Next trip.
(4)
Olivia T.

This is an excellent lunch spot, with friendly staff, elegant and chic seating, and GREAT food! The Bamee Wonton Soup is a spectacular mix of herbs and flavor, and the wontons and rice noodles are perfect. The Pad See Ew noodles are also a great choice for their unique taste and texture. All of the lunch specials are really delicious, and their prices are a pleasant surprise. On a nice day you can sit outside in the sun and eat delicious, fresh thai food in an adorable, put-together atmosphere!
(5)
james b.

We've been going here since it opened and are rarely disappointed. Love all their fish dishes. Seasonal specials are usually outstanding. The lunch bowl specials are a great value and very good.
(5)
Lauri S.

I work right near this delightful Thai restaurant, so I can only speak to the lunch menu. As such, I love the Drunken Noodles here. I alternate between the Chicken and Tofu varieties, and couldn't be happier with either. The atmosphere is great, the service has always been quick and friendly, and the food is delicious. I would have to agree that the spiciness is a little lacking. I generally order things at about a 7, but was a little disappointed in the lack of kick. The flavors are there, but the heat is a tad low. I knocked off one star for that, otherwise it would have been a 5-star rating for me.
(4)
Jan E.

Excellent and affordable lunch specials with crispy spring rolls and a lovely, elegant-ish atmosphere in the always popular Shirlington. Easy-going outdoor seating. Really good food and service.
(4)
Christie E.

Completely over-priced, americanized "thai" food. The food is like mediocre chinese food with thai basil and chili thrown it to make it "thai" food. My husband and I had the fried calamari with creamy chili sauce, peppercorn lamb and tempura fried fish with basil chili sauce since they didn't have the crispy fried flounder I was looking for. Well, correction, they only had the "small size". The crispy calamari was more greasy than crunchy and obviously came from a frozen bag. The creamy chili sauce was...creamy, which was weird. Like the bottled sweet chili sauce mixed with mayo - I think that is what it was exactly. FAIL. When our entrees came out we quickly realized it was the same sauce, but the lamb had "fresh" peppercorn stems in it which added no flavor to the dish at all. It tasted exactly like the sauce I had on my fish and the lamb was especially gamey. Not that lamb dishes are indiginous to Thai cuisine or anything, but we were hoping to find an interesting fusion. FAIL. The tempura fish with chili basil sauce was exactly as expected. A fried piece of cod served with rice with the same thick gravy-like sauce on top. FAIL. Thai chili basil sauces are typically thinner and maybe even syrup-like rather than gravy-like which is where the bad chinese brown gravy influence comes from. We also had ordered cocktails which were also mediocre. My husband had the bangkok slinger which I'm not familiar with so can't critic, and I had a lemongrass martini. It tasted like a regular, standard, not so high quality vodka martini. When I ordered a ginger martini, it tasted exactly like the first one. Maybe the waiter ordered ir wrong, maybe he didn't. Still FAIL. Well, I didn't have high expectations for this place as we only came here looking for fried crispy flounder and a chance to eat outside. I think their outdoor patio is their only saving grace, but if you're into getting overcharged for bad chinese with thai basil and a slight chili kick, then go for it.
(1)
Cindy C.

Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this place! The vegetable spring rolls (3 long thin rolls) with a sauce with carrots in it is amazing. Best spring rolls ever! I almost always get the chicken pad tai. A real treat! I don't eat red meat and only some chicken (if cooked very well) and the chicken is great!
(5)
Jason E.

Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 1 Star at best The food is GOOD, but it is by no means indicative of authentic Thai cooking. It seems to be very americanized in many ways which is understandable, but is not what I was expecting from reviews and from what they tout themselves as. I had the Panang Chicken which was certainly good, and worth the price of $11.95 but I've had much better for the same price. My dining companion had the Pad Thai, which I didn't try but she enjoyed. Now to the service... I so badly want to call this guy out because he was quite possibly the most obnoxious server I've ever encountered. I'll keep his name to myself for fear of him losing his job but I hope to god that he reads this and straightens his act up... 1. It took about 5 minutes for him to acknowledge our presence even though he was in the vicinity the entire time. 2. I inquired as to whether or not they had a full bar because the menu only listed beers/wine... a simple inquiry as far as I could imagine, but to his rolling eyes and sarcastic response of "Uh, yeah" I could tell that it was clearly too ignorant a question to ask him. 3. I ordered a Gin/Tonic. That's how you order a Gin/Tonic unless you're picky. His response (imagine a horrendously impatient tone): "Um... could you be more specific?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Who the hell talks to their guest that way? Your damn right I could be more specific, A fucking glass with ice cubes, 1.5 ounces of Gin topped with Tonic water. No, I don't care for a lime, but I would like a lemon because it gives it a completely different flavor profile that I enjoy more during the summer months. If your well Gin is something disgusting then I'd assume that you'd ask if it was acceptable, and if you have Hendrick's I would prefer that but since you don't, Beefeater will do just fine. I was in SHOCK at the way he came back at me as if I didn't supply him with an acceptable amount of information and should probably be shot immediately for not doing so. 4. I'm a fairly quick drinker so I have always been lenient with servers who take a few minutes to realize that I guzzled down my first drink, but this time I was almost half way through with my food and had to get his attention to order another drink. I decided to go with Sake, which I ordered hot (to which he smirked and said, "don't you mean warm") No, you arrogant little shit, I mean HOT Sake, as in not cold, not warm but HOT. I prefer my sake on the hotter side and have NEVER been questioned when ordering it. 5. After we finished our meals we were presented with our check which we agreed to split. I was paying cash, my friend was paying with her card. When he came to collect the payment we explained that we would like to put the cash towards the bill and the remainder on the card. His response: "Well... who's card is it?" I thought to myself why the hell does it matter whos card it is? We explained that it was my friend's card and my cash. His response: " So why don't you just take the cash and I'll put the entire bill on the card, isn't that the same thing?" I was BLOWN AWAY. No it's not the same thing you apathetic, horrendous excuse for a server. When instructed to put the cash towards the bill and the remainder on the card you DO IT, you don't ask questions, you don't pass go and collect $200, you say "Thank you, I'll be right back". Now, I understand that many servers are weary of putting cash towards a bill and the remainder on a card because most people are ignorant and forget to leave the full gratuity on the card and will just leave a tip based on the amount shown on the receipt, which in most cases would be significantly less because cash was put towards the full balance... I am NOT most people and know how to do my math. If he wants to notate the original balance, then by all means do so on the receipt but you NEVER question someone like that. Our bill was $46.xx... $30/cash and $16.xx on the card. We left him $5... not because we're cheap and can't calculate gratuity, but because he was literally the rudest person I have ever encountered in the service industry. I have never in my life left less than 20%, even for bad service, but when you're downright disrespectful and impatient you don't deserve ANY money from me. I hope that $5 all went to tipping out the bussers/bartenders because he certainly didn't deserve a dime from us. So, to sum it all up... Good food, nice atmosphere, and most likely they normally have pretty damned good service, but not this time. If I was from the area I would most likely return hoping for someone that knew how to take care of people but I'm not... I will happily return to Atlanta and enjoy Surin of Thailand where not only is their food incredible but their servers enjoy their jobs and treat people with genuine hospitality and care.... and always get 30% tips from me.
(2)
Kristi D.

My favorite thai restaurant in the area because when you combine its yummy food (seasonal menu!) with the lounge-like ambience, accommodating staff, and fun drinks, you get "favorite." For some reviewers who said their food wasn't spicy enough, for example, when they order something with a 2 pepper rating on the menu: -when in a thai restaurant, always order spicy to your liking I love Pad See Ew and while it's now off their menu, I can still order it because it's simple classic thai and T.H.A.I's is perfect. I also love the only thai restaurant I know that lets you make your own thai iced tea. Have any other regulars noticed how the menu is evolving, with sometimes the smallest additions to an entree that lend wonderfully to the flavor? Neat to note Chef Aulie's versatility in her creations.
(5)
Dane S.

I'm no Thai food aficionado, however I am originally from Seattle and feel like I have a good sense of what is good thai food and what isn't. This is good thai food. I lived in the immediate vicinity of this restaurant for two years. I became a regular, usually for take out. The drunken noodle, pad thai, and garlic basil rice bowl are all top notch. Those I have taken there have agreed that it is some of the best thai food they have had as well. The ambience in the summertime makes it a great place to casually eat thai food on their patio and people watch in Shirlington. Eating inside is by no means fancy, but they have a 5 stool bar and a nice, non-extravagant area to eat lunch/dinner. The prices are pretty standard for thai food at dinner time, though I feel that the lunch prices are spectacular and the portions are more than enough if you are famished, or fancy having some left over for the evening or next day. Of all the places in Shirlington VIllage to eat lunch or dinner, this would be my choice 9 out of 10 times. Try it for yourself if you haven't! It's worth it and will keep you coming back.
(5)
Donald G.

I'm a big fan of THAI Shirlington. The summer rolls are the best and the dipping sauce is so good I could drink it. The drunken noodles are my favorite dish, especially with chicken and beef. The meats and shrimp they use in their dishes always taste very fresh unlike many asian restaurants. Have been numerous times, even with larger parties and the service has always been very good. The atmosphere is warm & cozy, and most important, CLEAN! Would highly recommend if you are a fan of Thai food!
(5)
Hoon C.

This place is often underrated. They have great food and atmosphere. Their price is right and is great for lunch or dinner. My coworkers frequent the restaurant and it's always been great!
(4)
Jeffrey S.

The food and drinks are both very good and reasonably priced for the area. My favorites are the spring rolls as an appetizer and the drunken noodles for dinner - make sure to get them spicy! The atmosphere is pretty nice but I suppose it could be a little more cozy. Overall a great bet if your out in the Shirlington area.
(4)
K S.

Decent Thai food in a cute atmosphere...I'd probably rank this my second-favorite in the area, after Bangkok 54 and before Thaitanic or Thaiphoon. The 'famous' squash dumplings were flavorful, if a bit soft, Prices were average-to-high, but portions [of green curry chicken and ginger beef] were ample. Service was a bit spacey, but not absent or intrusive on the meal. I'd return if in Shirlington and hungry for Asian fare, but would probably not make this my take-out staple over Bangkok 54.
(3)
Dave L.

I work in Shirlington and get lunch at THAI in Shirlington on a regular basis. For my money their Big Bowl Lunch Specials are where it is at. I haven't tried them all and I like some better than others but I find them to be very tasty and very filling. My favorites are: Chicken Basil, Pad See Ew, Pad Wonsen, and Chicken Cashew Nut Noodle. Can't go wrong with any of them but it all depends on what you are looking for. I prefer to get carry-out and always call ahead. My food is always ready when I get there. I do have one bone to pick: the spring roll (see photo) that you can get with your lunch special. It only costs an additional $1.25 but is very meager; too much roll and not enough filling. I'm not expecting much for a buck-an-a-quarter but it still doesn't live up to my expectations. Not even enough to whet my appetite. The staff are always very friendly. The prices (on the Big Bowl Lunch Specials) are great. I've had better Thai food elsewhere in the DC area but if you are stuck in Shirlington for lunch then this place should definitely be on your short list of places to eat.
(4)
Sharon E.

I enjoy eating at THAI. Everything that I've sampled on their menu has been well prepared and tasty. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Their lunch specials are reasonably priced and the seafood lemongrass soup is a huge portion and delicious. The sticky rice and mango is similar to what my sister-in-law served in Bangkok. It isn't the spiciest, so if you are looking for so hot it makes you cry and sweat when eating it, then you might be disappointed. If you want well seasoned and an enjoyable meal, then check it out. They are plenty spicy for many people.
(4)
Martina W.

Meh. i dont understand why they sneak chicken into everything....chicken in the coconut shrimp. chicken in the crabmeat and shrimp dumplings. and the only reason i thought to ask was because i saw that the chicken ingredient was actually listed on the coconut shrimp, so i started questioning everything...thus my "overly enthused server" really hating my guts by the end of our visit. if there is chicken in a dish, list it. some people, a lot of people, dont eat meat, or only eat seafood, or are vegan. Meh. and my shrimp and veggie pad thai was salty.....
(1)
Judy C.

While living in Shirlington for a year, this was one of the restaurants my roommate and I ventured to the most. The restaurants in Shirlington are all pretty much decent, but T.H.A.I was definitely one of the few that made us come back over and over again (Busboy & Poets too)! The restaurant is beautifully decorated, love the colors and ambiance. Though I wouldn't recommend sitting on the seats along the wall unless you have a long torso. I always felt like the tables were too high when sitting there. You can't go wrong with the food there, everything is good! Portions are good, presentation is good, service attentive, entrees cooked near perfection! The satay chicken and the drunken noodles were my favorite. And I absolutely loved how they let you make your own thai iced tea! Once I got too excited and poured too much syrup into my drink, one of the servers saw me and offered to put more tea in my glass. Although I still think Thai Square is more authentic, I miss coming to T.H.A.I in Shirlington. When you factor in the food and decor, I prefer it over Bangkok54. If only it wasn't so far south from the orange line, I'd return more often. Otherwise, definitely a delicious place for thai cuisine!
(4)
T. A.

I have to preface this by saying I'm not a big fan of Thai food. That being said, I fell in love with the shrimp dumplings appetizer and found myself going out of my way to get them. When I was there last week, they were gone from the menu. Can you please bring them back?!
(4)
Lindsey T.

This place, the more I think about it, both grosses me out and annoys me. First off, we order "steam shrimp dumplings" for appetizer, straying from my old standby, the spring roll. For $6.95, 4 lukewarm dumplings come in a tepid cream/mushroom sauce. No flavor. No color. Nothing remotely Thai about them. Tasted like weird, bad Italian food. Then, there are only 2 curry options on the menu--panang and green--and for the vegetarian panang, there are no vegetables included, just tofu. Yep, no vegetables in the vegetarian curry. Well, there could be, for $3 extra. So, I get green curry, to get something other than tofu in my curry sauce. It was too thick, too sweet, and not spicy enough (or at all). It tasted vaguely artificial; I still can't quite pin down what was so odd about it. There were seasonal veggies in it, but they were all too mild and tasted the same. Big portion, but not enough rice. Again, you can have more; for $2. Poor food coupled with the restaurant space itself--weird combination of 80's lounge and theater space--made this an experience I do not wish to relive again. I wish I had that $16 back.
(2)
Jaime L.

Went before grabbing a show at the Signature Theater. There was plenty of parking in the garages. We were sitted right away, as it wasn't too busy. It is very open, little dim, but definitely has a nice decor. Based on the ryelp eviews, had the veggie spring rolls - they are super long about twice the length of a regular spring roll, but skinnier. Tried the Massaman Curry that was part of the specials. The server suggested it because it was on special. It was good, but the server (hopefully) just didn't hear me when I said I wanted something spicy because although it was good there was, for me, absolutely nothing spicy about it, and it was supposed to be 3 peppers spicy. I'd still try it again though because with my boyfriend's drunken noodle, I could feel the heat...
(3)
Cory W.

Food was good but the service is something to be desired. In the time we sat at the restaurant (we were there for an hour and a half) we had out waiter come by 2 times. Once to take our order and the other to give us our drinks. We finally received refills on our drinks after the check came. It was not busy in there but our waiter made no effort to assist us. I'll probably never return here just because the service was so horrible. There are several thai places in old town that are far superior and actually care about your business. I had heard great things about this place, but I don't believe the hype anymore.
(1)
Andrew M.

Very nice place and lunch menu was sufficient. I ordered the egg noodle soup, along with a friend and the wife ordered a grounded chicken dish. The egg noodle dish was very good except for the fact that they used grounded chicken which made it very dry, even in the soup. The grounded chicken dish with mint leaf and rice was very good but ended up being a bit too salty towards the end of the meal. I think that the food here is catered more towards "healthy" individuals and not people who like traditional Thai dishes.
(3)
Laura P.

I thoroughly enjoyed the green chicken curry. For $10.95, this dish can definitely feed two. It had great flavor and exceeded my expectations! Very delicious! Service was good as well.
(4)
Allison K.

Their chicken Pad See Ew is delicious and since I get it almost every time, I can't comment much on the other menu options. Though the apps I've had are all delicious and the service is really fast. I like the way they do their thai ice tea, they bring you iced tea, simple syrup and cream and you mix it yourself to your desired sweetness. Yum! I also like their dog-friendly outdoor seating which sadly disappears in late-October when it's cold. Yay! I'm a total fan!
(4)
KeL L.

I am a fan of this place. Def one of my fav in Arlington, I haven't had any complains on any of the dishes I've tried. The waiters are often courteus and friendly. Lot's of parking space around.
(4)
Desiree D.

My favorite Thai restaurant, even though it may not be authentic Thai cooking, I love it. The place is well-decorated and has nice outdoor seating. Parking can be tricky. Service is average, as expected. Great prices on lunch specials and delicious ginger tea.
(5)
Rich H.

Not too far from where I live, this is definitely one of my favorites places to eat in Shirlington. I absolutely love the Drunken Noodles here and the decor is modern without being obnoxious. Great for dinner with friends or your significant other. Prices are great, decent beer selection, sizable food portions. I've never had a problem getting a table, even on busy nights. The longest I've waited was about 20-25 minutes and the hostesses were nice and updated my party on the wait.
(4)
Jessica M.

good stuff!! I love Thai so I love finding more places to eat it. they move really fast though so be careful when ordering appetizers... they seem to wanna flip the tables really fast. ask them to slow their role so you can enjoy your spring roll! lol
(4)
Jennifer S.

I was pretty impressed with this place! Lovely decor, great service, and an interesting menu. Well priced, as well. I had ginger beef and broccoli, which was pretty good, and my companion loved her pad thai. If folks are having a hard time with parking, there are at least two big garages in the area - street parking can be tough - but it's mostly a walking street.
(4)
Jenna G.

By far my favorite Thai restaurant to go to for lunch. We are always greeted with a smile and quick drink service. There is a lot to choose from on the Lunch Special "Big Bowl" Menu, so I have never had a problem with folks not being able to find something that suits their fancy. I love their Basil Chicken which always comes out piping hot. I always add spices to my bowl, but my friends tell me it is already very spicy. The spring rolls are phenomenal which are always brought out on a cute little "posh" plate. I have not been here for dinner since the interior and menu revamp, however, the times I went I was not overly impressed with the dinner menu. It seemed like there was more to choose from for the lunch menu. The seats outside are very quaint, and with the added ambiance of the Shirlington Shops area, it is a great place to go on a date. The decor on the inside is very appealing as well.
(4)
Vanessa S.

I must say this is one of my favorite resturaunts by far, even though I've only been there twice. The service is quick and the food is delicious. You won't get that one on one "connection or time" with your server because they're so busy but who cares the food is delicious and that's what I came for !
(4)
Tony T.

Would actually rate 3.5 stars if I could. Were greeted and seated right away. First time here, really like the interior decor. Server needed more menu knowledge and although friendly didn't seem very comfortable interacting with guests. That being said both the server and busser were very attentive and kept the table clean and uncluttered. Duck wontons were good, not great. Good flavor but the duck was too dry and the sauce a bit too sweet. My Drunken Noodles were excellent, nice and spicy, but the chicken was bland and dry. My wife had the Garlic Shrimp, great sauce and smoky flavored, tender shrimp. We will definitely be back if in the area but not sure if we would make it a trip as we live about 30 min away and there are plenty of great Thai restaurants closer to home. Overall worth a visit but could greatly benefit from additional staff training and not overcooking proteins.
(4)
Mimi C.

The decor is elegant and modern. On a Saturday night, the restaurant is definitely a popular dining option Saturday night. Craving something spicy, I had ordered the drunken noodles with fried tofu but my overall impression was more "too sweet" and not "awesome!!" Yes, it was wonderful that I had at least 3 pieces of broccoli, 3 pieces of tofu, and other vegetables but I couldn't get over the sweetness to really enjoy my food. When my dish arrived, it was steaming hot which speaks to the efficiency of the cooking and waitstaff. I was very pleased because I do like my food hot. After serving our food, our waitress walked by and offered us "Chopsticks?!" in such a tone of voice that had most of us convinced there was no good option other than "Yes." One member of our party joked he was afraid to refuse chopsticks. The atmosphere was energetic and nice. It's just too bad that my drunken noodles were oversweet.
(2)
Maria K.

This place has the BEST THAI food I have ever tried! Get the green chicken curry, it's amazing!!
(5)
S C.

A very nice Thai restaurant in the Shirlington strip... I liked the decor and atmosphere, though it was quite loud in the place. Our server was slow to show up but quite friendly. We had the papaya pok-pok salad - a definite recommendation!, as well as drunken vegetables and pad thai. The green curry and panang perfect were good, but very similar in flavor except for their color - I feel they could also punch these up in spiciness and flavor. The one type of restaurant in the US I believe spice levels is Thai - but everything in this place was mild, which was a little disappointing. They do have a very nice 4-pot array of chili sauces and powder, which is awesome. Overall - a good experience, well worth a visit.
(4)
Faye B.

Definitely get the ginger tea lemonade- it's fabulous. The vibe here is nice though slightly tight on the inside. No worries, it's worth it. The service is great and the food comes out FAST! The veggie spring rolls were crisp and tasty and the garlic lover's shrimp was definitely full of garlic and delicious! My friend enjoyed his spicy fried tofu dish but I couldn't hang. The desserts looked great going to other tables but I was too stuffed. This is a good date night place and you could even squeeze a group in there...lol. Service, food, and vibe is all A+. Definitely worth a visit. I hadn't had thai food this good in awhile. Update...finally tried another dish and the tofu was fried hard and tasty, sauced up yummy with eggplant. Definitely recommended- Eggplant Pad Ped. Though listed as spicy, it's really not which is good because it'd take away from the flavor. The spring rolls were just okay this time though. Kind of mushy on the inside. Normally they are point though but I had to point it out.
(4)
Carolyn W.

I'd eaten here before years ago and thought it was fine so I went back for a dinner's worth of appetizers last night and it was horrible. The wonton soup's broth was watery and flavorless with thick, rubbery wontons that had to be cut with a knife. Veggie potstickers were mushy and greasy, and the garden rolls tasted faintly like disinfectant. Dipping sauces were nondescript, which may have actually been a plus. Sweet sticky rice with mango tasted like it should, but doubling the meager coconut milk would have been nice. Service was inconsistent - ignoring me one minute; whisking away dishes the next. I'll never go back.
(1)
James C.

Food is always good and reasonably priced. Everyone is nice and service is efficient.
(4)
Shreya M.

It's probably my fault because i wanted to try a new dish. Don't get the maussamun curry. very anticlimatic. will go there again to try a another dish.
(2)
Erin G.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Northern VA. They are consistently friendly and attentive. The food is always good, arrives quickly, and is the perfect temperature. I eat here frequently for lunch, and would recommend it to anyone!
(4)
Alexis Y.

I like my Thai food, I eat a lot of it. If you are what you eat, I may turn into a drunken noodle at any moment. I have a few favorites in the area, and I have only eaten here once but it was the best Thai food I've ever had, although I think we lucked out with our selections. I went with a good friend - the ambiance is elegant and simple, and we got a seat by the window as this is a good spot for people-watching. The service wasn't the fastest but it was quite friendly and we weren't in a hurry so we didn't mind. We decided to split an appetizer and two entrees so we could try different things. The entrees were the chicken drunken noodle which was a bit sweet for my taste but good, and a peppercorn lamb special which was incredibly tender, savory, and delicious. I actually forgot it was lamb momentarily because it had no gamey taste whatsoever. For the appetizer, we had the smoked duck wontons - if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, these would be in the top 5 choices. It was tender (perhaps slow-cooked/roasted?) duck perfectly seasoned and fried in a wonton wrapper that was suprisingly delicious in itself. I only wish there had been more than 3 of them, we delicately split the 3rd and practically licked all the plates clean. I thought the dishes had the perfect amount of heat; just enough to make me sniffle a bit. The prices were also quite reasonable considering the quality, and the presentation was well above average. I would definitely go back or recommend it to anyone. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Laura V.

T.H.A.I. Shirlington, How is it possible that I've walked past you so many times, yet never partook of your lovely atmosphere, wonderful service, and outstanding food? That is my bad and I promise it will never happen again. Seriously, how could I not go back after having one of the best Thai meals I've had in the DC area at your establishment? I enjoyed you thoroughly and will return very soon. You had me at T.H. Yours Truly, Laura V. Seriously, I enjoyed everything about T.H.A.I. Shirlington. To start, my friends and I shared the steamed gyoza - shrimp and crab in wontons with a spicy/tangy sauce. We all actually fought over how we would split the one remaining wonton. Good stuff. yummy wontons pleasantly stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp steamed and then seared on the outside. Divine! I had the Penang Tofu and I ordered it extra spicy. The server asked me, "like how many peppers? 5? 6? 7?" REALLY? I can do 7 peppers? BRING IT ON! Penang curry is something I've just recently taken to trying and being able to turn up the heat was awesome. I loved this dish through and through. Would get it again, and it sure was a nice departure from the usual pad thai I get. (not that there's anything wrong with pad thai.) My friends had the ginger tofu and the drunken noodles. Both cleaned their plates. We all rested back and patted our full bellies. The thing I liked the most about this place was that, while the service was attentive, they didn't rush us at all. Many times, I feel like I must order, eat, pay as fast as I can and it often leaves me stressed out. Not at T.H.A.I. Shirlington. We hung around after our meal and talked for a long time. Except to check from time to time that we were still ok, our server left us to catch up. She earned bonus points for that. If you're in the market for good Thai food, and maybe want a little bit different atmosphere, give T.H.A.I. Shirlington a try. You'll have a pleasant experience in one of the best little restaurant strips in the DC area.
(5)
Yumi W.

Best drunken noodle in DC area. Fresh cuts of meat are very good quality. When you heat up left over...noodle will melt in your mouth...this is coming from I hate leftover person. Chicken is never birdy....Awesome food.
(5)
Brian J.

second-ish to bangkok 54 for thai food in dc area. very, very good. everything we've ever gotten here has been perfectly prepared. i'd put this spot on a level with thai noy, in the westover area of arlington. service is very good. friendly, attentive staff. recommended.
(4)
Keisha D.

The time has finally come. After a gazillion stops to my favorite neighborhood Thai spot I actually tried a dish other than my beloved Shrimp Pad Thai. I know I am shocked at my deviant behavior too. I was living on the edge and ordered the Drunken Noodles (Shrimp) and it was absolutely wonderful. I love this place, they are so consistent. Most of my stuff is usually take out but I dined in last time and service was excellent as always.
(5)
Judy C.

3.3 stars. I've been here quite a few times for weekday lunch. It's a decent size restaurant. The service is quick, so you can have a quick meal, but you can also linger without feeling like others are waiting for a table. They have lunch bowl specials, which to me are perfect lunch size portions. The chicken drunken noodle is what I usually get. The prices are reasonable. My only gripe is that I don't like the way they serve their thai ice tea. You sweeten it on your own with a syrup water that they provide. I can never get the portions right and my drink becomes unbearably sweet. I'd rather they sweeten it in advance.
(3)
Andie C.

Great food and service. Seating can be tight, and if you are on the bench along the wall your experience can vary depending on the conversations occurring around you and how loudly they talk. That is the only reason they do not get 5 stars.
(4)
Takaki K.

Great and inexpensive ($5-8) lunch options that are available every day. I also really liked the Thai-iced tea that you mix yourself. The patio on the street is dog-friendly so it's a nice stop after visiting the dog park across the creek.
(4)
Laura R.

This is definitely a good local spot. The server was attentive and quick to make suggestions. The wine list was short, but the prices were very reasonable. I agree with a previous reviewer, that they don't know what spicy is, I asked for my green curry to be "thai" hot, and well, I didn't even break a sweat. However, the server did bring over hot condiments so that if we'd like to add more heat, we could. Overall, good experience and I'll be back.
(4)
george k.

I had lunch on Sunday at T.H.A.I in Shirlington on Sunday with a few friends, I had the Pad Thai it was great, my friends had 2 of the bowl lunch specials and they also said their food was great. I highly recommend THAI at Shirlington..
(4)
L A.

food was so-so...it was good, but not worth the price AT ALL. The seating is too contemporary and crammed in-very uncomfortable. Won't go back.
(3)
Phil J.

I've tried many different Thai places in the DC area, but i keep coming back to THAI shirlington. Prices are very reasonable, food comes out crazy fast, and it's almost always tasty. Service is extremely friendly. Panang and drunken noodles are my favorite. I'm usually too full to order one, but their desserts are usually very good and worth it. Easily recommendable.
(4)
christina j.

Just returned from my first dinner here. DELICIOUS!!!! I had the steamed crab shu mai for an appetizer, tasty and my friend had the pan fried goyza even tastier. We each had pad thai, II had the shrimp and my friend had the veggie &tofu. My friend said "this is the best pad thai i can recall having" !! Portions were generous. A great place for Sunday dinner. We left satisfied and with leftovers.
(4)
Ellen L.

I'm sure you guys know what i'm talking about.. Me: "Ooh! Let's go eat at THAI!" Friend: "Oh okay, sure! Which thai restaurant?" Me: "Like, THAI! THAI in Shirlington." Friend: "Oh. Right, but which one?" Me: "No like, it's called THAI. No joke." Friend: "Ohhhhhhh!" Yeah, exactly. What does T.H.A.I. stand for? Who knows. Why couldn't they come up with something else? I'm really not too sure. However, I really like this place. It may not be the most authentic thai food you've ever eaten, but it's still pretty solid and tasty. My favorites are the pad thai (with crispy tofu!), green curry (with chicken), and the drunken noodle (seafood!). It's hard to choose, but the drunken noodle with seafood is still my favorite. Where else can you find like a ~$10 drunken noodle that has plenty of mussels, squid, scallops and shrimp to boot?? Om nom nom! The crab finger roll (i think that's what it's called) appetizer that my friend recommended was pretty decent too. I also like that when you get the Thai Iced Tea, they allow you to mix it yourself in case you want more/less syrup and cream. This way, you won't be drowned completely in sugar! An added plus is that the waiters are always real friendly and they bring things quickly too! Anyway, it's worth the confusion. (On a side note, I always manage to get lost on the way to Shirlington...but that's okay too!) Yumz :)
(4)
Robin F.

Really good! Went here for lunch on Saturday when in Shirlington getting a gift for a friend of mine. Staff was very friendly and attentive. I had the noodle bowl with chicken and brocolli and it was really tasty - love the bigger rice noodles!! I would definitely go back and even try something else. Prices were very reasonable for lunch.
(4)
Per J.

This is a nice restaurant but the food is only ok and not as good as the other Thai restaurants we normally eat at.
(3)
Mimi K.

The food is not what it used to be but still decent!
(3)
Mia C.

Thai places are a bit of a hit or miss -- do some use the catsup version of coconut milk verses the Heinz version? This place was a big hit. The presentation was unusually fantastic, with a really nice green color to my green chicken curry, and a really nice mauve to my friend's pnut curry. both tasted great, with high quality chicken and a lot of sauce. I would suggest more vegetables, but that does not take away from how fabulous it was.
(5)
Reese G.

I have no idea why this place is getting good reviews. I've been four times and this past time we had fruit flies all around our table to the point we had to leave. The service was terrible, food was average and staff was less than helpful. Would never go back.
(1)
Raena C.

totally dig this place. this is the only thai place i've ever been that allows you to mix your own thai iced tea - yeah!! SO MUCH CONTROL. love it. the people are always really nice and the food is great. mussamun curry with tofu is excellent - has butternut squash in it - YUM. their spring rolls are awesome too - long and skinny and delicious. i've been twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.
(4)
Allison R.

This restaurant was a huge disappointment. I am a big fan a Thai food and will definitely be looking for a different place to go in Arlington. The decor looks nice. However, we were seated near a window and it was awfully drafty. Also, the tables are about 6" too deep, making you too far away from your partner and making it a little hard to hear. Also the bench against the wall is very uncomfortable and covered in a fabric that cannot easily be cleaned. (There were some stains near my head). The waitress was not good. First, she picked up and moved my purse. (I hate it when people touch my purse) Then I asked about making spring rolls in a vegetarian manner. I was told absolutely not...they can not customize my meal. Then she told me to order to squash potstickers instead. The food was down right awful. The squash potstickers not only tasted bad, it also had a terrible texture. The squash was overcooked, seasoned with curry, and the dumpling itself was fried in too much oil. I ordered tofu with mushrooms and ginger. It was a plateful of tofu covered in soy and oyster sauce. The ginger was absent and the mushrooms were sparse. It is clear that they don't cook much tofu, because it was fried too long, and took forever to chew. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables. There were pieces of chicken it in. I enjoy leisure dining. Leisure was not an option at Thai Shirlington. We were asked to order right away. I said we need more time and a minute later, the waitress was back, ready for our order. Fewer than 5 minutes later, the potstickers arrived. Before we finished the potstickers, our dinner arrived. I am a slow eater, and at times will put my chopsticks down. Another waiter took my plate away before I was done without asking. We were in and out in 45 minutes. We felt like they were hoping to get another seating in. Then it makes sense why they couldn't customize orders - they are more interested in serving as many people as possible over quality. I will not be returning.
(2)
Jamie M.

I've been slacking lately and have gotten a bit behind in my reviews. I grabbed some take out from here a few weeks ago after running some errands in Shirlington. I had the King Pad Ped with chicken and it was a big enough portion to almost last me three meals. I was a little nervous about the little red chile next to the item on the menu since I can't handle a ton of heat, but it didn't turn out to be spicy at all, more sweet. My order was ready in the 15 minutes they quoted me and the guy I spoke to on the phone and in the restaurant was very friendly. Would definitely recommend for take out.
(4)
Ashley H.

Easily the best place in Shirlington to eat, especially for lunch. Not the most authentic Thai ever, but the lunch menu is incredible value for money. I go with the Pad See Ew usually, and enjoy both meat and tofu versions. The tofu is really well done (not always easy to find!)
(4)
Danielle D.

Best Thai in the DC metro area. Seriously. I crave their kow kapow gai sub on a regular basis. The minced chicken and basil is greatly complemented by the jasmine rice. Thai fried rice is kickin' and the kee mao is delish as well. They also have excellent lunch specials. Yum.
(5)
Steve M.

Big fan. Great place. The kind of place that stands out purely for the quality of its food.
(5)
Kira M.

Great food. Great location. Great time.
(4)
Faith F.

Here is the thing, I would have given this place 3 stars, but considering everything, I am judging harsh... read on: I went a couple years ago, it was unmemorable, I couldn't remember much about it. This past week, a good friend said she was going there for her birthday. SHE IS A REGULAR. The staff knows her, and only because she eats often there. She called ahead and made reservations for a small group (6 people). So, they knew we were coming. It wasn't busy (weekday). The service was so sub-par I couldn't believe it. They knew her. They had all the reason to be ready for us & they still couldn't pull their act together. Also, everyone raves about the decor. It is alright, but not as nice as the INTERIOR of Bangkok 54, their outside is questionable, but inside the atmosphere is much better over there. The food is good. Not great, not average, good. Food alone, I would give them a 3.5. I tasted 6 different dishes and like the Panang Perfect the best. I got it with 3 peppers and it was spicy.
(2)
sarah l.

I've been to THAI Shirlington at least once or twice a month for years now. My favorite dish there is the noodle soup Tom Yum Gai Sub, but everything there is delicious - all across the board. The service is always very nice and the servers very polite. Even though this restaurant is great for dinner, I prefer eating there at lunch because their "Big Bowl" lunch menu is awesome and very inexpensive (something like $5.95 a big bowl). My most favorite Thai restaurant in the area. Seriously!
(4)
Jen K.

After living one block away from the action in Shirlington for over 6 months now, I finally went to a restaurant other than Carlyle or Guapos. Stepped into T.H.A.I. on Thursday night around 6pm, looking forward to carbo loading before the big Redskins season opener against the Giants. Though the drunken noodles with veggies and tofu were beautiful and delicious (perfectly toothy/gummy big rice noodles tossed with fresh huge pieces of colorful al dente veggies, with light fried tofu and a yummy spicy basil sauce), they apparantly didn't contain enough carbs to help my Skins in their athletic endeavor that evening. Fooey. I also had the smoked duck wontons and ginger lemon iced tea upon recommendations of other yelpers, and was not disappointed. My friend had the penang tofu, and it was delicious -- overly creamy but in a good way; sweet, spicy... and that thai basil makes the dish. The menu had some interesting choices beyond the standard Thai fare -- one lemongrass-crusted salmon entree was begging my attention -- maybe next time! Quick service and a great location round out this cute little Thai place that will now see me more frequently.
(4)
Courtney B.

Consistently good Thai food. Their pad Thai, my favorite thing to order at any Thai restaurant, it quite good, my only complaint is they don't give you lime with it, I always have to ask for it. Service is good, nothing amazing but good. You don't ever have to wait very long for your food which is great. This is my go-to Thai restaurant, in part due to the proximity to my house. =)
(4)
Karen C.

Nothing like I expected...could have been easily persuaded that I wasn't eating at a Thai restaurant! -Thai tea...you might as well brew it yourself too! We were served the Thai tea with the sugar syrup and cream on the side. The tea wasn't strong at all and by the time I mixed my syrup and cream with the tea...I don't even know what I was drinking...it sure wasn't Thai tea. Did not enjoy this at all! -Duck Wontons, the duck was dried and the sauce served with it didn't compliment the flavor of the duck. If you've ever had a crab rangoon from the Chinese carryout, this is just like it except with dried pieces of duck inside. -Crispy Spring Rolls, these were okay; however, they were the length of 2 springs rolls with the filling of one. -Pad See Ew, this was just okay. I honestly think I could have made this at home. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't great...and I can't tell if it was a Pad See Ew. -Chicken and Broccoli with rice (lunch special), this is literally what it is. Again, the flavor was bland and minimal and if you have soy sauce, cornstarch and some sugar at home...you can cook this too. -Beef Noodle Soup (lunch special), for $6.99, this is probably one of the best deals on the menu. The bowl is completely filled, a very generous portion. I honestly think they could have given a little LESS noodles and I would still be happy. In the end, I wouldn't go back to dine here again if I want Thai food nor would I ever recommend this place to a friend. The other 2 in my party agreed...thank you but no thank you.
(1)
Ryan Z.

I've been here many times, and I'm never disappointed. I love everything on their menu but I always tend to gravitate to the Penang curry, with its rich peanut flavor, and I don't usually like curries. Pad Thai is excellent as well. Portions are large, and service is usually good, though the waitresses are generally better than the waiters for some reason. I'm knocking off a star because their Thai iced tea is very weak. And what is Thai food without a Thai iced tea?
(4)
Jenny L.

The flavors here are overly strong -- too salty, sugary, limey. I couldn't finish my papaya salad because of the lime and sugar overload. My lemon grass pork tasted overly salty, and the dipping sauce was very sweet. I'm thankful for the sticky rice to balance everything out, but I definitely could've used another bowl of rice for that purpose. I did enjoy our summer roll appetizer, though -- the rolls tasted very fresh.
(3)
Nina R.

Service over the past few years has been great. This used to be my go to Thai spot in Shirlington for **years**. However, service, portion size and customer service has changed significantly. I am not sure whether they are under new management or what. One of the head server's is polite on the surface, but its more like nice-nasty. Like he's being polite, but in a back-handed, sarcastic, stubborn sort of way. Therefore, not pleasant. I ordered the Chicken Satay as an app, delish, and Thai Iced Tea. I meant to order a Thai Iced Coffee, but oh well, my mistake. Mom order hot tea. Ok so far. I ordered Chicken Pad Thai, my mom ordered Vegetable Pad Thai, with extra veggies steamed on the side, (which she's been ordering for YEARS!!) The head server guy refused her a side of steamed veggies. Why not? He said that the veggies had to be mixed in with the stir fry, not on the side. This made absolutely no sense. My mom mentioned that she's been ordering it that way, for years, and I supported her on that. He said, no, they've never done it that way. (At this point, I am thinking, "Oh no he didn't just contradict my mother on Mother's Day!!??") We told them we were happy to pay for them, geez! After going back and forth in confusion, he refused to provide a real answer as to why the veggies could not be steamed and served on the side. He made up a huge story that the chef has to measure and mix it all together. Not separate. Which made absolutely no sense. It was as though he was being stubborn on purpose, like it had to be his way, no other way. I even asked him why not? Or if he could please ask the chef to just make a side of steamed veggies. He just kept smiling and saying, "No, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Sorry about what? Sorry that he was not making logical sense? I told him that it was Mother's Day and a side of steamed veggies should not be this complicated and he was totally ruining the dining experience. It finally boiled down to price. He was refusing the side because he assumed we did not want to pay for the side dish. I said over and over, if its about price we are more than happy to pay. He just kept saying he could not do it. Finally, he came back and said he could do it, but it would cost $4.50. Horrible dining experience. Head server was not very welcoming, very tacky. Will not return.
(1)
Barb B.

Excellent thai food! Never have I ordered something that I haven't enjoyed. A multitude of options for unique cocktails and other drinks as well. Green curry was lovely. One of the best pad thai dishes I have ever had. Lots of veggies, noodles, and protein, with the perfect amount of flavor. This is the real deal! Nice ambiance both inside and out, with plenty of seating! Shirlington can be both romantic or a fun, trendy place to go out with friends. Highly recommend!
(4)
Hannah H.

About a 2-2.5: T.H.A.I. Shirlington is one of my friend's favorite Thai restaurant in the area. I was really excited to finally try them out. They are located in Shirlington, and it seemed like a pretty popular spot with the locals. They offer lunch specials daily between 11:30-4PM, and offer items such as soups, salads, appetizers (dumplings, shu mai), noodles, entrees (curry, panang, etc.), vegetarian options, as well as desserts. I was suggested to order their special Duck Spring Rolls, but this was not listed, and I believe it is a special that they have once in a while. We started off with the crispy spring rolls instead, but they came out kind of limp and soggy - not the usual crispiness that I expected it to be - their sweet and sour sauce was also more on the watery side, not the thicker syrupy-consistency. For our entrees, we ordered their Pad T.H.A.I. with shrimp, which came with bean curd, peanuts, bean sprouts, scallions, eggs, and noodles. I was not a fan as the shrimp, as it was just not fresh, which also caused the dish to have a weird aftertaste. The Chicken Panang was also on the less-than-thick side, which could be okay, but the flavor was not there - I thought that there was a lack of depth in the spices, which made the curry more on the bland side. We also tried their Drunken Noodles, which the noodles were extremely overcooked, causing them to be very wet and slimy. Service was friendly, and I am glad I was able to check this place out - however, I will not return, as I have my personal Thai eateries in the area! +soggy spring rolls T___T +overcooked noodles T___T +not fresh shrimp T___T +bland curries T___T +friendly staff :D +located in Shirlington +limited free parking along Campbell
(3)
Arvie M.

Came here for Valentine's Day a few months ago. It was so cozy inside. I remember there was a blizzard outside the window and my boyfriend and I were entranced by the snow blowing outside. I had a Thai iced tea, and that was very good. I got to pour my own milk and syrup into my tea. We had a chicken satay to start with, and for my entree I had the drunken noodles, which were delicious. For dessert, we ordered a creme brÃ»lÃ©e, which came with a chocolate covered spoon! That was pretty cool. I wish our server had brought two chocolate covered spoons, since he must have known we were going to share this dessert (we were a couple on Valentine's Day ordering one dessert???), but since we didn't ask, I can't blame him. He was a pretty good server, especially considering they must have been busy. I keep thinking about how much I want to go back again!
(5)
Pegah Y.

I really enjoyed T.H.A.I. in Shirlington. We got seated right away on a weeknight (and it was quite crowded too). I like that they have plenty of space (both indoors and on their patio). It's great for small and large parties alike. Our waitress was extremely friendly and smiley and attentive throughout (awesome!) and our food was delicious. We ordered the crispy spring rolls as an appetizer. For our entrees we ordered the chicken Pad Thai and the Pad See Ew. The meal was truly tasty. We also enjoyed the drinks - their pineapple-mango Mojito and their Long Island Iced Tea (actually not as strong as those usually are). I have no complaints at all. And since this is located conveniently in Shirlington (tons of other restaurants and shops in the area), I will certainly be back.
(5)
Stephen H.

Average at best. Like most of Shirlington, its conveniently located but nothing to write home about. Really enjoy sitting outside and walking around Shirlington, but the food is C- at best. If folks think this is Thai food, then they need to get out more. Cannot recommend anything here but at the same time couldnt recommend any spot in Shirlington.
(3)
Will O.

First time, and not the last. General Tso', Thai style. Excellent! Tons of flavors, light, tender chicken, and awesome noodles. Also the veggie spring rolls were fantastic. The crispy salmon rolls were very tasty, fully cooked. The wasabi sauce really amped up the flavor.
(5)
An L.

Food was good but our server was very lackadaisical. Really no emotion nor enthusiasm towards the guests needs.
(3)
Pete B.

It was my first time in Shirlington with my girlfriend, and as we walked down the village street , Thai caught our eye. The interior decor is tastefully modern, but since the weather was nice for a mid-June day, we decided to eat outside. Service was prompt and friendly. The appetizer course consisted of winter vegetable pot stickers. These familiar shaped dumplings were filled with a well-balanced butternut squash filling and accompanied by a "I want to drink this" savory dipping sauce. It was an awesome starter. The entrÃ©e course featured chicken pad Thai and seafood drunken noodles. The drunken noodles were offered in a choice of lo mein noodles or wide Thai noodles. I opted for the wide noodles in this dish. It just seemed appropriate for the venue. The pad Thai was an excellently executed version of this classic Thai dish. It was far better than standard, for sure. If nothing else peaks your interest on the menu, and there is plenty of interesting stuff to try, the pad Thai will surely make a satisfying choice. The drunken noodles were exceptional. This dish had plenty of hot pepper punch to keep a steady burn through the dish (as indicated by the three hot peppers on the menu) but not too much to overpower the dish. I welcomed every single bite of this dish with its perfect balance of sweet, savory and spicy. It made me wish the dish never ended. Definitely for the adventurous in its "spicy" form, but I'm certain the less adventurous would find a mild spice version of the dish equally as satisfying. As for the seafood add-in, five mussels, four or five large scallops, some jumbo shrimp, and calamari made for nuggets of treasure among the sea of tasty, tasty noodles. Both dishes are recommended.
(5)
Karen L.

3 stars for food. Extra star for dog friendliness. Pad Thai was pretty decent, but the flavoring of my drunken noodles seemed a bit off. I like that they bring the Thai Iced tea with cream and simple syrup on the side you can sweeten to taste. Don't think I'd go out of my way to go here in the winter, but we definitely spend our fair share of time here when the weather is nice.
(4)
Jon M.

We were so impressed with everything. Ate too much but every thing was very good. Recommend without reservation.
(5)
Alexis B.

As a first timer- I must say, I was impressed. The ambiance is very relaxing, almost romantic in a way. Great place for a date. I ordered a dumplings appetizer and pineapple fried rice. It was absolutely delicious. We also ordered calamri and the chicken basil. Everything was very good. The service was great and its definitly a place I would visit again.
(5)
Leanna C.

This place is pretty mediocre. Not much flavor to the food but it'll hit the spot if you're craving for Thai. Go during lunch for the best deal for your buck!
(3)
Heni V.

I loooooove this place, I've been to this place multiple times and I've never been disappointed. I've pretty much tried almost everything on the menu and everything is great and their prices are very affordable. Today my girl and I went in and had the Thai Mango chicken salad & the General Tso chicken with Noodles and both meals were very good and their timing was great. I recommend this place to anyone that enjoys good Thai food. Place is always clean and the services is excellent.
(5)
Khondker I.

The service and food is good for a change. Prices are reasonable. Great varieties to choose from. Please ask the way you want it.
(3)
Mary H.

THAI Shirlington is our go-to place for Thai. I wish I could say more for the Thai places much closer to our home in MD just outside NE DC, but they are just not that good. THAI Shirlington only misses 5 stars because wouldn't it be nice if they were cheap for all that delicious food? But que sera sera, the food is fresh, imaginative, and delicious, the service has always been good for us, and we've only gone once where we walked in and couldn't be seated in a reasonable amount of time even on a weekend night. We're from Chicago and great hole-in-the-wall Thai food is around every corner in the right neighborhoods. While that's not true where we live in the area, it's so great to have a place on which we know we can rely. When it's crowded, the atmosphere is energetic and communal (definitely not intimate, you can almost certainly hear what the people next to you are saying and vice versa)--when it's slower, the place is quiet, pretty intimate, and classy-casual. Are there other places in NoVA that have quality food for better prices? Definitely. But we don't live anywhere near them. This is a great place where we know we can get good quality and a parking spot a finite distance from home. Also, as a currently-pregnant lady, they do not use any MSG (and you can taste it...so fresh!). We'll be back again (and again).
(4)
Jihad B.

Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines. It's very rare you can gorge yourself to such an extent and not feel awful afterwards but Thai food somehow provides a reasonable accommodation to being fat. A list of what I tried on my visit; Fried Calamari, Crispy Salmon Rolls, Kapow Delight, Sizzling Seafood Prik King, and some beef and broccoli dish. The calamari is a must order. I pretty much order calamari whenever it's on the menu so I consider myself well traveled in the fried squid world. This calamari is thin and crispy and what really sets it apart is the tangy sauce drizzled on top of it. I would recommend ordered extra sauce on the side. The Crispy Salmon Roll seems to be a sushi roll deep fried. Obviously that's going to be good. Kapow Delight was probably the best thing I've had here. The beef is absolutely tender and the thick sauce is spicy and exquisitely flavorful. I ordered my dish, the Sizzling Seafood Prik King, extra spicy even though it was listed alongside two peppers on their spicy rating. It was delicious and painful all at the same time, satisfying any sadomasochistic needs you need fulfilled. Beef and broccoli was aight I guess.
(4)
Mia C.

I've been here a few times , 3 times for lunch and 1time for dinner. Each time the service has been spot on, the food served fast and hot and the flavor of the good consistent. The lunch specials offer a nice portion for such a low price. They have ( in my opinion and probably yours once you order it) the BEST Pad Thai in Arlington!
(4)
Ayanna C.

The food was tasty I got the Drunken Noodles and the ingredients were very fresh no rotting on the vegetables etc. The server we had the first time was friendly and the waitstaff throughout the evening rush on Friday were attentive when we needed our drinks refilled and table cleared. Returned again this Sunday during brunch and it was not crowded too much because I went with early birds but my experience was blah with the waiter we had, so that dampened my experience and I probably won't be going back considering the fact that it's out of my way but people I know really love their food who work around Shirlington. In all honesty the food was good but the service and the fact that the restaurant was not full but it took us longer to get our food this time, and our server was spilling our drinks everywhere just annoyed me. Plus I don't really like trying to many asian style restaurants in the DMV considering a lot of those individuals seem to despise Black Americans. But if you want somewhat authentic Thai food it's not bad, but I have had better.
(3)
Laila B.

Came here to grab some lunch and left a very happy camper! Was greeted at the door and the service is really great, waiters make eye contact and always smile, always making sure I didn't need anything. I ordered the ginger iced tea, which was delicious, and the chicken potstickers for our appetizer, also really yummy! I had the drunken noodle with chicken and it was honestly the best I've had, it was spicy and really flavorful. It's a great place to have any meal and ill definitely be back!
(5)
Alison S.

I do not understand how this place got 4 stars! I came here with my cousin (both of us are from Thailand) and my 2 kids. We actually came for a different restaurant, but that place was closed, so had to find an alternate lunch place. My daughter picked this one as she likes Thai food. First of all the menu is not traditional Thai at all. Seems fusion-like .... or at least adapted. They had a section for Bowls (that's all the rage right now with places like Cava Mezze, Sweetgreens etc.). I ordered a Shrimp Shumai appetizer for my 6 yr old son. It was $8 and there were only 3 pieces. The rest of us got a bowl of noodles each and we all added on the Spring Rolls. First the Shumai (dumplings) and spring rolls came out. And then the rest of the orders took forever. People the coming and going. They sat down, ordered after us, and still got their food first. I actually had to call over one of the waiters to ask where our food was. Finally the noodles came. My cousin ordered the Beef Noodles (which she said was pretty bland), I had the Tom Yum Ramen which looked and tasted like instant ramen with a few shrimps and veggies added, and my daughter got the wonton noodle soup. I wanted a "Do Over" lunch somewhere else as it was so unsatisfying and I was still hungry. The whole meal with tip came to a little over $48!! What a rip off!!! I DO NOT recommend anyone going to this place. What an embarrassment to Thai cuisine!
(1)
Angelica R.

Just enjoyed a very delicious valentine's dinner. We decided to order directly from the regular menu instead of the special valentine's day menu. We had spring rolls "to die for", steamed edamame, shrimp fried rice and chicken basil. Every dish was absolutely wonderful.
(5)
Ray W.

This was our go-to THAI for years, and still would be if we hadn't moved. The Chicken Basil Big Bowl is to die for.
(5)
Lauren B.

I went back to DC to visit some of my girlfriends and this place was not conducive to dinner conversation. There were 8 of us and we were at a long table and I could not hear a word anyone said a few seats down from me. I wasn't all that hungry but I did order the chicken satay and it was good but wouldn't have enticed me back.
(2)
C M.

I love Thai of Shirlington! Everything that I have had here is delicious! Not to mention, the staff is always kind. I really like the dumpling soup here. Try it on your next go round!
(5)
Courtney L.

Awesome red curry! The seafood was very fresh! Customer service is excellent! I also had the spring rolls which were delish!
(5)
Laura S.

One of the consistently best restaurants I frequent in the DC area. I love their fried rice, my boyfriend is obsessed with the Thai curries. Chicken satee is great, spring rolls too. Nice friendly service, quick. I have celiac disease and they understand gluten and have made me fried rice with only fish sauce and no soy sauce several times. I've never gotten sick! Enjoy the atmosphere, especially if it's nice enough to enjoy the patio. Great place.
(4)
Kat P.

My friend and I had a late dinner here last Friday. We arrived around 8:45 and were seated immediately, and didn't need a reservation. We both split the papaya salad which was super good. It was big enough to share, and had a good amount of heat which I loved. For entrees we both had curry, I had the Panang curry sauce with chicken for $13 and she had the green curry with mixed seafood for $17. While some might think these prices are a little high for Thai, I had no problems with them as the portions were quite large and we were dining in Shirlington. We both were happy with our choices, and took the leftovers home. Service was attentive, but not over the top. I have no complaints and would definitely come here again should the opportunity arise.
(4)
Lee U.

I've been here 3 or 4 times now and each time has been a pleasant experience. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself is very nice. The ambiance is perfect for a nice evening out where you can have a pleasant conversation with out having to raise your voice or strain your hearing. They have a relatively good selection of appetizers and if you have a party of 4 (or you'd like a big starter) go for the assorted dumplings. It's good! I've tried a couple of their curries with chicken and with shrimp and have not been disappointed. I do like my curries spicy, but I'm not ready for "Thai Spicy." With that said, their chili pepper rating on their menu is a little on the conservative side. Although, you can always specify to the waitstaff to up the spiciness or cool it down depending on your preference. If all else fails, you can always request their chili sauces and add as much heat as your heart or should i say, your taste buds desire. I would definitely recommend this place if you are in the mood for Thai and I will continue to frequent this establishment.
(4)
Cid H.

A solid choice if you are in the mood for Thai. I'll be the first to admit that Thai isn't my favorite type of food (and it may not even be on my Top Ten list), but my wife loves the stuff so I am a captive diner. That being said, the drunken noodles were...typical (yet not very spicy, even though they were advertised with three red peppers next to their name) and my wife seemed to enjoy her Pad See Ew. Mixed drinks were surprisingly affordable for the area ($7.50 for a fair-sized Long Island Iced Tea), and the banana brÃ»lÃ©e sundae was a nice way to finish the dinner. But at the end of the day, I just don't think I could ever get excited about this place. It's a very "functional" restaurant. It's nicely decorated, the food came out in a reasonable amount of time, and ingredients seemed fresh. Solid. Gets the job done. I just wouldn't go out of my way to return to this place with so many other carbon copy restaurants in the area (e.g., Thaiphoon in Pentagon City, Urban Thai in Crystal City, Sawatdee in Courthouse). My recommendation would be to give each of these different restaurants a shot and see which you prefer. You can't go wrong at any of them [though Thaiphoon is at the top of my list], but we all have our own preferences.
(4)
Daniel T.

I am a regular here. This place has good Thai food for a decent price. You can get good deals, especially during lunch. This is the place where I first fell in love with chicken satay. I have ordered that each and every time I have visited. It's nice to sit outside when the weather cooperates. Being in Shirlington, you can have your canine friend sit outside with you while you enjoy. An awesome thing about this place is that they let you mix your own Thai Iced Tea, which is the only place I know of.
(4)
Betrice Y.

I came here over the weekend for lunch and the food was delicious! For appetizers I got the crispy salmon rolls and the fried crab (yum!). They were good enough portions to share with someone else also. For an entree I ordered Pad See Ew with pork off of the lunch menu. I feel like lunch menus are usually smaller portions, but I got a lot of food! I couldn't finish it all so I had to take the rest home. Service is also great. Our server was sweet, funny, and always there when we needed her. Definitely one of my favorite places in Shirlington. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Sue M.

Love the chicken basil lunch bowl. Husband likes the pads see ew and other soups.
(4)
Itpurt R.

Have been here numerous times and I think the lunch specials are a good meal for the price and portion sizes. You can add an egg roll for $1.25 more. The place is great for dinner as well. With a good selection of desserts and teas, you can have a hearty meal with friends and family. Came here for the lunch special today and tried the Tom Yum Ramen. It was very passable. I might as well have had some Top Ramen from the packet! Stick to the Chicken Basil. It is probably the best on that menu. Apart from that, my favorite is the Drunken Noodles. This place is a must try for Thai food lovers.
(4)
Rebecca S.

Stopped in while on a business trip. Bartender was super friendly, but included the shrimp dumplings in his description of what appetizers were on happy hour special. Wound up spending $7.95 on three dumplings...ouch! Food was good, but I wound up with a $40 bill at happy hour for 2 glasses of wine, three dumplings, and some chicken curry. The food was yummy, but it was really pricey and didn't seem worth the inflated cost.
(3)
Cat C.

Great location, really friendly service, and generous entree portions. However, the food leaves much to be desired. I ordered Pad See Ew noodles with fried tofu and a shrimp shumai appetizer. My noodles were partially cooked, and the shumai tasted as if they were pre-packaged and frozen, and later thawed for steaming. Needless to say, I will not be returning for my Thai food fix.
(3)
Gwen B.

Decent Thai for a decent price. We had the pad Thai and fried rice. Both were good but Bangkok 54 is better in our opinion. It was packeddddd in here when we came and it was our last resort (first choice was Carlyle) but we weren't disappointed.
(3)
Ryan E.

Went there after Mass for something different on a Sunday. Very good, solid Thai place. We got a side of rice noodles for the little kids, some Pad Thai which we ended up splitting, Thai chicken salad for the wife, and Panang (peanut sauce) Chicken and jasmine rice. Very good and will repeat the next time I'm in the mood for Thai, which is about annually.
(4)
Oggie E.

Second time around i havent disappointed so far on either service or food. I just moved to this area and im so glad i found my favorite thai restaurant!
(4)
Walito A.

***RUDE HOST*** The food may be good here, unfortunately we didn't get the try it. This review is based on the bad service when we walked in and were seated in the back near the noisy kitchen, I politely asked if we could be seated else where and I got a hand to face "hold on sir". When I pointed out it was not polite , he said "do you want to eat here or not?!, and it's fine if you want to go"....guess they don't need customers, fortunately Lotus next door had great food and greeted us with a smile and excellent service.
(1)
Grand Y.

Solid place. I got the green curry. I asked them to make it thai hot, which they didn't, but it had some kick and was pretty good. Soupy, with slightly-undercooked eggplant. The items were reasonably priced, and the portions were big. The boy got the drunken noodles. I can't comment, since I was too stuffed to take a bite. But he left half of it behind, and he's a big eater. The Thai iced tea is a three-part affair, which I hadn't seen before. You add your own sugar syrup and milk.
(4)
N P.

After Bangkok Joe's closed down, I was on the mission to find a comparable place. Since both restaurants are owned by the same people, I decided to try THAI for lunch. Even though the interior begs to be renovated, the food was good. I had General Tsao's chicken over noodles. And if course the famouse ginger lemon iced tea.
(4)
Terry M.

I love this place because it's walking distance from me. The food is good and decently priced, especially for the location. Shirlington isn't exactly inexpensive. I always get the pad see ewe, my gf always gets the pad thai. The waiters/hosts are always friendly and welcoming. The patio seating is a bit cramped, I always inadvertently eavesdrop on my neighboring patrons' conversations. The inside dÃ©cor is beautiful.
(4)
Matthew T.

Great service, fast kitchen, good value. Coconut soup is wonderful, great amounts of chicken and mushrooms. The drunken noodles list as three peppers in spice but was Mild by my standards. So flavorful. My wife got the basil chicken and they made it mild to her liking. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Karen A.

Very relaxing Sunday lunch with outdoor seating. Dog Friendly =) Was surprised and pleased to see their daily lunch special menu (nice way to try the food). Food was yum, Popcorn shrimp, spring rolls, chicken basil and Pad Gai. Service was great, very attentive and very nice. We will be coming back indeed!
(5)
Ryan D.

Very good thai food. Not the best I've ever had but I got the drunken noodles while staying at the hotel around the corner for the night and it was great. I would recommend them.
(4)
Sima T.

Tofu Todd (aka fried tofu) can be ordered outside of the menu and it's perfect. Loved the roti taro dessert - I got mine with coconut ice cream. Waiter Pang was very helpful.
(5)
A J.

I enjoy going here for dinner or lunch.. good service and food. Like the Drunken Noodles and the Lemongrass-Ginger Sauce... would eat there all the time but a lot of good thing in Shirlington.
(5)
Camille A.

Ordered the Pad Thai, was very pleased. The food was hot and fresh and good service. Would go back!
(4)
Stacy L.

This was my first time having thai food and all I can say is that I am sad that I waited 31 years to try it. I wasn't too adventurous though. I had the chicken pad thai. But I absolutely loved it. I took the bean sprouts and chunks of peanuts out and the dish was perfect. For appetizers, my boyfriend and I shared the wonton soup and spring rolls. The wonton soup was very different than what I expected. I loved the fact that the wantons were chicken and shrimp instead of pork. But the overall taste of the soup was different though good. The spring rolls were great. Giving this 4 stars because of two things: our water glasses were empty several times and we couldn't find our waitress to ask for more. The other thing was my boyfriend's dish. He got the garlicky shrimp with vegetables. It was very very bland. We probably should have sent it back.
(4)
Charles S.

On the way to DCA and looking for a sandwich in Shirlington, and a lightbulb goes off over my head. Thai food. I got a lunch-sized portion of drunken noodles with chicken to go. At $6.99 it was cheaper than anything you could find in that miserable excuse for a terminal known as DCA Terminal A. Next time I think I'd get drunken noodles with fried tofu. The attraction are the noodles, not the chicken. The guy next to me on the flight to Austin kept eying my drunken noodles while he ate his miserable slice of pizza. (No food for sale on SW.) The drunken noodles were great, even at room temp. Next time I'm in NoVa and looking for Thai, I'll try a full meal at T.H.A.I.
(4)
John P.

Good food and nice ambiance! I rarely eat Thai and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor.
(5)
Patrick S.

I love Thai Shirlington. I eat there twice a week and never disappointed. Chicken basil and pad Thai are 2 of my regular dishes. I am always greeted by name and with a smile. If you have not been here you should try it out.
(5)
Tom S.

Best Thai for the $$! Have had more expensive Thai elsewhere but never better flavor balance plus their consistency with their "heat" is great. Service is always lightning fast and superb! The greatness of this place is that they could charge more for the quality that they put out..... But they don't and that's what keeps their loyal customers coming back!..... Upscaled Thai cuisine at a great price with excellent service.
(5)
Emy D.

I live by this Thai restaurant and I go here all the time! The Green Curry is AMAZING! I get it every time! Go go gooooo to this place!
(5)
John B.

Out to dinner. We ordered the Pad Thai and the Green Curry Chicken. We asked them to spice them up for us. Loved them both! Nice crispy vegetables in the GCC! Prices are reasonable. We are visiting, but we would come back again if we had the chance.
(4)
Chris S.

As good as it gets in this area! There are many to choose from, but this is my 3rd favorite, and you will like it too! Love the service as well!
(5)
SN D.

This is on of my favorite places for lunch, they have a great lunch menu, and specifically the Spicy Thai basil rice bow is my favorite. Last week I went there for dinner, ordered the same dish, I asked the server to make it Thai hot. Dish comes to the table, there's no spice in it at all. Nor can I see a single leaf of basil in it. I asked him again what this was. He said it was the spicy Thai basil dish. So I told him this is not hot, then he brings me the spice tray and says you can add spice. Which is not why I ordered the dish Thai hot. I'm pretty sure I've had Thai hot before and definitely felt my sinuses clearing up. Not this time. I'm going to say this might be a one off situation. Normally this place is pretty spot on. It's clean, staff is friendly enough, they work hard, and food comes to the table pretty fast and usually tastes really good. I've had their pad Thai, drunken noodles and a few other dishes, all have been really good. Give this place a try, its pretty good.
(4)
Felipe H.

My favorite Thai place. However, last night was the worst service I received in the five years visiting. The hostess told me the wait would be 20 minutes and it ended up being 45 minutes. In addition to the wait we discovered they gave away our table twice. When I confronted the hostess, she blamed it on the other hostess and started laughing. When the hostess finally sat us we ended up waiting 15 minutes at our table without being greeted. Bottom-line, the hostess were very inexperienced and the waitstaff were horrible. I will give this place another opportunity to improve their service and provide an update soon.
(1)
Megan E.

This was my second visit for lunch with my toddler. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the nice weather. While not over the top, they are accommodating to children. The first visit I had a Thai coffee (yum!), lemongrass seafood soup, spring rolls, and shrimp pad Thai. The soup and spring rolls were good, my son loves the spring rolls! But the shrimp pad Thai was just so-so. I wished I had ordered something with a bit more flavor. Today I had the spring rolls again, squash potstickers, and drunken noodles with chicken. This was a much better meal. My son loved both the appetizers, and I loved the drunken noodles! Just the right amount of spice and flavor. My water glass stayed full and the service was good- nothing special. I would definitely visit again. Another plus is the prices- especially their lunch specials. The bill was under $20 before the tip for 2 appetizers and a lunch entree. Really not bad at all for this area!
(4)
Monica H.

Solid Thai food, and perhaps a little healthier than most because the food isn't doused in sauces and oil. My drunken noodles were not at all spicy, though. Like, I could've had the whole thing without so much as a sip of water. Disappointing. Fried spring rolls were yummy. Wine selection was really really really small and didn't have anything worth writing home about. Portion sizes were fine. They should look into using OpenTable for reservations.
(3)
Mandana Y.

One of, if not, the best dining option for a workday lunch in Shirlington. Outdoor, indoor and group seating all available without a reservation. They have a lunch menu but their prices are reasonable enough to just order off their regular without breaking the bank. My favorite dish is their green curry, but my coworkers typically go for the pad thai and never have any complaints. This past week they were celebrating the Thai New Year and took the time to explain the holiday and traditions to us. They let all of the patrons participate in a ritual where you pour water over the buddah and ask a question about your future, then get your fortune. So rarely do ethnic restaurants put forth such effort to teach others about their culture. I really loved this, and generally the staff here. You can be in and out in under 45 minutes, feeling full but not rushed. And if you're lucky, a little smarter. :)
(5)
Stephanie U.

I've been here close to a dozen times now. It's my office's favorite spot on the block. Order: Wonton soup- absolutely delicious wontons. Best i've ever had. Panang Perfect Pad Gai - Office favorite Pad Thai - crowd pleaser for all you fellow health nuts- I usually get the salmon and broccoli dish and it doesn't come smothered in sauce. The salads are generally disappointing. Steer clear of them. On the heat scale they use, one pepper next to the dish's name is enough to get you warm. It's not overwhelming and i'm not very good with spicy food.
(4)
Gene S.

Excellent food. We live in walking distance from the restaurant. We usually do carry out and although they dont do our favorite dish overall the menu is great and food is ready on time. Recommended!
(5)
Emily L.

3.5 stars would probably be a more accurate rating for this place. - service was great - everyone was really friendly and attentive - food came out quickly - food is presented nicely - as others have noted, atmosphere is nice, and the shirlington area is super cute! - servings sizes are good - we both had leftovers for lunch today - i'm no authority on authentic thai food, but we didn't love the dishes we ordered: spring rolls (3 really long rolls in 1 order - almost as long as the plate!), green curry and the general tso's bamee noodles. the flavors were mild and the green curry had tons of veggies (squash, zucchini, eggplant), which i appreciated...but everything was sort of missing that quality that makes you want to keep eating, even if you're getting full.
(3)
Jessica W.

Delicious food! I dream about their Grilled Street Meatballs and I have to get them every time I go. I also typically get the fried rice with chicken and spicy sauce, which is AMAZING. I also got the Chicken Basil w/ rice one time, but it was too spicy for me to finish (perhaps it's because the girl I was with ordered the same thing but asked for "very spicy" and he gave me very spicy too?) The service hasn't been fantastic either time I ate there. On the patio it was decent, but one time I sat inside and we had like 3 waiters because who we had kept disappearing, so we had to flag people down once or twice. Overall, this is my favorite Thai place, and the food is great whether you're dining in or carrying out.
(4)
Lisa H.

I've eaten here many times in the past 6+ years and it is always consistently good. The servers really hustle and your food comes out pretty fast. If the menu shows 3 peppers, believe every pepper! They offer very reasonably priced lunch specials (under $7), even on Saturday. You can add a spring roll for about $1.25-1.50 more. If you are into outdoor seating or want to bring Fido along, they have quite a number of seats for you! You will enjoy your meal and their menu is large enough to cater to many tastes, diets, etc...
(4)
Sanaa A.

I would've given this place 4.5 stars if they hadn't discontinued the Tempura Fresh Tilapia Filet... that was my favorite dish!!! I wish they would bring it back. Without it, this place is the same as most other Thai places. I wouldn't go back unless they brought this dish back. Please bring it back!!!
(3)
Hugh N.

Definitely not a restaurant that offers authentic Thai cuisine but the the food was good. Seafood Tum Yum soup was very tasty and not too sour or sweet. The shrimp and squid used were good size and tasted very fresh. The Meang-kum, an appetizer that they only serve during the Thai new year was AMAZING!!! The Thai iced tea was very good. Most Thai restaurants make them very sweet but this place gives you the syrup so you can make your ice tea as sweet as you like. I also had the lemon grass crusted salmon which was descent. The waitress was very helpful and attentive.
(4)
Amanda M.

I have eaten here several times but am just now getting around to writing a review. I have always had good service and good food. I tend to stick to the vegetarian or seafood options so I really can't comment on the quality of their meat dishes. My most recent visit was Tuesday night (3/6). I stopped in on my way home from work after a very frustrating commute (why they allow motorcades during rush hour is beyond me) and just wanted to relax with my book. The restaurant was fairly busy but I was seated right away and my server promptly took my drink order. I started with the pan seared gyoza - shrimp and crabmeat dumplings served with a sesame-ginger-soy sauce. These were tasty but a little oilier than pan seared dumplings that I have had elsewhere and while crispy for the most part, there were a few places where the dumpling was too soft. On a past visit I had the steamed shrimp dumplings which are served with a lime cream sauce, these were nicely steamed and quite good. For my main I ordered the vegetarian green curry - mixed vegetables with soft tofu. It is marked with two peppers for the spice level in the menu, however, the last time I was there I found this to be a tad mild. I told my server that I would like it spicy and he informed me that their spice levels go from 1 to 10 and asked what level I wanted. I love that. I asked for a 3 - 4 and I think next time I might go for a 5. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bland by any means, it had a decent kick, I'm simply curious as to what level will be too spicy for me. My server was great, attentive but not overly so, and I never felt rushed. The restaurant while busy was not too loud and I was able to enjoy a nice relaxing meal with a glass of wine and my book. Nice end to a hectic day. Is T.H.A.I. authentic? I have no idea. I love Thai food but have never been to Thailand. I have, however, had Thai food at several different locations and based on that I think T.H.A.I. is a solid choice.
(3)
Candy C.

You can not beat $6.95 big bowl lunch special price. I order drunken noodles with chicken and it's so good. It's rice noodles stir-fried with Thai basil in a chili garlic sauce. My friend order Pad See Ew which is rice noodles stir-fried in sweet soy sauce with egg & broccoli. Thai Iced Tea is a good presentation with milk and syrup on the side. So you don't have to worry about if it is too sweet because you make your own mix. And the best thing I like about lunch special is the special goes until 4pm. So if I went out to party late and woke up late on the weekend, I can still make it to a 3pm late lunch. It's a lot of variety on the lunch special. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
C And G W.

So far the best Thai I've had here in NoVA. The staff is very friendly. We come about once a week. Love this place!
(5)
Nikki Z.

Delicious and authentic Thai food. Great value for money. Did not like the crispy salmon roll (too fishy), but the Pad Thai, Nua Siam, and fried roti taro dessert were all heavenly! Can't wait to bring my friends and family here.
(5)
Jane M.

Definitely one of the best sit-down Thai places in Arlington. Great service and delicious food. Love their pad Thai. I come here often with friends and it's a great place to sit down since other Thai places are sketchier...
(4)
N T.

I have been going to Thai Shirlington since my husband and I began dating in the late 90s. I love Thai Shirlington!! The food is amazing and the decor is nice and welcoming. Our friends joke that since we have been going there since the late 90s and most of the staff knows us, we are VIPs there Lol. They do always make up feel like VIPs.
(5)
Mirela T.

I can't count the number of times I've eaten at this place. It must mean that i love it! What can i say, you must keep going back to a place you enjoy eating at. I love Thai food, and this place truly does it for me. From the appetizers to the entrees and dessert, it never disappoints. A list of by favorite dishes below: Appetizers --Spring Rolls --Coconut Shrimp Entrees --Pad See Ew --Panang Curry --Chicken Basil Dessert --Mango Sticky Rice The service is very quick and all the servers are very friendly. Reminder Lunch dishes are smaller, but more affordable, i feel that it is a perfect portion. Remember you do want to continue working after lunch. :) One negative about this place is that they do not give our straws unless you ask them for one. Strange in my opinion.
(4)
zubin l.

I love thai food and if I had eaten places like this, I am not sure I would have the same opinion. The service was ordinary (the attendant took a lot of time to take our order and was not able to jot down the orders properly) but the biggest complain is the average taste of food. Unlike many thai restaurants, they serve you Thai tea separate from milk and sugar which I believe is a good thing. I gave one extra star for that. Ordered their steak and the portions were very small and price exorbitant. Maybe I am being harsh but I don't plan to come here again.
(2)
Ria S.

Definitely not authentic Thai food - more like Chinese takeout food but less greasy, with a mix of Americanized Thai and other Asian dishes. But the food and service were decent enough. The space is beautiful though.
(2)
Tan T.

Food was very good! The Banana split was excellent! Service a bit slow.
(4)
Mia N.

I don't know why I haven't written a review for this place before since I have been eating here for the last 20 years. We don't go here often, but the lunch is cheap, especially the lunch bowls. Probably come here once a year or every other year. I recently ordered the drunken noodles, which I did not like. Not spicy enough and very slimy and sticky. Pad Thai is good. I guess I don't like this place because the panang chicken ,which I love, tastes too much like coca nut milk over here. So we come here once in a blue moon for cheap lunch, but I like how they serve their Thai Iced tea. This place has a lot of loyal customers because it's always crowded and the prices are nice and low.
(3)
Barbara A.

Love this place so much! Service is always so fast and the food is always delicious. You also can't beat the location. Sitting outside and watching all the cute dogs walk by! It's the best!
(5)
Alexandra B.

This place absolutely makes it worth it for us to go all the way back out to Shirlington again just for funsies and not because I have to be there! T.H.A.I. in Shirlington is an extremely enjoyable restaurant. You should definitely go in expecting Americanization and maybe even fusion, but at the end of the day I care about getting a great meal at a good price, and that is what you get here. The atmosphere is really nice, with low lights and clean, eye-catching decor. They use low-backed booths with a cushiony base for the seating. The service was also very good. Our waitress was the perfect balance between attentive and yet not overwhelming. The prices are extremely reasonable, especially for the size of the plates that you get. The bartender the evening that we were there was absolutely great. My boyfriend ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, which had the perfect balance between packing a major punch and yet still hardly tasting like alcohol at all. I ordered, of all things, a margarita, which to my surprise was absolutely delicious. It was sweet but strong and packed in both great punch and great flavor. Whoever was working the bar was definitely on that night! For food, we had a wide variety of dishes to try. Something to note for us vegetarians is that they not only note what dishes are vegetarian but also offer a pad thai without fish sauce so that we can enjoy that dish, too. For appetizers, my boyfriend had the lightly fried calamari, which he found to be very tasty but different and delicate in flavor. I had the steamed butternut squash dumplings--obviously not authentic, but 100% delicious. The filling-to-pastry ratio was perfect and the flavor was amazing. For dinner, we both had pad thai, one with meat and one without. Both were absolutely delicious and mine was big enough to feed me for lunch the next day, as well. T.H.A.I offers truly tasty food that is well worth a visit in and of itself, even without all of the other great elements to the restaurant. I would highly recommend making the trip out to NOVA for this one!
(4)
Rose M.

First time coming here and I was pleasantly surprised at how great the dishes tasted! I've been to Thailand a few times and although it wasn't quite the same, it was very close! We ordered the Drunken noodles with chicken and the King Pad Ped. The drunken noodles had a nice spice to them but I thought it could have been a little more spicy. I just added some spice from the condiment tray our server brought over and it was delicious! The only gripe I have is I wish I would have asked for them to add a few more vegetables to this dish. (It was mostly noodles and a few green onions). The King Pad Ped had a great ginger sauce which wasn't too overpowering to the dish and the portabello mushrooms were really delicious in the dish as well! The ambiance was very nice, the restaurant is very clean and cozy. It is in a great location in Shirlington Village and it was nice to come to dinner and just relax after a long day at work. I will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Megan G.

My favorite Thai place in the area. I'm lame and generally order pad Thai, so be more adventurous and try something crazy. Easy parking in the multiple Shirlington garages. Takeout seems to be a very popular option on weekday evenings, at least the last time I was there waiting for a friend. She was running late so I popped over to the library and got a book to read. Very convenient!
(5)
Chanel D.

I've been here several times, but it'd had been a while, so I went for lunch on Friday for a memory refresher. And, guess what? I still feel the same that I did three years ago. This place isn't the worst, but it is also not the best Thai food that I've ever had either. The fried dumplings made me wish that I had gotten the spring rolls instead. I got the drunken noodles with beef. I asked for extra spicy (four peppers on the heat scale) and it was so far from that that I asked for the extra hot peppers on the side. That did the trick and made the meal more enjoyable. The noodles were so drunk that they were just a pile of squish in a bowl. And, after the very sparse serving of beef ran out, I was just left eating the greasy pile. I never want to have food regret but it abounded during my recent meal. I wondered if I should have gotten a curry, but I feel like I would have felt the same about the meal. I didn't get it this time, but the Thai ice tea is delicious. So, that's a plus. Service was attentive and fast. But, I just wasn't feeling my meal. I will not be back, T.H.A.I. of Shirlington.
(2)
A V.

Popular thai place in the Shirlington area, and one of the better ones. Wont say the food is amazing or fabulous, but for the price its a great option. Also the other thai places in the area suck... The appetizers are decent, the entrees are good. One of the few places that offers Musammun curry- a dinner special- is definitely one of their best dishes on the menu.
(4)
Deborah N.

Came here with a group before a Signature Theater show. Place was chosen on the following criteria: 1) Took reservations 2) Took reservations for large groups 3) Did have a heart attack when I kept calling to increase the number in our party (ended up with 16!). 4) I like Thai food and I was the one who was organizing the expedition 5) Was not the Carlyle. Under those guidelines, it was great. Under more lofty guidelines, it was still great! We all loved the decor and the food was really fresh and delicious. Personally I ordered the spring rolls (came with three giant ones!), chicken basil salad, and vegetarian panang. Plus brown jasmine rice. Plus a Singha beer - one of the best beers around, imho! Portions were huge, I really wasted money ordering too much. Having said that, I didn't find the place particularly expensive. Given the lovely decor and yuppie neighborhood, that was a pleasant surprise. :) Service was also spot on and as good as the food. All in all a great experience. This will be my new "go to" place for pre-theater meals in Shirlington!
(4)
Deeny N.

This is my go-to Thai restaurant whenever I have a craving. Their menu has a wide variety of choices that can cater to almost everyone. Can't go wrong with the pad thai! I also like the General Tso's tofu (that I get with rice instead of noodles). Still, the food is good, not great. Prices are decent, but not spectacular. Service is nothing to write home about. I write this as a former resident of Boston/Brookline where I would frequent an amazing Thai place as often as I could (and had other back-ups). For Arlington, I would definitely say this place is the best.
(3)
Alison M.

Came back in the mood for a red curry. Mind you that Thai in Shirlington only Offers two curry dishes on the neither are red. So, I ordered the green curry and it was so mild that I actually had to ask them to bring out the spices. It was so mild that I think a young child would enjoy, but come on, this is a Thai curry! Yes it was tasty, but this dish should be made with chilli peppers. It needs to be at least a little spicy. Service was again very slow.
(3)
Kin C.

Not bad, but not great. We had the spring rolls and calamari starters, neither was impressive...very mediocre. More batter than stuffing. Perfect panang was good, but lacked a wow factor, would have been better if made with two star spiciness or more. Thai tea was delivered with the ice tea, syrup and cream separate, so you can mix it to your desired taste. Decor was modern but service was slower than We'd like. Thai food is everywhere and this place didn't really stand out.
(3)
Justin C.

Really great Thai food. Love their Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and Panang Perfect... and I've tried a lot of other stuff and it's all great. Really good spring rolls and squash potstickers too.
(5)
William M.

It's not Thai Xing, but what do you expect? Prices are outstanding. Can't beat em! Veg entrees are around 10 bucks. Nice decor too in little Shirlington. Worth checking out! So yeah, maybe it's "Americanized" Thai Food, but I'll take it!
(4)
Daraja A.

This is a great place to come for Lunch. Their Drunken noodles are very flavorful. If you like spicy order as is, I like mild myself and it's perfect. I also like their Thai ice tea. They let you mix it up yourself so you get the perfect sweetness for your taste.
(4)
Mejgan L.

Amazing food and amazing service. My family and I have been dining here for years. It's the one place we all agree on. I recommend the larb gai and pan gyoza for appetizers and then green curry, pad Thai or pineapple fried rice for entrees.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

Went here because we yelped "Thai" and this place came up. We were here during lunch hour so this were pretty quite. I got the Pad see ew and it was pretty good. I'm not too found of the egg rolls because it was super oily and fried. The portions for lunch was just right. we were stuffed afterwards. Will def return.
(4)
Angela S.

I listened to the reviews of others on yelp and was disappointed. The food was not nearly as good as other places I've been to around here. We ordered pad thai and green curry to go and both were just ok. I had the tofu green curry and it lacked a lot of veggies (other places usually pack in be veggies) and the pad thai flavors were just ok. Not coming back here...
(2)
Max S.

The tables are so close I feel like I'm eating someone else's food. A crappy experience- don't go.
(1)
Natasha S.

I'm not sure why this place is such a hit. I honestly don't see it. We had a group of 6, and came here on a Sunday night for a family member's birthday dinner. An early birthday dinner. Appetizers: Smoked Duck Wontons\ Crab Shu Mai Pan Seared Seafood Gyoza Entree's: Green Curry Chicken Tofu Panang Chicken & Tofu Drunken Noodles Seafood Fried Rice Garlic Lover Shrimp Everything was decent. The standard Drunken Noodles and Fried Rice were a hit. However, the Garlic Shrimp wasn't anything to rave about. The Tofu Panang was decent, but really lacking ingredients other than the Tofu itself. I ordered the Chicken Green Curry and was disappointed. It was a very thick, and almost imitation like curry. I didn't feel that it was authentic, and the taste was very bland. The veggie selection was unusual and didn't really compliment the dish. The only good thing that I really liked about this place was the Thai Iced Tea. I liked that they brought the tea out in it's natural state, and you get to customize your drink by adding the sweetener syrup and cream. Very often, when ordering Thai Iced Teas in other restaurants, I always run into the issue that it is super sweet or has way too much cream and get stomach aches. This concept was perfect and ideal. The parking was pretty easy. If not street parking, there's garage parking as well as parking lots. The service was ok. The server was pushy, not very friendly and a tad bit rude. Would I return? Nope! Unless, I was just coming for the Thai Tea.
(2)
Adam G.

Lunch here is the best deal in town. The food is very good, the prices are low, the service is attentive (though don't bother asking for brown rice in a rice bowl lunch special...you'll never get it), and the location is clean and pleasant. A reliable source of tasty Thai in the middle of a lot of other restaurant options...you can't go wrong.
(4)
kelley r.

Service was alright, and the location is good, but the food was just not authentic or tasty. They tried to hard to make things very attractive or high end looking - for instance this stacking effect with the satay. But not enough attention is paid to taste - the flavors aren't there. Everything was bland.
(2)
Walt O.

20 January 2013- This place was OK. All tables were full. Receptionist was excellent getting us a table in 10 minutes. Waiter was good. Ordered spring rolls and they were excellent, Order Beer PadThai and Chicken Salad. The Chicken Salad was excellent. The Beef pad thai was bad. I reported to the waiter the beef was tough. He said, he would report it to the cook. But, he seem not to be concerned. The noise level was very high. Conversation was difficult. For me there are better places. Walt Okon
(2)
Eric B.

You have to go to Thailand to get better Thai food and I'm dead serious. I have had Thai from MANY MANY places in the DC area. The Pad Thai at this place is the best I have EVER had. The other dishes are top notch also and everyone I take here says the same thing!! Very reasonably priced as well and the food comes very quickly. Good service also.
(5)
Dan N.

T.H.A.I. has really great food and service. I regularly get their panang perfect chicken. The ginger beef with broccoli is also very good, but a bit expensive at $14.
(4)
Alex W.

This is my go to Thai spot even though I have a decent Thai restaurant walking distance. The food is great and the food prices are fair. The drinks are a tad pricy considering how small the martini glasses are. At least they were very strong drinks!
(4)
Robyn P.

My favorite Thai restaurant. Lived here for 7 years and ate here all the time. Now I make a point to come by for dinner every time I'm back in DC. Try the calamari, you won't be disappointed! Fun, unique, delicious appetizer! For entrÃ©e you really can't go wrong. I've ordered all over the menu and never had a bad dish.
(5)
Diana D.

So cute! Service was wonderful. We came by for lunch and sat in the outdoor patio. We ordered: Beef pad see ew - best pad see we I've ever had!!!! Sauce wasn't too greasy or salty and yet still full of sweet flavor. Was it the MSG? Probably... Spring roll- very unique interpretation. It's not like the Vietnamese ones that Thai restaurant usually serve. Very delish and comes with side of sweet and sour sauce. I prefer the peanut sauce that is traditionally served with spring rolls however. Thai tea - not overly sweet delish and yet still so good!!!! Green curry chicken - just ok. Comes with jasmine rice. I wish I could take this place back to Dallas cuz it's better than my favorite go to Thai place in the big D.
(5)
David T.

Very good, and inexpensive, Thai food! I had carryout drunken noodles w/beef and Chicken Pad Thai. Drunken noodles were a bit oily; but great taste. Only downfall was their website was not mobile-friendly, and actually didn't even load on 2 different iphones b/c of their flash. You'll have to order via a computer - just FYI.
(4)
Megan A.

T.H.A.I. provides good Thai for a decent price. I can only comment on takeout, though. We waited perhaps 15-20 minute wait after walking in and placing an order. I've only tried the Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodles, and Pad Thai and they were all decent - I wasn't jumping up and down but it was tasty and satisfying. I don't remember the prices being unreasonable either. A good option if you're looking for a place in Shirlington.
(4)
Norry H.

Compliments to the lady chef! A Thai friend of mine told me long time ago, that a Thai restaurant where the head chef is a female is usually very good. And It has been true for me so far. I tried my most favorite Thai dish as I always do to judge the restaurant's authenticity - Krapow Gai or Chicken with Basil. Seriously, this one may beat the famous one on Columbia Pike with this dish. What is so special about this restaurant's Chicken with Basil is that without asking for it, they make it with minced chicken, instead of sliced chicken breast just like in Thailand. And it was very flavorful. I got the spice tray on our table and poured some red chili sauce on top of my Krapow Gai and it became fiery! Oh wow! But I liked it a lot. Their Som Tam was really good with very thinly julienne sliced papaya. After trying their Chicken with Basil twice in two weeks, I think I am now addicted to it.
(4)
Tron D.

The Bottom Line: If you are in Shirlington and want Thai, then come here. It is the best in the area besides Duangrat's Thai Restaurant. Every time I come to this restaurant, I order a new dish and also the drunken noodles which I have Thai spicy and am slowly adding more peppers. I can do 10 ten now and love it. All the food is top notch. I have yet to be disappointed. The only downsides are it can be crowded and there isn't much of a beer/wine selection. Overall the price and the food are amazing. Note: Tron Davis has lived in Thailand and has his black belt in indulging Thai cuisine. He also rarely gives out 5 stars, unless they ninja stars to his enemies.
(5)
Rosie M.

Definitely LOVE this place. Decor, ambiance, waitstaff and food does not disappoint. I've been several times, with friends, family, on dates and on occasion, solo - and I don't usually do solo, but this place is that good. I definitely recommend this spot if you are looking for a flavorful and different from the norm dining experience.
(4)
Tim B.

This is a lunch review; Ambience - 4: was nice, not too crowded or loud, clean Food - 3: food was good , had rice bowl with broccoli Location: 5: located in Shirlington Price: 4: price was right for lunch Service: 5 Service was good, no issues, nice waitress, attentive, food came quickly, good menu
(4)
Jenny J.

My favorite Thai place, hands down. I love the Shirlington area, especially in the summer. This spot has an awesome outside area during the summer and all of the food is delicious. I love pad thai, but I'm also very adventurous with what I will try, especially when it comes to Asian food. I've tried a few things on the menu including basil chicken (awesome), pad thai (awesome), chicken fried rice (awesome), penang chicken (awesome), mango sticky rice (awesome), I could keep going...
(5)
Andrea B.

Quite possibly the best thai food that I've ever had. Recommend the squash pot-stickers, the beef kapow, and the pad thai. Best of all, service is fast.
(4)
Jessica M.

What can I say? This is my absolute favorite restaurant! The staff is absolutely wonderful and extremely attentive every visit. They go out of their way to make you feel special--remembering names and always greeting when dining! You couldn't ask for better service! Their portion sizes, taste, ambiance, service, and whatever else you can think of (except maybe parking) is AMAZING. I always get the Panang Tofu. It's delicious. However, at some point I've had almost everything on the menu (benefit of living next door) and enjoy everything! The best part: the PORTIONS. I always have leftovers which is awesome for lunch the next day!!
(5)
VM B.

I read the Yelp reviews for this place. they were spot on. I had the Drunken Chicken Noodles. portions were just the right size and the food was tasty. When ordering this, ask for a lime slice, squeeze some lime on the noodles and enjoy!
(5)
Steve E.

Not my favorite thai place...but close. Tastey food, good portions, friendly staff, reasonable prices. I asked for a little rice to go with my leftovers...they charged $1 more? Don't nickle and dime me please....
(4)
Nicole W.

After a long day with the dog (Shirlington Dog Park, Shirlington Dog Day Festival, etc).. we were starving! This place has a great 7 days a week lunch special ($5-6.95). The drunken noodle was excellent (just the right amount of spice!). The jasmine tea was a perfect addition to my warm cozy meal. Yum! Service is adequate, nothing special. Atmosphere is inviting, and well decorated for both casual and romantic affairs. I definitely will be back. Outdoor/indoor seating.
(4)
Sharon L.

My friends and I were lucky enough to discover T.H.A.I. when we had to leave a nearby restaurant due to a fire alarm, and it turned out to be the Most Perfect Backup Plan! There were six of us (and a b-day cake!), and even though the restaurant was hopping, we were seated within minutes at a super nice and comfy table with a booth. The restaurant has a really nice vibe (energetic but not loud) and the staff was so pleasant, welcoming and attentive. They happily accommodated questions, customizations of dishes and our cake, even making sure to ask how best to keep it prior to serving later ($10 serving fee, which by now I know is usual; the other place was going to charge $1.50ea. for that). We ordered the edamame and assorted dumplings appetizers -- both were delishy. A few of us ordered rice bowls; mine was with chicken with Roasted Chili Sauce (yummy!!); one ordered Pad Thai and one ordered a tofu dish. Everyone loved their food and most of us had left overs to take home (very big servings!) - so I had a super yum lunch the next day, too. The birthday cake was served with a beautiful knife and server (think wedding quality), and a big group of staff members sang Happy Birthday with gusto! It was really sweet, and made our night. Our whole experience here was fabulous, and next time T.H.A.I. is going to be Plan A! Highly recommended.
(5)
Karisa D.

One of many great places to eat in Shirlington, but this place has been in Shirlington for years. I like coming here. The food is always delicious (I highly recommend their panang dishes) and the food tends to come out quickly. I also like ordering their Thai Iced Tea. They bring the ingredients to the table and you get to mix the ingredients to get your desired sweetness. The staff is good but they are quick and some aren't very engaging. But don't let that stop you from coming. It clearly hasn't stopped me.
(4)
Mattie C.

Very conveniet to the movie theater, and fast service which makes it a great pre-movie choice. Outdoor seating is a plus. I ordered my standard meal there - chicken in some kind of garlic sauce and a chang beer. It was good! Other than that, not much to say. This is a pretty standard Thai place, with nothing about it that stands out like at Pasa Thai, Kanlaya Thai, Thai Chili, or even Mai Thai. It is nice to have Thai near the movie theater, and that is the only reason I would come here. No reason to seek it out.
(3)
Bill D.

Whenever the husbear's having a bad day, this is where I take him to put him in a better mood. Inevitably, it's going to be summer rolls followed by kakapao gai sub. What's that? It's not on the menu? Yeah. it's that kind of place under the veneer of hipster preening. Once you've gotten past the teeming hordes of $500 urban attack prams and the pushy mommies who demand a table near the door so they can block everyone, the very loud tables of tourists and maybe found yourself someplace quiet at the somewhat garishly decorated inside locale or the dog-friendly outside tables, you can go off menu. Nobody tells you this, but you can. We order off menu. split up stuff, Nobody bats an eye. Unlike most places in the area, Thai Ice Tea is presented to you in three parts: cane syrup, milk, and ice tea. Mix it yourself. Husbear likes it much better this way. The menu is rated in "tourist thai peppers". If you want it in actual thai peppers, you better be really serious because they're going to ignore you unless you can demonstrate you know what you're talking about. It's in Shirlington, so of course it's awesome for people watching. We bring foodie friends here from Boston and they've liked it too. My biggest complaint is that people have become extraordinarily self-indulgent. I'm not particularly interested in your desire to be comfortable. I would like to not hear your screaming child during dinner, though. I don't want to see your inappropriately exposed body parts at dinner, either. Please, Washington - learn to dress appropriately in restaurants. The world is not your Denny's.
(4)
Jenn H.

it'd been a long day, so we thought we'd eat close to home. Thai sounded yummy, so I stopped by this place, for the second time in the 2+ years that i'd been here. We sat down, noted that it had a nice atmosphere, and ordered--I got the penang perfect (a peanut-based chicken curry), and the bf got a green curry. Service was great--our waters were refilled quickly, our food came out pretty quickly, etc. The food came in bowls that made me question if the meal was a good value--but I was only 2/3 into my meal when I felt too full! Two things I disliked. My penang perfect pretty much only had chicken in it. I had two very small red pepper strips...I expected some veggies, or potatoes, or something...and it was basically sauce and chicken. which is great, I'm glad they're not stingy...but I found myself craving some veggies. #2: they don't give you enough rice for your curry. or, perhaps given that I couldn't finish my food, they gave me too much curry for my rice. either way, that ratio's off. Overall, this place was great. I wouldn't place it high on the authenticity scale (seems too trendy-ish for that), but their food is solid, and there's a lot of it.
(3)
David H.

Decent Thai, but would not go here over others in the area (B54, Thai curry, duangrats). Most Thai places don't give you enough rice for curry, but this was especially bad. Chicken in the curry was very dry. Drunken noodles were pretty good, but the beef was not. And the mango sticky rice was a let down, rice was too thick, a little tough, and the sauce was thick too.
(3)
Nini T.

I have been here many times and each time is wonderful (it's never get old). The services is superior, the hostess, waiter/waitress are very friendly. The manager on duty always try to go around to make sure things are in order, and greet guests. They chat and check with the customers to make sure things are alright. The price is reasonable especially for the location and the quality and quantity of the food is awesome! My usual order here are : drunken seafood noodle and I love their Thai ice tea. My favorite part about the ice tea is that you can mix it yourself. I sometime tried new dishes or ordered different dishes, but I noticed myself keep coming back to the same order. The atmosphere here are nice and relaxing. (If it's weekend, can be a bit noisy, as expected). You can sit outdoor or indoor. If you are coming here for lunch, dinner (after 7pm), or weekend, plan ahead because parking here can be a challenge. There are a lot of parking garages and street parking. You just have to drive around :-) I have recommend this place to my family and friends. My mother is very picky with restaurant food and she loves it here. I have and will continue to come back here.
(5)
Christine O.

This place is absolutely yummy and fantastically located. Thai in Shirlington has outdoor seating - a big plus, especially during the summer. Pets are allowed outside as long as they are on a leash. Their lunch menu is greatly priced with great portions. The wait staff is nice... could have been faster with refilling drinks. I asked for less oil to be used on the pad see ew but doesn't seem like that was done. Still was tasty though.
(4)
Ken E.

As a matter of course, I do not like gucci asian restaurants. Give me hole in the wall any day of the week. T.H.A.I is gucci Thai, although not the greatest of evil incarnations (read: asian fusion). The food is mostly tasty, although tweaked a bit to appease American tastes. Two examples of westernizing asian cuisine for the local demographic include cutting egg rolls in asymmetrical patterns and what I consider to be mostly bland won ton offerings. A very popular stop over in Shirlington with outdoor seating. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. You will have a decent meal here.
(3)
Sallie L.

My favorite thai restaurant in all of nova. I've tried everywhere but nothing comes close. It is a bit more expensive than the other restaurant but the quality makes up for it. I only wish parking was easier for pick-up customers - Other than that, no complaints!
(4)
waleska p.

Been here a couple of times, good service, but the usual americanized thai food. Has a good clientele, nothing special.
(3)
Katie S.

Only been here once but the food was great and great service and atmosphere as well. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Donald P.

Spring Roll - long but pencil thin. Pad Thai - Good Pad Wonsen - Good Price - Good Atmosphere - Good Location - Good What's there not to like?
(4)
Richard D.

If you love ginger, you'll love THAI of Shirlington. For smarters we had the summer rolls and the crab rolls. Excellent presentation on the crab rolls, they use the claw fingers as the handle and remove the rest of the claw to make the rest of the crab roll. For dinner i had the ginger and broccoli beef. It was excellent, especially if you love ginger. The taste was not over powering but enough you got the individual taste in each bite. My wife had their pad thai and I thought they used too much fish sauce, that taste was too overpowering for me. Prices are bit higher than most Thai restaurants but that made sense with the location and the decor.
(4)
Keon D.

somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars I pretty much like any thai food and have eaten it at tons of places (and cooked it myself too). The advantage of that is that I think I've tried and tasted enough that I can start to distinguish between the truly remarkable and the simply ok ones. I'd say the food here was solidly good but not spectacular. When you come inside it actually looks quite nice in here. There are neat textures on the walls and array of inviting warm colors. It looks like a much more expensive place than it actually is. Prices here are great! I got the panang curry and got them to make it a bit spicier for me. I also had thai iced tea which is a favorite of mine. For the iced tea they do it differently here than at other places. They brought out the iced tea with the cream and sugar syrup seperately. The server was kind enough to explain to us how to do it and everything. This was cool because I was able to make my tea as milky and sweet as I like it. Our server was very kind and informative, it felt like your mom was giving you dinner. Solid place, great location :-)
(4)
Qui H.

accepts credit card good for big groups park on streets or in parking garage at certain times nice location I had the chicken drunken noodles and it was spicy. even though the waitress made a mistake on one of the bills the service was good overall.
(4)
Rachel B.

Had dinner with six ladies here last night and enjoyed it all around. We started with the spring rolls, coconut shrimp (that night's special), and squash potstickers. All were tasty, although the spring rolls were pretty typical, but I really thought the potstickers were something unique and special. I had pad thai with chicken for my entree. It was definitely one of the better pad thai dishes that I've had. I also enjoyed that they used green onion as an ingredient and didn't just rely on it as a garnish. There was also a ton of chicken in the dish. For dessert we split the THAI banana flambe and fried roti dough. Definitely unique, not-your-everyday-desserts, but they were absolutely delicious (and I usually never go for a dessert without chocolate). I would definitely make a stop here just for dessert. Both were also reasonably priced at $5.95 for pretty large portions. They treated our group well and the service was fine. Not the best service I've ever had, but I also appreciated that they didn't hassle us while we waited for the rest of our group showed up or rush us through our meal. For two glasses of wine, two bottles of Malbec, three appetizers, four entrees, two desserts, tax, and a 20 percent tip, we spent $180. Definitely not bad for a girls' night out!
(4)
Lei G.

Whether traveling past or visiting the area, I always stop here for dinner (for the past decade) because it's that good! I've always enjoyed the King Pad Ped with chicken and it has always tasted the same. So far, everyone I've brought to this restaurant has enjoyed it and so will you.
(5)
Scott A.

On the recommandation of a friend, I ate at this restaurant tonight. I have to say that I was very pleased with what I found. The wait staff were very friendly, the decor was nice, the food selection was very good, and the quality of the food was great. The only negative that this place may have is that parking can be a challenge on a busy night.
(4)
Amanda B.

Yummmmmmmmy. We order from here all the time. The spring rolls and the sauce with which they come are just delightful. Everything here is good. My husband always orders the Bamee Mussels (v. good) and I love the pad thai, eggplant, veggie curry, penang and basically everything else I've tried. I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Lauren C.

This Thai is a welcome surprise in NOVA. The slightly sweet Panang curry was wonderful and the meat tasted great. Quick service, and tasty flavors. I'll be returning soon!
(4)
Heath A.

Tasty Thai can be had in Shirlington. T.H.A.I. is the name on the window and what you'll find inside this sleek dining room in Shirlington's Village strip. The food is dependable on the good side but can be priced a bit steep for Thai food in general. Some of my favorites are the Spicy Chicken and Basil, Duck Curry and Thai beef salad. Makes a great companion to dinner and movie dates with the Movie theater just up the street.
(3)
Holly M.

T.H.A.I. Shirlington was one of my first NoVA Thai experiences on a quick weekend visit from down south around 5 years ago. In all this time the place has remained consistently good, the staff consistently attentive and helpful, and the overall feel of the place the same comfortable atmosphere. Every dish is a winner so pick something you've never had before to experiment. I say ignore the Pad Thai at just about any Thai restaurant (though the pad thai here is my favorite in the DC area). Try the Basil Chicken, the beautiful green curry, and the Bamee Tso Tofu here. Any of their whole fish preparations are also fantastic. Perfect for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. In the spring take advantage of the outdoor seating for some people watching with your meal.
(5)
Allan N.

Based on one visit here, I'd say it wasn't that impressive. I'd give it another chance though. It has a very cool interior space. It is big and noisy though. The food was average to me.
(3)
Carson D.

This is the place where my husband and I go when we want Thai food that we know will be good. We go here all the time for lunch, dinner and carryout. Our tips are that lunch is a lot cheaper for the same amount of food and we absolutely love the drunken noodles and the panang perfect. They are pretty fast and the customer service has always been good.
(5)
Benjamin H.

Fantastic! This place has the best Thai food I have ever had, by far. Although I had never previously thought much of duck, after ordering the delicious crispy duck wontons once- I can now say that everytime my husband and I eat here we look forward to their sweet and smokey flavor. All the entrees I've tried have been wonderful. My husband grew up vegetarian(he's not anymore)- so he's tried tofu in about every possible form and has declared their preparation of it to be excellent in all of the dishes he's gotten. We have even come here after seeing a movie just to order the "warm chocolate flourless cake"- a yummy dessert you won't soon forget.
(5)
Matthew L.

This place stands out among Thai restaurants. The wait staff is very friendly and efficient. You can sit outside people watching in nice weather. The best deal is the lunch menu. All the soups i've tried have been good. Larb is excellent, drunken noodles, curries, this noodle dish with mussels, basil, and anise (my wife orders it every time) . There are lots of restaurants in Shirlington Village, and this stands out as one of the best.
(4)
Lynn H.

3.5 I'm probably biased because I love Thai food, make some at home, and have tried many places. I got the pad thai with fried tofu and vegetables. The portion was HUGE, which is good but the flavoring was only so-so. I've definitely had better. My friend order the wonton noodle soup (which is usually only found on their lunch menu, but you can order it for dinner). I'd say her's was better than mine because the spices in the soup had much more of a kick to it. I'd try it again if I was in the area, but I'd go for the green curry or drunken noodles.
(3)
Matthew R.

I ate here with my wife after a long day at work. It was adequate, if mediocre. The green curry was mostly sauce (a little bland despite its "two chili pepper" rating on the menu) and zucchini, and very light on the chicken and eggplant. Still, it was better than most of the other restaurants on that strip. I'd go here again in a pinch, but that's about it.
(3)
Holly G.

The food is fantastic and the wait staff is great. The lunch menu is a great deal, with several options around $8 and quick add-ons like a spring roll. The mango sticky rice dessert is also delicious. You can get the lunch prices throughout the afternoon, and on take-out orders. I moved away from Arlington but always make a point to go back to T.H.A.I. when I'm in town.
(5)
Jina K.

2 only because of the decor. The food is very very average. Thai Square is truly the best Thai food around DC area. THe price is much cheaper and the food is super.
(2)
CYNTHIA C.

I absolutely LOVE this Thai restaurant. The decor inside is contemporary and very nice. The service is superb. The food is some of the best Thai food I have ever had. I definitely recommend this place!!!
(5)
Jen F.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Arlington, and right now is my favorite Thai place. They have a great take-out service, but the restaurant itself is really nice with very attentive servers and consistently good food. The panang curry is awesome, and the prices are pretty good for the quality and quantity of the food!
(4)
Christine E.

One of my favorite Thai places in the area. Tucked away in Shirlington (which is altogether a "hip" little corner, without sacrificing "coziness"), T.H.A.I. offers great food at overall competitive prices; the entrees average at around $7. They serve lunch offerings of noodles and soup, which are all pretty tasty. My personal favorite is their version of the General Tso...and yes, that is traditionally "chinese", but deal with it. It's served on a bed of stirfry noodles...deeeee-licious. The ambiance is also notable--the decor is classy and contemporary, but not pretentious. I stopped at four stars due to the fact that the heavy appetizer prices don't sync up to the portions. $6.25 for two...TWO...summer rolls. Come on.
(4)
Jessica L.

I like thai food, but it's not really one of my favorites. So please keep this in mind as you read my review. I typically stick with pad thai and I would say T.H.A.I. in Shirlington's was pretty good. I ordered it with shrimp and it was completely pealed all the way down to the tail. My husband and I both had big lunches and didn't order an appetizer or anything else. But I would go back here again.
(4)
Neil N.

Great lunch specials, and above average service. The food comes out fast, piping hot.
(4)
Young P.

Went there for dinner. It had nice ambiance. I ordered Pad Thai based on other reviews. It was not that great and seem to have been loaded with tons of MSG. I couldn't stop drinking water during/after the meal.
(2)
B R.

Best Thai I've ever had. I live in the area and have eaten there over 30 times by now and every dish is a winner. Plus desserts are awesome. Go with friends and be sure to order the make your own Thai iced tea (the ginger lemonade is fantastic too) and order the banana flambe for dessert. It's a bit of a show.
(5)
Rhonda W.

Not bad. I've had some bad Thai experiences and some great Thai experiences. This would rate pretty good. We went there for lunch and had the pad thai and the kapow. tasty! tasty! Would like to visit sometime for dinner.
(4)
vinnie t.

not the most authentic Thai food but still good. lunch menu is limited but price isn't bad. parking can be a pain there though.
(3)
Brian S.

If I can choose any restaurant in the area to go to this is my pick. I absolutely love the Panang Perfect and the Drunken Noodles are a close second. This place is a must try if you like Thai.
(5)
Amy T.

Standard Thai fare, nothing special, you won't be disappointed...but you probably won't be impressed either. A safe bet.
(4)
My T.

This is the worst Thai restaurant I ever been to. First of all, the food is bad, and it's over priced. They charged you a cup of cheap and bland jasmine tea for $3. All the food I ordered was way too salty, even for people eat a very salty like my family. The beef in the crying tiger dish was horrible, it tasted nothing like fresh beef. The beef salad was done poorly, again too salty and the beef is again tasted horribly. The only decent dish was calamari and papaya salad. I was ate here 3 years ago, and it was horrible then, today I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and thinking it might changes. I don't understand how can people rate this restaurant 4 star. I would never ever come back here again. I guess people come here just for the decor and the service. Never ever go here for the food, so horrible. They don't even offer to change your dish when you complain about it. Horrilbe horrible experience. For those of you who want to try this restaurant, please do not, it's a waste of your money. This restaurant is over rated and over priced.
(1)
Janet C.

okay, i'm going to try to forget today's lunch experience and write this review based on the sum total of all the times i went here. the food is pretty tasty, in my opinion. for some reason, i really like the pad thai, although it doesnt taste "authentic," not that i know what authentic pad thai tastes like. this one tastes a bit sweeter than others, but i think thats what makes it delicioso. i also like the drunken noodles. and their curries. and their beef salad... and i like how they let you sweeten your own thai iced tea/coffee, so you dont end up with crazy high blood sugar levels. so yeah, their dishes are decent. nothing spectacular, but pretty decent. i guess the last star is there because it's close to my place. so usually the waitstaff is on point, but today.... TODAY.... they blew. it's taking all my self control to keep from downgrading to 3 stars, but i will be magnanimous... i had to look that up to spell it correctly. sad.
(4)
Crystal B.

Their food is good, their service is good, their decor is good, their prices are good.......need I say anymore? Get the lunch special it's worth every penny!
(5)
Deb I.

A little street cart in Bangkok's Siam Square (Soi 6), across the street from the Novotel hotel, serves up the best pad thai I've ever had. T.H.A.I. in Shirlington serves up the second best. It's pretty close to perfection, and had I not had the pad thai from the street cart in Bangkok, T.H.A.I.'s would define the quintessential pad thai - salty sweet rice noodles with pieces of fried tofu, shirred egg, prawns, bean sprouts and tiny morsels of some kind of pickled condiment that makes all the difference. No matter what else I order here, I always order the pad thai. And when I lived in NY, I'd order one or two extras to take back with me (even when I was returning via the $15 Chinatown bus). Everything I've had here has been nothing less than excellent - standouts include the drunken noodles, seafood with fried basil, Crying Tiger and deep-fried whole fish.
(5)
Zphi S.

My favorite Thai spot... Love the Beef Pad See Ew or the drunken noodles. Try the Ginger Lemon Ice Tea and ask for the sugar syrup so if you want to sweeten the tea you're not opening 10 packs of sugar LOL :0)
(4)
Mark G.

The food is good, but it is a bit on the pricy side, its a nice addition to the restaraunts in the Village and is a convenient to our home! Also, the service is always fast and friendly!
(3)
matt s.

One word: :-(
(1)
Joe G.

Had Panang Curry there with a friend two weeks ago. This is the real thing. Love that when I asked for heat the waiter brought a lil stand with four separate categories of heat in jam like jars. He recommended exactly the right one for me. Ha, Singha tastes so much better than when I had it in Thailand so many years ago (I'm a Viet Vet). We used to joke that it had formaldehyde in it then. Certainly doesn't now. Great servce, great food. Hope I get to go back. Was visiting from Cleveland area and am so jealous I can't see straight.
(5)
Giancarlo B.

Can you say Kow Kapow Gai Sub? The best in DC and the free world! Big Bowl lunch is the deal of deals too! (Best Pad Thai too!)
(5)
Frank W.

Yummy food. Make sure you leave room for the Banana flambe (;
(4)
Jennifer S.

"T" is for Tasty Thai Cuisine. "H" is for Hospitality. "A" for Architectural Elegance. "I" for Innovative Seasonal Menus. "T.H.A.I." is actually more than what's on the menu, it's an acronym for Mel's (the owner) mission statement for his restaurant. Believable. I love this little Thai spot in Shirlington Village. I have never had anything less than great service and their pad thai is one of the best I've had in the area and the chicken panang curry is also delish. Many of the dishes on the menu aren't typical Thai, but always interesting and always tasty. The decor also is not typical of Thai restaurants, but that is one of the reasons I enjoy it.
(4)
Mickey S.

Amazing food great service. The food was outstanding extremely flavorful and fresh.mservice was superb. The place is very bussyband parking in the garage isn't too bad. Recommend you go there iv been 5 times so far
(5)
Suzanne M.

I am not a Thai food lover, but this is close to my apartment and seemed like a great place to try when you walk by. The food was really good. I am not a peanut or curry loving eater, so I explained to them I didn't like these things and they recommended me some wonderful dishes and I was very impressed. I will definitely try Thai food again thanks to this restaurant.
(4)
Zoe T.

Quick service, good prices, perfect place to hang out during the summer on the outdoor patio area. The pad see-ew is wonderful.
(4)

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Address : The Village at Shirlington,4029 Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA, 22206
Phone (703) 931-3203
Website https://www.thaiinshirlington.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

The Village at Shirlington,4029 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA, 22206

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington Menu

Appetizers

Soup

Salad

Not Your Ordinary Thais

Entrees

Noodles

Fried Rice

Vegetarian Entrees

Extra

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

Appetizers

Soup

Salad

Not Your Ordinary Thais

Entrees

Noodles

Fried Rice

Vegetarian Entrees

Extra

Desserts

Cactus D.

Valarie G.

Cory R.

Deanna J.

Courtney B.

Karen C.

Ryan Z.

Jenny L.

Nina R.

Barb B.

Stephen H.

Will O.

Hannah H.

Arvie M.

Pegah Y.

An L.

Pete B.

Karen L.

Jon M.

Alexis B.

Leanna C.

Heni V.

Khondker I.

Mary H.

Jihad B.

Mia C.

Ayanna C.

Alison S.

Angelica R.

Ray W.

Lauren B.

C M.

Courtney L.

Laura S.

Laila B.

Kat P.

Sue M.

Lee U.

Cid H.

Daniel T.

Betrice Y.

Itpurt R.

Rebecca S.

Cat C.

Gwen B.

Ryan E.

Oggie E.

Walito A.

Grand Y.

N P.

Terry M.

Matthew T.

Karen A.

Ryan D.

Sima T.