4. Restaurants

Jow Nai Fouquet

1978 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
  • (414) 270-1010
  • Store is closed

Jow Nai Fouquet Menu

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  • James B.

    Ever take one for the team? Ever do something you knew would be stupid and/or painful, but you felt compelled to do it anyway? Sometimes you know these situations are coming. And then, sometimes, they come like a bolt-out-of-the-blue. I walked into Jow Nai Fouquet expecting something pretty hot. I love the chili. I really do. Almost nothing is too hot for me. I'm a bit masochistic like that. One of the reasons Ee-Sane is my favorite restaurant in the world is 'cause their spice scale is serious. A ten there will melt your face off. I know this. I love it. But the unknown can be scary. When I picked up my order at Jow Nai Fouquet and the lady handed it to me with a concerned look and said, "Three stars? I hope you can eat it", I was legitimately frightened. Events after this proved my concern to be justified. Jow Nai Fouquet is the new Loatian restaurant inhabiting the reanimated corpse formerly known as Abu's Jersualem of the Gold. Don't even ask. You can *not* haz rosewater lemonade. :( It looks awesome inside. It's a tiny space but they've done a ton with it. The bar is gorgeous, (Perverted Male Comment : So Is The Waitress) and when I was there they had an awesome ocean projection playing behind the bar. It was crazy. The food, as I said, is stupid hot. It's w/out a doubt hotter than the 10 at Ee-Sane, which I eat all the time. It's probably the hottest food I've ever had meant for mass consumption. I mean, I've had hotter sauces but they're generally served off toothpicks and are only meant to burn your soul, not actually eat. The spicy curry at Jow Nai Fouquet is, apparently, meant to be eaten. I'm probably not used to Laotian food, but I didn't really enjoy the curry sauce. It was way too thin for me. I guess I'm just a slut for coconut milk, and that's what I was expecting. Caveat Emptor, I'm sure, and I don't hold it against them. I'm sure it's a very good Loatian curry, but Thai curry it most certainly is not. The beef was strange also. It was ground beef, like you would find in larb which, while off-putting and unexpected wasn't necessarily bad. Again, just different. The Crab Rangoon were crazy delicious. Like someone else said, they are completely unlike any that you've ever had. I don't know if I like them better than my Americanized-Crab-Flavored-Cream-Cheese-Wontons, but they are certainly in the running. At any rate, I'll definitely try this place again. I love the spice and I want to delve deeper into their appetizers. And I need to try to the noodles too. It's just so hard to justify when Ee-Sane is blocks away. Life is hard.

    (3)

  • Alolika B.

    Excellent food. The sitting area is small but nice. Try their curries. The best in the town for sure.

    (5)

  • Alyssa A.

    Stopped by last night for dinner- pretty impressed! We chose to sit at the bar which was a great decision we got to interact with the staff who were charming and helpful. We started with the crab rangoon (I have a hard time NOT getting it when it is offered) and the fresh spring rolls. Both were solid choices - my boyfriend commented several times on how much he liked the spring rolls. For our entrees we shared the chicken pad thai (1 star for hotness - which still had a good amount of kick) and the volcano chicken. Both were great choices - the volcano chicken wasn't a processed chicken chunk smothered in sauce but rather large chicken pieces that seemed like they had just been breaded and fried. These aren't huge portions but I'm ok with that. I will definitely go back and try one of the curry dishes (sounds like the green is a favorite) and maybe one of the specials of the night - they all looked interesting. Overall, a very good experience.

    (4)

  • Jeb E.

    In terms of ambiance, Jow Nai Fouquet attempts elegant and understated, looking almost more like a high end whiskey bar more than a Thai restaurant -- if only everything was darker, muted, earthier. The stereo pipes in blase smooth jazz /easy listening covers of artists like Madonna and Leonard Cohen, which is forgivable until the horrible vamping rendition of "Another Brick in the Wall" finally asserts itself. Jow Nai can hardly be held responsible for this wretched work, of course, but it did sort of serve to highlight the fact that Jow Nai's decor is, despite its aspirations, a bit boring. The appetizer menu looked promising, and we decided to go for the vegetable tempura. Unfortunately they were out of it (???), so we skipped the apps entirely. My partner ordered the Classic Green Curry Tofu, which was incredible, perhaps the best curry I've had in the city. The Volcano Tofu was somewhat disappointing, though, with a strong taste of vinegar that was difficult to get past. The tofu was expertly fried, however, and while I vastly prefer the Volcano Tofu from EE-Sane and Thai Palace, it wasn't bad, just not what I was expecting. For drinks we played it fairly safe. I had the Thai Iced Tea, which wasn't as sweet as I was expecting but quite good, and she had the Thai Iced Coffee, which she liked very much. One thing that is kind of cool is that you can add tapioca bubbles to any of the drinks (within reason), so she did that with the coffee. Her straw was too short to actually reach the bubbles, though. The server was prompt and attentive, and in all it was a very pleasant dining experience. I'm in no rush to go back, though maybe that's because I only had a couple bites of the curry. When I do return, I'll leave behind the Volcano Tofu and fill up on their truly outstanding curry.

    (4)

  • Pete J.

    Small, quaint litte place, twenty seats total including the bar, but very warm, welcoming, with a complete redo in the former "Abu's" space. Check out the Christmas lights around the ductwork off the ceiling. The owner and chef, Aomjai "Pam", is very gracious and welcoming. The menu has seafood, meat and vegetarian sections. I started with a Thai ginger soup, a coconut milk soup with vegetables, lemon grass, mushrooms, baby corn. This soup was delicious, a nice prelude to the main course. I had the house specialty Jow Nai hot and spicy curry pan, with tofu. The curry was not overly spicy, the vegetables were green pepper and mushrooms, with basil. It was also delicious, I ate way too much. All of this tastes like it was made fresh. Thai iced coffee was very good. They also have ginger beer, something I have not seen very often in Milwaukee. The service was very good. Pam was very friendly, talked to me and other customers at length. Ask her the origin of the restaurant name, it has to do with her two year old son and Paris. She also stated she will introduce more vegan entrees in the next two weeks.

    (4)

  • Jing H.

    Very spicy food! Be careful!

    (4)

  • Christina L.

    I love Thai food and this is some of the best, if not the best Thai I've ever had. Let me start with a few words of warning... 1. The place is very small so if it becomes too popular, you might be facing a wait. 2. They just opened and seem to still be working out some kinks with service. The servers are all very nice, but there can be a delay in getting drinks. Now on to the food... 1. I really like crab rangoon, but generally consider them a safe, guilty pleasure of deep fried goodness with cream cheese and maybe a bit of imitation crab. Jow Nai takes this to a whole new level, heck a whole new world (cue the Aladdin song)! A bunch of real crab with chopped onions and spices using cream cheese as a binder, wrapped in a crispy wonton with a great dipping sauce. I've already warned my wife that I WILL be craving these. 2. For dinner I had the volcano fish. I was a little hesitant to order it because I was worried I'd get a thick, fried fillet of fish. To my much thankful surprise, I received two small-ish fillets (I suspect tilapia) that were lightly fried and nicely crisp on the edges. The volcano sauce was very flavorful with just a hint of a kick. It was served with a bunch of crisp cabbage and carrots. 3. My wife got the Jownai red curry with chicken and very much enjoyed her meal too. I tried a bite of green bean with the sauce and can attest to the great flavors in the curry. 4. For drinks we had Mai Tais and Pina Coladas. They were both very good, handshaken. They didn't taste like syrupy Island Oasis pre-mix fare. I wish Jow Nai Fouquet a world of luck and hope to be back very soon!

    (5)

  • Austin R.

    Great soups and the green curry is excellent. Staff is friendly but the service is just terrible. I live a quarter mile away and every time I order delivery they are 30 minutes late.

    (3)

  • Layla A.

    I don't think it is exactly fair to review a place on yellow curry, the PB&J of Thai foods, but I don't foresee myself going there anytime soon so this will have to do! For starters, the restaurant is very clean and cute on the inside. They offer some non-Thai foods like càfê sua dá and crab rangoon. My curry was mild and sweet, as expected. Service was good up until we tried to get the check- we waited for a long, LONG time. Cute place!

    (3)

  • Nina F.

    I got the red curry with chicken and the spring rolls to go. Both were very good, and the staff was incredibly friendly. I must say I wish there was a little more chicken in the red curry, but it was very flavorful and certainly better than any other Thai I've had in the city (including Thainamite, Thai Kitchen, and Ee-sane). I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Excellent Thai food. Among the best in the city.

    (4)

  • Christophor R.

    The portions are fairly large and more traditional than "noodles & co" so don't expect that. The food was excellent and adequately spicy and extra red pepper was available. Overall it was great, though the desk chairs and office table are...quirky

    (4)

  • Bridget G.

    Had to add this update. After my horrible first experience, this place really stepped up and did everything they could to make it better. The next day I got a call from who I believe was the owner, apologizing. She also told me they were refunding the cost of my meal and giving me a free one. A few days after that, I received a personal letter apologizing for the service that included a $20 gift card. I am still a little tentative every time I think of using the gift card and possibly waiting 2 hours for food again but everything they have done to try to remedy the situation and keep me as a customer makes me believe that it was a rare occurrence and the service is usually much better. Looking forward to trying some different menu options and seeing how the service is the second time around. At least it will be free!

    (3)

  • Kari M.

    I have been dreaming about the green curry since I first ate there last Wednesday. I would highly recommend this place. It is a bit small but they also offer a couple of tables outside as well. I have been in search of a Thai place around Milwaukee that has good green curry and I have found it at Jow Nai Fouquet. I thought the portions and prices were good. Service a bit slow but very friendly. I would highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Mel B.

    I had a great experience at this restaurant tonight! We were given free little cups of a simple soup, and chatting over tea for a while after dinner, a slice of coconut cream pie was placed at our table with a friendly "Happy New Year!". My friend and I ordered a tofu red curry and a chicken peanut fan dish. Both were really good with lots of fresh vegetables. The flavors were not as exciting as some other Thai places (even in Milwaukee) but it was solid. My friend loves spice, and even at level 3 it wasn't that hot. After reading these other reviews, I think I'll experiment a little bit with the menu. I really liked the interior. I sat in the cushioned rolling chairs, which was very fun.

    (4)

  • R R.

    This place should nor get anything less than 5 stars, first of all. It's absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!! Restaurant alert !!! I ur expecting it to be a fancy restaurant ... It's not and don't even bother reading ahead if ambience is that important. . Go to this place if u love / respect an have deep appreciation for good food. I have eaten Thai food in new York / LA / London and many major metros around the world. I also have relatives from Thailand who make authentic Thai food for me - this place beats them all - hands down. To top it I'm a vegan and trying to find vegan food in Milwaukee .... Not very easy ... But our server is vegan and made sure we got not one but 5 dishes and soup. So the food .... Every food is made with love. According to me that's the chefs secret ingredient, And it's addicting. Every dish has its own unique texture / flavor / smell / and color. I am a designer and I eat with my eyes first. We ordered the vegan Tom kha soup / vegan volcano with seitan / the red curry with tofu / green curry with seitan / vegetables with noodles in peanut sauce. The red curry was my absolute favorite. It has a great texture with a burst of herbs and spices and to balance it out there is pineapple in the curry. The vegan volcano is worth a mention because it was a very interesting dish. Even though you might think its extremely spicy, the name is misleading. It Infanct is a tangy sauce since it has a hint of tamarind in it. The only place I have ever tried a creative sauce like that. I could keep going about the entire menu but this place is left for exploration. Unfortunately we were so stuffed with food that we couldn't really enjoy dessert. But now I have something to look forward to coming back for in Milwaukee. I'm a deff fan and with recommend this place to anyone even in my sleep.

    (5)

  • Whitney L.

    Excellent Sea Food! We had the green sea-food curry and the pan fish curry as well as their appetizer sampler (we chose Crab Rangoon, Potsticker, and egg rolls) The green curry was the best we have had in Milwaukee. The Pan fish curry was excellent as well, and the three appetizers were great. They have three levels of spicing and, while this is our first time eating here, it seemed to us that they follow a basic tier system: 1) lowest level, you get the flavor, but not the kick that comes a few seconds later 2) medium: this gives you the kick 3) hottest: presumably a stronger kick ( we did not try a level 3 since it has been a while since we had thai style spicing.) If you are afraid of spicy food level one will work well for you. We will definitely return here, and will bring our friends with us!

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    1 for service, 4 for food = 2.5 overall so i'll round to 3. absolutely the worst service i've ever experienced, but it was kind of funny the second time, because we knew better. the waitress started every statement with an apology. i suppose this was warranted, because she served my meal to the lady sitting next to me (different table) and when she asked if it was the shrimp (it was tofu), the waitress said, "yes," and that it's just pressed like that. so it took forever to get my food. BUT IT'S DELICIOUS. maybe for takeout, but give them an hour.

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    Alright, my experience here is limited. I stopped in after work for a quick bite and ordered some Pad Thai to go for $11.50. With that price in this town, I'm expecting a mountain of pad thai. I got home and there was a very small amount of food in a small plastic container, which was half filled with cabbage that I did not want. The pad thai tasted bad too. At EE Sane they at least give you the option of being morbidly obese or saving some for later. With these European-ass California portions, I can see a lot of unhappy Milwaukeeans. After my experience at this place, I was starving and had to go to Jimmy John's. I will give this place another shot and order something else because Yelp Nation likes it. Re-review coming....

    (2)

  • Nati K.

    Excellent food! And, unlike my old thai restaurant standbys in Milwaukee, this place actually has ambiance, style and class. The decor is cool and modern, even the bathroom is awesome. Our server gave us free samples of some Japanese liquor that we were curious about. Can't recommend this joint enough, really it's a gem. Try the fried tofu appetizer!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    Our favorite Thai in Milwaukee. Waterfall beef is a must. Very quaint interior but outstanding food and nice people.

    (5)

  • Kelsey J.

    Hard for me to sway from EE Sane but change is good. So off to Jow Nai Foquet I went. Service: Fantastic, cutest, sweetest gal took care of us, you could tell she really cared and wanted us to enjoy our meal as much as she enjoys the food. Another woman who I took to be the owner, also came around to our table to check in on us. Food: Apps were great, we had fresh spring rolls and the lemon grass soup. Both tasted so fresh and were the highlights of my meal. The spring rolls are served with a more vinegarette-ish sauce instead of heavy peanut sauce, which was very refreshing and the soup full of flavors and hearty enough with lots of chicken and veggies it could be a meal. I would go back just for soup and spring rolls. Our entrees were good. We had Volcano Shrimp and a beef and veggie dish, both things I don't usually order but decided to sway from the usual suspects. I probably would not order these two entrees again based just on taste preference, one had lots of anise in it which I don't love, but the veggies were done to perfection and you got lots of perfectly done shrimp. The space is renovated from the old Abu's, cozy/plain, small, but very enjoyable. I will be back to Jow Nai Foquet.

    (4)

  • Heather T.

    *@$% yeah, Jow Nai. You rocked my world. My friend told me about how great this place was, and asked if I wanted to try it. Um, does the sun set in the west? Yeah, I want to eat some great Thai food! Like the old people we're turning out to be, we went when they opened at 5pm. It was less because we're old, and more because Jow Nai (VERY unfortunately) only has 6 or 7 tables. Because they're popular, there can be a line out the door. Get there for the early bird special, though, and you won't have any problems. My friend's husband had just been there the week before. Nonetheless, he was literally squirming with excitement. That's how good the food was purported to be. I ordered a Mai Tai upon both of their recommendations. It is AWESOME and positively loaded with booze. It is worth the $8 or whatever it costs. I went with my litmus test for Thai restaurants: Red Curry. I usually go with tofu, but this time, I went with pork. Thanks to Yelp reviews telling me to go easy on the spice at Jow Nai, I stuck with 1 star, which was the right decision. 1 star at Jow Nai is pretty much like 2 stars at every other Thai restaurant I've been to. My bowl of Red Curry was loaded with meat and vegetables, and enough sauce to constitute a full bowl of soup. For ~$11, I was seriously impressed with just how much food I was given. So much food that I quickly became uncomfortable, but wouldn't stop eating. I was also able to try a 2-star Massaman Curry (delicately sweet and cinnamon-y, but not to my personal taste), as well as the Green Curry (simply put: fabulous). We also shared the Crispy Lava Shrimp which were outstanding--crispy, crunchy, spicy, and tender. You know I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    This is the best Thai I've ever had. My boyfriend and I got carry-out from here. Since it was our first time ever, we ordered two things apiece to try. When we went to pick up our order, I noticed that they had the colorful fat straws and asked if they do Bubble Tea. They told me they did, although they only have them in Strawberry and Mango flavor. That was fine with me, I love mango. They made a batch of fresh bubbles (tapioca pearls) for me, which was awesome and well worth the wait. The "tea" part itself was actually a mango smoothie. I could hear the sound of the blender in the back working. I love well-made smoothies, there were no ice chunks and it was as creamy as if they had whipped up something from scratch rather than grinding down. The bubbles were chewy and fresh, but not raw-tasting or too hard to chew. All of our dishes were super tasty. I got the yellow curry and the steamed mussels (with thai herbs and sauce, not tomato sauce). All of the sauces tasted fantastic. The portion sizes are also very reasonable for the price that is paid. I can't comment on the dine-in experience as we got carry-out, but I did want to comment on some observations I made. First, while it is a small restaurant, the seating is laid out in a cozy way rather than a cramped way. I've been in large restaurants that somehow manage to make its diners feel overcrowded, and that wasn't the case here. The decor is tasteful without being pretentious or over the top. Everything is neat and clean.

    (5)

  • C. I.

    Some of the best Thai food I've had. I had Tom Yum soup and red curry. Both were delicious!

    (5)

  • Melanie B.

    Really disappointed both times I dined to Jow Nai Fouquet. I see a lot of my fellow yelpers loved this place but I can't ever see myself going back after I gave it the good ol' college try. First off, a Thai place that doesn't have Pad Thai on the menu is a little suspect. Secondly, why are they out of everything that is on the menu that I try to order? For example, Tempura Veggies? Why would they be "out" of that. Green Tea Ice Cream? Just "out". Interesting. I kept trying to order things off the menu and it almost became comical because the server kept saying "Nope, we are out". Dude. Not cool. Thirdly, the quality of the food was just not good. I had the Volcano Chicken and my husband had the Peanut Lovers and we ate less than 1/4 of both dishes. The chicken was grizzly and gross. And his peanut lovers didn't even had peanuts in the dish. Sorry, but I will just say what I'm thinking.... It pales in comparison to EE Sane. I did try the Green Curry on another occasion and it was so hot I couldn't eat it without chugging a gallon of water and sweating profusely at the table, who wants to witness that noise? Gross. I would have thought they would have asked me for a spice number? Nah, they just made that sucker screaming hot. Overall, the food quality combined with super slow service will make me not return.... especially when you can do down the street for great Thai.

    (2)

  • Janna K.

    I have been searching for a new go to Thai place for a while and bought this Groupon on a whim last week. Let me say one word... WOW! I was not expecting much but it totally blew me away. Normally a place this small I would keep as my own little secret bc I don't want to have to wait for a table. But I want it to stay open and in business so I'll share how wonderful it was with the rest of Milwaukee. We had a group of 5 and sat outside. The waitress was super nice and she forgot just enough of the things we asked for to make it a true Thai restaurant experience. But when it came to our food orders (which were complicated in this group) everything came out perfect and delicous. The appetizers were delicious, we had the sampler platter with the potstickers and wonton soup. The soup tasted so fresh and delish I could have easily eaten a second cup. The dinners were equally as delicious! All 5 of us enjoyed each of our dishes and the food was so fresh tasting! The drinks were slow and of course nothing comes out fast at a Thai restaurant so not a restaurant for when you are in a hurry. But a beautiful summer night where you could sit on the sidewalk and drink while enjoying good company. This is the perfect place to go. I used to love EE-Sane as the best Thai food in Milwaukee, but this little gem has taken that #1 spot on that list!

    (5)

  • Belinda N.

    I love the curries here. There is one lady who actually cooks all the food and she is from Thailand. The curries taste really fresh and authentic. I especially enjoyed the Massaman and green curries. They are working on getting the equipment to made pad thai, and I hope they do soon because I can't wait to see what it tastes like. I actually think I prefer this place to EE Sane. I am very excited that there is another great option for Thai food in downtown Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Lee N.

    I really had high hopes for this place. This place is extremely small. We (party of 2) walked in and only one table was open which seated 4 but some reason, we were told to wait 5 minutes. At this time, I was already extremely hungry, so maybe my opinion is biased. Everything after that point raised a red flag. A woman (with a party of 2) walked in shortly after and was seated immediately in the open table. *Red flag* What the hell is that all about? So thankfully for them, the wait time was correct. We were seated in uncomfortable seats that are at uncomfortable heights with the table. The waitress came and asked if we were here with a groupon *red flag*. She immediately cashed the groupon so walking away wasn't an option. It took her about 15+ minutes to take our order and only because, I waved her down! *Red flag* We took our order and waited another 40 minutes!! By that time I was so sick of waiting, I asked for the bill immediately so I didn't have to wait another 15 minutes for that. As for the food, it was just OK. I have definitely have had better.

    (2)

  • Aaron Y.

    Although it can be cramped quarters inside Jow Nai Fouquet it is well worth a visit. I recommend trying the basil beef and my wife was a fan of the green curry.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey W.

    Amazing food...loved the flavors. If you can't handle spice, get the lowest level as even medium has quite the kick. Employees were very friendly and showed great care in ensuring a great experience.

    (5)

  • Joshua P.

    Best Thai in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Jim H.

    The yellow curry was tasty. Nothing special but tasty. Also ordered the Jow Nai Noodle House. Description says "crispy rice noodles". There was nothing crispy about it all. The noodles were just wide rice noodles. And no pad thai?

    (2)

  • Ed N.

    Crispy Lava Shrimp was very good tho mild. When I ordered the Noodle Pan entree I made sure to ask for spicy, but it too was mild. I asked the waiter for something to add for extra heat, and the dried pepper he brought was perfect. Also tried the Aromatic Rice with braised pork, which was delicious. Very good food and service. Will return for curry.

    (4)

  • Colin D.

    Amazing. Hand crafted cocktails and authentic and tasty food. I recommend it for great thai food

    (5)

  • MV M.

    Update since last time I was here: Great service, green curry is excellent, good crab rangoon, still love the Bangkok quesadillas! They have specials as well. Hope this place sticks around!

    (4)

  • Diane K.

    This was an unusually tasty meal. We will certainly return! We were very impressed with the amount of flavor on each of the items that we ordered. WOW!

    (5)

  • Dominique S.

    Love this place! The first time I went the wait staff was very attentive. It seems like maybe it's a family that works together? Regardless, very sweet and happy to have us. We went for a second time tonight and there was another girl who was pretty terrible. We had to ask twice for drinks. We ordered dessert with our meal but when we finished we were brought the check, never asked if we wanted dessert and never got what we had ordered. Maybe it was because we sat at the bar. The food was still fantastic. The waterfall beef (an appetizer special) is exploding with flavor. It's so good next time I'm just ordering that and a side of rice. Everything else that we had was great and loaded with flavor except for the hawaiian chicken. That was overly sweet and just wasn't up to par with the rest of the food. When they remembered our dessert last time they also served us these little fried balls of dough that were filled with redbean. I dream of those they were so good. Atmosphere is interesting. Honestly, I hope they get some better seating. They have some regular tables and chairs that aren't very comfortable. Then they have a few tables along this cool looking bench. The chairs on the one side of the table are incredibly comfy but the bench is horrible. You are very high up so it's uncomfortable to eat and the bench is just hard. They put these mats on it but they don't help. They need to put pillows down and bring in higher tables for that area. They could also use higher stools at the bar. It was a bit difficult to eat at the bar being in such low seating. However, they do play great music and the projection is a great addition. I will definitely frequent this place, but may end up doing more take out if they don't get working on making it more comfortable to dine in.

    (4)

  • Nicole D.

    My husband and I went last night and I am still happy from that good, freshly cooked food. We had to wait a little while for our entrees but they warn you from the moment you walk in the door that they take care in cooking everything from scratch, including the crab rangoon, which was the best I've ever had. Get the crab rangoon, folks, it's not the crappy kind that comes frozen in a bag. Our servers were great and attentive. Incredible prices for what you get. (Don't tell them this but I think they could certainly raise their prices and lose no business) The seating is a little weird, if you are sitting on the west side of the restaurant, you either tower above your table sitting on the crazy Bjork style built-in bench or you are sitting very low on the other side of the table in a rolling computer chair from the 80s (very comfortable, I might add) Just go. And eat. And get happy like me.

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    I love Thai food and I love fish frys, so the curry pan fish seemed like a great alternative to the traditional cod on Friday. It was delicious! I had eaten here once before (both times I ordered to-go) and had the fresh spring rolls and volcano chicken which were also incredibly tasty. The food served here is the variety of Thai cuisine that I have been searching for in Milwaukee. Dishes with lots of basil, cilantro, peanut, coconut, lime and curry. If you're looking for fish during Lent, stop by and order something unique from the friendly owners of Jow Nai Fouquet.

    (5)

  • Jeff F.

    I got excited when I saw this new place in place of Abu's. I'd never been to the previous establishment, but I love Thai food and this place is very close to where I live. Reading the other reviews helped pique my curiosity and excitement. It was well deserved. My favorite go-to dish is usually Volcano Chicken. I started with this and opted for the middle ground level of spice (Native), not being familiar with their interpretation. It was a good call to start with. I will probably try the next level, but I really got to appreciate the freshness and flavors. This was definitely a home run. Easily the best version of the dish I've had. The service and friendliness upon picking up was top notch as well. The woman that served me, who I believe is the owner and also the chef, also took the time to make another recommendation based on my love for all things spicy. I can't wait to sample the rest of the menu.

    (5)

  • Kasey p.

    best thai food in the Milwaukee area. up to date authentic recipes that exploded with flavor and spice. great costumer service, very helpful for those who are new to ethnic food or eat an alternative diet like myself, vegan. would love for others to enjoy the contemporary atmosphere without breaking the bank. enjoyed a bowl of lemongrass soup with tofu, it's like a spicy Thai version of chicken noodle soup. sooo good if you've got a cold. shared my soup with someone who has never liked any oriental based soups and he ended up stealing my bowl! for dinner I ordered the hot and spicy TOFU in brown sauce one star spicy. just enough spice for me without burning my lips. the vegetables were fresh and had a nice bit to them and this dish had so many layers of flavor that didn't just blend together. huge portion for under ten bucks! my boyfriend ordered the jaonai red curry with chicken two stars spicy. he can take a little more spice and I could smell his plate from across the table. also under ten dollars and unlike some restaurant there was an even amount of meat to match the vegetables. the curry sauce was so smooth and also had some hearty root vegetables I've never had before. I believe they were a white radish, very similar to a carrot. overall a wonderful dish wonderful meal, knowlegable customer service, enjoyable atmosphere. can't wait to make this my new go to restaurant!

    (5)

  • Erin L.

    Yes just yes. Thai food is my favorite and every dish I crave was perfectly executed. The Tom ka soup had a coconut broth that was addicting. I could have just drank 5 bowls of this stuff. The spring rolls were fresh and I always love the touch of mint. However my one critique of the night was that the peanut sauce had little flavor and was a bit watery. For my entree I had the yellow curry which was once again to die for. The flavors were spot on and they even added sweet potatoes which was a welcome addition. I do wish they had booze though.....I wonder if you can BOYOB? I mean this is Wisconsin.....

    (5)

  • Chelsie N.

    Ordered takeout from here and was pleasantly suprised with how yummy everything was. Got the crab ragoons based on the yelp reviews and they did not disappoint. Very crunchy and filling. Also got shrimp pad thai and it was delicious! Shrimp were HUGE and lots of them. Great neighboorhood gem, will definintely be back.

    (4)

  • Andrea K.

    Fab curry. Quick, friendly service. Clean restaurant. The food really was superb. The atmosphere was perfectly fine, but it won't blow you away (much better than I expected, however). I will absolutely return.

    (5)

  • Angela M.

    When Jow Nai first opened, I avoided the place even though I lived across the street at the time. I had ordered from there 3 times and always seemed to have a problem with my order (once I was given the completely wrong order, next time I wasn't given one of the dishes I ordered, and finally, there was meat in a dish I specifically asked for no meat in). These were all operational errors, not any indication of the food, but it was still annoying enough that I didn't want to go there. Perhaps they just needed to work out some kinks, because after hearing so many great reviews, I gave it another try! I've been back a few times since, and they've definitely improved, by a lot! Food is delicious. Even though I'm stuffed, I still want to eat more! I've tried several dishes on the menu, and not a single one was off. The dining area is small and quaint. I've never had an issue with seating, but I suppose if you arrived at peak hours, it may be more difficult.

    (4)

  • Carrie M.

    This 6 table Thai restaurant is a tiny food gem. Attentive, friendly service sets the tone for a lovely experience overall. This was my secind time there, and it was equally good both visits. I had the green curry with chicken, and had many questions about it. The knowledgeable server was able to answer every one, and suggested she ask the chef to put extra coconut milk in my curry to tone down the spice a bit. I thought of going with the yellow curry, which has no heat, but she steered me away from that when I told her I was craving a rich sauce with a distinct lemongrass flavor. My dish was spot on, as was my companion's, ordered much hotter. We shared an order of fresh spring rolls that were outstanding as well. One thing to know, there is a note in the menu that indicates they are restructuring and cannot serve alcohol at this time (May, 2015) so if that's a big deal, you may wish to call first. Seriously go for the awesome food. There's plenty of other places to get booze.

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    I've never liked Green Curry, and I got it here with 3-star spice and Tofu....good lord. Burned my tongue trying to eat it so quickly. I had it as leftovers and burned my tongue again after microwaving it (so maybe I have a patience issue) but STILL. So much flavor, crispy/fresh veggies, and it didn't feel heavy like most coconut milk curries do! *heart eyes mf* And obviously, the Crab Rangoon. Yes. Get it. No ragrets 10/10 will get again, ASAP.

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    First and foremost- wayyyyyy overpriced for thai food. I've gotten amazing pad thai and curry on the East Side for around 8-10 bucks. This was 15 dollars per entree! Unfortunately the worst pad thai I've ever eaten...and I've eaten a lot of pad thai. The picture on the menu showed the pad thai containing a ton of veggies, and to my dismay the only vegetable it had was a few green onions here and there. The noodles were very bland, so I asked for some pepper flakes. The one employee working (bartender/waitress/hostess) brought me over a large dish of pepper flakes. Now, I also enjoy spicy food, but these were next-level, body on fire pepper flakes. She came over because she saw I was sweating/dying/not eating my food and said "Oh yes, you only need a VERY small dash of that".........would have been nice to know beforehand. Crab rangoons were very average, not sure what the hype was about. The seating is extremely awkward...don't sit on the bench, you will be about three feet higher than your friends sitting in the rolly-chairs across from you. Never going back. Womp womp...

    (1)

  • Anthony C.

    The best part of the restaurant is the food, so if you're doing carry out, then you're in luck. Dining in however is not suggested. The place is tiny but not intimately or quaintly tiny. They play odd ambient music with an iTunes visualizer projecting onto a wall. The restaurant feels very Americanized and the decor is shoddy. The wait staff is slow. Do yourself a favor and call for delivery or carry out.

    (2)

  • Eric W.

    Ordered carry-out from here yesterday. They didn't open til 5, but the girl took our order anyhow and the food was ready when they opened. I ordered the beef pad Thai and their special cashew chicken delight as well as the appetizer platter. However, they don't deliver or do satay on Sunday's. What? Portions were large, everything was super tasty, however, and the amount of spice was perfect. The cashew chicken delight may have been one of the best Thai dishes I've ever had, and I've eaten Thai food all over the country. It was moderately priced, with the two entrees and appetizer platter coming to $40 and some change. Not bad for Milwaukee. Definitely worth it. I would definitely eat there again, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Oh boy, I have been missing out on this little gem. I have passed Jow Nai many times thinking it was a take out joint because it appears so small from the outside. Well it is small, but there is seating at the bar and maybe 6 small tables. It may get crowded, but it was comfortably populated the night I went. I started with crab rangoon since everyone raved about it. They certainly were filled with more crab than I have ever experienced before and they were yummy! For my entree, I had the green curry and it was delicious. I opted for the extra vegetables and no meat. The veggies were fresh and colorful. The waitress was very helpful. When I asked the difference between red and green curry, she told me green is usually sweeter, but it both can vary depending on the coconut milk they get. She encouraged me to try the red and to ask before I order it to see how sweet it is that day (I prefer less sweet). She also clued me in to other dishes I should try based on my tastes. Cool. Since this is a block from my apartment, I will be returning here often.

    (5)

  • Diana M.

    Very good spicy beef dish. I recommend it! Also good appetizers. They are very friendly and accommodating if they run out of anything.

    (4)

  • Tony K.

    Charming, quaint, friendly. The food was fresh, and beautifully presented. I look forward to coming back! The server was a bit overwhelmed with all the tables - but she really still made me feel very welcome. She had great recommendations as well - and I truly appreciated that. I loved my experience here - and can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Matt L.

    VEGAN FRIENDLY Spring rolls and crispy tofu were delicious Noodle basil was sweet and rich in flavor and content. Sweet rice and mango was by far the best version of this ive had anywhere. It was amazing. Service was kind and knowledgeable Lots of vegan choices. Reasonable cost. Very small restaurant tho.

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    I have gotten takeout here several times as its just a stone throw away from my place. It's always been a total treat. The pad Thai is one of the best, if not the best, I've ever had. I actually kind of wish it wasn't so good because then I'd be more inclined to try other dishes, but that pad Thai always sings my name! Service is prompt, friendly and orders are ready when they say they will be. Jow Nai is an asset to the neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Kelly B.

    I have been anxiously waiting to try this place. Every time I drive by the flashing open sign is on, and the interior is just black. Finally it worked out and Kenzie and I were able to sit down. When we walked in the only staff member asked if we were dining in or taking out. We opted to dine in and were seated by the window. There are about 8 tables, and a 'bar' with maybe 5 stools. It was freezing in there, which sucked. We both left our jackets on for dinner. We were watered eventually and left to look at the menu. There was only one other table in the restaurant and they were seated at the other end of the room, so the privacy was nice. (While we were eating our appetizers, she seated another couple directly next to us!! It was very awkward being able to hear everything each other were saying, especially since the guy kept telling the girl not to eat too much so they could have sex when they got home...nice.) We ordered the fried spring rolls and the crab rangoons. I have a lactose intolerance, but usually pick out some of the cream cheese and still enjoy the flavor. They stuffed these rangoons with so much cream cheese that one bite had it splooging all over the place. I scraped some out and continued eating - nothing to write home about. The spring rolls were good. For entrees I ordered the Massaman Curry, and Kenzie got the Volcano Chicken. We were both disappointed to realize later that we weren't asked to specify spice, and both had extremely mild dishes. The flavor in the curry was fantastic. I loved the blend of white and sweet potatoes, and the chicken was good in it too. Kenzie mentioned that the volcano chicken was much different than she imagined, but that she liked it too. My main issue here was after our meal. Not only did we sit unattended for over 25 minutes after finishing, but when our sever came back over, she was visibly uncomfortable. She said that the chef demanded to know why I left so much cream cheese on my plate. I asked her why? She said that the chef insisted she asked me. I told her sourly that I had a lactose intolerance and chose to eat what I was able to. If the snotty ass chef would like to improve on her dish, or was worried that I was not satisfied, she definitely went about everything the wrong way. Sending a timid girl out to confront me was wrong, and approaching the situation with an accusatory attitude got my back up immediately. I think that the audacity of a chef that demands to know why I chose to eat my food a certain way, is a chef that belongs in a taco bell. It's frustrating to me, because the curry really was wonderful - but I would not eat in here again.

    (3)

  • Laura Z.

    As everyone else says, get the green curry!! Or the red curry, it was good too. The depth of flavor was fantastic and the vegetables were cooked but still crunchy. I was also satisfied with the amount of food you get. Definitely enough for leftovers, if you can stop yourself from eating all of it in the first sitting. You are probably wondering why I have not given a five star review? Because of the tom yum. I love tom yum, but this one fell flat. Bland and boring, I didn't even finish it. That's okay, all the more room for curry!

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    I've made a grave tactical error... I've moved across the street from Jow Nai. It's going to be incredibly hard not to come here all the time... The restaurant itself is small, but very well decorated. The attention to detail is phenomenal, and the bar itself is very cool, with different colored woods built into it. It's colorful, lively, and intimate without being crowded. The service is friendly, and perfectly willing to make recommendations without trying to up sell you. They sincerely want you to try the best they have. I was debating between grilled squid, and fried squid, and the server straight up told me that normally she'd recommend the grilled, but they had changed the oil earlier that day... So go fried or go home. It was perfect. The sauce was flavorful without being overpowering, and the texture was spot on. The soups? Amazing. We ordered the Tom Ka soup which features ginger simmered coconut milk, and words cannot describe how just spot on it was. The drinks we ordered were a little on the light side when it came to the alcohol content, but I think that might just be my own problem. Either way, the Smoked Ginger (whiskey and ginger beer) was the perfect accompaniment to the meal, and was topped off with candied ginger... So good. The prices were decent, and we spent about 30ish for two people for a good small meal. I'll be honest, I'll probably be making this my "call in an order on the way home from work because Netflix can't wait" spot. That's a real thing, right?

    (5)

  • Ali H.

    I am in love with this place. Everything we have tried is delicious and the prices are great for what you get. Whenever the other half and I go for dinner we order enough to feed an army because the leftovers are just as good the next few days after. Their Crab Rangoon definitely lives up to the hype. The inside of the restaurant is pretty tiny and some of the chairs at the tables are old rolly office chairs but none of that matters at all when you're enjoying their awesome food.

    (5)

  • Elissa B.

    The glowing reviews, as well as Rachel F.'s bajillion accolades, prompted me to try JNF. And now I want to take you all there. The interior is cute and welcoming, though small. However the bench seats are awful. I was towering over my date, while my butt slowly went numb. That is the only unpleasant part of our dinner! The server was sweet, attentive, and patient with our indecision. When she saw that I had picked out all the bell peppers, she brought my leftovers back as a newly made dish without them, encouraging me not to hesitate to order it that way next time. It was honestly the sweetest thing ever. We started with the potstickers. They were pretty ok; tasty but not exciting. My friend ordered the peanut fan and was quite happy. I stole a bite, it was perfectly peanutty! After reading the endless virtues of the green curry tofu, I had no other choice but to order that. Rachel F., I would offer to go with you but we would get into a fork fight over it and that's not how I want our friendship to go. Perfect veggies, perfect hint of spice, perfect sauciness, perfect amount to be stuffed and still have leftovers. Go here today. Trick your friend into taking the bench seat. Or, you know, get delivery.

    (4)

  • Tasha H.

    This place is small and cozy with good food, nothing crazy. I get the feeling that they get most of their business from takeout. First of all, the bar seats are spectacularly uncomfortable. Avoid if at all possible. They are too high for the table and makes it physically uncomfortable to eat. Service was good, didn't have to wait long for anything. Crab Rangoon: good, lots of crab Chicken satay: surprised me that it wasn't on skewers, but very tasty nonetheless! Peanut sauce was on point. Seafood lava w squid: generous portion! Also very liberal with the salt - almost inedible without lots of rice. The squid was cooked really well though and with nice flavor. I'd like to come back here to try some other dishes!

    (4)

  • Brit G.

    Jow Nai! Oh my!! (Yep. I said it.) I don't know what the heck took me so long to try this place. The food is fantastic! Their Tom Yum Soup was just what the doctor ordered. It was hearty as heck, loaded with lots of delicious veggies and chicken (even baby corn! I have never seen baby corn in Tom Yum Soup. Bonus!!). Next time I might order extra cilantro, but I'm a cilantro nut. More = always better, in my eyes. The potstickers were nicely fried, with typical and familiar flavors of the pork filling. I shall absolutely order again. We took the food to go, but the service - even for takeout- was so pleasant. Friendly, smiling faces, plus they were super quick on the food ticket time. Although small, the place was clean and pretty modern. I wouldn't mind grabbing a table next time and eating at the restaurant. Consensus is: I MUST go back to try the curry I keep hearing about....twist my arm.....All in all, this place is solid with good food and good service. I will 100% be back to try more of the menu!!

    (4)

  • Katharine M.

    I had been spare with my restauranting during Lent, so I had been waiting so eagerly to come back here! Unfortunately, I experienced extremely unprofessional service upon my return. My date and I were standing awkwardly in entry as the waitstaff ignored us--while there were plenty of seats. A drunk patron at the bar laughed and slurred at us while a couple engaged in PDA nearby. We were stunned and humiliated. When we finally just sat down without direction, we waited for 15 minutes without acknowledgement. So, for the first time of my life, I walked out of a restaurant. I'm leaving a star because the food, as I remember from previous visits, was good, and because I can't put zero. We ended up eating at Seoul, which is not only ridiculously delicious but the chef is so friendly and welcoming. I will not be returning here.

    (1)

  • Emily S.

    This is hands-down my new favorite Thai place in Milwaukee! I've gotten a few curry dishes from here before and they have been amazing with the perfect amount of spice (I order it hot, 1 star), and their tofu is awesome and actually full of flavor in the dishes. I tried the fresh spring rolls, but these weren't my favorites. A little too full so you have to eat them with a fork, rather than with your hands. That would be my single complaint about this place. I've dined in and ordered delivery from here. Despite the small size of the restaurant, it seems to be pretty well organized so that you don't feel cramped. Delivery is pretty fast too.

    (5)

  • Rachel F.

    I'm pretty addicted to JNF. I'll admit it, right here in this here review update. WHY: I'm updating this review because JNF is more than that amazing green curry I previously raved about. While the green curry is amazing in the truest sense of the word, I don't want to sell this little gem of a Thai joint short by only focusing on a singular dish. First and foremost, let me preface: We never dine in at Jow Nai; we always get take-out or delivery. But... we get said take-out/delivery two-three times per month, at least. (Um. Yeah. Yeah, we do. I'm the one that usually suggests it. *raises hand sheepishly*) It's not that I'm averse to dining in, but the ambiance at JNF isn't exactly cohesive. Service has always been pleasant if not a little over-attentive, but how do you not double check on someone more often when there are a grand total of maybe 8 tables in the whole joint? I digress (and will add that the office-y chairs and textural benches are kind of weird) but will continue with the important part of the update, which is regarding the food. So last night both L and I decided that branching out wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, as order after order after order as of late has consisted of the green curry tofu and the peanut fan with tofu. See a tofu trend? It's because their tofu is really good. Last night we revisited their Padt Thai and the hot & spicy Padt Prik, and both were a hit. The Padt Thai wasn't too saucy, and at a "three star" spice level it was intense and flavorful in the best possible way. The scallions, the noodles, the rice, the tofu, the cabbage, and even the weird cucumber-y coleslaw thing served on the side... great flavors and balanced textures. The hot & spicy Prik was also quite good. (We didn't specify a particular "spice rating" on this one, we just wanted to see how it came without designation. It was spicy in a way that was flavorful, but not over the top.) So there you have it. There's more to Jow Nai than just green curry, although that dish is certainly a serious standout. Get some seriously solid Thai food to-go or delivered to your door if you're near the east side. Who could ask for more?

    (5)

  • Jen F.

    Vegan options. DELIVERY TO BAY VIEW. Four stars! The end. Ok, here's a little more detail... This is a sweet little place that is kind enough to stay open an hour later than most dinner spots! Perfect after a night at the ballet or another show. I'm not one for the 5:30 early bird, so by the time Odette had danced her swan song, I was famished. Their website has a special section for vegetarian items (which strangely, their in-house menu does not). But most things can be made veggie with substitution of tofu or "vegan meat" and omission of eggs and/or fish sauce. They also have a full range of cocktail options, wine and beer. It's not the best Thai I've had, but all the things I've tried have been tasty (faves so far are the vegan "waterfall" and the massaman curry). The prices are fair and the service was friendly. But really , delivery to Bay View won my heart. They recommend ordering on weekdays when business is slower. Perfect for Sunday hangovers!

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    I crave Thai food. I mean crazy crave. So when I sat down with a plate loaded with a mix of color coupled with a native Thai smell that instantly made my mouth water... I knew I hit the spot. The hot and spicy red curry with tofu (2 stars for hotness-- yeah, I'm a glutten for fire!) was incredible. Really found the texture of the tofu exceptional since it was what appeared pan seared before topping my bounty of vegetables and white rice. The flavors were perfectly married with a proportionate amount of curry that didn't over take the dish. Also ordered the Lao Salad-- a fantastic vegetarian option with a boat load of vegetables. Loved it! Ordered the lemon grass soup and it had a lot of similar ingredients of my main dish. I would order a different soup in the future for variety. There is limited seating and tables are very close together. As far as service-- it was very poor. Scattered and disorganized. Overall, 4/5 stars and would go again! Wish they were open for lunch, too.

    (4)

  • Chad T.

    Easily some of the best Thai food in town. Granted, it's a little...intimate, size-wise, but it's well worth the tiny space. The salt and pepper squid and shrimp is absolutely amazing, and the curries are very much up to snuff also.

    (5)

  • Cassie D.

    Woah. Not to sound entirely redundant here given the other reviews, but....Best. Crab Rangoon. Ever. Green Curry was amazing. Adorable place. The sever was one of the sweetest, most polite people I've met in a long time-in and outside of a restaurant. I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    I tried Jow Nai on a whim, because my go-to Thai place, EE Sane, doesn't have fresh rolls on their menu. The fresh rolls at Jow Nai are A M A Z I N G. They are huge, too, much bigger than they are at Thai-na-mite or Hue. My husband ordered the Mussamun (spelled wrong FYI) curry and loved it. I also ordered the coconut milk soup, and it was exceptional. We sat at the bar, and the owner actually talked to us for a long time. She explained that they are fully vegan now, use fresh vegetables daily (leftover vegetables are given to employees to take home at the end of the day), and have a full bar. She also mentioned that the experience described by another reviewer -- in which he was given food he was told by a server was vegan, even though it wasn't -- was the catalyst for her decision to go completely vegan, and so they only use coconut milk in all their curries. I thought that was very admirable and impressive that she took that stressful situation to heart. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Sydney D.

    I eat here almost every week because it is that good! I always get take out, and haven't eaten inside yet because it is so cold (and I think it could get chilly inside during the winter months). I always get the red curry with chicken, and then the crab rangoon and/or the chicken satay. SO good, the only thing that needs improvement is when they say when it will be ready, it is always 5-8 minutes later of just waiting.

    (5)

  • Ming F.

    The waitress is really nice. The restaurant is smaller than it looks like from outside. Food is kinda Americanized, but still good!

    (4)

  • Danielle B.

    SO GOOD! I've eaten at Jow Nai twice in the past week. The menu is fantastic - especially for a vegetarian. There's plenty of variety and I love that the menu shows an image of each item so I know exactly what I'm getting. The atmosphere is really great; it's a tiny restaurant, but it doesn't feel that way inside. It's very modern and peaceful. On the first trip, I ordered the King of Vegetarian with green curry and mixed veggies. Delicious and just the right amount of spice. I tried to sample all dishes in my party, so I can also speak highly of the Pad Thai, and the Volcano Tofu. A friend said the Crab Rangoon was the best she'd ever had, and my husband loved his super spicy curry too (I forget which one he ordered). I also had a Mai Thai which was fantastic. The waitress specified that it included all fresh ingredients. Big fan. More recently, I got a to-go order and was so appreciative of the fantastic service I received. I called in my order for spring rolls with vegetarian "meat" and Fat Noodle with the same. I didn't specify that I'm vegetarian, not vegan, so after I placed the order, someone called me back to check and make sure it would be OK to put egg in the Fat Noodle dish - so thoughtful! The food rocked, but I must say the spring rolls were ginormous and the rice paper split before I got them home. They were still yummy and I enjoyed them as a salad, but it would have been cooler had they been smaller and packaged better so as not to fall apart. However, that's my ONLY complaint, and it's a very minor one. So if you haven't been to Jow Nai, you should go. Like right now. Or at least grab some takeout.

    (5)

  • Ellie B.

    Jow Nai is a great addition to the East Side and they have a well rounded menu. There are a lot of vegetarian options, which gets extra points from me. I love how this place is decorated. They have a really cool booth against the main window and the walls are painted in an awesome way. They had some weird old movies projected on the wall above the bar and I thought that was a cool touch. The service was very friendly and she seemed genuinely interested in how we liked each dish. I think it's a great sign when a new-ish restaurant is open to feedback. I consider myself a crab rangoon connoisseur and Jow Nai's are good. They're huge, not greasy and slightly spicy. The crab to cream cheese ratio was perfect and I liked the dipping sauce. Their spice scale is a little bit different than most places. Almost all of their dishes (except for the yellow curry, which starts out mild) start at a medium spice level and you can go up or down from there. I got the volcano tofu and I liked it. I had a bite of my husband's red curry and I'll give that a whirl next time. I was intrigued that they had key lime pie on the menu but, alas, they were all out. My dining companions and I shared the Thai fruit dessert instead. It consisted of three fruits I had never tried before, palm fruit, jackfruit, and longan, all in an icy, fruity, slush. When we ordered, the server wasn't sure about the fruits in it so she had the chef come out and talk to us about it. That was really neat. This would be the perfect dessert on a hot summer day. Our friends know the owner and she came out and chatted with us a bit before leaving us with another delicious dessert - warm sesame rice balls filled with sweet red bean paste. SO GOOD. I will be back because there are other things I want to try.

    (4)

  • Maggi K.

    Go here. Eat curry. Be happy. I could tell you many other things: this is a very small restaurant with limited seating, and depending on the night, it can be a bit of a wait for your food...but it doesn't matter. We generally try to go early to minimize the wait. However, I have to say - the food is worth the wait. The curries are the best in Milwaukee. Literally - the absolute best. I've been forcing myself to taste around the menu a bit, but my favorite items are the Green Curry and the Red Curry. I'm a carnivore, and the thought of curry without meat generally makes me furrow my brow...as in, "who would want that?". The answer is - I want that. You will want that. The depth of flavors in the curry is fantastic. Meat is NOT necessary; in fact, it takes away from the perfection that is the curry. Also, after having the green curry, you may find yourself waking up in the middle of the night craving it. It's literally that good. Other great things that I've tried on the menu are the chicken satay and the lettuce wraps with Vietnamese sausage. All of the items above would get 5 stars. I'm not as fond of the jungle curry or the Massaman curry - they would only get 4 stars. The jungle curry doesn't have coconut milk, and next to the other curries, it fell a little flat for my tastes. My husband took leftovers to work the next day, and he did assure me that when having by itself, and not comparing it to the green curry, it was amazing. The Massaman curry had a little too much cinnamon for my taste, but it was good - and I'm glad I tried it. Other important notes: The food has pre-determined heat generally associated with it. Certain dishes are spicier than others. This is noted on the menu as the star level - and the suggested spice ratios are what the chef feels compliments the dish the best. She's right. You can have them adjust it - but you may lose some of the subtleties. I love heat - but I just let the chef make things the way she wants to. So far, I haven't been disappointed. Lastly - service. The servers we've had have been very sweet and attentive. Occasionally a bit scattered, but incredibly nice. I would give 5 stars for service.

    (5)

  • Megan P.

    I love this place. It's small, usually there's only one waitress and I think one chef. The only issue is that they're closed Tuesdays and they open too late. I'd eat here for lunch and dinner everyday if I could. I have ordered delivery and takeout, both going over very well. The rangoon (albeit not Thai specific) was made fresh for my order and their waterfall beef, and the salt and pepper combo is so crazy good I can't stop ordering it. They have the best fried squid around, and the shrimps are huge. THE RED CURRY IS AMAZING. OMG. ORDER THE RED CURRY! The atmosphere of the restaurant is really pleasant. It's intimate, and they play Thai videos on the wall or a visualizer for their music. I've heard a lot of people scoff at the videos, but I think it's a really pleasant and calming experience to watch something not accustomed to here. If you haven't tried out this place, please do. It's an absolute lovely experience. When I think of food I love and tastes great, I think of here.

    (5)

  • John C.

    I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant. The food is consistently excellent and if you ask them to make your curry spicy, they do not hold back! Staff is friendly, location is convenient if you're walking around the East Side (though parking is always a challenge in that part of town). Ideal for a group no bigger than 4 people as the establishment is quite small.

    (5)

  • J W.

    Four stars for food/service, no stars for chairs--in case you are counting. Have the curry or one of the specials. The salads my daughters had were wonderful too. We liked the crab rangoon, and pretty much everything in front of us. Now, for the other. It is a dated restaurant--kind of 80s ish with some leftover disco. It is tiny, which can be charming if the seating is comfortable, which this is not. And without major remodeling, which might need to happen at some future date, you can upgrade tables and seats. There were 5 of us and we were lucky to have 5 seats together at the counter, I don't think we could have stayed otherwise. A little upgrade in the dining section is badly needed to make people want to come here and actually sit inside. Service: we dined during a world cup game and the waitress apologized saying they shut down the kitchen because they had no traffic, which is fine and understandable. I like that she told us right off the bat and although she said our food might take longer, it really didn't. She was very helpful with the menu, telling us what her favorite dishes were and suggesting what to order. This is a nice place with very good food. I hope they invest a little in the dining room and let us know they will be here a long time.

    (4)

  • Merete M.

    Not quite like any food I've ever had before, Jow Nai has the food to quash my cravings for something exotic. Their menu is large and in-charge, so if you are one to buckle under the pressure of decisions, check out their website ahead of time to get an idea of what you want. I personally love just stuffing my craw with appetizers. They make great crab 'goons. I will mention that the last time I got the spring rolls (that's the one with rice paper that isn't deep-fried, right?) they weren't wrapped well, and fell apart as I was trying to take my first bite.

    (4)

  • Jess T.

    I really love this place.. it's small and intimate. But man... the chef can cook some delicious food!! They have the BEST crab rangoon and curry.. EVER. Potstickers were typical like everywhere else but still good. Only disappointment were the eggrolls as the filling was really mushy. But other than that, food is still really good. Favorite Thai place in the area!

    (5)

  • Sarah T.

    Excellent and personal service. Pride in quality very evident. As a lover of hot food I found the level one to be pretty hot. Not sure I would brave level two "native". Very small but we went early to avoid any rush.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    We were a bit nervous when we arrived, as there were only three other people in this small, cozy restaurant. I think they do a whopping carry-out business, as there was a constant stream of people coming in to pick up orders. The Tom Yum soup starter was phenomenal! Very fresh ingredients, including jumbo shrimp, swimming in a nicely flavored broth. I had the Green Curry with Tofu for the main course, and it delicious. Again, very fresh vegetables, tasty tofu and a creamy coconut sauce gently spiced. My dining companion had the Yellow Curry with Tofu, a sweeter style curry with no spice. It was also delicious. I couldn't be happier to find this gem, and I'll be back on a regular basis. As an added bonus, our server was exceptional - friendly, attentive but not intrusive, very nice.

    (5)

  • Sadie T.

    We took out from Jow Nai last Friday night (it's about a 30 ft walk from the apartment, so, why not eat in the comfort of our own home?). I was very impressed with the menu! So many vegetarian options! Most the entrees include a choice between tofu and vegetarian "meat" I talked the boyfriend into ordering two vegetarian entrees (so I could taste two). We got the Green Thai Curry and the Volcano Chick'n. The Green Thai Curry was a mix of veggies - peas, carrots, bamboo shoots, maybe a water chestnut, straw mushrooms, tofu, and "vegetarian meat" in a very creamy sauce with a kick to it. We asked what the "vegetarian meat" was like, and the person who took the order couldn't really describe it but said it was good, and also that you can mix the "meat" and tofu. So we did. It was very good. Very creamy, I am sure very high fat coconut milk was used. The Volcano Chick'n looked funny but was absolutely delicious. It was 6 half moon patties in a sweet and sour sauce. Hot red pepper flakes came on the side, which was awesome. The sauce that came with it, again sweet with a hint of heat, was also delicious. I would definitely get this again. However, it needed more veggies to really be an entree. One dish is plenty to share between 2 people for one meal. We will go again for sure! Great Thai food experience. Additional note (not enough to warrant a totally new review): Last Friday, boyfriend and I shared the volcano tofu. I was disappointed, very disappointed. It was totally flavorless. The hot sauce (which we ordered mild) was on the side. I added a little, it was very very hot, burning hot, but had no flavor. It was like eating casein drops, no taste, just heat. Would not recommend this dish or get again.

    (4)

  • Sarah P.

    Jow Nai is a quaint little spot in a decent location. We had their lemon grass soup with shrimp, their "King of the Ocean" seafood platter with house sauce, and the fish with sauce on the side. I also had the Thai coffee. Also, their Thai iced tea is some of the best I have ever tasted. Not too sweet, just perfectly balanced. It certainly wasn't bad, it also was not amazing. I guess they are fast becoming known for their green curry dishes. Next time I will give that a try.

    (3)

  • Chad C.

    I have now eaten here about five times and I am ready to say that this place has the best crab rangoon in the world. I never liked crab rangoon before having it here, because let's be honest - it mostly sucks. It's all fried breading, a bit of cream cheese and even less crab (or krab). This place is doing it right. There's substantial filling in their crab rangoon and not much useless fried crispy breading that I don't want to eat anyway. I will never NOT get this appetizer when I eat here. Also, everyone talking about the green curry is right. While the volcano chicken was adequate, the green curry is probably the best I've ever had. I also have gotten the hang of the spice scale here. I'm a 1-2 star guy depending on my mood. 2 stars if I really want to push my limits of spice. Otherwise 1 is just fine. I tried the veggie and chicken versions of the green curry - and I have to say I prefer chicken. As others have said - they are still working out how to handle "the rush"... because when I go to pick it up I usually have to wait awhile even if I show up later than they tell me to. I'm hoping this gets worked out eventually. For now, I can give them a solid four stars based on the great food and friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    The food here is delicious. We ordered crab ragoon, green curry, and volcano chicken. Having eaten my weight in volcano chicken at the old King & I 2, and later at Bang's, I was not a fan of this version. However, the crab ragoon and especially the green curry more than made up for it!

    (4)

  • Catherine G.

    Hit or miss. The massaman curry is super yummy!! The pad thai is different - there are no peanuts, the egg is in huge chunks, there are large green onions, and it overall is not that sweet. I much prefer Chiang Mai Thai's pad thai - but that's cuz I like peanuts and a sweetness to the dish. The broad noodle dish is mediocre - the noodles are too soggy and the veggies are overcooked. I also wish they coordinated the height of the tables, chairs, and bar better. You're either way too tall or way too short. Overall my first and second experience here was very good but each time I come, I am less impressed.

    (3)

  • Chris A.

    I almost feel guilty giving this 3 stars because MissBrenda was a 4! Appetizers: Like everyone said the Crab Rangoon is great and the Crispy Squid was good too. I just couldn't figure out why they were served on a large bed of shredded carrots. I mean like 3 big carrots, not baby carrots, worth. Entree: My husband had the Jungle Curry and since we like to eat from each other's plates, I went with the Basil Noodle to mix it up a little. Wish I would have followed my gut and yelper's reviews and gone with the Green Curry. The noodles were over cooked, mushy and missing that very important smokey wok flavor. Tofu was squishy and not seared. The veggies we're cut over sized and featured too many baby corn. Hubby enjoyed his curry, good flavor, but it was more a chicken vegetable soup. His was the better of the two dishes and if you like hot and spicy you should try it. Cocktails: He had a Margarita and liked that it wasn't the standard super sweet taste bud bomb. I had a Mai Thai....I think. I'm not sure if it was soy milk or what, but I've had children...and it reminded me of baby formula. I may come back to try the Green Curry, but at the very least I can now say I tried Jow Nai and can move on.

    (3)

  • Justin G.

    Really was hoping to try this place out but customer service was very poor on a busy night. A fellow Bay View resident indicated they deliver to Bay View so was intrigued. I called in for an order around 6:30, they indicated they only do delivery orders after 7. This seemed reasonable so I waited until 7:15 and tried again. I was then told by the same server that they were too busy and they would 'maybe' do delivery orders after 8 this eve. They really need to straighten out their delivery schedule and commit to it or not. Customers do not base eating habits around shifting delivery availability of the restaurant. Poor form from a customer service perspective.

    (1)

  • Colden H.

    With terrible service and "meh" food, I can't think of any reason to abandon EE-Sane for this interloper. Sometimes I really miss Abu's, and then sometimes I REALLY miss Abu's.

    (1)

  • Jeff S.

    Food was very fresh and very good, but we had to wait for it. We'll try to go during non-peak times, because the chef does a nice job.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth H.

    They put the "hot damn" into Thai food. Best in town in my opinion, and I have had quite a bit. I enjoy dining in and taking it to go. PLUS they deliver to Bayview if you are willing to wait. Major bonus points in my book, since Bayview lacks delivery options. I think I suggest it once every two weeks. While dining in, I prefer to sit at the bar. It's a quaint space and the staff is always very friendly, helpful, and open to conversation. Last time we discussed the meaning behind a Thai music video/movie... the storyline was confusing and open to interpretation. It involved love triangles and passionate arguments, totally over-dramatized. Hilarious, really. Apparently there are multiple episodes of this ongoing music video. I was pretty enthralled. Anyways, I digress. The yellow curry with tofu is my first love. I have tried the other curries, and always come back to this. Nothing beats sweet potatos soaked in yellow curried coconut milk. PERIOD. The veggie egg rolls are cartwheel worthy. Arguably the best I have every had. Light, flaky wrap with piping hot veggies and a not-too-sweet sauce with floating peanuts. mmm. mmm. mmm. Yes. Please.

    (4)

  • Yures N.

    Remember that time you had authentic Thai food on the Eastside of Milwaukee? Me either! I've lived here for a year now, and why oh why do I keep trusting these white folk's reviews? I don't need to say much else, because I give props to any small business. I'd try it out for yourself. Pro: The servers were nice and the faux meat was tasty. Con: Yet another Thai restaurant in my neck of the woods that I'll never return to.

    (2)

  • Michael O.

    The food is excellent, but the service really distracts. I have been here twice in the last few months (both times using their Groupon deal), and both times were visits over an hour. The first was after their Groupon was advertised and the place was just too busy to handle the traffic. There was a lot of anxious waiting involved, and I eventually had to get up and ask for the check after waiting over 15 minutes for our waitress to come around. I gave them some benefit of the doubt and decided to come back recently and unfortunately it doesn't seem like things have improved. We watched half of our food get served to the table next to us and waited in a strange limbo between appetizer -- delicious fried tofu -- and our entree. If you have a lot of spare time and don't mind waiting for great food, this is a great place. Unfortunately, I'm a bit too impatient and will now only be ordering takeout.

    (2)

  • Cameron B.

    Warning to all of you out there that can't or do not eat dairy products! Their curry's are made with coconut milk and half & half cream. I explicitly asked if the curry's are made with coconut milk or dairy and I was assured only coconut milk is used.I have a extremely severe dairy allergy and could tell immediately... Ultimately resulting in a rather unpleasant allergic reaction. Just a warning to anyone that needs to avoid dairy...

    (1)

  • Lynsee T.

    The kitchen was a little backed up (45 minutes or so to get our food) but we were able to put an appetizer order in that only took 20-25 minutes. Crab rangoons were decent, nothing special. But I did really like the volcano shrimp. I would recommend the massaman curry. The pad see ew was also tasty, but not as flavorful as I've had other places. Overall, good food. Only seats about 20 people so prepare to wait or have something else to do, unless you want to stand around their tiny bar area. Service was great :)

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    How cute is this place? Very. I can't believe I've made it this far in writing my review and i have yet to mention how friggen uncomfortable the bench seats are. So let me just get this out of the way. I'll never sit on the bench seat...ever again. Fortunately, i had a sweatshirt that i could strategically place between the various-height wood slats that made for the bench. I'm sure some interior design/architect though this would be "stunning" but i'd like to make them sit on it and decide for themselves. On top of the uncanny uncomfortableness, this place has major issues with height. I sat on the bench (which I think i've established as the most uncomfortable seat i've ever had at a restaurant) and seriously hovered over the table. My food was so far DOWN and away from me. i had to look down at my eating companion (who, mind you, sat in a super comfy rocking chair on wheels at appropriate height to the table). It just made for a really uncomfortable eating experience. The height issues doesn't end there. The chairs at the bar are ridiculously short...or the bar is ridiculously tall. I'm not sure. But there was this little cute old lady who's chin was seriously at bar-level. Even average-height people would be challenged to eat comfortably at the bar. So other than that, I love this place. The food was spot on. Service slow, but i'm gonna chalk that up for an off-night (even though i've read it in a few other reviews). I can't wait to go back and not sit on the bench.

    (4)

  • Vladimir K.

    Being a fanatic of Thai green curry I can definitely attest that it definitely ranks up there. I do wish they would serve it in a bowl though, but hey I'll take it however I can get it. I wanted it super-hot and they were happy to bring me a cup of dried peppers to amp it up. It is a super-small place though, just a few tables. That's why I go during non-peak hours.

    (4)

  • Kathleen K.

    The food was good, I had the pad Thai, it was served w/ cabbage instead of bean sprouts, which i really liked. I've got to say I'll probably be ordering it from Ee Sane next time, it's a pretty penny, $11.95 and honestly not as tasty as ES. The staff was very, very sweet, but service was so poor it was actually kind of charming. Judging from some of the other reviews they might want to consider it a theme restaurant, like Ed Debevick's but w/ an Asian flair. Next time I'm going to try the green curry everyone is raving about & it will definitely be carry out.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

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

Jow Nai Fouquet

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