Andy's Thai Kitchen

"If you need an incentive to keep a few bills in your wallet, look no further than Andy’s Thai Kitchen in Lakeview. And while this cash-only, BYOB spot is great for boat noodles with brisket, the main focus should be on their specialty dishes. Som tum poo with papaya, raw crab, and dried shrimp is refreshing and funky, while the wild boar curry is sweet and savory. The parade of plastic bags exiting the restaurant suggest that Andy’s is popular mainly for take-out, but that means it’s usually quiet, and grabbing a table is never an issue." - john ringor, veda kilaru, adrian kane

"Tom yum soup is a Thai favorite and its spices are much needed during the cold season. The rich and funky, spicy and sour broth is characterized by notes of lemongrass, alongside other ingredients like mushroom, onion, tomato, and cilantro. For a heartier option, go with ATK’s boat noodle soup: A complex, dark broth filled with brisket, rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, fried pork skins, and more. Andy’s is one of Chicago best Thai spots, one that brough regional cooking to the forefront now in its third location." - Naomi Waxman

"Andy Aroonrasameruang’s Lakeview spot brings the tastes of central Thailand, right outside of Bangkok, to Chicago. The menu is extensive, including dishes that can be found all over Thailand, like spicy tom yum and pad khe mao. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the choices as chef Andy learned his craft from his mom. Just be ready to leave with a full belly. Andy’s has moved to a bigger location, a few blocks north of the original. Order online." - Ashok Selvam

"When we want a sit-down Thai meal in this part of town, Andy’s Thai Kitchen is the move. The menu has a ton going on—but feel free to order anything, because it’s all good. We usually like to sample a bit of each section of the menu, making sure that includes a soup. Bring cash, because it’s all they accept." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

"Andy’s Thai Kitchen in Lakeview is the incentive you need to keep a few bills in your wallet. And while this cash-only, BYOB spot is great for boat noodles with tender brisket, some of the best things here are the harder-to-find-dishes. Som tum poo with crisp papaya, raw crab, and dried shrimp is a balanced combination of refreshing and funky, while the wild boar curry is savory and sweet. The steady stream of plastic bags leaving the restaurant suggests that Andy’s is more popular for takeout, but luckily that means it’s usually quiet, and grabbing a table is never an issue." - John Ringor