Basil Babe

Thai restaurant · Ypsilanti

Basil Babe

Thai restaurant · Ypsilanti

3

701 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

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Basil Babe by John Reyes
Basil Babe by John Reyes
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null
Basil Babe by null

Highlights

Thai favorites like stir fries, noodles, and curries with rotating menu  

Featured in Eater
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701 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Get directions

basil-babe.com
@basilxbabe

$10–20 · Menu

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701 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Get directions

+1 734 487 4000
basil-babe.com
@basilxbabe

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 11, 2025

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@eater

11 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out in Ann Arbor

"Basil Babe gained a loyal following as a pop-up and has successfully transitioned to a physical location in Ypsilanti, next to the Eastern Michigan University campus. The menu features Thai favorites like stir fries, noodles, curries and the menu changes weekly. The papaya salad and dumplings are mainstays and can’t be missed." - John Reyes

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-new-ann-arbor-restaurants-bars
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@eater

11 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out in Ann Arbor

"Basil Babe gained a loyal following as a pop-up and has successfully transitioned to a physical location in Ypsilanti, next to the Eastern Michigan University campus. The menu features Thai favorites like stir fries, noodles, curries and the menu changes weekly. The papaya salad and dumplings are mainstays and can’t be missed." - John Reyes

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/the-ann-arbor-heatmap-where-to-eat-and-drink-now
View Postcard for Basil Babe
@eater

Check Out these Restaurant Pop-Ups Around Ann Arbor, Michigan - Eater Detroit

"The mother-daughter duo makes dumplings and curries, collaborating with Miss Kim and appearing at York." - John Reyes

https://detroit.eater.com/2021/1/25/22243532/ann-arbor-popups-side-biscuit-shuk-miss-kim-lucha-puerco-its-a-good-day-donuts
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Sha

Google
Visited Basil Babe in Ypsilanti after seeing good reviews, and it was a decent experience overall. The ordering process is straightforward - you place your order at the counter, make the payment, and they provide you with a table number. The food is then brought to your table. The ambiance is cozy with low lighting, and the service was quick and efficient. The place was clean and quiet, making it perfect for a peaceful meal and catching up with a friend. The menu is limited, but the overall quality was decent. The food was a mix of hits and misses. The spring rolls and chicken red curry dumplings were flavorful and well-prepared, while the pineapple fried rice was a bit of a letdown, it was bland and could have used more seasoning. We initially wanted to try the mango sticky rice, but it wasn’t available as mangoes were out of season. The only dessert option was the coconut pandan pudding, which we ordered hesitantly, but it ended up being the highlight of the meal! Creamy, delicious, and a perfect ending. A good spot if you’re in the area, though there’s room for improvement. Parking can be tricky since it’s street parking only, but we were lucky to find a spot nearby.

Richard Dawn

Google
I can’t say enough good things about this place. The menu changes all the time so it never gets old! Strongly recommend the drunken noodle, drunken fried rice and the red curry tofu dumplings!!! All there are or can be vegetarian/vegan! They have a mushroom sauce they sub for fish sauce! And on top of that the staff is always SUPER nice and down to earth!!! (Forgive the pic I took it after eating half the order of dumplings🤤) I really can’t sing their praises loud enough!!

EJW

Google
Tasted a little bit of a few dishes and didn’t find anything special. Noodle dishes were little bland. Chicken satay extremely dried out. Staff was very nice and trying their best.

Abbegael Dombrowski

Google
Basil Babe is a great option for Thai food. Whether you’re dining in or getting carry-out, there hasn’t been a single thing on the menu that I’ve tried that wasn’t delicious! When you enter, you are welcomed by their friendly staff and a great atmosphere. I have tried many things from the menu but basil babe has the best spring rolls and crab Rangoon’s around the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area (possibly the best spring rolls I’ve ever had). Their dishes are very flavorful with the perfect amount of spice. 10/10 and my favorite recommendation to friends and family in the area!

Candice Cole

Google
Some of the best dishes and the best Masaman Curry I have ever had! The crabby rangoons are also so yum. This used to be my favorite hangout by campus and now that Basil Babe is here I will definitely be here all the time.

Diana Martin

Google
You seat yourself, and a waiter will ask for your drink selection. You can look at a paper menu or use a QR code to look at it on your phone. Once you decide your food choices, you have to walk up to the hostess desk to place your order. The service is VERY FAST. In less than 5 minutes my food was in front of me. The dumplings were overcooked, but we loved the sauce. The other entrees were just mediocre. The fried pork was very overcooked in the garlic fried rice. The chili jam tasted solely like seafood juice, terrible. 1 being the worst and 10 best rating: Chicken red curry dumpling 10/10 Drunken noodle 5/10 Chili jam stir fry 0/10 Garlic fried rice 6/10 It's also an old building and the door slams. We were in the back corner near a built-in glass shelf that RATTLED terrible every time someone came or left the restaurant. It sounded like it was going to break and collapse on our heads

Dan McPherson

Google
Fantastic Thai restaurant run by wonderful people with amazing food! Everything is good but the dumplings are still my favorite.

Michelle Atton

Google
Finally got to try this place. You have to order upon ordering and then take a number to your table. The restaurant itself is cute. Food was delicious! My only complaint is the portions were a bit small.
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Joyce L.

Yelp
I came here as a fun little errands day! I was running around town and pretty hungry. This place had a pop up at homes brewery and after that it was on list to check it out! The food is amazing! The size is decent and I was pretty satisfied with every dish. I got the curry dumplings and the papaya salad. Then I think I got the pork belly entree! The service is nice! You walk in order and pay and then sit wherever you want! It is spacious !!
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Ed M.

Yelp
Unlike most Thai places which kill you with the spice, this place has a reasonable spice scale. Mild is actually mild and medium is actually medium. The Masaman with shrimp was very flavorful and tasty, although it was a bit watery. The crab Rangoon was delicious and actually had large morsels of crab, which can be tasted through the cream cheese. what's the pad Thai was delicious and seemed authentic. It's semi self serve in that you place your order when you first walk in . The service is rather quick and the staff is friendly. It's a good choice if you're in the area .
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Ruth M.

Yelp
What a cute place. Feels comfortable and great service. We tried the OG basil stir fry and it was delicious. If you're looking for fancy not here. If you're looking for great service that's this place. If you're looking for quick and tasty this is the place. Thanks for a tasty meal
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Brooklyn N.

Yelp
Order your food and sit down! They bring the food to you. Unexpectedly delicious. Ambiance could use some upgrade but the food makes up for it. Service staff was friendly and food came out fast. We ordered bunch of things. OG Pork and Basil and crispy pork belly, and the som tum papaya salad came with sticky all yummy. Throw a fried egg on everything !! The drunken noodle dish was delicious also. The Massaman curry was just ok. Thai iced tea could use some work. They serve alcohol also! Definitely a good spot to stop in.
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Tamara F.

Yelp
The food is generally good. The food is fresh and well prepared. I would like to see more attention paid to the curries. Curries are not bursting with flavor, as curry should be. They almost seem watered down. The concept of the restaurant is good, ordering, seating and the service is very fast. Just a little more attention to the cooking of the curries.

Eleanor B.

Yelp
The red curry dumplings and papaya salad were flavorful but the chicken satay as with all their meats in our dishes were dry and difficult to chew. The drunken noodles with pork was a disappointment with tough, leathery pork belly and tasted different from the same dish with tofu! Different chefs! I hope the owners take their time to train their chefs and maintain consistency. I like to support them as they have worked hard to promote their brand.
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Lulu T.

Yelp
Pretty tasty and great ambiance! I got the Drunken Basil Fried Rice and Papaya Salad, both in medium, and they packed a punch of flavor that I've been craving! The papaya salad definitely gave a good amount of heat and the fried rice was more mild. The portions were pretty generous and a would go back again in a heartbeat. They've been able to transform the place into a vibrant, comfy atmosphere and I love the story of the mom & daughter co-owners. Seems great for all walks of life- college students, kid- friendly, and adults!
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Kevin Z.

Yelp
Basil Babe, an Asian restaurant, truly went above and beyond, surpassing all my expectations! They have an exciting weekly rotating menu. The dumplings were very good. They arrived with a sweet and tangy sauce that added an unexpected burst of flavor to every bite. The rice dishes were nothing short of spectacular, with the pork belly offering a tantalizing contrast of tenderness and crispy perfection. The mango sticky rice dessert had an intriguing resemblance to a vanilla coconut body wash but translated into a delicious culinary creation. This quirky twist added a memorable touch to the meal. In summary, Basil Babe is a culinary gem that I can't recommend enough.
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Jesus E.

Yelp
I never got to try their pop-up but was super excited to hear about them opening a restaurant. We've had them for takeout a few times now and it's always been such a pleasant experience. Customer service is super friendly that I don't even dread calling to put in a pick up order! Everything we've had has been so good that it's hard topic a favorite! The green curry was a definite stand out and I love the OG basil stir fry!! So much flavor and that egg on top is perfection! Also love the weekly updated menu!Haven't dined in yet but from picking up it seems like a pretty chill atmosphere! Basil Babe is definitely a weekend take out go to for us!!
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Olivia R.

Yelp
My partner and I went for a date to finally try Basil Babe's restaurant. We have always enjoyed their York Pop Ups. I couldn't believe that the food was even better at the restaurant. I appreciate the extreme speed at which our order was served as well. I can't wait to go back. I loved everything I ate - crabby rangoons, spring rollls and Pad Thai. The best part was that we could go for a date under $50. That's incredible these days.
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Michael R.

Yelp
Ok so I'm getting so tired of serving myself and them asking for gratuity. The food was ok especially if you love salt. My curry was coconut milk and salt. The pork belly was dried up pieces pork with a bit of fat on each piece. Why this place has so many great reviews I have no idea. They have no parking, no service, no other taste than salt, and the water was served warm in pitchers already on the table. If you want an honest review this is it. I hate giving bad review's, but I hate being ripped off with crap food even more. I came here based on reviews come on fellow Yelpers seriously ?
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Sasha P.

Yelp
Visiting some family up in the area, they had been bragging on Basil Babe and wanted to take us in - they had recently opened the brick and mortar and were getting things up and running. We got in and checked out the menu, knowing immediately what we wanted :) The decor and atmosphere was definitely not done/ready for the direction they are wanting to go - but it was comfortable. They took our order and we sat down with some water and waited. The food came out pretty quickly and everything was hot (temperature wise) which I definitely appreciated! My tofu green curry was spicy and delicious - I loved the flavor and definitely devoured almost the entire thing (including the rice). My friends liked their curry and dumplings as well! Unfortunately, the Pad Thai - although the texture was great and my husband liked the pork belly option - was a bit lacking on sauce. You could tell it was missing something - which was disappointing because everything else was pretty good! We know our Pad Thai so it was too bad. Servers were pretty good about coming by to refill water or replace our carafe. Definitely a spot finding their groove but I think in a few months they'll be rocking!
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Dale L.

Yelp
Nothing better than some curry when you have a stuffed up nose. If this is your first visit, you order and pay before you sit down. The only thing about that is you have to tip before you're served if you're using a card. The interior is fresh and clean, but a little low budget. We started with the spicy pork dumplings and they were very good. My husband ordered the pork belly stir fry which was good, but the star was definitely the Green Curry. If we ever go back, I would order it again and maybe try a noodle dish.
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Daniel B.

Yelp
I vowed to return to Basil Babe after a less than satisfying experience with their noodles. Pad Thai has to be the most "American" of all the dishes on any Thai menu. That should not be an excuse for a plate with gloppy broken noodles, but I do not think it's fair for Pad Thai to be a litmus test dish for a great Thai kitchen. That papaya salad, ordered hot (but not Thai hot), was quite good but I needed to return and try out some other sections of the menu. After my most recent visit when I ordered the red curry with chicken and the mango sticky rice, I am significantly more impressed with what Basil Babe is putting onto plates. While I was a little nervous about the mango sticky rice when looking at its presentation, the flavors were outstanding! It's not a word I use lightly. Historically, I have seen this dish served with a more delicately sliced mango half. Many thin mango slices can make the dessert easier to share and more fun to eat. Basil Babe's version has the mango cut into much larger chunks, which I thought would get in the way of my enjoyment. I was very happy to be proven wrong. The red curry chicken, ordered spicy (but not Thai spicy) certainly brought some sweat to the top of my head. However, given the richness of the coconut milk in the curry, it presented as a little less spicy than the papaya salad. Fat cuts heat, so this made some sense. The bottom line is that the curry sauce was delicious and well balanced enough to drink like a soup. Part of me wishes I had some more rice to soak it all up. Maybe next time I'll order an extra side of rice. The vegetables, especially the eggplant in the curry were fantastic. The weak link was the chicken, which did not seem to have absorbed the flavors, and was kind of dry. Maybe in the future there will be a chicken thigh option? My hunch is that the stir fry section is where that fifth star is hiding, or maybe it's in the Thai Spicy option. But to try those I will have to return without a different set of eaters, or get back to Basil Babe on my own. It's going to happen. It's just a matter of when.
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Jason C.

Yelp
Finally had an opportunity to try the joint. Came with family and family friends, so we got to try variety of dishes. Unfortunately they did not have drunken noodles during our visit. We got the following: - Tofu Red Curry Dumplings - Papaya Salad - Pad Thai with Chicken - Pad Thai with Shrimp - Red Curry with Chicken - Eggplant + Basil with shrimp Come with large group so you can try all the dishes. Their concept is bit weird. You walk in, scan the QR code and/or get the menu, you'll get seated and when you are ready to order, go back up to the host area, order your food, pay, go back to your seat and wait for your food. If you want to see what the dish looks like, scan the QR code for the menu as it has the photos of the dishes. At the table, they have a bottle of water and when you get seated, they will provide you with spoon & forks. No chopsticks, you'll need to ask for them. When our papaya salad came, I went up and asked for chopsticks and was told they will bring it. Unfortunately the gentleman got busy and ended up going to the host area to help customers and forgot. I had to go back up and ask someone else for the chopsticks. I think when they seat you, they should ask if we need chopsticks and go from there. In the seasoning department - it's sweet and salty. The Pad Thai was good, had all the flavors, however it was too sweet for me. I would recommend you ask them to tone down the sweetness when you order and they will be happy to do so. It was the same with the red curry, it was bit too sweet for my taste. As for the eggplant stir-fry, it was on the salty side. The flavor profile was awesome, the rice helped... but water was my best friend... ending up consuming the bottle of the water by myself. Service - our order came out fast. We got here at 5:30 and by 6pm, the place was packed. I did notice few tables that were waiting long time to get their food... definitely plan your trip wisely. Overall, definitely a hot place as the place got busy. Service was good when they weren't busy, ok when busy. 3.5 stars for the food, however overall 3 stars for now.
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Ainsley E.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday night at 7 and the line to order was just a few minutes wait. Plenty of seating, our food came out super quick and staff was buzzing around if we needed anything. We ordered: - Thai iced coffee - crabby rangoons - pork belly story fry w wok fried egg - eggplant stir fry w shrimp and wok fried egg - cocosquash Thai iced coffee: delicious, but we weren't sure if they misheard and we ended up with iced tea . Didn't have a strong coffee taste obviously, but still good. Pork belly stir fry: Good flavor. The pork belly was not soft and fatty as usual but crisped up in a way you don't usually see. Eggplant stir fry: If you like eggplant, go for it. You can add a protein like chicken, pork belly, shrimp, or extra veggies anyway. Both of the stir fries had similar flavor (Thai basil forward) and were pretty spicy for it being the default. As someone who enjoys and dabbles in spicy food, I'd call it a medium. GET THE WOK FRIED EGG ON EVERYTHING. Cocosquash: it's like coconutty tapioca slurry with chunks of roasted squash in it. Not bad but we love the mango sticky rice and thought this would be great with mango. It was also kind of oddly room temperature with parts that were cooler and warmer. Not sure if that's intentional. We had no complaints and can't wait to return! We were big fans of the pop ups and are excited to be able to experience BB in this way... especially if they open up that bar and start serving alcohol :)
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Jenne E.

Yelp
I've been waiting for a new Thai rest to come to the area. The location and interior are nice. I loved the mango sticky rice and chicken satay. Unfortunately, my Massaman chicken was a bit bland. It did not have the flavor and spice I was expecting. This may have been a one-off and I will try it again. I enjoyed the appetizers and dessert and will try it again.
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Ashley P.

Yelp
Very quick counter service and a nice ambiance to the restaurant. This restaurant has a very limited menu, but it appears to alternate on a weekly basis so I would recommend stopping by a second time if you didn't see anything you liked the first time around. Food was as expected for a lowkey Thai restaurant in a college town. I'd come back here.
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Deb M.

Yelp
This place had been on my list for a while and I'm so glad we finally tried it, and it lived up to the hype! It's super casual. Come in and scan the code to pull up the menu, or ask for a paper copy if you are technologically challenged. Order at the counter, pick a seat, put the number on your table and wait for your deliciousness to arrive at your table. Sounds easy, right? Well let me tell you, it's not. Every. Single. Thing on the menu sounds amazing. But you can't order the whole menu, or can you? We started with the spring rolls, very tasty and perfectly crispy. Our entree choices are pad thai with chicken, the dish which we use as a base for all Thai restaurants. And we just had to try the basil stir fry, which is the restaurant's namesake. If you asked me to choose which I liked better, I would have a very hard time choosing. We were so pleased with our first visit. I love that this mother/daughter duo is putting out amazing food in this casual location. I really feel this is a place that I will eat my way through the menu and everything will be as good as the last dish. It's a bit out of the way for us but I'll definitely find an excuse to be in Ypsi the next time I get a Thai food craving!!
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Tess S.

Yelp
Went here with my parents on a recent visit. You order and pay up front, but staff walks you to your table, gives you a number, checks on you throughout your visit, and brings your food. I got the vegan pad thai, dad got the chicken pad thai, mom got pad see ew and I ordered vegan dumplings for the table to share. Those dumplings, oh my goodness. My favorite part of the meal. The pad thai was average, tofu fried and a little overdone. The pad see ew had thick noodles, the foldy kind. I hope they make a vegan option with those noodles sometime in the future. It looks totally different from the Tower inn days, I love the green walls and pendant lanterns. There also was some inexpensive local pottery for sale in the display case by the entrance, a nice touch. Will be back next time I'm in ypsi, they could earn another star if the tofu and their pad thai was better.
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Aparna B.

Yelp
I was so excited to finally come try Basil Babe! I've been a longtime fan enjoying the food at various popups around town but I'm so happy and proud of them for finally having a space and restaurant! They have so many delicious vegetarian and vegan options and the spice level is perfection. I got one of their mango sour beers, the red tofu curry dumplings and red tofu curry. I ordered the pad Thai with tofu and egg for my husband to go and he said it was phenomenal! Priced well and portion size is perfection. Def a must if you're in Ypsi!
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magic g.

Yelp
Very good food, although "self service" & tip is recommended. Too busy on weekends. BYOB?
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Christopher F.

Yelp
In my opinion this is best Thai food in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. They have some interesting quirks however, when you walk in the host/hostess greets you, before you are seated you place your order, than pay including the tip. I am not sure how, I feel about this as since, I had not been served yet was not sure what percentage, I should tip. However, I can see why they do this to expedite service and cut cost. After you pay someone from the kitchen brings you all of your food. A pitcher of water is already on your table when you arrive. The menu changes weekly so may want to check their website first before dining in. The fact that they change their menu tells me their food is very fresh. The first item that came out was the papaya salad as good as I ever had and we ordered spicy and it was blazing hot, but we loved it. It is served with a side of sticky rice great for soaking up all that wonderful juice. Next came the fried pork ginger dumplings come at 5 piece per order for $7. I love the sauce they place on the dumplings very good. The red curry was about as good as, I have had and the absolute star for us was the pork belly stir fry the add on fried egg for a dollar still had a semi soft yoke which we loved. The pork belly was perfectly cooked the sauce was fantastic. They do a great job on the presentation of their dishes. My only knock would be portion size, but that could be me just being greedy as their food is wonderful. That and with inflation restaurants have to make tough choices to bring costs down. Will definitely be back here.
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Amanda P.

Yelp
I did take out so I can't speak to the ambience inside. But my order was correct and flavorful. I got the OG Stir-fry which was delicious. It had a soft, sweet heat that comes on ya slow which I think came from the Thai peppers. The jasmine rice was very nice white & sticky. I also had the Satay Gai which you could taste the curry in it and it had a nice crispy edges. The stirfry was about 13 bucks watching a bad deal I get to meals out of the portion. Def a cool vibe and tasty food. Will for sure be back. Plus if you go on Thursdays, you can check out the car show and depot town one block away.
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Joaquin R.

Yelp
Delicious mom and daughter pop-up turned restaurant! Many vegan options, you can even modify most* dishes to be made vegan friendly. Counter service, so you order up front. Rotating menu, you'll always have something new to try
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Abby B.

Yelp
Basil Babe has a loyal local following for a reason. I've never been disappointed by food at their various pop-ups, and their permanent Ypsi location continues to serve quality, flavorful food. From the papaya salad, to their spicy curries, to the mango sticky rice, everything I've ever had has been amazing. But the crab rangoons earn a spot in my heart for all-time favorite rangoon. BB is a Ypsi must-visit!
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Maiyah D.

Yelp
I've been a loyal customer of Basil Babe since they first opened their doors, and each visit only reinforces why it's my go-to Thai restaurant in Ypsilanti. The menu is a treasure trove of flavors, but my personal favorites are the Pork Belly Stir-Fry and the Massaman curry. The Pork Belly Stir-Fry boasts tender, succulent pork belly pieces cooked to perfection, and the Massaman is a delightful blend of rich, aromatic spices. I can't get enough of them! What truly sets Basil Babe apart, though, is their dedication to listening to their customers. They not only serve incredible food but also create an inviting atmosphere that keeps me coming back. The vibes here are unmatched - it's a place where you can unwind and enjoy an unforgettable meal. In all my visits, I've never experienced a miss. Basil Babe consistently delivers on taste, quality, and customer satisfaction. It's a must-visit for any food lover in Ypsilanti.
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Zanita W.

Yelp
I loved my experience at this restaurant. I feel like the counter ordering and then sitting down was interesting, but efficient. You basically order your food, tip, and then are seated by the hostess. Then, a server or food runner will bring you your food and drinks and help with additional condiments or low on water. The only problem I see is if you already paid, you could run the risk of not tipping on great service! My food came out quickly. I probably waited less than 10 minutes for it and it was so delicious! I love anything crab rangoon so of course I had to get that as an appetizer. Every restaurant's version of crab rangoon is slightly different and Basil Babe's passes the test of quality crab rangoon from me. I cannot remember the name of the food that I got but it was a sweet and savory dish with pork belly over rice. Super good! By the time I got through half of my food, I was stuffed. I wanted more but I would have to get carried out if I ate another bite. It can be a little bit on the expensive side, for a Thai iced tea, crab rangoon, and the stir fry dish, I spend around $36, but the quality of the food is worth the price. I had been waiting a while to try this restaurant since they opened and I'm so glad I got around to doing it. I absolutely can't wait to go back.
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Harish V.

Yelp
Absolutely loved my experience at Basil Babe! The concept of ordering first and then finding a spot adds a unique twist. The pad thai and egg fried rice with tofu were outstanding - bursting with flavors that hit the spot just right. The convenience of street parking was a plus. The place was impeccably clean, making it an all-around great dining spot. Can't wait to visit again!
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Conner B.

Yelp
Great thai food. We went pretty basic with curry and pad thai because that's what we were craving. Medium spicy was pretty warm, but not enough to make sweat. The chicken satay was a delicious app! Not pictured: Thai iced tea (because it was so delicious we drank it before we could take a photo!) It's an order-and-take-a-number situation. Service was friendly, and if I needed anything I could have waved down a server. Great basic thai food, just missing tom yum!
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Brooke B.

Yelp
this place is super cute and we've enjoyed everything we've eaten here. The coconut pandan pudding cups are a tasty gluten free dessert that I always appreciate. It can get pretty busy but they're pretty good about getting people seated quickly.
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Delano S.

Yelp
I ordered the papaya salad, and drunken noodles with chicken both of them Thai hot, and the setting was delightful and clean while the server checked on me twice to see if I liked the food.
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Lisa K.

Yelp
Such an exciting addition to the dining scene in Ypsilanti / SE Michigan. From hot pop-up to growing up into a new brick and mortar spot, it's so comforting to know there is good Thai food to be found here. Lots of love and flavor happening. The Chicken Garlic Stir-Fry (Pad Kratiem Gai), Pineapple Garlic Fried Rice, and Pad See Ew were delicious. And the Coconut Pandan Pudding, lord, I'm still thinking about these. I cannot wait to go back!
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P J.

Yelp
The Basil Babe was a different kind of experience. You order and pay at the front and then the food is delivered to you. The place was very popular and had a line on Friday night. When it comes to the food, it was great!! The spring rolls came with a great sauce. One of the main dishes we ordered was the OG Basil Stir Fry. It was fantastic. It reminded me of dishes we had in Thailand. The Drunken Noodles were OK. The flavor was not as amped up as the other 2 dishes. We plan on coming back shortly to try more of the food.
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Sophia B.

Yelp
I got the Yellow Curry (+mixed vegetables) (+ chicken). 10/10 AMAZING. It came steaming hot, and the rice was perfectly cooked and plated. GO give this place a try, it was so flavorful and tasty. Basil Babe may be my new favorite spot!

Angel V.

Yelp
We ordered the pad thai, masam curry, crab ragoons and their new sweet and spicy chicken wings. Both of our entrees were medium spice and it was perfect. The crab ragoons have so much filling and they're always so good. Their new sweet and spicy chicken wings were one of the best wings I've ever had. They were super flavorful and tender and we enjoyed them so much. Service was super fast and friendly and the inside is very nice and welcoming. Basil Babe never disappoints!

Sophie R.

Yelp
The food was great! Definitely decently priced for Thai food. It's a dine in service which is nice and the service is really fast. Ambience is nice, pretty relaxed restaurant.

Eric D.

Yelp
Really really something special. Moved away from Ypsi a few months ago and can never fill the hole that leaving Basil Babe left.

Lauren L.

Yelp
Great food and service! My go to for Thai food and their papaya salad always hits the spot.
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Chynel W.

Yelp
So happy this place was recommended to me!! Red curry has became a favorite comfort food and Basil Babe did not disappoint! Ordered take out, and it was only a short wait for a large portion of piping hot deliciousness. Great flavor and perfect veggies. Definitely will be back to dine in and try more of the menu.

Mr. T.

Yelp
On my first visit to Basil Babe, I tried the Satay Gai appetizer and OG Basil Stir-Fry (menu rotates weekly, so these may not always be available). I enjoyed the Satay Gai -- the skewers of chicken were well cooked and tasty on their own, but of course it's the peanut sauce that makes this dish. If I had a complaint, it's that the amount of sauce for the three large skewers of chicken wasn't quite enough to fully immerse every bite in that lovely stuff. But it all tasted good. For my entree I ordered the OG Basil Stir-Fry, a.k.a. Pad Kaprow, without specifying a spice level -- I wanted to experience its default preparation. The menu indicates that it's spicy, and it is -- I'd say a solid medium-plus, which was delightful for me (I used to be able to handle extra-extra-hot, but no longer -- this dish was just my speed, especially with the accompaniment of a Thai iced tea to douse the fire). This dish is a little meat-heavy for me, but that's not Basil Babe's fault -- I've had it elsewhere and that's just how it is. I do tend to prefer a more balanced mix of meat and veggies, but it's a very tasty option, and they execute it well here. Even if you're dining in, you order and pay at the counter first. I'm seeing this model more and more, and I guess it's fine. I'm getting accustomed to adding a tip before I even sit down, but I do still find it weird -- I wish I knew who was getting my tip, since there aren't any traditional waitstaff. Am I just tipping the owner? I do have one minor complaint about my experience, which is that my appetizer (Satay Gai) arrived after my entree. Perhaps this is a downside of their model -- a server dedicated to my table could ensure that everything arrives in proper sequence. For that reason (plus the slight shortage of peanut sauce), I'd have given four and a half stars if that were an option, but only four would have been insufficient. I'll definitely be back!

Thomas W.

Yelp
Looking for Thai food on a Saturday and Basil Babe came up. Ordered and went to our table. Within a few minutes our Pad Thai and stir fry were delivered. Both plates were full and hot. The dishes were delicious. Right amount of spice. The place filled up a little after 12:30 and it didn't get noisy. Good place and would recommend.

J J.

Yelp
Pad Thai was great. Fast to-go service. Staff was very friendly, even though they were clearly slammed during a dinner rush.

Katherine S.

Yelp
Food was amazing! Was just passing thru on our way to Ann Arbor and stopped for lunch! Was the best meal our entire trip.
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Ryan L.

Yelp
Flavor Flavor and more Flavor, Basil Babe is a absolute gem, great flavor and textures with good portions. The dumplings are the best I've ever had without question, spicy sweet and crispy.

Cybbi B.

Yelp
They make the best dumplings on this planet. I know this sounds weird, but I've studied dumplings and these will be the best you've had in your lifetime. The crabby rangoons were top tier. The pad Thai is amazing and tastes so fresh while maintaining the flavors we love. The service was so friendly and kind. They all seem so youthful and happy to be a part of the culture there. I left feeling like if I saw them around town, I'd say hi! The story of this spot is really wholesome. I ride heavy with the vibes, so it was a success from the jump. The inside is covered in art (which I assume is local because of course ) and has a beautiful bar right at the front. Go here if you want to ever like...eat and love Ypsilanti.
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Sarah H.

Yelp
Believe the hype! My daughter and I were there for dinner on Friday. Everyone there was super friendly. Service was fast. The food was definitely delicious. I asked for my pad Thai to be spicy -- they made it spicy! It was fantastic. Recommend the Thai iced tea as well. Delicious! We also had the chicken/lemongrass/corn dumplings. They were very good!! The portion sizes are generous. We both came in hungry, ate until we were full, and left with boxes for another meal. We will definitely be back!
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Jana N.

Yelp
Service was friendly and attentive. Appetizers were quick to come shortly after we sat down. The satay gai was juicy and I especially loved the peanut sauce. The red curry with chicken had mild spice (would have preferred spicier but wasn't asked about spice level) and was deliciously comforting. I think an addition of lime and salt would have been great (maybe just my preference), but overall a fantastic lunch. Thai iced coffee was smooth, sweet and a great substitute for a dessert.
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Billy B.

Yelp
We ate there for the first time. WOW....... Drunken noodles and minced pork stir fry was loaded with flavor. Both dishes had the perfect amount of spice. The service was perfect. I loved the fact that we could order at the check in counter and they would bring us our food. The timing was outstanding. The inside was clean, neat, and orderly. The restrooms were clean. I will be a returning customer!
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Melissa W.

Yelp
Basil Babe is one of those places I hope does insanely well and at the same time I always want to be able to get a table at. I have yet to have anything there that disappoints - but absolute favorite so far is the chili jam stir fry (with pork belly, natch), just RIDICULOUSLY good, sweet/salty/umami flavor explosion, choirs of angels singing, amen. Really well labeled menu for various dietary needs and very veggie friendly for my non-meat eater pals. Go give them tons of business (but save me a seat, would you?).