Chao Thai
Thai restaurant · Elmhurst
85-03 Whitney Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Highlights
Authentic Northern Thai eats with spicy soups, salads, and grilled meats.
Authentic Northern Thai eats with spicy soups, salads, and grilled meats.
"This utilitarian, budget-friendly lunch and dinner cash-only spot serves some superb regional Thai dishes, like duck larb, morning glory with crispy pork, an offal-infused guay jub noodle soup, and more." - Eater Staff
"Along with Woodside’s SriPraPhai, this Thai stalwart led the charge in bringing Isan food from Northern Thailand to New York. It was one of the first places in town to serve the leaf-wrapped fish mousse called homok (or sometime, amok). And it has always excelled at the sausage and barbecued-meat bar snacks that come littered with raw ginger, peanuts, and bird chiles. The fiery curries and stir fries are solid, too." - Eater Staff
"One of the best Northern Thai food restaurants in NYC, Lamoon Thai announced its closing over Instagram. Whether it was the curry-based khao saoi or the chile-laced nam giaw (a fiery soup featuring pork ribs), diners would go to this Queens spot to seek out dishes beyond the typical Thai takeout fare. Owned and operated by Arada Moonroj, the establishment recently made Eater’s list of best Thai restaurants in the city." - Bao Ong
"This Elmhurst mainstay was one of the city’s first restaurants spotlighting Isaan food. From excellent meat-egg-rice platters and flat rice noodle standards to some seriously spicy soups and whole fish preparations, the extensive menu offers enough variety to order from every day. Delivery is available via Seamless and Doordash." - Dan Q. Dao
"Sometimes, we forget what it’s like to feel alive. When that happens, we go to Chao Thai. Yes, the food here usually packs a good amount of heat - but the dishes also have so much going on that it tends to jump-start the neurons in our brains. The crispy duck salad, for example, with its cashews, pineapple, ginger, and onions, is a galaxy unto itself. Get it, try the sour sausage salad as well, and bring a friend or two to help you eat everything at this tiny cash-only place." - Hannah Albertine, Bryan Kim
