Penny's Noodle Shop

This is the place to go for a casual, friendly meal. The environment is lax, and the food is wonderful. I developed a taste for Thai food via Penny's. Also, they make their own kick-ass spicy ginger beer. Come here for an easy-going lunch or dinner experience.

I really don't do noodles that much since i'm very picky when it comes down to that. I happen to come to this place only because the wait at Big Star was over 2 hours across the street. To my surprise i happen to liked their Vegetarian Bowl (Thin rice noodles served with tofu, lettuce, bean sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, cilantro, ground peanuts and slices of lime) a LOT. I was very grateful for them to give me a fork since i was having very a hard time with them darn chopstick. Also they carry a pretty decent craft beer selection. Any place that carries Half Acre beer selection is place worth checking out.

One of my favorite noodle shops, Penny's delivers on flavor and a reasonable price. My favorites here are Gyoza, the Vietnamese spring rolls, the chicken satay, Tom yum soup, sauteed chicken, barbequed pork, thai ravioli, and beef lad nar. Those are my favs, but everything is good here. The service is usually great. even when it is crowded. The prices are awesome, I can feed a family of four for less that $50, including drinks and tip. I love this place.

I love Penny's. I discovered it on the way to the station and walked in. The place is pretty much a diner, layout and seating utilitarian rather than decorative. The actual decor is kind of creepy and morbid- I'm talking about the pictures on the wall. But I go there when I'm hungry and at that point I only have eyes for the food. I wouldn't say this place is super authentic, but they do dish up a really great meal. My favourties there are the bean thread noodle, the hot pepper noodle and i love love love the tom kha gai soup - it reminds me of my grandma's prawn curry, its super delicious and really filling. Just what you need on a cold day. I can say that whenever I go there, that's the first thing I think to order. They have really large portions and most of their main courses are about $7 - not bad for a meal. I can usually make it stretch to 3 meals, but I have a small appetite. Also, i find the food really fresh and filling. One thing I would whine about would the the amount of veggies- its not a lot and I like my veggies. One surprise- they have a really killer chocolate cake. Yes I'm as surprised as you are and I wouldn't have even known about it if I didn't have a craving that day. Its mousse-y in the middle with a dark chocolate base and comes with raspberry sauce. I'm not a fan of that sauce but I am of the cake. When I go there with friends, we don't stop till the cake plate is licked clean!

Penny's was great, the serving were sizeable and the prices amazing, around $6-8 for a meal. Located close to the Damen station, it was easy to get to, and the waiters were attentive. I got the thai raviolli, which was kind of like a pad thai with dumplings in it, and really enjoyed it. Would absolutely reccomend it.

Good food and drinks for great prices! I would definitely have dinner here to start the night out. The bloody Mary's are good and the beer special was nice. There is little to no wait since the place is huge and if it's nice out sit in the patio / sidewalk.

Every time I hit up Penny's, I expect it to be better than the last time. Yet, every time I remain disappointed. I feel obligated in some strange way to order a noodle dish (I mean, it is Thai, right?). One would assume that it was their specialty. Maybe because it's labeled a "noodle shop." Maybe because the place is freakin' called "Penny's Noodles!" Yet, each time I order "Pad Se Eu" or Pad Thai, I crave the sauce to be just a bit sweeter, the noodles not to completely clump together or for my taste buds to dance at a savory new flavor. And that's the other thing...they can't keep the amount of sauce consistent. At times my noodles are drowning and others when I felt the noodles were dry. I end up leaving a little sad inside each and every time. But fear not! There are some decent things on the menu. Personally, I can't get enough of their Japanese Gyoza. I should just get three orders and grub. Penny's is cheap and easy but doesn't blow my mind (reminds me of a couple of dates I've had). The service can be hit or miss. Overall, a bit crazy and inconsistent (yet another date). Crazy - not in the, "going to send you to an insane asylum" kind, but the sort of crazy that reminds you of that neighbor who's "off" just a little bit, yet the neighborhood wouldn't be the same without them. Oh yeah, they deliver too.

My favorite thai restaurant in Chicago. Vietanese spring wraps, Lad Nar with Beef, and Pad Se Eww with chicken or Pad Thai with tofu are my faves. Coffee to boot! Love this place...never disappointed.