Sala Thai

A hidden gem of Madison, this restaurant had amazing food. Starting strong, the crab Rangoons were some of the best I’ve ever had. They were light and crispy and the filling was flavorful. The sauce tasted homemade and overall was a great appetizer. For the entree I ordered Ba Mee Raad Na and the sauce was delicious. The veggies were perfectly stir fried and I really enjoyed the meal. Only complain would be that I wish the noodles were in a bowl as the sauce was almost overflowing the plate. The setting was very authentic and we had no issues just walking in to get a table. The staff was very friendly and I would highly recommend!

Beautiful place with authentic Thai food. Cozy atmosphere, pretty chill vibes, comfy surroundings, pleasant servers. Very nice.

Came here for dinner with a friend, and we both found our curries to be a bit sweet for our tastes. We’d also ordered mango sticky rice, which they’d forgotten to bring out until we asked (at which point we just took it to-go because we were in a hurry). Service was a bit slow, but they did seem short on staff (so it’s understandable, just be aware). Overall, the atmosphere was really nice and the food was decent, but not sure how keen I’d be on coming back.

This place is very cute and cozy. The plants and the atmosphere is very inviting. The service was excellent, friendly and fast. The food was delicious! We had the Thai Iced Tea which was refreshing. Curry Puffs which reminded us of Samosas a little. Pad Se Eu which had wide noodles, broccoli drenched in this delicious soy like sauce and the Peanut Chicken, that had so much flavor and was just a little bit spicy. We will definitely be back to this unique hidden gem.

We ordered Sala Thai for the first time ever and got it to-go. When your husband asks, “Do you need some time alone with your food? You’re like moaning,” you know it’s delicious! 🤣🤣🤣 He got the C6 curry which was the sausage stuffed chicken he said the spice was perfect! Not too hot that it lingered but a nice kick while he ate it. I got the shrimp pad Thai and pad Thai is always hit or miss for me - but here it was a HIT! It came with noodles perfectly done, not all mushy and stuck together, with fresh cilantro, green onion, crushed peanuts and a lime wedge on top. Our baby got the chicken fried rice which was also very delicious! We got the crab Rangoon’s to share that came with the most delicious sweet and sour sauce we’ve ever had and also shared the satay which was mildly marinated, cooked perfectly with grill marks and had a really yummy dipping sauce with a bit of a kick. We will CERTAINLY be eating here again soon! Absolutely delicious!

Interesting restaurant! Looks just like a house on a corner that turned into a restaurant. Street parking, otherwise I think behind/next to the building there a tiny space (not sure if it's for employee or customers). Good service, the lady was nice and greeted us upon arrival and seated us right away. The food was okay, not really to my liking. I think the Pad Thai was a little too sour and gooey but everyone has their own taste. Eggroll was awesome and the curry was flavorful.

This used to be my favorite restaurant a few years ago. Over the years, it’s been going downhill. If you don’t call within the first five minutes of then opening, you just can’t get through. The service used to be friendly, not anymore. They just always seem annoyed. Our most recent order had chunks of chicken in the tofu meals and the sauce was extremely watery. Unfortunately, I think this will be our last meal from them for now.

Brought a date here and everything was incredible. The food was incredibly well made. Balanced flavors and well prepared. I really couldn't speak highly enough about my experience. Also great enjoyed the ambiance

I haven't been back for a few years due to the inconsistent flavor of my chicken panang. It wasn't bad but it was disappointing as it seemed to fluctuate in quality every time I went. The restaurant that I used to get this dish suddenly stopped making it. I decided to give Sala Thai another chance, as I remember how good it used to be. It did not disappoint this time and it was as yummy as I remember. I hope this continues as it used to be my favorite Thai restaurant. It definitely has the ambiance of a True Thai restaurant. They do take checks despite what it says on their webpage, and there are dine-in options.

Im sorry but I have to complain a little. My partner and I both got the chicken pad thai and the portions were tini, there was hardly any chicken in it and the sauce was way too sweet and peanuty. The service was slow we went on a slow tuesday night and it took nearly an hour to get our food. Our server was nice though. Its cute inside but I would not come back unfortunately.

Stopped in for a quick to go order before an art class nearby. The staff was super friendly and quick. I ordered a Thai iced tea and the fried chicken egg rolls. They were soooo good, loved the dipping sauce. I want to return to have a full meal here soon!

Came here for dinner with a friend, and we both found our curries to be a bit sweet for our tastes. We'd also ordered mango sticky rice, which they'd forgotten to bring out until we asked (at which point we just took it to-go because we were in a hurry). Service was a bit slow, but they did seem short on staff (so it's understandable, just be aware). Overall, the atmosphere was really nice and the food was decent, but not sure how keen I'd be on coming back.

They couldn't do the most simple thing i didn't want mushrooms in my food but they told me they are already in there sounds very lazy excuse i should have walked out they should be more respectful to their customers

By far the worst Thai food I have ever had. Thai food is supposed to be savory, and this is far too sweet. Additionally, the portion sizes are about half of what you would expect at a normal restaurant. Completely unacceptable. I'm glad I live 6 hours away so I never have to drive by this place again. Avoid at all costs.

Food is very mid. I really wanted to like this place bc it's so charming on the inside and authentic. But they ruined it...they skimp out on all the basics; adding stems of mushrooms, old dried out basil leaves, minimal proteins. Probably look to Ha Long Bay if you're looking for good Thai.

LOVE Sala Thai. They're my neighborhood Thai/southeast Asian restaurant and have a lot of good offerings. First things first, it is a cash only establishment so make sure to hit the ATM before dining in or picking up your order. My go to is the combo curry. I have tried many times to recreate this recipe at home and just cannot. It has so much fun flavor going on with the pineapple and a bit of cinnamon I really can't explain it but trust me, it's my favorite takeout curry dish in town. Their wonton soup is also my favorite of its kind in town. It's not your basic wonton soup, they really spruce it up with sesame oil and fresh green onion and the wontons are delish as well. The fresh shrimp spring rolls are fine but not my fav. It feels like they're missing something. It's hard for me to pass up a spring roll but there are plenty of other things on their menu that are better in my opinion! The potstickers are probably my favorite appetizer. I've had their Tom Sam guy Yang which is delish and a nice fish sauce dressing, can be a bit surprisingly spicy. Their stir fry's are also tasty and I haven't had a bad one! We had a beef and mushroom stir fry last time we dined in that was just delightful. If you love southeast Asian fare definitely check this place out! They have a good sized dine in area as well with great ambiance (a little hot in the summer) and is worth a visit!

Normally our go to place for Thai would be HLB but we decided to check out Sala to see how it'd compare. One dish that I always get for a first-time assessment of any Thai restaurant is the Pad See Ewe noodles. So of course, that is what I ordered with Pork and made it a 2-star spice level. We called ahead to place our order and the estimated wait time was pretty spot on (~35 min). Overall the take out service and pricing was very reasonable. I did find the pad see ewe dish to be VERY different than most; it was a little tangy and saucy (like sweet and sour flavor), but I'm not sure if that was because I added "spice" to it. Though the classic noodle dish was not what I expected, the dish was still enjoyable and my husband was very pleased with his Pad Krapow - Beef.

Sala Thai has been my favorite Thai place in Madison for the past 8 years. The food is mostly delicious and there's a great variety. But I'm sorry to say I will not be back. The service has simply become too slow. Tonight it took an hour and fifteen minutes from order to service. The last time I was in for takeout I was told it would be ready at 6:30, and did not get it until 7:15. Both times no apology was offered until I complained, and then I was told there were only two cooks. If they can't keep up with the house orders and to-gos there should at least be a warning. I sat in a full dining area tonight and saw no dishes go out for 30 minutes. Our server was trying her best, but the kitchen was at a standstill. So I will not be back until I hear they've gotten the back of house together.

This is the quality of Thai food that I've been craving, but have not found, since moving to the Midwest. They are take out only currently. I ordered Pad Woon Sen. the portion looked small in the take out container but once I took it all out there was quite a bit. The thin class noodles were coated in the most wonderfully savory, tangy sauce, and they didn't skimp on the shrimp or chicken. This was the rare dish that was both spicy and flavorful enough that I didn't feel the need to use any hot sauce. My wife was equally happy with her pad see ew. Our food together was less than $25 after tax, and neither of us were able to finish our meals. I will absolutely be back, probably frequently.

My goodness is this place delicious! I am angry at myself for living in Madison for so long and never trying this gem. Recently moved to the east side and have been exploring restaurants within biking/walking distance. Sala Thai is cash only, just a heads up/tip. I have been here twice in two weeks because it is so good. You want fresh food-check, spicy level as hot as possible-check, friendly service-check, amazing flavors-double check! It's clear this is a family locally owned business that takes pride in their food and customer service. I am absolutely in love with how tasty the food is and have already decided this will become a regular dining spot for my partner and me. Dishes I have tried and love include: Crab Rangoon: So much crab in the filling, cream cheese is great and all but I am here for the crab. Pork Pot Stickers: These were super crispy and the ginger inside was fragrant and fresh. Yellow Curry: Rich and tasty, the chicken was so tender. This is my favorite dish so far. Panag Curry: So thick and creamy! Very excited to try more dishes here!

Excellent food, the service was above average, the meat was cooked just right, the ambiance is much more pleasant and cozy than most other restaurants I've been to, the lighting was soft but not too dark, and I love all the art work. The plants all looked very happy and well established. Also everything was very clean. We came for Mother's Day but it would also be a cute date place. We had the squash curry, catfish dish, papaya salad, chicken appetizer, and pad see ew. My mom is a picky eater and even she said this was a 5/5.

The food is amazing but service was awful. Going on a Friday night, I know it will be busy, but I waited over 2 hours for my food because they were only filling take out orders for the first hour I was there. For an hour, everyone in the restaurant sat there with no food. Unacceptable. Wait on your patrons that make an effort to come out to your restaurant first.

One of Madison's many hidden gems. I personally believe this is one of the best Thai options in the area, all things considered. The portion sizes are generous and reasonably priced. The chicken pad Thai was wonderfully seasoned and was the best I have had in a long time. My only complaint is I asked for the dish to be prepared spicy, and it seemed as though the waitress didn't think I could handle it and thus blew the request off. The dish was served mild at best, which I thought was odd. However, the dish was extremely flavorful and enjoyable, and I would definitely come back just to eat it again.

I had no idea Sala Thai was even there until I did a Google search for a new Thai place in the area. It had good Yelp reviews so I figured I would try it since I actually happened to have cash on hand (they don't take cards). I ordered the pad thai with chicken along with some thai chicken egg rolls. The egg rolls were delicious, a great flaky outside but not so thick that you can barely taste the inside. Some places deep fry so much the outside can taste like something I might get at a county fair. These, however, were great. And the contents inside were plentiful, and were not overshadowed by the crust surrounding it. I would highly recommend trying them. The pad thai was not bad (I ate the whole thing even though it can serve more than one), but I don't know that I'd order it again. It was somewhat dry, and the peanuts were abundant and overtook the taste of everything else in the dish. I usually scrape most of the peanuts off my pad thai dishes, so if you're into that, this very well might be right up your alley. The chicken in this dish was practically non-existent, which was a bit upsetting. I could probably count the (very small) pieces I found throughout the dish on one hand. So, while this dish was underwhelming, I would definitely return again and try something else. Seemed like a neat place to sit down and dine in once the COVID leaves us.

I found out about this place last summer, and I gotta tell you. This place SLAPS. There are lots of good restaurants in Madison, even lots of good Thai places. For me, Sala destroys them all. The Panang Curry is the king there, the absolute daddy of all their offerings. It's creamy, and nutty, and savory. A little bit spicy. It's just the best curry I've ever had and I can't stop glowing about it. In the past I've also gotten Mussaman Curry and it's also great. We got the Panang and Pad Se Ew last night with an order of Crab Rangoon and the total came to $29.50 before tip. Only down side is that this place is cash only, but for me that really just means if I have paper money and want some kind of Asian food, my first choice is gonna be Sala.

I adore this place! It's a small restaurant with beautiful and authentic Asian decor that gives you a glimpse into their culture. They only accept cash and the dining room is no longer open but they're friendly, fast, and the food is freaking delicious. There's no parking lot so I'm sure it can be hard to find a spot sometimes but I visited around 5:30 today and it wasn't busy nor was it difficult to grab a street parking spot right in front of the shop. I ordered the Thai Pork Spring Roll, Tom Kha Soup with Tofu, Crab Rangoon, and a Foco Guava Juice. The sweet & spicy rangoon sauce has a unique citrus flavor, the minced pork inside the spring roll is very flavorful and isn't fatty, and the tom kha had just the right amount of spice to give you the sniffles without making your nose run. My meal was absolutely perfect and I'll definitely be going back.

Probably the most authentic Thai restaurant in town. Quaint space. Seats maybe 25 people at most. They mean serious business about their spice. I ordered the beef laab. For being "mild" its got a kick that you don't see coming. My brother was sweating from eating it, but he is kind of a wuss. If you LOVE spice, this is the place to go. He ordered the som tam gai Yang. Personal preference: I've never been a huge fan of papaya salad growing up. You could definitely taste the fish sauce, so if you're not into that, I don't recommend it. The chicken on the side was packed with flavor (similar to a sate seasoning) and not dry. I've previously had their curries here and they are so delicious! Probably my favorite place in town for it. What are the downfalls here? Service is soooooooo slow. I came here on a Wednesday right after they opened for dinner hours. For some reason, a group that sat down after us was served their food first. This isn't my first time encountering this either. My recollection of my last visit here (which was well over a year) was having to order after a group that was seated after us. If you're pressed for time, this is not the place to go. Cash only but they make that pretty obvious.

amazing food!! this spot is run by such lovely people & everything on the menu is good! i love the curry puffs & C5 panang curry. their daily specials are also so yummy. be patient - they make everything as fast as possible, and good food (this food!!) is worth the wait!

Loved it. Chicken Egg rolls were excellent. Great flavors. Service was friendly and very attentive. Atmosphere was an authentic hole in the wall but so well done.

Sala Thai just might have to be my new go-to Thai place in Madison. Their Pad See Ew is the most flavorful I've ever had and the curry is out of this world. Super reasonable prices along with quick turnaround times, even on a Friday evening! I mean I called and got my food all within 20 minutes, and despite being near closing time, the food was hot and fresh! The portions are also huge, I managed to get 3 meals out of one dish! The staff has always been so nice when I go to pick up my order. Don't forget that they only accept cash. I'm so excited for them to open their dining room because the decor looks beautiful!!

I called my order in, drove to pick it up and .... Remember they are cash only.... I ordered the eggplant stir fry, their Saturday special.... It was sooooo delicious! Great service, great price and enjoyed eating it all!

One of the better, if not the best, Thai restaurants in Madison. Ordered the laarb, pad thai and mango sticky rice. Laarb was well seasoned with a nice kick at medium spice. Probably the best pad thai here in Madison. Also, one of few places with mango sticky rice as a dessert. Currently, cash only and no dine in options and some menu items weren't available (bummer because wanted to order more). Hoping to see it thriving again so can dine in and enjoy the rest of what they have to offer.

Not too much to add to other reviews here. Yes, cash only. Yes, small space. Yes, service a bit on the slower side. Great ambiance with lots of gold and such. Friendly wait staff. Cozy. BUT! Lots of vegetarian options and these were also very well identified on the menu. And the mango sweet sticky rice was awesome! The Thai food was delicious (I had pad see ew with tofu and also tried the spring rolls). Be aware: They don't like to sub stuff on the menu.

Honestly, my favorite Thai spot in town! Thai flavors are strong and spice-level is there (and optional). Portions are good for the price and dishes are visually stunning, especially being plated on their Thai dish ware. Recently, we ordered: Chicken Thai Eggrolls, Pork Potstickers, Lao-Style Beef Laab and Pla Som Rot. The eggrolls and potstickers came out quick: hot, with the perfect crunch and sauces! We asked for extra spice in the laab and we definitely got it! Fresh Thai chili's made me feel at home and that flavor and grittiness made the dish legit. Best restaurant-made laab in town! And it came with sticky rice, packed in a bamboo/straw container. The pad Thai was my least favorite--decked with a total of five large shrimp, it was too sweet and peanut buttery for my preference. This was the first time we tried their Pla Som Rot (fried catfish with veggies in a tangy sauce) and not my last! I freaking LOVED it. It reminded me of the perfect General Tso's--tangy with crunchy edges--but it was fish, and you could barely tell with that light, sticky, and flavorful sauce. So yummy!! Table service was average. I deducted a star for the following reasons: 1) There must be no AC (or maybe broken?) so the door was open the whole time. So while we ate dinner, mosquitos were also eating away! 2) A pitcher of water was left on our table but no ice, 3) It is cash only, 4) Only street parking, so it's limited.

We visited after reading online recommendations. While I appreciated the authentic cuisine and ambiance, there was very small amounts of protein (shrimp or chicken) in the 4 dishes we ordered. Lots of rice, noodles and sauce which would be ok if the prices were lower. We probably won't return.

At first glance, this is a tiny little shop off of fair oaks Ave, and I didn't expect much going in. Thai food is my all time faves, and having learned how to make many dishes from my son's grandmother from Thailand, I set the bar high when I go out to eat these dishes. Walking in, it is a very traditional setting placing high value on the history of thier heritage, which made it feel warm and welcoming. The decor is beautiful, having a few pa toong hanging from the wall and plants making it feel even more homey. The restaurant and bathroom was very clean and fully stocked which translates to me that they care about their clientele. I went for thier dinner and lunch menus, with dinner having the more extensive options available. I had the Gaeng Ped Gai, and it tasted every bit like my son's grandmother cooks for us when she visits. It was creamy, flavorful, and just enough spice to complement the flavors in the curry. My son had Pad Thai, and it has improved so much from previous visits. The first few batches we tried we're bland and lacking flavor, and they stepped their game up!! This time had bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro. I was pleasantly surprised!!! For lunch on another visit, I had thier red curry dish, which came with a soup or salad of the day and I tried thier salad. The dressing on the salad had good flavor to it, being a little sweet but smoky. The curry came with a side of rice and had a wonderful flavor, making it hard to share with the other diners at the table because I wanted leftovers!!! I also had a glass of thier plum wine, and it is sweeter than most plum wine varieties I've tried. Good flavor, but not something you would want more than one glass from. I would recommend this place if you like to feel like you're walking in to a little piece of cultural history from somewhere else.

Initial impression after a quick lunch - really nothing special. The lunch menu entrees ranged from $8-$11, with stir fry and curry options. The included side salad was very sad, and if the entree came out of a can I wouldn't have been impressed. The highlight of the meal was chicken egg rolls with some sort of plum sauce. Service was fine, I was surprised that two tables missed the cash or check only signs which are posted throughout the establishment; however the waiter handled the issue professionally. Bathrooms were clean, ambience was dated Thai, but cozy.

My favorite Thai restaurant in Madison, and I'm sure I've tried most of them. Beautiful and small, the dining room is an experience on its own. But the food, wow:) My usual is green curry with sticky rice- I have that for take out at least once a month. Perfect amount of heat and coconut. When I do venture out of my regular, I have never been disappointed. Love this Updated review. So sad. First, they tell me 45 min and it takes close to 2 hours. Next, they tell me 45min and scold me for my food being ready. Luckily I was parked outside, waiting for the 45 min time stamp so I didn't have to wait.

The cons are universal: cash only. That typically is a deal breaker when I am seeking something gratifying to my insatiable desire for great food. I never carry cash. But today I happened to have a few 20s at hand because I failed to stop and deposit them yesterday. So that meant I was in luck this evening. I believe I was once told by the owner of Thai Basil that this place was among Madison's top 3 Thai venues according to something on their wall last time I stopped for a Thai fix. This week I'm finding myself driving passed Sala Thai repeatedly, so today shall be my day to explore. I've ordered several items, one dish I've never explored, and the others are standards I always order. The pros are abundant. As for the establishment itself, I have to say I like the decor. But the fact that the building is not air conditioned at least suggests it is authentic to Thailand's humid climate. Thankfully today the humidity isn't an issue or I would be miserable. Parking isn't an issue for myself since I was the only person when I arrived, but because Fair Oaks is a pretty busy road, it's probably terrible when this place is bustling. Three tables have arrived during my time sitting and awaiting my order, so I'm enjoying seeing the dishes as they are being delivered by the lady that took my order. Smells wonderful. Upon getting home to feast I'm overwhelmed in flashbacks of las time I enjoyed sticky rice. 1992 when I knew some Laotian families and they frequently offered me some really authentic food from their culture, but the most memorable was that sticky rice! This is a great indication of what followed. The chicken Pad Thai is worlds different than anything I've experienced since moving to Madison in 2000. The taste is similar, but missing cilantro, and is a teensy bit dry. As for flavor components this too has a sour element that I've not experienced since the Thai foods I loved in Seattle in the 90s. This is certainly a nice element I'd forgotten. The heavy handed tamarind might be off putting for many. The other entree Pad Wun sen (? Or something like that) was visually the same as Pad Thai, but perhaps the inclusion of also shrimp was enough for a different name. It was absolutely much spicier as well. Scorching hot by comparison, and some different veggies, same glass noodles, so I don't really know the difference. But it was delicious. The Tom Kha soup (coconut lime chicken soup) is divine, I only wish I could've experienced it when it was still steaming hot. Quartered fresh button mushrooms were the only fungi in this recipe, and no tomatoes. Thankfully it appeared to me that lemon grass stalks were removed, same with the chunks of galangal and ginger root, which, while being great flavor enhancers, are horrible when bitten into unexpectedly. Again cilantro seems to be missing, but the scent and overall flavor was evident. The Satay Chicken is hands down the best ever. Very moist and tender, the peanut sauce is garlicky in a way I can't recall ever detecting before. I think my new favorite Thai restaurant has been discovered.

Still serving great food! Hours are limited due to Covid, and they're takeout only. Squash curry is still my go to and the veggie spring rolls are a great appetizer. We also had the yellow curry and curry puffs past weekend. Food was excellent and the staff and owners are very nice. They have a beautiful garden behind their restaurant where they grow some of the food they serve. Even though they're only open in the evenings now, they're in the kitchen all day. Definitely a solid dinner pick.

I had originally intended to order carry out but when I arrived, I felt suddenly parched for a glass of wine ;o) I asked the woman at the cash register if it was okay if I just sat on their bench near the register with my glass of wine and maybe nibbled on my food a little. She offered one better and graciously invited me to sit at one of their dining room tables. This was 8:30 pm and dining room service had already been winding down. She set the table with a place mat and a cold glass of ice water, even taking out the already packaged to go container in a ceramic bowl and gave me a plate with utensils. I offered for her to take the clean plate away since I didn't want to dirty an unnecessary dish. She insisted I use the dish as "the food will taste better that way". She was so right! I ordered the green curry with to tofu, and the green papaya salad with a side of grilled chicken and sticky rice. I have been missing a solid green curry every since my favorite little hole in the wall near Woodman's West closed down and the one at Sala Thai is a great replacement. The curry was thick in consistency and aromatic in flavor. It came with Thai eggplants, bamboo shoots, carrots, green beans and basil. The portion was huge, and even as I ate to my hearts content, there was plenty of leftovers. Check out the photo of the papaya salad, it was a huge, delicious, saucy mix of green papaya, carrots, roasted peanuts in a tangy, sweet, chili sauce with a hint of fish sauce. The crisp shredded green papaya mingled with the simple and light sauce to bring together a taste worth seeking out for. The all white meat grilled chicken was lightly seasoned and grilled with a char flavor. Take a bite of the sticky rice, chicken and papaya salad all on one fork - it's the best way to enjoy this entree! One of the many great things about Sala Thai is their dishes! This may be a head-scratcher, but I really loved their dishes! They had these glossy, porcelain dishes and serve ware with beautiful designs, replacing the plain white plates you encounter in typical restaurants now days. It really makes the presentation value just as high as the preparation. I implore you to step out of your Willy St bubble and surround yourself with thoughtfully prepared, delicious Thai food at Sala Thai!

One word defines Sala Thai Restaurant: great. The vibe is great. I am slowly working my way through their menu. I became good friends with the staff, who are all awesome and super courteous. We will be back ASAP.

If this place is #4 of the best Thai restaurants, I cannot imagine that 3,2 and 1 could possibly be better. Due to COVID we had a takeout of the Sunday special and an order of potstickers. The food was fresh, flavorful, served hot and plentiful! We have had Thai food all over the U.S. and this ranks up there with some of the best. Also, they are not afraid to bring the heat if you want it. Not only is the food delicious, but it is also nice and spicy if requested. We highly recommend trying this place. We will make this a stop the next time we come through Madison.

Nice place. Inexpensive wine list was nice. They gave our child a sippy cup, which was sweet. I love that my yellow curry was spicy, but not too spicy. Excellent complex flavor. The crab rangoons were the best my husband ever had, he said. They don't take credit cards, but that didn't bother us. The only negative was that the walls could use a scrub down. But overall a great experience

This restaurant came highly recommended from a few friends of mine. Clearly, due to my 3 star review, I wasn't impressed. It wasn't terrible, but it certainly didn't deserve a higher mark. Menu seemed substantial, the wine list could use some work (I get it, people probably don't come for the wine, but if you are going to offer, you might as well do it right). Upon seeing the sign located on a pole right at the point of entry that read "cash or check only", my husband and I needed to quickly rethink our choices, as we, like most people these days, don't carry a ton of cash on us. We decided to split and appetizer and split pad thai (one of our favorite dishes). The appetizer was all deep fried (not expecting this and this was not part of the description). The pad thai was alright, nothing special. The server didn't ask us if we wanted a certain star/level of spice - there was zero kick to this dish, something that I very much look forward to when eating Thai inspired dishes. Again, just okay. Probably won't visit again, but I'm not sad we experienced dinner in this location.

Efficient, right sized portion, and fairly priced. Mine was very spicy but my husband (chicken pad tah) and best friend (pineapple fried rice) loved theirs.

Seeing that this is the closest Thai food restaurant to my house we decided to finally give it a go. The service is really nice and there is a great atmosphere but the food doesn't quite stack up to the other amazing Thai restaurants in Madison. We ordered the standard chicken dinner pad Thai but there wasn't much meat in it. We were underwhelmed. The other downside is the cash or check only payment options. Fortunately I carry an emergency 20 in my wallet or I would have been in trouble. Overall review- MEH

I went with a friend who recommended this place. First tip: cash only! The lunch menu is pretty concise: appetizers, noodles, and curry. We started off with vegetarian pot stickers. There were 6 in the order compared to 4 pork ones. They were bite sized pot stickers and filling with the main entree. I ended up getting the chicken pad thai. It was saucier than I expected which I really like because most pad thai's seem dry. It was just the right amount of food for lunch. It's a great place for smaller groups and for 2-3 people. Next time I am trying a curry dish for sure.

So, after my first experience here I have to say it was a positive one! I parked right in front of the door, went in and ordered. It is quiet, a not too bright or dark, and service was prompt. My food was delicious! I ordered it extra spicy and as you can see there were no leftovers. I was starving when I got there and full and happy when I left! I highly recommend you try this place with your friends, there is something here for everyone and I can't wait to try everything on the menu!

Had the Green Curry and it is hot!! My sinuses were cleared out by the pepper but it was so good. Carrot, zucchini, green beans, and bamboo shoots with a large serving of rice and chicken made this dish wonderful. The tofu, tomato, and chicken in a chicken broth soup preceded the meal with crab rangoons (4 large handmade come on the appetizer menu). Hot Jasmine tea and water with an ever pleasant orange slice rounded out the meal. Had leftovers! Update: They no longer accept Credit or Debit cards. Only cash or check.

The best food here and when you say spicy they give you the heat and I love it and lady who runs it is amazing

Ate here last night. DEEE-licious. The Thai fish patties (Tod Mun) are delectable. This is the only place in Madison that serves them, as far as I know. The Pad Wun Sen was Hella hot, and so good. And I only ordered it 3 out of 5 stars spicy! Yow. A Singha beer goes well with all that hot. And a BIG glass of water. :) I think that the service has improved vastly since this place first opened- I'd take some of the older reviews about that with a grain of salt.

If you ask me, Sala Thai is underrated. There are several popular Thai restaurants in this neighborhood, and if one of the others is packed, I suggest you head here. The food is just about as good as anywhere else, the atmosphere is great, service is good and there likely won't be a wait. Great for take-out too. Don't forget to bring cash, they don't take credit cards!

My wife and I enjoyed our lunch with out the kids today here. It was amazing! Everything from the egg rolls to the soup to the peanut chicken and cashew chicken. Plenty of food. So much I have lunch for tomorrow. Very nice quite place will be back for sure. Thank you

So I tried to order some carry out from Sala Thai. They had the phone off the hook because I tried to call repeatedly for 20 minutes. That was yesterday. Today I called and the phone just rang. No one answered. Then I drove over to the restaurant and the OPEN sign was on. There were people inside. I tried to go in but the door was locked. There were people inside but the door was actually locked. I got back into my vehicle and tried calling again. This time the phone was again busy. I understand the idea of having plenty of business but locking the door and taking the phone off the hook are completely unacceptable. I went to the China Wok on Fordem Avenue and got some good Chinese carry out for $9....

PROS: Seems authentic, reasonable prices CONS: Didn't like my dish, cash-only, super slow service I'm a big fan of Thai curries and noodles. One of my favorite noodle dishes is the Pad See Ew (a stir-fried rice noodle dish with sweet soy sauce, eggs, and vegetables), which I have ordered at countless Thai restaurants across the nation. The Pad See Ew at Sala Thai was not up to par --- In fact, it was below average. The same dish is so much better/tastier at Monsoon Siam and/or Ha Long Bay. The service was also incredibly slow, even though when we arrived everyone else in the restaurant had already gotten their food but it still took ages to order and receive our dishes. Despite hearing great things about Sala Thai, I left disappointed.

On a frigid cold Friday night we bundled up and dragged our pouting toddler who would rather stay at home and play to this wonderful restaurant. First impressions: the lighting was low and romantic there were all sorts of art and sculptures on the wall and plenty to look at. Normally my kid would love this but she was in a sour mood and said "I don't like it!" (With a lot of attitude). There was street parking and the restroom was clean. We ordered mango juice, curry puffs and sticky rice to get started. Kiddo's mood was quickly escalating to a full blown tantrum that was suddenly diffused by the cute container the sticky rice was served in. I would've taken a picture but I was too busy shoveling the rice down her throat and seeing a total 180deg transformation with each bite. The curry puffs..... sigh! One order comes with 4 pieces (generous portions), the filling was reminiscent of a samosa. We loved it! It came with a dipping sauce. I loved that the sauces were not watered down and had so much great flavor. For our main course we got the Raad Na noodles and vegetarian Tofu Pad Prik (red curry based) we ordered the vegetables spicy. The noodles were so flavorful and the sauce had a little sweet finish to it. The red curry was pretty spicy no need to add any hot sauce to it. I'm glad we tried something other than our standard curry and fried rice. We can't wait to come back and try other things off the menu. Price: very reasonable whole dinner was under $30 One thing to note: they take CASH ONLY.