Tuk Tuk Thai Isan Street Food

"Tuk Tuk is a small, BYOB spot in Lakeview that specializes in Isan Thai dishes and serves fantastic food packed with lots of chilies and herbs. Besides being a great takeout option for staples like pad kee mao and green curry, grabbing a table on a weeknight isn’t too difficult—and will get you a front-row seat to dishes like the fried whole red snapper smothered in dried red chilies. The restaurant manages to stay low-key even as tables fill up, but you might have to wait a while for dishes to come out as they’re ready. That just provides more time to convince the table to add the ka prow moo krob to the meal." - john ringor, veda kilaru, adrian kane

"The owners of Green Tea, a Lincoln Park sushi restaurant across from Parker School have opened a northern Thai restaurant that’s been the talk of the town since the summer. Tuk Tuk serves a killer pad Thai, and that can’t be ignored, but this Northern Thai restaurant has devious laab, tasty chicken wings, and a delectable assortment of curries." - Ashok Selvam

"Tuk Tuk’s chicken wings aren’t the spicy ride many diners expect from a Northern Thai restaurant known for its heat. The flavor is a little more subtle as these wings, kai tod, are deep fried with very juicy meat and aren’t messy. Not everything needs to be over the top, as the sweet-chili sauce provides and ideal complement." - Ashok Selvam

"Tuk Tuk specializes in Isan Thai dishes—expect lots of grilled meats and seafood packed with chilies and herbs. The small restaurant fills up fast and gets loud, but forgo takeout because dining in gets you a front-row seat to centerpieces like the fried whole red snapper and one of the best plates of ka prow moo krob in the city. It might take a while for the food to get to your table, but you can just pass the time playing boozy show-and-tell with your DIY garage beer." - josh barnett, adrian kane, john ringor

"Tuk Tuk is the type of casual neighborhood restaurant you wish you could live across the street from. And if you live in Lakeview, this might be possible. This small, BYOB spot specializes in Isan Thai dishes, and serves fantastic food packed with chilies and herbs. Besides being a great takeout option for staples like pad kee mao and green curry, grabbing a table on a weeknight isn’t too difficult. The restaurant manages to stay low-key even after tables fill up, but you might have to wait a while for dishes to come out as they’re ready. That just provides more time to convince the table to add a fried whole red snapper to the meal." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru