Great food! I just wasn't prepared for it to be a food truck. Luckily it wasn't raining or we would have had to eat in the car. If you don't already know, peanut sauce is very spicy. It's good but sneaks up on you. Just FYI. read more

The family is so wonderful and the food is delicious! We love the curries, the salads, the coconut shrimp, and their Thai ice tea. We highly recommend! read more

I honestly wasn't impressed with this place this time. I've been here a few times but haven't been here for at least a year and to me it seems to have gone downhill. But maybe I just caught them on a bad day. Most likely will not be visiting again to figure that out. read more

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Friendly service, great location and it was delicious!!! We had Big Boss combo for lunch; pork, sausage, spicy salad and steamed rice. I highly recommend and we will be back. read more

Big Blue Thai BBQ - Thai Near Me - Salem, Oregon

TL;DR: it's great and you should go. Big Blue Thai BBQ has been our top go-to for years and now that we've moved we actually have plans to drive down from our home north of Seattle, WA to get our Tasty Thai BBQ fix in Salem, OR. Disclaimer: I was a regular who ended up working for Big Blue for a couple months while one of the owners was recovering from a surgery. It was either they get some temporary help or close up for a bit and I wasn't willing to go without my tasty Thai grilled pork fix :P I give this disclaimer because I anticipate writing a glowing review, and I want to be clear that they earned all this praise on the merit of their food and service and not because I think of them as friends or former employers. I'm an attorney, I don't work here anymore. This is simply my opinion of Big Blue. The Owners: This is a family place. Ray and Kae are the sweetest and most engaged restaurant owners I've ever met. If there are any problems, or suggestions, these two are genuinely interested and they care about the dining experience of their customers. Kae is from Thailand, and Ray and Kae have worked to recreate some of their favorite Thai flavors here. If you want "a place where everybody knows your name", or the quintessential "regular customer" feel, I vote you try here! Their memory of their customers is amazing. Individual preferences or special orders, or helping you remember that thing you wanted to try next time. The Food: Wonderful. My usual go to is the tasty Thai grilled pork with salad instead of rice. It is worth mentioning that the spicy dipping sauce - as suggested by it's name - is spicy. If you need more mild food, let them know and they're very accommodating! I could write a short novel about my love for the tasty Thai grilled pork, but the other items have their own following. It's like Pokemon, where everyone has their own die-hard favorite. If you need a quick snack, or want something light and quick to go, definitely try their garden rolls! Made fresh every day/few hours, the rolls have a protein (grilled pork or lightly crisped tofu) with greens and a few noodles. Their tag line is "made fresh" and as a regular, and former employee, I want to emphasize that this truly is the case and it makes a world of difference. They make nearly everything from scratch, from their signature sauces and marinades for the meats to the Thai sausage itself. They cut and prep everything themselves, and make most food items to order. Even the rice powder on the sauce is made from scratch. They do as much on their own as they can, and they do it well. And it shows. If you're on the fence, just go. Ray and Kae will help you find something on the menu that you'll love!! The Price: I saw a review saying the food was overpriced. Listen, frankly if you want a quick, cheap, edible but unremarkable meal then go somewhere that uses the same canned or bottled sauce as everyone else who buys their flavors in bulk. Yes, Big Blue charges $12 for my favorite pork meal, but I honestly feel like it's a bit of a steal on my part. Everything is fresh, made to order for me, the pork is always tender and perfectly marinated with just a enough of the grill taste and texture. I can't describe it well enough, so I'll summarize it by saying it is well worth the price and you can tell you're buying quality. On a student income (aka living on loans) I still felt like the price was worthwhile. 5/5 stars read more

THIS IS LEGIT YUMMY! I'm relatively new to Salem and heard that they had good Thai food so I finally made it over to the truck to give it a go. Being that I was a virgin (customer that is), I asked Ray to surprise me with whatever he suggested I try first. He whipped up the blue green pork curry with a smile and a small side of conversation. Man, it was sooooo tasty! Now I see what everyone was talking about. Next up to try is the spicy pork salad. I'm such a sucker for everything pork! I will now be making the lunch trip across the bridge from West Salem to get my Thai fix! read more

Big Blue Thai BBQ never disappoints! They are one of my favorite food trucks in Salem and their spicy peanut curry is to die for. If you love Thai food, give this place a try. read more

Just went here on the recommendation of a co-worker. It's located across the side street by the Jack in the Box and tucked away in a little shopping center off Commercial. Kind of hard to notice unless someone describes the location. Ordered the grilled pork, ribs and papaya salad combo and Tom Yum soup to go. Owners were super nice and helpful when ordering for the first time. The food is amazing and tasty. It's like a slight twist on traditional Thai dishes using the freshest ingredients. I like things spicy, so they gave me extra homemade spices in case it wasn't hot enough. The sauces they include are so flavorful and delicious that I would buy them if they sold them (hint hint). The ribs and pork were so tender (I'm picky about my meats). In fact, the chicken wings, which I usually don't like to order, were so meaty, crispy skin and a delicious grilled flavor. I will definitely be a regular and wish them every success in their new location. Super happy to find a great place to eat here in Salem. read more

Big Blue Thai BBQ - Combo with pork and papaya salad. - Thai Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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I've been driving by this place since December. Today for some reason I decided to pull in and try it and well! It was excellent food. I've been looking for good Thai food and I have not had any delivered that was good enough to put a dent in. Every ingredient is so beautifully prepared and selected. The flavors are rich and bright. Their tea is unsurpassed! Ice cold and delicious! I had pork which came with not hard dry rice but freshly prepared jasmine rice that was delicious with the sauce provided. Portions were generous. Had leftovers for dinner tonight and looking forward to tomorrow for the rest. Awesome food! The couple that run this place are truly a class act. read more

Best Thai food I've honestly ever had, and great friendly owners!! I've been going to them for the last few years now and they remember me every time I go, so personable read more

Big Taste from a Little Blue Box! I have had the opportunity to enjoy the menu items a few times now. Its fresh, consistent and full of flavor. My first encounter i was met with a "you'll be back" statement. He was right! I highly recommend this south salem secret. read more

We are at the restaurant not the food truck version of Big Blue. You better like pork it's the primary portion served. I do love pork so we had pork green curry and pork salad. The green curry had longan fruit which is fine just not necessary in green curry. It could of used more veggies and a thicker curry. The pork salad was lacking in dressing. I could taste it only on the pork. The lettuce and cabbage had nothing in them no dressing at all. Portions were small for the price. I live far way from here so I will not be able to visit this location on a regular bases. read more

Fantastic food, very friendly service. Conveniently located and comfortable. A reliable favorite.

Had this for the first time the other day. Pot stickers were PERFECT Thai Pork was great on flavor. Meat just needed a little more cooking. Too chewy. But other than that no complaints. Great food. read more

Absolutely recommend this place. The Blue Green Curry is crazy delicious. Great mix of textures and very filling, especially on a cold day in Salem. The fresh garden rolls are also excellent--great quality ingredients and they don't fall apart while you're eating them. I've eaten a lot of Thai food from some of the best hole-in-the-wall spots in Los Angeles and this is easily right up there with flavor and authenticity. If Jonathan Gold (May he Rest In Peace) were still alive, and paid a visit to Salem, I imagine he'd have rather favorable things to say about it. read more

Great food and the owners will remember you if you come back. The bbq always smells great! Will be back soon!

Absolutely the best lunch food in Salem. Try it today and you won't regret it!!! Have been eating here for years and will continue as long as they're open. read more

Absolutely killer combo plate! The BBQ ribs have a great smoke ring, lots of meat and a awesome dipping sauce. The sliced pork flank steak has great char and the different dipping sauce is also outstanding! Oh... did I mention that salad? Crisp, fresh ingredients including toasted peanuts! Went with medium heat, as they always ask how hot. All dishes were at medium heat which was tempered with a fab Logger Lager beer. We'll be back...again and again! read more

My wife and I were looking for some place new to try and happened on the Big Blue. We were welcomed by the staff with smiles and friendly greetings. We were unsure what to try, but Ray our waiter was very helpful and was more than happy to make suggestions. The food was excellent, Satay Chicken, Pot Stickers and the Rib Combo. We had a marvelous time and will certainly be back. read more

I would go back, but it is not going to be my "I have to go back to that food truck" place. I really don't know what that place would be in Salem, but while this was good, it wasn't that "OMGosh that was the best thing I ever ate" type of experience. I had the BBQ Pork plate that came with rice. The pork was good, but I didn't really care for the sauce. I am pretty sensitive to salt in my food and the sauce was salty to my taste. The portion size was good. I was able to eat about half. My husband had the super combo plate. Not being a papaya fan he did not like the salad at all and though he liked the BBQ pork and the ribs, he also said that he didn't like the sauces and if he was going to have to go to that much work to doctor his take out he would prefer to make his own. That said, it is convenient and something a little bit different so would likely go back just for the meats, but without any of the accoutrements. read more

Delicious Thai food! Everything is so authentic and the meats are so flavorful. It's definitely a favorite stop!

Delicious Thai bbq! Locally owned and the homemade salad is amazing! It's a food truck with some outdoor seating.

No pad Thai, which is what I always order - we tried the daily special and the spicy chicken soup - highly recommend both! Best Thai food in Salem read more

Wow, what an amazing little place! We just stumbled across this on her way out of town in Salem Oregon and we couldn't be more thrilled with the service, food, and price. Our wait staff (Brodie) was amazingly attentive, very helpful, and very pleasant. Next time in Salem this is a must do! read more

This place popped up near my house a couple months ago. It's a restaurant that moved into a building vacated by the Asian market that moved across the street. They have outdoor (limited) and indoor seating areas but the kitchen is really a mobile food cart. I've driven by several times and decided to stop. I'm glad I did. I've only taken food to go and I've never been inside so, I can't speak to that portion of the experience. This food is the real deal. I love strong flavors and spicy food. This place has both. You might have to ask for spicy, which I did. The owners are very appreciative of customers. The woman preparing the food said she's from Thailand and she prepares the food just like she would there. The man was helpful and explained which sauce is best with which meat. I got the #10 "Super Best Combo." It was so good! I would warn you, the sauces are for dipping, not pouring. I dipped several pieces of the pork. Then I laid the rest of the pork on a bed of rice and dumped the sauce over it. The flavors were super strong, even for me. I ate every bite and it was delicious. But, I'll just dip in the juice next time. The papaya salad was awesome! That's not something I would typically see on a menu and order, but it was included in the combo so I got it. Delicious. I went back a couple days later for lunch and tried the spring roll(s) and salad roll(s). Also, very good. Quality, great flavors, attention to detail, friendliness, and authenticity are what you can expect from Big Blue Thai BBQ. read more

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Excellent food and service. We found this little gem on yelp as we were driving past Salem. They used to be a food truck and have recently moved into brick and mortar. Their signature dish is the Spicy Peanut Curry and is a show-stopper. Spicy, fresh veggies, rice and lime. So good. We also tried the chicken satay skewers, and although I thought they were a bit over-cooked, my husband loved them. He also had their Thai ice tea that was sweet, strong and earthy. Great experience. read more

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I have been searching for over a year for a good Thai restaurant in Salem since moving from SoCal. The food here is fresh and delicious! I love the fresh spring rolls! The peanut curry was so tasty. For those of you who love Thai barbeque, I am sure this place will not disappoint! The wait staff is in training but learning fast! Highly recommend. read more

Big Blue Thai BBQ - Thai Near Me - Salem, Oregon

We stopped into the restaurant for lunch. There was only one other table with a group of four older ladies who were finishing their meals. My husband, granddaughter and I were told to seat ourselves. We then waited at least 15 minutes for menus and water. Another 20 minutes passed before the waitress came back for our orders, and another 30 before we actually got our food. I'm really glad we didnt have any place to be and had a lot of business to talk about. The atmosphere was pleasant, the waitress seemed nice enough, and the food (once it finally arrived) was decent. I don't know that I will make a point of going back, but if I get a wild hair, I may try it again. read more

They weren't wearing masks or enforcing social distancing during the pandemic. I understand it makes it uncomfortable to breathe but a mandate is a mandate and you lost a family's business. The customers who were clearly regulars also weren't wearing masks when they went right up to the window to talk to the staff. I was very excited to try this place, but I don't think I'll be stopping by anytime soon-- I'd rather not risk my life for some BBQ. read more

My first impression is shocked speechlessness. This is really great food. It's so complicated and sophisticated. This isn't a fast food cart. This is a restaurant on wheels. The price reflects that too. I was a little surprised at the prices until I tried it. I understand now. They use what seems to me at least to be high quality ingredients. I had a green curry soup with BBQ meat. You get plenty of the meat and great ingredients. It was very good. I did not expect what I got. That was an experience for me. read more

I'll definitely be back for more! The mango and pork combo was the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with melt in your mouth tender pork. read more

Big Blue Thai BBQ - Thai Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Had a stopover at this place at night time for dinner on our way to San Francisco from Seattle. Wonderful place. Delicious food cooked perfectly to taste. Tried chicken satay, coconut prawn, and yellow chicken curry. They were fresh, cooked perfectly and so good. Sticky mango rice was not up to my expectation but was okay. I think they microwave the precooked sticky rice, it was half cooked. Overall a great place to have delicious food. The restaurant category shows food truck, which confused us and took sometime for us to find the place. This is an actual restaurant. Wonderful place and friendly staffs. Highly recommend. read more

A very pleasant surprise in a late night Thai craving! The meats were super amazing, the salad was good just didn't compare to the meat lol. Seriously find this place and give them a try! read more

Wow.. just knocked my sox off. Fortunately the spicy curry is still keeping my belly nice and warm inside. We also greatly enjoyed an excellent pork and arugula salad. I'm ready to go back immediately...if I hurry I may make it before closing... Thank you Blue Thai BBQ read more

I love Thai food, but kind of feel like every place is the same. However this place is different, food is fresh and flavorful. Had the green curry and papaya salad, full of fresh veggies and the grilled meat in the curry was awesome. We asked for medium spicy, it was perfect but I would not go spicier. Will definitely be back. read more

Food was amazing!! My whole family loved it... First time here for my daughter and family, I am from out of town, wanted to try this and much better than I could havr imagined. Loved the green- blue sause over rice dish!! read more

If you are someone who is looking for an exciting place to eat during a global pandemic where the workers don't wear masks/gloves and can help you sacrifice yourself and others during this once in a lifetime recession that is happening twice in 12 years then boy do I have the spot for you! read more

I was looking for grilled meat and a nice salad. This place hits the spot. Ordered the Blur Green Curry, Coconut Shrimp, Spicy Papaya Salad, Mango Sticky Rice, and Superbest Combo. The Meat was grilled to perfection with a marinate to die for. I really enjoyed the ribs and the pork. each come with their own special sauce which compliments the meat. The curry was flavorful and full of veggies and meat. The coconut shrimp were what you you expect them to be. The Papaya salad was great! you could taste the subtleness of the sauce/juices/spices in it. The veggies were fresh and had a great crunch to them. The thing that really surprised us was the the Mango Sticky Rice. We have never had it before and it was delicious. Another thing I would like to mention was the service. It was a cold and rainy day when I ordered the food and I was able to wait in my car. The people over at Big Blue took care of me and brought the order directly to my car. TLDR: great food and service! read more

This place has amazing food, and the husband and wife team that run this place are always super friendly and thoughtful. I recommend the blue green curry, papaya salad, and everything else, but those two are my favorites. read more

Best curry in town and you can get BBQ ribs too. We love this place. The owners are so nice and always go the extra mile and the good is consistently good. read more