I'm not a huge fan of Asian cuisine, but every now and then I get a hankering for some fried rice, or maybe a spring roll. Rolling through Blacksburg enroute to the hotel, I spotted the Cafe Me Kong Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, and on impulse stopped in. The decor is clean and minimal, the staff are young and Caucasian, but the food is excellent. I have a small appetite so I try to order from the small plates side, but tonight I went for the Thai fried rice with chicken and had plenty to take home. Fried rice, onions, scallions, egg, pineapple and tomato, hot and served on a large platter with an iced tea. Perfect! read more

Cafe MeKong - Thai Near Me - Blacksburg, Virginia

I wish the options for spiciness were more than just "non-spicy," "spicy," and "Thai-spicy." ...What if I want just a hint of spice, but not so much spice that my nose runs? Anyway, aside from that, my takeout lunch from here was decent; I was lame and ordered pad Thai, but my friend ordered the interesting squash summer special. It was flavorful, though I wish it were more complex and that there were a more reasonable portion of protein (in this case, chicken). My pad Thai was average, I wish it had had some more ingredients, I feel like it was lacking some stuff that other comparable dishes have had... though I don't remember exactly. It just seemed too noodle-heavy. I will visit again and revise my review to be more precise. read more

Cafe MeKong - squash summer special - Thai Near Me - Blacksburg, Virginia

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This is the only place to go after a long day of drinking and you just need some rehab. Only place that sells pho and decent Thai food. I used to get the pad Thai all the time, it's a bit different than most pad Thai and you gotta get used to it. I will say their fried rice is the best option. If you're in the Blacksburg area, this is the only option you got for some decent asian cuisine. read more

Cafe MeKong - Thai Near Me - Blacksburg, Virginia

My go-to Thai place in Blacksburg. I've been coming here for 5 or 6 years now; most things on the menu are great and the staff is always friendly. read more

Cafe Mekong is delicious. When we ate noodles, the drunken noodles was our go to dish. They can add chicken, or tofu. Give this place a try.

It's pretty good for a tthai place in southwestern Virginia. The garlic frried rice with shrimp iss my favorite. The short ribs, not so much. Quick service, pleasant staff. read more

I really, really want to love this place. I'm leaving this review in hopes that the LOVELY staff will see it. I've been here multiple times. Service is 10/10. We all know that good asian food is scarce in blacksburg, and I have a lot of hope for this place. I'm really sorry to say this... but here is the crux of the situation: the thai flavor needs to come thruuuu!!! The pad thai, the dish we know and love, is very VERY off. It needs WORK. the noodles are so white, and the ingredients are .. idk.. something is WRONG!!! Maybe missing tamarind or fish sauce??? dont know! And the pho.. only beef!? whyDrunken noodles... had tomatoes in them. Not sure.... The pad see ew.. very greasy. The Laotian crispy rice dish--- AMAZING. Absolutely incredible. What happened??? This place could run circles around cafe de bangkok if they mastered the pad thai!!!!! Thai chefs... pls do your magic and I will be a customer forever here. The staff is DOPE!! They are vegan and vegetarian conscious. The chefs know what theyre doing read more

Café MeKong has the best fresh spring rolls for miles. I eat Vietnamese food frequently, oftentimes, like today I have two orders of fresh rolls for lunch and it's my guage for quality, fresh is important! I highly recommend MeKong. Staff very customer friendly, no dine-in service due to Covid. Smart! read more

The food is just average and small portion. I ordered for to go and it came with no chopsticks or tissues. At least give me chopsticks. People at check-out were nice. read more

This place is hopping busy during lunch on the weekdays. They have a nice mix of Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese food. I really love their Bùn (Vietnamese cold noodle). Their spicy beef soup is amazing as well. You can't ever go wrong with the pho ga or pho bo. The masaman curry chicken is also delicious as is the drunken noodle. I haven't found anything here that I didn't like so far. The summer rolls are also delicious as are the spring rolls. It's just all delicious. The owner is very sweet and full of energy. He gets excited about the food which I think is so cute. Love this place! read more

One word: dismal. This place was absolutely terrible. My husband is Vietnamese and we both love Thai food so we know what this cuisine should taste like and this was not it. First, the rice noodles and wrap for the spring rolls was OLD. I have never in my life been served old and stale rice noodles and wraps. Even if they weren't old the wraps were pretty pathetic and left a lot to be wanting. Second, the Thai iced tea was also way off. Very watery. Last, I got pad Thai, one of my favorite meals and there was no other way to describe Cafe Mekong's pad Thai than depressing. No flavor, bland, a waste of calories and a meal. I honestly couldn't even get 1/4 of a way through it it was that bad. The only reason we went here was because we heard that there was some chef from San Fran who moved and was working here, obviously he wasn't there the night we went. I also noticed that the reviews are either five stars or one stars leading me to believe that may actually be true. Honestly the chef should be ashamed because Vietnamese and Thai is some of the most fresh and delicious food you can get in the world and the food served to us was the polar opposite of that. read more

The pho here is absolutely AMAZING. My roommates and I have been looking all over for a place that has good pho and this place has the best we've ever tried. Highly recommend!! read more

Let me first state that I was pleased with the friendly service (thus the 3 stars, otherwise it would have been 2 stars for just the food) . My family was visiting Blacksburg and this place was recommended by a friend who lives in Christianburg. I had my doubts at first due to the low Yelp rating but decided to still give this place a try hoping that the ratings were inaccurate. We ordered take out on a Saturday night: garden rolls, spring rolls, steamed Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, chicken pad see ew, chicken drunken noodles, beef pho, and tofu green curry. I'm sad to say that my hope to defy the Yelp ratings was shattered: the food was sub-par in terms of taste, authenticity, value, and the packaging was poorly executed (almost everything except for the pho broth and the soupy green curry was packed in the most flimsy styrofoam clamshells). The rice paper wrapper on the garden rolls was partially dry and hard. Those rolls were barely edible even though I was very hungry. The tiny amount of overcooked and mushy pho noodles and its very few and limited accompanying veggies and meats were all packed into a flat styrofoam container. The pho soup was weak in taste. The drunken noodles was nothing like what drunken noodles was not fragrant and not spicy at all but too saucy and way too salty (this is coming from people who love their food salty!). The pad see ew was mediocre at best, with tough chicken pieces and way too much salt (it was so salty we couldn't eat it by itself but had to eat it with the rice that was supposed to go with the green curry. Finally, the green curry was the greatest disappointment--overly sugary with a weird taste :(. I was sorely disappointed. I'm an Asian that have been in the restaurant business and travel widely so I know what good Thai and Vietnamese food should be, and unfortunately the food I got here wasn't it, not even close. read more

I found this place on Yelp and thank God because I was craving pho, so I walked in one very cold and busy Tuesday evening 1/27/15 and the hostess said to me "picking up an order?", "are you ordering to go?", "did you call and order?" No no no! I want a table for one and I want to be served please! I pointed to an empty table for four and he quickly said "no for one person, sit at a smaller table." Lol. How rude! I almost walked out. The food? Skip the summer rolls, it's very tiny with lettuce, skinny shrimp, and noodle inside is very cold and dry. I didn't care for the fishy dipping sauce either. Beef pho was okay, generous portion size, I have had worst and I have had much much better pho. But then again think, you are in Blacksburg, where else can you get pho? read more

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Others have correctly noted Cafe MeKong as being the best only option for pho (a Vietnamese style of filling soup with a rich, sumptuous broth, different cuts of beef, noodles, and veggies) in Blacksburg. They do a decent pho and it's what I order almost every time I go because I just can't get it anywhere else nearby. The other dishes I've tried (a couple curries, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and one or two other things) weren't the greatest but they weren't horrible. I feel as though they simply lacked decent seasoning; something that is monumentally important in Thai cooking! Their appetizers, on the other hand, are well-priced and well made. I really enjoy their Summer rolls as well as their spicy kimchi. At only $2, I suggest everyone try the kimchi; it's a flavor profile you just never get in Western foods. While Cafe MeKong isn't on my short list of places to bring out-of-town guests, it does make my list for good comfort eating. On a cold, rainy day, Cafe MeKong is a great place to grab a huge bowl of delicious pho. read more

Been here about 8-10 times, and after a rough opening, they appear to have found their groove. None of their menu will be "the best thing you've ever had" (and honestly, their curries can be hit-or-miss). But it's solid, especially for an area which had been lacking good Thai & Vietnamese restaurants. The noodle dishes and pho are highlights. Portions are enormous, too, even for lunch. I realize "best Thai/Vietnamese food in Blacksburg" isn't saying much... but Cafe Mekong is (far and away) your best option in the area. read more

Swechwan beef noodle soup is every time my first desire in Blacksburg!!!! Soooooo good! Soup tastes good! read more

Cafe MeKong - Swechwan beef noodle soup! - Thai Near Me - Blacksburg, Virginia

I've been here twice now and both have been very decent. Being one of the few Southeast Asian restaurants in the area, it's generally crowded and there was a bit of a wait when we arrived for a late-ish dinner around 7:30pm. We were given a buzzer and told it would be about 20 minutes and we were welcome to browse the international supermarket next door, Oasis. I've gotten their pad thai which is a very, very generous helping and overall very good. The second time, I got their Szechuan Beef Noodle soup which was good but a bit on the spicy side for me which ended up overwhelming much of the other delicate flavors. The soup had good tendon-y and chewy beef bits which was nice but could have used more than just bok choy to garnish. We also started with an order of spring rolls which were a bit paltry and could have used more filling and fresh herbs. I always get the Crabbies ginger beer which is delicious! We were seated by the order window near the kitchen and were able to observe some of the chaos that is a busy weekend night. Orders seemed to be staggered and the kitchen was very overwhelmed. Several people who ordered for take-out came back to complain about curry portion sizes being curbed, demanding their take-out containers to be topped off. The staff's responses seemed to vary from "this is the regular portion amount we serve on-site" to "sure, I'll give you more curry." As I've never ordered out here, I can't speak to what is accurate but I'm led to think the kitchen may have been skimping a bit that night as it was not an isolated incident. For what it is in a fairly provincial part of VA, it's a great restaurant serving decent SE Asian foods. read more

This was mediocre at best. It's a shame since the menu seemed to have some interesting dishes, but when it's so eclectic it usually means they don't know what they are doing. Another demerit for the overpriced dishes. And the service ranged from hostile to disinterest. Overall one of my most uncomfortable dining experiences. read more

We returned for a second visit in mid-January 2012, and the food is now solid, vastly improved over its opening last fall. It won't blow you away, but it's worth a repeat visit. We had the red curry and pad thai. Vegetables were fresh, noodles cooked properly, and sauces balanced with a hint of authenticity. The red curry sauce had good balance and depth. The pad thai was fine but could have used a zing of lime or a touch more tamarind. Service was fast and courteous. No atmosphere, but hey, it's Blacksburg, and you're here for the food anyway. read more

I don't visit here often because it's a bit of a drive from where I live, but when I do I'm never disappointed. 1 - I like that the summer rolls are made with mint leaves instead of cilantro. 2 - A great place to visit if you are gluten intolerant as they have many GF options available. 3 - As a pescatarian who tries to avoid gluten, my options are usually limited regarding restaurant menus, but Cafe MeKong has several options for me. Probably not the best spot for a romantic date night because of it's cafeteria-style seating, but a super place for a quick and pleasant lunch. read more

Cafe Mekong is probably the best Thai restaurant in Blacksburg. Granted, there are very few Thai places around VT, but this place will satisfy your Thai cravings. The service is fast and friendly. I came here with a friend and was running a bit tight on time. The food came extremely quickly which was a pleasant surprise. I ordered the Spicy Chicken and my friend ordered the Green Curry. Both portion sizes were plenty for lunch. The spicy chicken was very flavorful and juicy. Next time, I would order a spicier version. They have four levels: regular, hot, and Thai hot. The hot wasn't very spicy to me. The rice was a tad overcooked. Beware, their pho isn't very good. Come here for the Special Entrees. Those are the best options there. The only other Thai place I can think of is Cafe de Bangkok. I haven't been in a while since a very terrible experience last year. I'll be back to Mekong in the future. read more

The only place you can get pho in Blacksburg! And it ain't half bad! I really enjoyed my experience here when I went. Service was great and I was impressed with the food. They serve both Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Their pho selection isn't as vast as the restaurants in Nova or Richmond, but c'mon....it's pho in Blacksburg! Their only option is pho with thinly sliced beef (pho tai). I had that and was pretty happy, while my boyfriend had their delicious Pad Thai. The only dish I did not like was their Thai style fishcakes. It tasted like they defrosted them straight from the freezer and squeezed out some sauce from a packet. So, definitely don't get those. Other than that and the fact that they randomly close on Mondays, this place gets a thumbs up :) read more

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It's okay enough to go back, especially because this is Blacksburg we're talking about, and there's not much authentic Asian food. The pho was mediocre- I would describe it as "a beef broth with spices in it" but missing something- I obviously don't know what, exactly, because I've never made pho before. But just comparing to many many other pho places, it's definitely lacking. The pad thai was limp and somewhat tasteless. I think it had just enough stuff in it to be recognized as pad thai- some peanuts, some sprouts, mostly limp noodles. The panang curry was okay. I have not had a lot of Panang curry before so I can't say for sure, but I feel like it wasn't the greatest. The service is quick and friendly, the prices are slightly on the pricey side, but acceptable. I will probably go back if I have a crazy craving for Asian food (other than Chinese take out), but not on a whim. read more

Pad Thai tasted bad. It did not have any flavors (e.g. sweet, hot and spicy or even salty) so that I must cook it again with the new condiments. This occurred two times since I have ordered this kind of foods. I have been the customer of this restaurant since it was opened. Even though they did not cook Thai authentic food, I usually go to that restaurant in the hope that they will improve their Thai cooking skills. However, others are still good for me such as Drunken noodles or Vietnamese pork rice. Actually, I am Asian people, so please don't expect much about the deliciousness of Thai food at this restaurant if you are American. read more

Food is excellent staff is professional and friendly. Quite possibly the best Thai food I have had in VA 100% would recommend. Looking forward to going back. read more

Simple Asian cuisine that tastes good. Sugary sweet sauces are not served here, just simple delicate sauces that complement the food. Service is top notch. read more

I went to Cafe Mekong during lunchtime one afternoon and was pleasantly surprised. It's small inside and there is nothing that special about the appearance but the food is pretty good. I ordered the chicken satay as an appetizer and it was okay. The chicken itself was bland and the peanut dipping sauce was lacking something. For lunch I had the Massaman curry which was awesome! It had just the right amount of spice to it and the sticky rice with it was perf. With that being said, the service wasn't so good. Our server seemed annoyed with us and the same could be said for the other employees towards the customers. It made it awkward. read more

Cafe MeKong has been our go-to take-out during the pandemic. It did take us a couple tries to find the items that we enjoy most on their menu. Our order includes the following-- drunken noodles, Mekong wings (so tasty, we get mild, the spicy are very spicy), Massaman yellow curry (awesome), eggplant basil stir fry, soy sauce egg. We love all of that, we've tried the pad Thai and that is not to our liking, but these dishes are great! The service is excellent, very quick for take-out. read more

If you want watered down pho this is the place to go.....Ive been in 44 states and Ive had the real pho a hundred times and this has got to be the weakest broth Ive ever had but if your from here you wouldnt know the difference. read more

Top notch Thai food. Their classic pad thai is perfect, service is quick and friendly and every time I've been here it's been busy. The thai tea is fantastic as well. This is my go-to Thai place in Blacksburg. read more

The Penang curry is amazing and the drunken noodles are my regular order. One of the few Thai places in Blacksburg and I return to MeKong every time! read more

Visited Cafe MeKong for the first time last night and was nothing but impressed. I asked for sweet tea and our server informed me that they don't have traditional Sweet tea and suggested the Thai tea. When it arrived, i thought it would be the best thing I ordered all night, it was incredible. Next up we got MeKong wings as an appetizer. The only thing I can say negative is that I wish there had been 100 wings on the plate. It came with two wings (with tips attached) and two drumettes, the perfect size for an appetizer for two. The texture was crisp and perfect, the flavor was fantastic. For my entree I ordered Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. It came with fresh cilantro and basil, bean sprouts, two slices of jalapeño and a lime wedge on the side and was just fantastic. Fresh, light, the chicken was moist, the rice noodles and broth were flavorful, the produce was fresh and lovely. My husband ordered the yellow curry which came with white rice on the side. He was more than satisfied with the flavor, it was bright and tantalizing with perfectly cooked root vegetables, tender chicken, and ample liquid for the rice. My husband drank a soda, and for all of this our bill was just over $30. We both took home enough for a second meal as well. We are already planning our next visit. Also, just as an aside, the facility neat and clean, the bathrooms were tidy, the service ranged from friendly to ambivalent, we left a 25% tip without reservation. I highly recommend visiting Cafe MeKong. read more

When they say spicy they mean spicy here. It's really good Thai food and both the pad Thai and and curry is delicious. I would highly recommend read more

I've came here multiple times to eat. The food is great! However, the management needs to definitely improve. This is the second time I've paid in cash and have been intentionally paid back less. For instance my meal was $15.01 I gave the manager $20.01. He gave me back instead of a five dollar bill or five dollars, I was given $4.94 and he kept my penny. The other instance was very similar. They also do not provide straws when you have drinks to go. For instance I bought a Thai tea and I was told by the manager and the waitress that they don't have straws and haven't bought them in a very long time and apparently they don't feel inclined to buy them in the near future. Don't get me wrong, like I said the food is great. But the management definitely needs to improve. read more

Many others have written about the lack of quality. I will say that I can make better food at home and my friends and acquaintances from those parts of the world whose cuisines are attempted have said that the food can be almost insulting. BUT! Despite the misinterpretations of some of the dishes, I enjoy eating here because there are some tasty things on the menu and the potions can be filling or enough for left overs. Some things are reasonably priced, some aren't. The soups are not bad, they are poor interpretations of what they advertise to be. They have a difficult time staffing the place, which always leads to issues on the plate. If they had a real quality, knowledgeable chef, then, I feel, that the food could be elevated to where it needs to be. I guess places like these can't afford to pay quality people what they are worth (or choose not to - margins, college town seasonality and so forth). As it stands, this is fast (it comes out quick), filling food that may or may not be flavorful depending on what you order. I have not tried everything on the menu and there are some things that I still want to try - and the menu changes, which I appreciate. I've been here enough times to know what I'm getting myself into. (FYI there are no exceptional "Asian" restaurants in this area (Bburg/Cburg). You have to go to Pearisburg for Kalbi (Korean), but we could really use some authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Thai, Malay, etc food.) read more

Terrible pad thai, expensive prices (overcharging for everything), totally not worth it. I only come here because it's the only Thai place near me, or else I would never come back. read more

Love this place! It's one of my favorite dine ins in Blacksburg. Friendly staff, amazing food. I highly recommend the Bun or the Pad Thai.

The Bún and Drunken Noodles were very tasty, but the service left a bit to be desired. Is it seat yourself or wait to be seated? Also, I've never been to a restaurant and not gotten a check, but that seems to be the practice here; when you're finished you just go to the cashier to be given your total. If that is how they operate, great....I just would have liked to have been told in advance, "When you're done, just come up to be checked out," instead of sitting there feeling like we were being ignored. Service aside, the food is worth a try! read more

Cafe MeKong - Drunken Noodles...tasty choice made by Tender Lumpling #1! - Thai Near Me - Blacksburg, Virginia

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Great yellow curry and Mekong wings. This is what I go here for for years and they do not disappoint.