What an amazing experience. We came into this small grocery store, expecting a restaurant, but we found a smaller Service counter in the back of the store that they have a little kitchen with the most amazing food you ever had. If you love Thai food then you need to really get yourself out and try the food. The Nok, was so hospitable and working in the kitchen, actually all the ladies that were working in the kitchen were charming and helpful and guided us through the menu and the flavors were so believably wonderful I really missed having true ocean food and this is the destination. You can go to nice restaurants with candles and music and get bad food you come to this quiet little place and sit down and have one of the most incredible meals you've ever had. We are packing a lot of food to go because we live so far away and believe me it will all be eaten with the love of the food and the smiles of the Laotians that made it. read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - This is brilliant building a to go sit down restaurant for Lao/Thai food. - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

Wow! What a great place. From the outside it looks like a non-descript grocery and purified water store but inside lurks a very authentic and delightful restaurant! Walk right through the near windowless building and walk back to the right rear corner of the building. The delicious aroma should be your guide. I ordered the Pad eggplant with pork and my partner ordered the Pad Woon Sen. It's also nice that they allow you to pick the protein, Beef, Pork or Chicken. They also ask for your preferred spice level. I say choose carefully as my spice experienced partner confidentially ordered "Spicy". He ended up looking like he got caught in a downpour and was drenched in sweat! lol The woman who took our order was very friendly and helpful! She answered all of our questions about the food with confidence and personal knowledge! The prices are stuck in the early 2020's and the amount of food in the serving is generous! The building is old but the store and the restaurant are spotless! No clutter, all products neatly stacked and the shelves loaded with food items were neatly stacked and arranged. I'll definitely be stopping by again to try the Pad Eggplant with a different protein or maybe to try something new. They also serve drinks. The Thai Ice Tea was very good! read more

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The food here is as authentic as it gets. The laab was incredibly savory with just the right touch of roasted rice richness that gave it amazing depth and texture, an easy 10/10. The chicken Pad See Ew was just as impressive, with a smoky aroma and rich flavor that had me coming back for a second visit in the same week. The service made the experience even better. Such a friendly and genuinely kind family. This is one of the few spots I'm always excited to recommend to people. read more

You won't find better Lao Thai food anywhere around. Plus the women who run in are kind. This is tucked in the back corner of a market. Seats are limited and all orders are considered to go. I've tried most the menu and everything is made to order and delicious. If you found yourself in the Modesto area from a bigger city and you miss Thai food this scratches that itch every time. read more

Wow this was one of the most comforting Asian grocery/restaurant I been too! The people there are super nice and just have a great attitude. They have great cooking supplies and great grocery items for a fair price as well as their fresh food is delicious! I ordered their homemade sausages, Lao papaya salad, and pad Thai and they were all so good! I asked for level 4 spice on the Lao papaya salad and it is like the perfect spice for me! Super mouth watering and such a great deal! I love the deep taste of the Lao version it's so good! Will be back to try more of their foods read more

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What a delicious Lao and Thai food spot inside a grocery store out in the Central Valley! We came on a Monday afternoon for lunch and found street parking right in front. The dishes are a great value with generous portion sizes and food made to order. We ordered a chicken pad Thai, beef pad see ew, and pork fried rice. Amazing smoky flavor from the wok and perfectly seasoned! Our favorite was the pad Thai as the noodles were cooked well and not soggy or stuck together. We also tried the Green Thai Tea and Sugarcane juice which were both solid. All the food comes in take out containers but if you dine in there is an area to sit inside and they provide water + cups, plates, utensils and napkins. read more

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One of the best restaurants I have gone to. I'm planning to come back here again soon, that's how good it was. I came here on a Saturday around 1030am and luckily there was only one person in front of me. I ordered the #33 - Pad Kra Prao w/ beef (traditional) and medium spicy. The lady taking my order was so nice and helpful. She was so cheerful and it made me excited to try the food. There isn't much seating so I would recommend coming early or ordering to go. Waited about 15 minutes and the food came out. It smelled amazing. There was so much flavor to it. I devoured it within minutes. My friends got the Nam Khao, Pad Kee Mao fried rice and the Lau sausage. I was able to try all of it and it was so good! This was such a great experience. The restaurant is located inside a small grocery store so you have found the place. I can't speak enough about this place. Definitely a hidden gem and I can't wait for others to try it as well. Thank you so much Kua Lao Thai Kitchen! read more

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Absolute gem of a place. This time around I wasn't able to take photographs of all the dishes without having a few bites first. We tried a few new dishes and everything was sensational, and FRESHLY made dishes, which is what we love about this establishment along with the flavors they are working with. Highly recommend trying this place out. Everything was so good that we plan on going back today to try out two more dishes we regretted not ordering. read more

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Food was awesome Service was great Ambiance is typical asian market with a little seat down place to eat! Longan ice tea and sugar cane tea was delish! Come and try the food!! Will be back!! read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - Orange chicken & fried chicken - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

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I've been here 3 times already and it's family owned grocery store/restaurant. Everyone is so kind and welcoming. Food is amazing! The papaya salad isn't your traditional Thai papaya salad cause it's a lao's version, but it's really good! Spice level if you like spicy food they definitely bring the heat. Place is clean. Parking is decent . The amount of food you get for the amount you pay is unreal! They also currently have 4party tray options: laab, fried rice, pad de ew, and pad thai. Small tray ranges from $60-$80. I wish I lived closer cause I'd eat here every day! read more

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Kua Lao Thai Kitchen brings some authentic Southeast Asia dishes for you. So authentic that if you like Thai pepper spicy this your place. Follow your nose through Aqua Blue Store to the smells on basil and spices to the order counter. Be patient, every time we went there was a line. Usually the owner, Noking (I'm sure I screwed up the spelling), is the person taking your order. We had several dishes here, most recently was the Pad Kee Mao and Lao Sausage. I ordered the Pad Kee Mao medium spice and it had me sweating with others sitting around me laughing, it was fire and the heat level gets even hotter. It was delicious! The Lao Sausage was firm and very complex in texture. In the past we had the Pad Thai and the Pad Se Ew, all delicious. If you're in or passing through Modesto, CA you need to stop in here. read more

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Shrimp pad Thai and chicken potstickers! Great food, great service, awesome variety. They Areli ate in the back of a market with space to dine in, I usually take out. The ladies that help you are the sweetest and always have a wonderful smile on their face. read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

Berkeley ,San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles Santa Clara , Sunnyvale and then we find this place. The food here is so amazing. Flavorful spice and cooked just right. The chicken is tender the noodles al dente the eggrolls are superb the rice is so damn delicious. The service was great too making sure we received what we asked for. This place is inside a store so you may be thrown off but don't worry this is authentic for sure. read more

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5 stars for the food for sure.. if you love spicy, they have it going on.. if you're not in to spicy, make sure you let them know you want it mild. I've been to a few of the Thai places in Modesto. We wanted to try something new, and I saw the rating, and pics of the food, so definitely wanted to try it. If you're expecting a fancy sit-down restaurant, this wouldn't be your place. It's a hidden gem for sure inside a little Asian grocery market. Flavor of their food makes up for the surroundings you're dining in. We were not disappointed. The staff were very sweet and accommodating.. and they keep the dining space clean. Can't wait to go back and try some other dishes, and I'll definitely be using them for catering. read more

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First, this place is a store w/a restaurant within. The woman at the cash register near the door was so warm & welcoming. Not a ton of seating but enough when we were there at 2pm. During their lunch rush, I'm sure seating is impossible, but don't let that deter you. Take it to go! I've had a hard time finding good Thai/Lao in my area. I drove 1 1/2 hrs to meet a friend there & it was worth it. Truly. All of the food was great. My tastebuds would've liked a bit more tamarind & more lime in the pad thai, but that's my only thing. Otherwise, it was all great plus they gave us free white rice w/our entrees. Last, their prices are AMAZING! The quantity is really good too. Service was really really good & pleasant. Just know they don't have a parking lot (as far as I could tell), but they are wheelchair accessible (just ring the doorbell). Pls, go support this small business. read more

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Oh. My. Goodness!!! Run - don't walk - to this lovely gem of a Thai food restaurant nestled inside a cute market called "Aqua Blue Store." Searching for the best Thai food in Modesto, Kua Lao Thai Kitchen popped up on Yelp with a 4.9 star-rating - no small feat for ANY business on this platform - so I decided it had to be worth a try. I called in to order the eggplant with beef and spring rolls. Since it was an hour before closing, they told me it'd be ready in about 30 minutes (so make sure to plan ahead). Don't blink while you're driving by 411 H Street, or you might miss it; there are only a few parking spots on H Street, but you can park around the corner on 4th, too. While you're waiting for your food to be freshly prepared, you can browse their varied selection of Southeast Asian groceries! I loved both dishes, but the fresh shrimp spring rolls were my absolute favorite! 10/10 would order them again; they were super satisfying and refreshing on a scorching Central Valley summer day. Best of all, the prices are right. Don't sleep on this one... read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - Eggplant w/ beef - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

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Take out counter in a little grocery store. They have Thai and Cambodian foods. Tried the Thai green papaya salad with medium spice. It had a kick! Also tried the red curry stir fry which had great flavor. Food was authentic and service was quick!! I would return! read more

Yes it is a hole in the wall! It's absolutely delicious. I had absolutely no idea this restaurant existed. Honestly it never popped up on Yelp before until today. I gotta bring my husband so he can try this place out. The cook is exceptional and so is the person who takes the orders. So sweet and nice! read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - Chicken egg rolls and fried rice - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

There were rumors in the 209 that a new restaurant was in the works after the previous restaurant closed. Through the word of friends, family, and the community it was officially announced that the daughter of the Aqua Blue Store will take over! And yes.... IT'S FINALLY HERE!! I attended with my family to the grand opening. It was pretty busy; the line never ended keeping the staff busy, sweating, but still able to keep a smile on their faces. I applaud their hustle and dedication to creating a new Lao Thai restaurant to provide delicious, authentic cuisine. The menu has a great assortment of options to choose from! You can choose a wide selection of appetizers, salads, curry, fried rice, noodle dishes, and other entrees. There are also a variety of beverages to complement your meal and dessert! We ordered egg rolls, fried chicken wings, lao sausage, Lao-style papaya salad, laab, pad Thai, and several drinks. Everything tasted fantastic and incredibly delicious! All made fresh-to-order and well worth the cost. Each dish was unique and easily different in its own way. You can't go wrong with any of them. Kua Lao Thai Kitchen is located inside the Aqua Blue Store. All the staff are super friendly and their hard work is evident. They provide excellent service and are proactive to their delivery. It was obvious there would be some kinks and stress on the first day, but that will be perfected over time. Street parking is available and there is a limited section for dine-in. I will definitely return to try other items on the menu. read more

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If your looking for affordable and fresh Thai/lao food then this is your place! Always made fresh to order, owner and staff always welcoming and accommodating. Eat here once a week at least no joke, love this place! Big menu too lots of options for everyone! 10/10 recommend read more

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One of my absolute favorites in Modesto!! Love how friendly they are so welcoming. The food is Ahmazing and reasonably priced almost unheard of these days. My personal favorites- Spring rolls w shrimp, Thai coffee, Beef Larb, Won Ton Soup and my newest knock your socks off their Mango sticky rice.. I have never really been a fan till this Gem of a Restaurant.. Try them you will not be disappointed!!! read more

Found this place by mistake heading back to the Bay Area but what a pleasant mistake! First, the workers were really friendly, welcoming, and service oriented. The food was really flavorful with just about the right spice I asked for. The quantity and price was also on point. If I'm ever in the area again, I will certainly frequent this Thai restaurant again! read more

Found this through a TikTok video and it was well worth the short trip. Food was fresh and hot. Cashier was super nice and friendly with us. Menu easy to read. We enjoyed the meal and took plenty home due to the amount they serve you. Will go back to try other items. read more

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Cheap, fast and delicious! The food is made to order. You're able to get trays ahead of time as well

Scoops on main wishes it was as good Kua Lao Thai. Big portions, good customer service, good prices and the food is amazing! Very traditional Lao and Thai, I like that it's in a hole in the wall and almost anything can be customized to your taste. Nothing is over $11 and the food is fresh. Love this place! read more

Don't really want to tell anyone how awesome Kua Lao Thai Kitchen. But what I will say is that almost nothing cost more than $12. It's a lot of food. And beautifully renovated. Real deal hidden gem. read more

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We've tried the pad Thai, general tso chicken, and tofu spring rolls. Everything is always SOO good!

This place has an amazing food and amazing customer service. It's a hole in the wall. That is a true true gem. If you are into Thai food and Lao food they've got the best food the best flavors. I highly recommend this place. Some of my go to items are papaya salad, the spring rolls and the dipping sauce is absolutely delicious. Other great items are pad Thai, laab, and the curry dishes. You will not be disappointed.. read more

The beef jerky and papaya salad are my favorite dish here. This place is definitely authentic and you can tell they make their food with love. read more

If you are craving DELICIOUS Southeast Asian cuisine for a REASONABLE PRICE, this place is IT! The wife and I stopped by on a hot summer day, craving some refreshing TROPICAL drinks and SPICY Thai Food (best COMBO in my opinion). Look no further if you want some quick and GOOD FOOD. Overall: 5 Star, would return if in the area. (Got time? Keep reading for the in-depth review.) Atmosphere: At first glance, you might be thrown off by the grocery store at the front entrance. But head towards the rear and beyond the store aisles, and you will find a humble kitchen and a small dining area. Quaint, but inviting nevertheless. It's not the fanciest, but I didn't come here for fine dining. Wear your casual comfy clothes - this is Thai Street Food style. Service: We were greeted promptly from behind the counter, and were welcomed with a smile. Looking up at the large TV screens on the menu, I was overwhelmed at first with options, but I knew I wanted to get something spicy with the drinks. The young lady behind the counter kindly pointed out which dishes were popular and which ones were of reasonable spice level. After choosing from an array of delectable looking dishes, spice levels were customized and we placed the order. Payment was easy, and the establishment accepts either cash or card. Food: Drinks - Longan and Thai Tea: these drinks hit the SPOT! Taking a sip brought me back to the island of Koh Samui. Perfect for a hot summer day. (9.5/10) ($) Chicken Eggrolls: Freshly fried, crunchy, and they did not skimp on the filling. These rolls were THICC (9/10) ($). I honestly like them better than Chinese egg rolls and would order again! Beef Laab: Texture was authentic and fresh veggies were served as garnish to complement the medium spicy beef. The spices and flavor were not too overpowering (8.5/10) ($) Pineapple Fried Rice: Rice was fresh and the seasoning was not too salty. We had the shrimp as choice of protein, and the dish went well with the stir fry eggplant dish (9/10) ($) Pad Eggplant: Eggplant dish with chicken - combination sensation. Usually if the veggies are too soggy, I lose my appetite, but the flavor and texture went well with the rice. (9/10) ($) Papaya Salad: I requested 4 peppers and the spice was very strong on this one. However paired with the longgan drink it was a love hate relationship. The papaya was sooo good, that despite my tongue burning we kept going at it . (9.5/10) ($) read more

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Got the chicken pad Thai and chicken egg rolls! Delicious! Egg rolls were very meaty! Also shopped in the store great finds for super cheap! 10/10 recommend! read more

Used to love the mom & pop that ran this place before. New owners spruced up the look but the food is okay. PRICES on the other hand are too high. They raised all the prices and it just is not the draw it used to be... I will not go anymore read more

Food was really great and so was the service! Will definitely be making this a regular lunch spot!

Hands down the best Thai food in Modesto ! First time calling an order in and the service was just as good as in person ! Tucked in behind a little but mighty market selling many different Asian ingredients this hidden gem is worth the try I'd recommend literally anything and don't be afraid to ask to make it spicy as they always accommodate and go extra mile for their customers ! They also have a little dinning area to eat there or they do take out as well! read more

One of my favorite places. Good value and portion size. Pad see ew and pad Thai noodles are yum!

No gluten free options unfortunately, but the rest of my group said the food was excellent. The server explained to me that they couldn't make the food gluten free and still taste good, which I honestly appreciated and found refreshing. We got pad kee mao, spring rolls, pad see ew, pineapple fried rice (it comes with cashews so heads up to anyone with a nut allergy), and pad kra prao. Folks said the food was excellent. They also sell laab, the style available in the US, and also the raw style which makes this place stand out cause many places don't have a raw option. We didn't get it, but might next time. The restaurant is part of a small Thai market that sells imported goods from Thailand and Asia. There's a seating area in one corner of the market, so expect more of a super casual take-out vibe than actual restaurant ambiance. read more

Food and beverages are great. Service is awesome. Try their Thai tea on a hot day and you'll love it! read more

Kua Lao Thai Kitchen - Pad Thai Chicken - Laotian Near Me - Modesto, California

The food, service and kitchen were all IMPECCABLE!! We got the red curry with chicken, Som Tum Salad, and Pineapple Curry with Thai Iced Coffee and Lychee Tea. All were incredibly fresh, authentic, flavorful, and we were given very generous portions of each. Service was outstanding, incredibly friendly people in the store. Kitchen was spotless. I can't wait to go back and try more :) read more

Love love love this place. Truly a hidden gem. It is located inside Aqua Blue Asian grocery store. I've only tried a few items on the menu, but everything I've tried was flavorful,fresh and absolutely delicious. I've tried the Thai style papaya salad and it has a the perfect amount of sweet,spicy,umami flavor. You can make it spicier if you'd like, but I stick to the one chili. The pad see eww is really good. It's flat rice noodles with Chinese broccoli and your choice of protein. Really good flavor and one of my favorite. Their pad thai is amazing as well. Their mango sticky rice is delicious. The drinks are really good and refreshing. The Thai tea and match thai tea are both equally good. The ladies working the counter are really nice. And their prices are great. Definitely would recommend. read more

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Best Thai food in town ! Very friendly staff and best price ! We wish we can come here everyday