I dropped by this past weekend after the open widows beckoned me. I walk by all of the time, but surprisingly have never had the chance to eat here. I love the colorful decor and the woman behind the bar was hustling - she was playing the role of hostess and bartender all at once and never missed a beat! I ordered chicken satay, because I just wanted a little bit of a protein snack to hold me over for a bit. It was good - pretty standard and what I expected. But after seeing the person next to me order the Claypot Noodles, I placed that order to go. I loved the dish - light, but still flavorful and filling with a decent amount of fresh crabmeat sprinkled on top. I would definitely order it again. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of the best Thai joints in town, and they have really stood the test of time - open about 9 years now! First, they have really cool decor. The name is lit up in huge letters, and the whole space is a neon and turquoise rainbow, it's very striking. The space is small, but they turn tables fast. I have not needed a reservation when I have visited. Even better: the food. The shrimp bikini is a great starter, so simple and yet not found at a lot of the other Thai spots in DC. My second fave is the moo ping pork skewers with fish sauce. The entrees are a wide mix of Thai classics. The best in my book is the kapow with minced chicken. I love that you can get minced chicken as the protein option. This dish is full of flavor, with fresh chili & garlic stir fried with red pepper, basil, and string beans. Real good. I have never had a bad dish here. Highly recommended! read more

I'm genuinely sad about this because I really loved Thai Chef and do my best to support local businesses. I stopped in yesterday during lunch -- it wasn't crowded -- I ordered a Thai iced tea ($6.50). I handed the bartender a $20 bill and was given $3.20 back. I didn't make a fuss about the missing change at first, but being shorted $10 is not a small mistake. When I brought it to the bartender's attention, there was no apology or acknowledgment. The response was simply, "Here's your ten dollars." No accountability. No integrity in that exchange. Just disappointment from her that I was paying attention and she didn't get over on me. Lesson learned: Use a card, get an itemized bill, check your receipt, and count your cash. Pay attention -- or you can get got. This can happen anywhere. It just happened to me at Thai Chef. read more

The fairly small dine-in Thai restaurant was charming, and the staff were pleasant. I made a to-go order of chicken Pad Thai and pineapple fried rice (that had chicken and shrimp). The food came fairly fast and the bag was stapled shut and ready to go. Unfortunately, that meant I failed to notice they didn't give me any utensils, napkins, soy sauce or anything else. The Pad Thai was good with a delightful slight tanginess. The pineapple fried rice was less enjoyable, as it was dry and the pineapples were not juicy. The shrimp were also odd in that some had tails on and others tails off. I prefer tails off. Not a bad place I may visit again, but I'll skip the pineapple fried rice next time. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Pad Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice meals - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Service was good. Food was AMAZING. My least favorite was favorite the wings. Too flavorful where it didn't really go well with any of the other dishes. Wish they have put the sauce on the side. My favorite dish was the crab fried rice. OH EM GEE! Was cooked to perfection. YUM! Sad that they have taken the Tiger steak out of their menu. That was the reason I came back. Anyway, we still enjoyed the meal. read more

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Came here to just grab to go food but then found myself grabbing a drink at the bar I could tell my server Richa was so busy but she still managed to maintain friendly professional service and made me a BEAUTIFUL drink. I love the colors of this restaurant- it makes me feel happy. Also I was cold at the bar and Richa immediately turned on the heat- A QUEEN! read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Purple Rain - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good basic staple Thai food! Service is good even on super busy day and the decor and seating is nice! Definitely good to checkout!

Excellent place for takeout. The crab rangoons are some of the best I've had and everything else is tasty and fresh. Quick service too.

Summer was our Server; what a delight! Their specialty cocktails; Crazy Thai Lady and Elderberry Old Fashion were well made and delicious. The Bikini Shrimp Rolls and the Thai Chef Dumplings are very appetizing. We also shared a Poh Tak Seafood platter; Wow! So tasty. The decor is cozy and the service team all works together seamlessly. Thanks again Summer! read more

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The Thai Chef has a charming, fairy‑tale‑like décor -- stepping inside feels like walking into a colorful storybook. The space is vibrant, with bar seating and plenty of tables both downstairs and upstairs. Portions are just right, and the flavors are unique; I tried a few of the more unusual dishes on the menu and they all suited my taste perfectly. The staff is lovely, and it would be even better if the place used more essential oils to keep the atmosphere fresh and relaxing. read more

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Thai Chef is probably the best restaurant in D.C. I come here every single time I'm in town and it never disappoints. I always get the panang curry with tofu - it is perfect. It is just the right amount of savory and sweet. The tofu texture is great. One of my favorite meals in the district and one of my favorite restaurant meals in general. The food always comes out way faster than I expect and the staff is so friendly. The vibe is also immaculate. They recently redid their menus btw they're so artsy. 10 out of 10 no notes. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Panang Curry - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

YUM! A delicious restaurant with such a great ambiance and decor in Dupont Circle! We were surprised by the chewy (but delicious!) scallion pancake. I also loved the eggplant! Definitely a very good meal. read more

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Good food, good cocktails, we had a swell time. The eggplant was especially scrumptious, but my friends' plates of drunken noodles and other rice dishes looked equally so. read more

this spot rocks. I've come a few times while in town, and it never disappoints. the service is engaging and quick, everyone is usually very friendly, and it's decorated in such a fun+colorful manner. i've gotten the fried tofu app, spring rolls, panang curry, drunken noodles, etc, and the quality is consistently good every time. read more

My boyfriend and I popped in Saturday afternoon for an early dinner. I appreciate that vegan options are clearly marked on the menu (as are gluten free options, if that's your preference). And there was a sufficient selection of vegan options. The restaurant decor is cute, with a vibe that made me think small town cafe instead Thai restaurant in Washington, DC. The tables are a little closer together than I would like, but we made it work. It also got rather warm during the course of our meal. They don't have plain iced tea, and their Thai iced tea has half-and-half in it, so I got a ginger ale. The server brought a can with a glass of ice, which is a pet peeve of mine. I don't like when restaurants with table service serve canned beverages, unless they are specialty beverages (like some canned mocktails). As someone who doesn't drink, I found their non-alcoholic options lacking. We also ordered the Sticky Tofu to share, a Veggie Delight stir fry for me, and Penang Tofu for him. Now, when I saw "sticky," I imagined cubes of tofu coated in a sauce that clings to the bites and drips back onto my plate when I bite into it. What we got was dry cubes of tofu in a pool of sauce that wasn't enough to flavor the tofu. The texture was great--a perfect mix of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside--but the flavor was lacking. When I got my stir-fry, I could smell the garlic, which is not a bad thing. But there was nothing unique or special about it. It was basic Thai restaurant tofu stir fry. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't hugely impressed. My boyfriend will eat spicy food, but he felt his Penang curry was a bit too spicy for him. The restrooms are up a flight of stairs, and there is more seating there, but I imagine they only use that during busier times. As my boyfriend said, he could take or leave this place, so I'm not sure I'll be back. read more

We heard this was the place to be. The restaurant itself is a little small, but the portions are huge. They definitely have the wok fire going to give it that essential high heat flavor. Crab fried rice was on point and the pad see ew was delicious. I would say the pad Thai came in third place. The mango sticky rice was something left to be desired, not as good as sampannee. The fried rice and pad see ew was definitely better here than sampannee. read more

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Decent Thai spot - tried it for lunch. The pad Thai was as you expect it, pretty good. Service was ok, inside was not huge and a little warm. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Pad See Ew - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious food. Good portions. Good prices. Fast and friendly service. Servers were attentive and patient while I made my selection. Clean and colorful ambiance. No parking lot but easily accessible by public transit and very easy to walk to. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Large variety of vegan/vegetarian food, and very fun decor! Came here with my family for a celebratory dinner and we had a great time. read more

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I'm a huge fan of Thai food and had been hearing about Thai Chef Street food for quite a while. Restaurant is located on Connecticut Avenue right up the street from the DuPont Circle metro stop. Outside doesn't look like much but it's pretty large inside with two levels and a good an amount of seating. Really liked the decor. Food - The food was good but tbh I've had better Thai food at multiple places in the DMV. We ordered the Thai chef dumplings and afterschool wontons for apps. Also got the Thai tea which was delicious, not too sweet. Entrees were the Duck soup and the Massaman curry with beef. Favorite food item were the apps easily. Dumplings were plump and stuffed with filling. My curry had good flavor but still tasted a bit bland somehow. Didn't really care for the beef as the meat of choice but that's on me. Most Thai restaurants I've visited usually serve this dish with lamb so though it'd be comparable flavor. Service - Staff were very friendly and got us seated within minutes. Given we visited around 1 pm on a Friday, I'd recommend reservations as I've heard it fills up quickly. After being seated the service slowed down considerably. Noticed only two servers were working so not a huge deal. Assumed they were prepping for the busy night as well. All in all I'd check out Thai Chef street food again if I'm in the area and really craving Thai or out of options. Otherwise I'll stick to my usual Thai restaurants. read more

Came with a reservation for a large party, and I'd recommend making a reservation even for smaller parties as well. This place is great. Food is delicious, with many different options for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. The decorations are brightly colored and eclectic. The service is decent. The pricing is fair. If you drink alcohol the cocktails are fun, and if you don't they've got some delicious juices (that come in fancy cups garnished with mint) and the classic Thai tea. I love me some good Thai food and this place scratched that itch quite nicely. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Mango juice - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a cool spot! The decor is definitely eye-catching and Insta worthy but they don't stop at the aesthetic because the food is good too! I tried the duck noodle soup with tender pieces of duck and a nice rich broth - make sure to ask for the Thai spices to add! It really kicks it up a notch. Mango sticky rice is one of all time favorite desserts so of course I had to get it - so so good here! Just the right amount of sticky rice for the mango topped with a lovely coconut cream sauce. It's seasonal of course but worth waiting for mango season. read more

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Tried this place on a whim with my wife and I'm glad we did. Mostly great food - the veggie curry puffs are akin to samosas but the dipping sauce makes it 10x better. The fried rice was refreshingly delicious. The BKK wings are marked as spicy on the menu but they were very sweet. This is the only reason for 4 stars & not 5. The portion (~5 wings) was sufficient for me. My wife also liked the Thai tea. Service was prompt and courteous. Servers were very attentive and we were tended to very quickly and efficiently. The restaurant's vibe is very fantasy-like. I liked the major piece (photographed) and the seating arrangements. They also have an upstairs section. One thing to note is that the restroom is upstairs so if you have limited mobility, this will be a concern. read more

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Probably some of the best Thai food I've had outside of Thailand. The place is small, so it fills up quickly, but tables also move quickly. Pork appetizer, glass noodles, and catfish curry. Everything was fresh, delicious, spicy, and flavorful! Def a great Thai option. read more

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Really great drinks menu and I love to see a menu that gives a good survey of southeast asian foods. I mean everyone loves to see the classics, but larb, pork belly, and beef noodle soup are all important nutrition and flavor components that make up Thai cuisine. My rice was perfectly cooked, and my soup had a light broth fully loaded with mushrooms and protein! I don't even believe I got the best item on their menu so I want to revisit and try more! read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Tom Ka and Brown Rice - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I walked in on a whim for lunch, and I'm so glad I did! The service was great. I was greeted and seated quickly, and my food and drinks came out quickly, as well. All staff members that I encountered were friendly and helpful! For food, I started with the after school wontons and then ordered the crab meat fried rice as my entree. The after school wonton were more savory than sweet. I personally tend to prefer a sweet flavor profile for these, but still thought they were yummy. They were super crispy (came out very fresh), and the homemade sweet and sour sauce was really good! The crab meat fried rice was also delicious. It was a very large portion, and the flavor was good, as well. I also ordered two cocktails - the pandan cocktail (I forget the actual name) and the Fishing in Mekhong. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but I especially recommend the Fishing in Mekhong. I expected this to be possibly sweet (which was misguided because, while it has thai tea in it, it does not have sweetened condensed milk), but it was actually a bit tart and came with a lime wedge. I found it to be really refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. Overall, my personal order was pretty basic/standard as far as the items I chose, but still impressed me with taste/quality. I definitely am looking forward to trying other items on their menu! Outside of the food, the atmosphere/interior is 10/10, and I loved the neat/thematic decor. Its a small-ish space, but there seemed to be two levels with seating (I was on the bottom level, but it looked like there was seating upstairs, too), as well as bar seating. When I first entered, it was shortly after opening and there were only one or two other tables occupied, but it filled up a bit by the time I left. I also heard a couple people mention that it is often packed when they come in, and I dont think they offer reservations - so just be prepared to possibly have a wait if dining in. read more

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Delicious food at decent prices, convenient location (steps from the world's best optometrist), and quick, friendly service. This Thai place has it all. The decor is quirky and in keeping with the "street food" theme. I wouldn't change anything about this restaurant if I could. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - THE best limeade ever. Seriously, order this! - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Okay so overall, super yummy! Loved the pad see ew (the noodles were perfect), and both the catfish curry and green curry were excellent. Shrimp bikini was crispy and fun, and the service was fast + really sweet. Also, the decor? Gorgeous. Definitely a spot that feels inviting and well put-together. BUT. My biggest disappointment: the crab meat fried rice. Everyone hyped this dish up so much that we came in with sky-high expectations, especially since my dad loves crab. We were ready for fireworks. Instead... it was so underwhelming. It looked kinda plain and tasted exactly how it looked. Nothing terrible, just... meh. Honestly, I should've known, because my mom is a beast in the kitchen and makes fried rice that no restaurant could compete with hehe but still, with all the hype, I was hoping for more. That said, still a great spot overall! read more

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The food was average. I ordered the Pad See Ew, which was a bit on the sweet side. When I asked for chili garlic sauce or Thai chilies, the waiter said they typically offer chili flakes (like those used on pizza) or a hot sauce that resembled Frank's. I found it unusual for a Thai restaurant not to have more traditional Thai condiments, like sriracha. The decor was pleasant and thoughtfully done. Friendly service. Overall, I'm not sure I'd recommend this place to friends. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Pad See Ew (Veggie) $18 - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

YASsss, nicely crafted cocktails with an Asian twist!! I came for their happy hour, and loved everything I tried, and was pleasantly surprised that for an unassuming restaurant bar like this. While they don't have an extensively large drink menu, their cocktails are pleasantly creative with Asian flavored twists (think lemongrass & lime leaf infused tequila, butterfly pea tea infused vodka, pandan flavored rum), and they were SO delicious with balanced ratios! Don't miss them out if you're in the area. Their staff are super friendly as well! read more

The food here was amazing and the staff was super kind and accommodating. They were able to seat my team and me upstairs, and the vibe and ambiance were just right. I had the basil fried rice with beef and it was delicious. Everyone on my team enjoyed their meals and everything looked great. The decor is unique and there was a story about the family behind the restaurant placed on a shelf near our table. It was a thoughtful touch that made the experience even more special. We'll definitely be back to try more. read more

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Came here for dinner on a Friday evening around 6:30. Was able to be seated at the bar immediately which was really nice. The bartender was very nice and very attentive. My water glass was always full! I liked the menu because it had a variety of appetizers and dishes with a little symbol about what was recommended. I ordered the Chicken Curry Puff and the Southern's Comfort. I loved the Chicken Curry Puffs! The puff was the best consistency and the filling had great flavors. I wanted more! I also like the Southern Comfort but I wish it had more veggies. The dishes came out very quickly. The portions were big and I had leftovers. Prices were fair ~9 for the appetizer and ~18 for the meal. Inside was cute. An enjoyable dinner! read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Chicken Curry Puff - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is a great spot for a quick Thai fix. I stopped by around 6 pm on a Sunday and was seated and served right away. We tried the Thai tea, chicken curry puff, madman curry with chicken, and Penang curry with tofu. The Thai tea and Penang curry with tofu were particularly tasty. However, I usually enjoy my Thai curries with roti canai, which wasn't available on the menu, so that was a bit of a letdown. I really appreciated the casual atmosphere--it was perfect for our needs after a day of walking around and craving some fast, satisfying food. Overall, it was a solid experience! read more

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Location: perfect for a date or simply enjoying a good meal with family and friends. The inside decor was stunning, very social media ready lol but seriously, it added a very artsy yet chill vibes to the place. Service: they moved very quickly to get us seated and accurately took our order. Drinks: I ordered the crazy Thai lady and my boyfriend ordered the Thai iced tea. My drink had just the right amount of alcohol and spiciness added to it, I enjoyed every sip. My boyfriend said that he also enjoyed his Thai iced tea. Appetizers: omg the chicken curry puffs were SCRUMPTIOUS! Wrapped in a buttery soft pastry, the curry and spices permeated my tastebuds and I was whisked away to a land of satisfaction! Food: I ordered the duck curry and my boyfriend ordered the panang chicken curry. We sampled each other's dishes and let me say this...the dishes were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! My duck curry sat perfectly in a sea of red curry sauce and while the spice levels were high, I did not want to stop indulging. My boyfriend's panang chicken curry was equally as amazing and had just the right amount of flavors added to it. Bill: surprisingly the final bill was not as high as I expected and they did a good job providing good quantity for the cost! Would I return? ABSOLUTELY read more

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We were looking for a quick bite to eat while in the DuPont Circle area and stumbled upon Thai Chef Street Food. The restaurant is colorful and vibrant. There were plenty of people settled in to eat lunch, but they seated us quickly. Honestly, my review of this restaurant is largely based on the chive cake. This item was phenomenal; one of the best dishes I have ever eaten and definitely something I would come all the way back to D.C. for. The chicken curry puff was also a yummy snack and the drunken noodle was a very solid dish. Overall, top rated Thai food, in my opinion. Again, HIGHLY recommend the chive cake and I would be super interested to try their other street food options as well! read more

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If you're looking for Thai food with great lunch specials and a nice happy hour definitely check out this DuPont favorite. Apart from being very aesthetically pleasing the food is clean fresh and not bastardized. I even asked on time for them to let me do the tum yum as a noodle dish and they did it for me! You can go wrong and it's a great option if Sura nearby is booked read more

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Colorful, homey decor, food came out fast and was delicious, waiter was nice and put my order in promptly. read more

Thai Chef Street Food - Duck Noodle Soup - Thai Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We've ordered take out from here quite a few times and it always hits. The in-person experience was wonderful as well. Such a colorful and quirky atmosphere. The food is always flavorful and warmed perfectly. Service was quick and attentive. Restrooms and additional seating are found upstairs. read more

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Cute little place that, despite being packed, got us seated quickly and had fast and attentive service. The Chive Cake was delicious, very soft inside and melts in your mouth. The Crab Fried Rice was good, but it didn't have any heat as I was expecting- I should have asked for some spice! Good place, worth a stop if you're looking to fill a Thai craving! read more

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This was a great place to pop into for a quick and casual meal before heading down to the Improv. This restaurant is beautiful. The decor is eclectic and fun and a little fantastical. The service is quick and friendly. Drinks: 10/10 - these were the star of the show. The crazy Thai lady is the signature cocktail and it didn't disappoint. It is lemongrass and kefir lime infused tequila and was delicious and savory, rather than sweet, the way most cocktails are. The Fishing in Mekhong was boozey Thai iced tea. Cucumber salad: 9/10 - exactly what you'd expect. Sweet, sour, salty, delightful. Chive cakes: 8/10 - They are actually little cubes, and come with a great sweet, sour dipping sauce. Wings: 9/10 - Super crispy and coated in something like cornflakes, with an amazing sweet and sticky sauce. Sticky tofu: 5//10 - Good, but confusing. It was a very heavily fried tofu cube dish topped with peanuts and it was good tofu. However, there was nothing sticky about it. The sauce was thin and on the bottom of the plate. It was not the sweet, gooey dish I was expecting. Accessibility note: this place is listed as one of the most ADA friendly restaurants in DC. They do have a folding wheelchair ramp for the front door. However, the bathroom is upstairs, so if someone in your party has mobility issues, they are out of luck. read more

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