I have fond memories of many, many meals at Zen Zero over the last 5 years. Due to my primary residence changing when I roll into the 785 I salivate for shrimp chips, veggie momos, spring rolls, salmon on white rice with divine veggies, tom kha soup....I'll stop my recitation of favorite menu items now because I truly love it all and the list could get lengthy. I took my brother for apps and beverages on his birthday. The place was busy, but not swamped and the entire bar was open. Perfect. I order a Boulevard Wheat from the smile-less bartender my brother a Kirin. The tap blows on the wheat, no problem, I chime in I'll take a Kirin instead. She gives me a blank stare, changes the keg over the course of the next 10 minutes, gives me a beer and ignores my brother. For 15 more minutes. She obviously had food to expedite, tables to wait on, and plenty of more important things to do then serving the birthday boy who was right in front of her a beer. Doing everything in our power to get her attention (she was doing a really fantastic job scowling at the floor) I gave up on hopes of my veggie delights and exposing my brother to his first dose of tofu done right. Despite the horrific excuse for service I saw the kitchen staff is the same, Kelly and the guys are still undoubtedly serving up the same delicious fare they have for years, its unfortunate that due to the bartender badness we never got to that point. read more

Only ate her once. Food was okay. Didn't care for the atmosphere. Seemed dark and dingy. Definitely not a place for kids. My daughter hated it and couldn't find anything she liked on the menu. read more

Ya know, I think this place was just as the star ratings on Yelp say -- Meh. That's it. Nothing more. All of the highly regarded reviews led up to quite an expectation; honestly I was let down. A friend of mine and I ordered the spring rolls as our appetizer and had to laugh at the fact that we got TWO spring rolls for $4.29. Yes, they were good, but I felt like I had tasted the same thing from a frozen food section at Sam's Club. For my entree I ordered the Panang Curry, one of my favorite Thai dishes. The heat of the curry was not evenly distributed through the dish, so for one portion I had little and by the end it was so hot I could barely contain myself. My friend ordered Gai Phad King. I felt sorry for her because she had to force herself to eat it. She was not impressed, period. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to give this place another chance, simply because I've lived around Lawrence my entire life and have yet to have one friend that is crazy about it, let alone ever suggests going. read more

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The Pad Thai was awful . I think because we are in Kansas they think we don't know decent Tai-American food. They have lost my business. Step it up Zen! You have such a cool atmosphere. read more

Seriously, I crave the Tom Yum soup. Like I think about it and then just have to go get a bowl. It's all I ever order anymore. Love the shrimp crackers too, and was delighted to find out they are gluten free! Want to go to lunch? Soup and crackers, that'll do! read more

I can't rate the food here, as we opted to leave before ordering. I can, however, comment on the lack of service and overall cleanliness of this establishment. Service: understaffed; hurried; rude front of house Cleanliness: un-wiped tables, smeared plates and silverware, dirty floors I don't live in Lawrence, but if I ever come back, I will steer clear of this mess. read more

I love Pad See Eew soooo much that sometimes my husband gets jealous. I also love Panang Curry, and Thukpa and Massaman Curry. Really I love Zen Zero. I eat here about twice a month, if not more. They provide quick carry out service, and the wait staff is friendly, they will happily recomend new dishes as well. In summertime I enjoy sitting outside and watching people stroll down Mass while eating delicious Pad Thai or Singapore Noodles. Zen Zero is cheap and never dissapoints. Probably my favorite Lawrence restaurant. read more

I always make a special trip to ZZ when I'm back in Lawrence! The shrimp crisps are light and flavorful, and I always order the Gai Pad King. The coconut soup and Mai Tais are amazing too! In addition, I'm always seated right away and given great service. read more

I've never had anything here that I don't like! I absolutely adore noodles and this place has some authentic noodle dishes (sometimes using handmade noodles) that are so very yummy and remind me of home! I always ask what the daily specials are and will usually order one special. There are some amazing dishes that you might be wary of trying but fall in love with once you do - like how I fell in love with the Himalayan curry (special of the day) which tastes like curried stew... Yum! Love those free shrimp chips too! read more

Food was good although quite Americanized in terms of the flavors. Service was ok - our server never smiled or checked back with us. I understand it's Memorial Day and they are super busy being one of the only restaurants opened today, but you'd still expect a little more of warm gesture. read more

Don't look for spicy or authentic. We actually had a drink that looked like cement puke...it wasn't that bad. The place looks ok..typical to 2nd tier Lawrence. Service was a little slow, but it was Valentine's Day. I could give it 3, but that would be generous. No spice tray, but rice chips. Eh, I'd rather have a spice tray. And no Miller Lite. :) But, Coors Light works. :) read more

Take out blows, don't do it! Got order wrong, no offer to make up. Smaller portion than eating in. Not the old places here I ate 4 years ago. Never again for take out, maybe even eating in. read more

Went here for the first time, and I would say that it is a pretty good place to eat. I ordered the fried tofu appetizer, and it was very tasty. I ordered the beef drunken noodles as my entree, and it was very good as well. I really don't think it is better or worse than comparable establishments, it is just a good place to eat. One thing, my server was a little "distant," but he got the job done. Prices are inexpensive too. read more

Honestly, this is one of my favorite places to eat in Lawrence. Their Pad Thai and Yellow Curry are my two favorites to order! The bubble tea is also a winner. read more

I always get the Red Curry w/ chicken, Thai hot. It is crazy hot and I love it. Good place, good service.

I've eaten at Zen Zero a couple of times. The atmosphere is ok, and they have a large selection on their menu. The wait staff has always been attentive and helpful. The food usually rates as just "ok" for me, but decent enough that if someone suggested this place for dinner I would still go back again. I prefer Tup Tim Thai in Topeka for Thai food, but this is a nice little stop in Lawrence. read more

This is a small, intimate thai restaurant that has the absolute best pad thai I have ever had. Anyone new to town I always recommend to try this place. My husband and I dine here on a weekly basis and the staff is always very friendly and hospitable! Best Thai cuisine! read more

I have been coming here for years! Ever since I was a wee 18 year old freshman at KU. Today, we had EXCELLENT service. I wish I knew our server's name. She was friendly, but not intruding and offered to help us navigate the menu. Always had refilled drinks and everything was prompt. I had drunken noodles today. The serving is HUGE. I saved my leftovers and had more than enough to eat for dinner. I always love dish! The Thai basil makes it. My mother-in-law ordered one of the curry dishes (I think #27, not sure the name of the dish) and she said it was the best one she has ever had there because the vegetable tasted so fresh. I tried a bite and she was right. Great curry! I'll be ordering that next time. Other dishes I like there are the Vietnamese Spring Roll Salad and Tom Yam soup. read more

Good asian-fusion, inexpensive, and relatively vegetarian-friendly - so it hits most of my marks! Also, they don't seem to care if you are dining alone - thank you! For a vegan in the Midwest, this kind of place becomes a go-to very quickly! read more

I have a few favorite restaurants in Lawrence and this is one of them. They have great food and friendly, helpful staff. The specials are always spot on with flavor but standard menu items are just as amazing! read more

The food was really good but it was so uncomfortably cold inside that everyone at our table and both tables on either side had their coats on the entire meal. As someone that's normally always hot, even I found it too cold to enjoy. We could not wait to be done and get out. We had the pad Thai and drunken noodles. Both classics and great tasting. Next time we will try takeout rather than dine in. read more

I think I have an silly negative bias against Lawrence restaurants in general because my tastes have changed/evolved so much since I went to college there long ago thus more often than not, old favorite places don't live up to the hype of my memories. Zen Zero is changing that though. They consistently serve up tasty modern asian food at a decent price with good service & my most recent meal was impressive. Free shrimp(?) chips to snack on is always a plus. Shared the rice-flour calamari with my friends - crispy, not greasy, nice mix of tentacles & rings, great dipping sauce (which I mixed w/ hot chili sauce of course). I had one of my that faves: Som Tom papaya salad + optional shrimp ($10) & I must say it had PERFECTLY cooked shrimp. This is a rarity (anywhere) that should be applauded. Well balanced flavors, just-right kick of heat & also a visually pleasing dish (like a flower garden) with the salad in a red cabbage leaf bowl & veggie slices surrounding it. 5 stars for this dish. Friend enjoyed her Vietnamese Spring Roll Salad ($7) with chicken, rice vermicelli, cucumbers, carrots, field greens, bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro, crushed peanuts & it had wonton strips too. Note: no actual spring rolls involved in this salad, just ingredients that usually go into them. I stole some bites & it was dang tasty! Flavorful satay marinade on the chicken complements the tangy soy vinaigrette very well. Other pal had the thai standby Drunken Noodles ($7) with tofu which was spicy & delicious. Serving sizes are always ample. Happened to be $5 martini night (nice mid-shelf liquor options) so took advantage of that. They were all really large (cheers to that) & expertly mixed. Prompt, friendly service with a smile. This latest visit to Zen Zero was fantastic all around which will keep me coming back for more plus remind me to kick my unnecessary expectations of Lawrence fare to the curb. read more

A go-to for Asian fusion in Lawrence. I love the chicken Laab salad seasoned with fish sauce and serve with crispy cabbage - it has just the right about of spice. Their noodle dishes are hard to beat - I've never had Drunken noodles anywhere that match their's. The pad thai is solid as well. They do a great job offering vegetarian options - I always opt for the tofu since they do such a great job. It is pretty tight inside so it can be a busy weekend night when KU's in session, but overall you get great service, huge portions and tasty, quality fare. read more

It's delicious, everything is soooo good. I've had probably 6 different things here but my favorites are the spring roll salad and the pyonang curry. You can't beat the price and the restaurant has a comfy ambiance! I highly recommend it. read more

I like the authenticity of the place. I got the Singapore Noodles w/ a Thai Iced Tea and it was heavenly. My friend ordered the Drunken Noodles and that too was an adventure for my taste buds. read more

Great service and food. I was surprised that we weren't asked about the heat level that we wanted our dishes prepared. The Pad Thai was a little on the sweet side for me, but there was a container of garlic chili paste already on the table to spice the dish myself. My boyfriend loved the green curry noodles. The sauce was fresh and crisp in flavor. An appetizer, a beer, a drink, and 2 entrees ran us less than $35. Definitely worth the drive. This wasn't my first time and won't be the last! read more

Nice little Thai point, very reasonable. Their Spring Rolls are crazy good, with crab and both of the kind of suaces you normally get one or the other of at every place else (the chili/sweet sauce and a peanut butter sauce). We had dinner for 4 people for 38 bucks. Im trying the Yellow Curry next. One of our party had it but subbed the rice noodle for rice, and it looked awesome, and lots of leftovers. Great service. Quick and friendly!! read more

My husband and I ate lunch here yesterday, and it was ok. I didn't feel like it was authentic Thai, but it wasn't inedible. I got the Phad Sea Eaw and the sauce was a bit sweet and it was a little bland. The service was good, it was a nice little place. My husband got the Phad Prik and he said it was ok. Our overall experience was good, if you want authentic Thai, I wouldn't recommend it, but if you want a quick lunch I would recommend it. read more

A Lawrence favorite of mine and my KU son. Pad Thai is outstanding, chicken satay and crunchy spring rolls are favorite apps.

The food is pretty good, although it tends to be a bit spicy. Be careful that you don't order a hot dish, because it is seriously flaming hot! read more

This place is outstanding. Do not request spicy, shoot low because otherwise you will be sipping on water instead of eating. The cashew chicken is to die for. read more

I have absolutely loved everything I've eaten here, except maybe the fried tofu appetizer. The Singapore noodles are amazing, as is the Thai glass noodle soup. There are some interesting cocktails that I have also enjoyed. I don't live in Lawrence, but it's kind of weird that every time I eat here I seem to get the same server. If I lived closer I can imagine myself eating here at least three or four times a month. read more

Always an option when heading out to eat in Lawrence. Even though the price range isn't quite within the normal college kids budget, if you are willing to splurge then this is the THAI place to go. The open feeling of the restaurant is nice and welcoming, along with the quick and efficient waitstaff. I know I can always count on a speedy-delicious meal when I need it. Most of the appetizers and noodles I have tried are GREAT. I am a big fan of their pad thai, as @Frances G. mentioned, it is quite unique and I have yet to find a replica for their style of this classic thai noodle dish. Overall, I am a big fan and I would suggest this place as a treat for anyone passing through Larrytown (a.k.a. Lawrence). read more

The food is here is pretty bland. This is not the place for authentic Asian food. Once our service was great, and once it was standoffish. I do not like the free appetizers, whatever they are called. It's like eating styrofoam packing peanuts. read more

Food was awesome...service was poor...portions are generous and they have a nice selection of beers...will come back again to see if service will be better. read more

Nice atmosphere, good wine. I ordered the red curry with vegetables. I should've asked for extra spicy. There was hot sauce, but it's not the same. Also, I'm used to more variety of vegetables like mushrooms, baby corn and broccoli. This meal only came with red and green peppers and bamboo shoots--and tofu. Otherwise, it was pretty good for a good price and the service was good. read more

1 of the 4 dishes tried in the group was 4stars - the other 3 were cooked in butter and it was obvious. If you eat here, try the Drunken Noodles. read more

Great food and really good service. Exceptional hostess and wait staff. The food was good sized portions and somewhat authentic. It has a rustic hipster feel there, so don't expect a luxurious dining experience. I'm more of a casual diner, so it was perfect for me. I was in town for a short amount of time and looked at the reviews here and they are pretty spot on. read more

I just got a Yelp newsletter that said Zen Zero had been closed! Thankfully, that appears to have been in error. I almost had a heart attack! It may be too easy to mark a pace as closed on Yelp... read more

The Pad Thai is my favorite dish, I highly recommend you try it if you've never been to Zen Zero. I order mine without cilantro, so if you don't like heavy cilantro you should do the same. Tofu is a good choice as well. read more