Chai Yo Thai Cuisine

2116 S El Camino Real, San Mateo
(650) 315-2545

Recent Reviews

Aiko Gabriela K.

Upon entering, the setting was cozy, dimly lit, and there were modest decorations. The waiter bowed and greeted us with a friendly smile. Though they were the only one serving, so it was slightly slow; understandable though. They were still very polite and helpful. Food was light, healthy, and tasty. Samosas were probably the healthiest samosas I've ever had. We also ordered the Pad See Ew (vegetable) as well as brown rice with sweet and sour veggie chicken, which were both sooo delicious. It was fairly busy on a Saturday at 7pm...almost a full house. Overall, great experience. The food tasted and felt like exactly what a body needs! So tasty and healthy. Prices were also fair. I would definitely recommend this place.

Elle Y.

Saw the raving reviews so I decided to give this place a try since their price looks very reasonable too. I came early when they just opened up for the day. Empty restaurant. Looks clean. I ordered a tom yum noodle soup to go. The menu said it comes with shrimps and ground pork. There is only pork in my noodles without shrimps when I got home. What a disappointment!! The broth tastes ok but nothing much to write about it. I hope it is just an off day.

Nat T

Super annoying. They close at 3pm, 2:45 for take out. Last seating at 2:30. We got there at 2:28pm and found locked doors with not a soul i sight . Had called 35 min before to confirm hours before driving across the bridge and mentioned we were on our way…If you don’t want to stay open, fine, but then change your hours to 2pm & don’t tell a customer who said they were on their way that you’d be open. We specifically drove here. Took 40 minutes to get here.Food was good when we eaten here before, but they are rarely open or don’t keep there hours. Not worth the effort.

David L.

I have driven by this restaurant on El Camino many times but had no idea it was a Thai food place. When I read more about them I was intrigued to find out that they had lots of vegetarian style proteins. With a good amount of good Yelp reviews, I decided to give this place a try for a family takeout dinner. On the menu, it said that they had veggie chicken, pork, etc but on the phone I was told I could also get real meats as well. Parking can be a little difficult in this area but my wife dropped me off while she parked in a short term parking spot and I ran in to get the food which was ready in time as promised. On the car ride home, I can smell all the yummy dishes. We ordered the following: Penang curry chicken Pad thai with tofu Crispy fish with sweet garlic suace Bangkok duck (veggie duck) Praram beef All the dishes tasted great and portion sizes were decent. I had no complaints about any of them. A standout dish to me was the crispy fish with sweet garlic sauce. The prices were also decent. This place will be part of my peninsula Thai food option rotation for sure!

Jason K

Awesome. Thank you for being a vegan restaurant. We definitely need more.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

claire b.

Fantastic food, lots of veggies mixed in with the faux-meats and spices -- a GREAT place for vegans to enjoy the best of Thai without the impact. I am sooooo grateful this is so close to my house! Our date night favorite spot -- cozy and small restaurant.

Sibylle Hartmann

This is the best Thai Vegetarian food we had in a long time. Perfect spices. The Pumpkin curry was divine. Also the Pra-Ram is very delicious. .I wish we would live closer, I would eat here once a week. I want to return and try other dishes.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Vegan

Rachel Clair

Went here for take out. Really delicious pad Thai and Tom yum soup! Main issue is the pad see ew portion was so so small it was like half had already been eaten. See the photo for comparison of the pad Thai and pad see ew portion sizes. Also the Pad see ew was overcooked and the noodles were mushy, and a bunch were stuck together without sauce so tasted like nothing. The flavor of the sauce was good though. So close to everything being amazing! Would absolutely go back to see if the pad see ew issues were a one time thing.Parking: This is on a busy street with minimal parking so it’s a challenge

Jay Shah

Excellent vegetarian Thai food. Lots of veggie protein options. Have been here a couple of times and the taste is consistent.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Vegan

Barclay Iversen

Delicious and vegan friendly. They also have real meat too. We will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

August Taylor

Really good food, the portion was great and I like that the menu is extensive. The staff is sweet too. Definitely new regular lunch spot.The only improvement I would recommend is livelier decor.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Bob Ren

I recently had a mouthwatering pad thai experience at Chai Yo Thai, and let me just say, it exceeded my expectations in every possible way! From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was greeted with warm smiles and a cozy ambiance that immediately transported me to Thailand. The fragrant aromas wafting from the kitchen only fueled my excitement for the imminent feast.Now, let's talk about the star of the show: their pad thai. Words cannot express how delectable it was! The dish was a harmonious symphony of flavors, striking a perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savory. Each mouthful kept me longing for more, as the combination of chewy rice noodles, succulent shrimp, and perfectly cooked chicken created a heavenly texture and delightful taste that was hard to resist.What truly set Chai Yo Thai's pad thai apart was its incredible freshness. Unlike other places I've tried, their version wasn't weighed down by excess oil, giving it an air of lightness that only enhanced the vibrant flavors. It was evident that the ingredients were sourced with utmost care, as the vegetables were remarkably fresh and crisp. I couldn't help but appreciate the dedication to quality and attention to detail put into every single element of the dish.Furthermore, the portion size was more than generous, ensuring that I left with a satisfied palate and a happy belly. Despite being packed with flavor, I didn't feel overwhelmed or heavy after finishing my plate. This made the dining experience all the more enjoyable, as I could savor each bite without worrying about feeling sluggish afterward.The service at Chai Yo Thai was impeccable. The staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout my visit. They were more than happy to answer any questions about the menu and offer their recommendations, which made me feel at ease and comfortable in making my choices.In addition to the fantastic pad thai, I must also mention the overall ambiance of the restaurant. The cozy decor and gentle lighting provided a perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of indulgence. The attention to detail was apparent, from the charming Thai-inspired artwork to the subtle Thai music that enhanced the dining experience and transported me to the bustling streets of Bangkok.In conclusion, Chai Yo Thai is a hidden gem in the realm of Thai cuisine. Their pad thai is a symphony of fresh flavors that will delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. With exceptional service, a cozy ambiance, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Chai Yo Thai is truly a culinary haven for Thai food enthusiasts. I cannot recommend this place enough - come prepared to be transported to Thailand, one delicious bite at a time!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jia Chen R.

I recently had a mouthwatering pad thai experience at Chai Yo Thai, and let me just say, it exceeded my expectations in every possible way! From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was greeted with warm smiles and a cozy ambiance that immediately transported me to Thailand. The fragrant aromas wafting from the kitchen only fueled my excitement for the imminent feast.Now, let's talk about the star of the show: their pad thai. Words cannot express how delectable it was! The dish was a harmonious symphony of flavors, striking a perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savory. Each mouthful kept me longing for more, as the combination of chewy rice noodles, succulent shrimp, and perfectly cooked chicken created a heavenly texture and delightful taste that was hard to resist.What truly set Chai Yo Thai's pad thai apart was its incredible freshness. Unlike other places I've tried, their version wasn't weighed down by excess oil, giving it an air of lightness that only enhanced the vibrant flavors. It was evident that the ingredients were sourced with utmost care, as the vegetables were remarkably fresh and crisp. I couldn't help but appreciate the dedication to quality and attention to detail put into every single element of the dish.Furthermore, the portion size was more than generous, ensuring that I left with a satisfied palate and a happy belly. Despite being packed with flavor, I didn't feel overwhelmed or heavy after finishing my plate. This made the dining experience all the more enjoyable, as I could savor each bite without worrying about feeling sluggish afterward.The service at Chai Yo Thai was impeccable. The staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout my visit. They were more than happy to answer any questions about the menu and offer their recommendations, which made me feel at ease and comfortable in making my choices.In addition to the fantastic pad thai, I must also mention the overall ambiance of the restaurant. The cozy decor and gentle lighting provided a perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of indulgence. The attention to detail was apparent, from the charming Thai-inspired artwork to the subtle Thai music that enhanced the dining experience and transported me to the bustling streets of Bangkok.In conclusion, Chai Yo Thai is a hidden gem in the realm of Thai cuisine. Their pad thai is a symphony of fresh flavors that will delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. With exceptional service, a cozy ambiance, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Chai Yo Thai is truly a culinary haven for Thai food enthusiasts. I cannot recommend this place enough - come prepared to be transported to Thailand, one delicious bite at a time!

John M

Solid Pad Grapow chicken and rice for lunch. Great flavor and quality ingredients. Good portion size for the price. The balance of spice, sour, salty, and sweet was very authentic - best Thai in the

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ashley Phelps

Great little spot! Parking is difficult, but don’t let that deter you. The side of rice is a bit small, but the vegetables were fresh and perfectly cooked. Plenty of options for vegetarians.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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