My family and I went in the morning and loved that we were the only ones there. The service was amazing and welcoming. The food was great! My son enjoyed the chicken wings and cream cheese wonton. I loved the kao poun and pad kee mow ? Their tri-color and dessert drinks were our favorites!Definitely going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Emily Parks
Delicious food and really friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jake
Myself and my fiancé are from Northern Minnesota and were there in July of last year. There were a couple of minor issues with our visit that day, but the food was delightful. Our server suggested that the manager may want to speak with me in regard to our experience, given the nature of the issues that occurred, so I left my business card and honestly forgot about it, as it wasn't that big of a deal to me.
Some time later I received a letter at my office from the manager (I found out later that she's actually the owner.) She sent me a check to refund the cost of our meal, along with a very nice note of explanation and apology. The refund was way above and beyond what was necessary or expected. She took full responsibility for the issues that we had experienced at her establishment that day in July. She also asked for another opportunity to serve us the next time that we were in the area. This was a very classy (but unexpected) response to what I would consider to be something that wasn't that big of a deal to me, but it clearly was to her. Given the high standards that she clearly demonstrated for her establishment, there was no doubt that I would honor her request for a second opportunity.
This last Saturday we were finally in town again and were able to visit the Basil Café for a second time. We had an absolutely delightful experience in every regard! After our meal, I asked the pleasant young lady that was checking on us if the manager happened to be in on a Saturday. Well, that turned out to be her! Her name is Tiffany, and she is the owner of the Basil Café. I introduced myself to her and she not only remembered the letter that she had sent and the small issues that occurred on our previous visit, but she also remembered my full name from memory!!! We had a very nice conversation and she sent us home with some extra spring rolls that we enjoyed at home later that evening.
Tiffany, I also run a business, and the way that you treated us and handled that situation is an impressive lesson in customer service and leadership. You didn't just recover us as customers, you created 2 raving fans of your business through your actions and demeanor along with your wonderful cuisine. You easily could have brushed off the initial experience that we had last year. And, while we weren't upset about it, we likely wouldn't have thought to ever return to your establishment if you had. Instead, you held yourself and your wonderful restaurant to a higher standard, and you made 2 raving fans that will return again and again and will recommend your establishment at every opportunity.
Tiffany, thank you for a wonderful dining experience and thank you for a refreshing attitude and demonstration of personal responsibility that you so impressively gave. That level of service and attention to detail is rare in our world today. BTW, the Drunken Noodles are delicious and so are the Spring rolls.
We will see you again soon. - Jake & E.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rosalind Tao
Owner and staff have always been super friendly. A must have are the in-house made drinks because they’re so delicious. As a southeast Asian, Basil’s papaya salad is as authentic as it comes. It tastes like my family’s recipe. I’ve tried a lot of their dishes and everything has been a hit. Wish I could give 10 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Renee Miller
Ordered takeout. Highly recommend the veggie curry rolls. They were wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather McDonald
If I could leave a Zero star I would! I was picking up a delivery order here earlier today, and a man came in with a flyer of a missing child. He asked one of the girls if she could post it up for him. ( the flyer had a picture of the child and a number to call of someone knew or saw anything) The first girl said sure and started to take the flyer, the other girl behind the counter got an attitude with both of them and said NO! He then asked if not behind the counter, could she at least put it in the window where people could see and she said “We don’t hang flyers like that here.” As a parent it enraged me! I would hope if anything like that were to ever happen to one of my children someone would be willing to help in that way, especially knowing they get a lot of foot/vehicle traffic in that area for people to see. I’ve never eaten anything from here, only delivered, but I will never be a customer after today.Kid-friendliness: After today, I would not consider the worker’s actions “kid friendly”
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Karl Herman
Luckily stumbled into this gem of a restaurant for a late night ? pho run !! They were super busy with take out orders, and a full restaurant — but service was superb and the food amazing ! The veggie pho was ? !!! Will be back !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Damian S
Ordered via DoorDash, so I can’t attest to the atmosphere or service exactly. That being said, food was absolutely fantastic, and it was still very hot and fresh when it showed up. We were especially impressed by the veggie curry rolls. Think a Samosa, but in Egg Roll form.A+, will be ordering from again.Vegetarian options: Great veggie options. Multiple different tofu choices, plus mock duck. Veggie curry rolls were a hit as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Rice, Green, Egg Rolls
A V
Honestly disappointed with their small servings. Got take out and if you look at my photos, my drunken noodles filled the container only half way. Besides feeling cheated by the tiny portions, the drunken noodles were just okay. Asked for spicy but no real kick. Didn't care for the slimy texture inside of the chicken egg rolls. Tri color was good and refreshing but also cost $6. Overall, very pricy for small portions. Probably can get better food with bigger portions any where else on University Ave.
We stopped in for lunch today and it was a great experience. Some of the best pad Thai I've ever had. Service was quick and friendly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Noodles, Cream Cheese Wontons
Jeremy
We ate at Basil Cafe for the first time after being highly recommended by several people. The pad kee-mow was excellent! Everything was perfectly cooked, vegetables not overcooked (common elsewhere), good heat.The pad thai was disappointing. I've eaten a lot of pad thai, but I've never had it prepared with (I think) spaghetti noodles. It made the texture all wrong and we couldn't eat it. It also wasn't very flavorful. I did like the heat and portion sizes.We will likely try Basil Cafe again but try a different dish.
SuperkoolKy San
Great customer service, clean place, beautifully decorated with a Lao touch especially the table cloth. Authentic full flavored food; shrimp pak Esan, fried pork belly with garlic, khao gai taut and summer pandan rice dessert. Definitely going back and highly recommended ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Iuliia Aleksieieva
We ordered Drunken noodles online. While the overall taste was ok, the salt level was unbearable. It was to the point that it tasted almost bitter because of excessive salt. Even though I was hungry, I didn't finished my meal.Chefs should reconsider salt amount!
Food: 1
Recommended dishes: Noodles
Ranisha Robinson (Ronnieshaw)
This place was great! The service the atmosphere and most importantly the food! The food had me doing a happy dance in my seat! My new favorite Thai in the Twin Cities!
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Very good service.
My family and I went in the morning and loved that we were the only ones there. The service was amazing and welcoming. The food was great! My son enjoyed the chicken wings and cream cheese wonton. I loved the kao poun and pad kee mow ? Their tri-color and dessert drinks were our favorites!Definitely going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious food and really friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Myself and my fiancé are from Northern Minnesota and were there in July of last year. There were a couple of minor issues with our visit that day, but the food was delightful. Our server suggested that the manager may want to speak with me in regard to our experience, given the nature of the issues that occurred, so I left my business card and honestly forgot about it, as it wasn't that big of a deal to me. Some time later I received a letter at my office from the manager (I found out later that she's actually the owner.) She sent me a check to refund the cost of our meal, along with a very nice note of explanation and apology. The refund was way above and beyond what was necessary or expected. She took full responsibility for the issues that we had experienced at her establishment that day in July. She also asked for another opportunity to serve us the next time that we were in the area. This was a very classy (but unexpected) response to what I would consider to be something that wasn't that big of a deal to me, but it clearly was to her. Given the high standards that she clearly demonstrated for her establishment, there was no doubt that I would honor her request for a second opportunity. This last Saturday we were finally in town again and were able to visit the Basil Café for a second time. We had an absolutely delightful experience in every regard! After our meal, I asked the pleasant young lady that was checking on us if the manager happened to be in on a Saturday. Well, that turned out to be her! Her name is Tiffany, and she is the owner of the Basil Café. I introduced myself to her and she not only remembered the letter that she had sent and the small issues that occurred on our previous visit, but she also remembered my full name from memory!!! We had a very nice conversation and she sent us home with some extra spring rolls that we enjoyed at home later that evening. Tiffany, I also run a business, and the way that you treated us and handled that situation is an impressive lesson in customer service and leadership. You didn't just recover us as customers, you created 2 raving fans of your business through your actions and demeanor along with your wonderful cuisine. You easily could have brushed off the initial experience that we had last year. And, while we weren't upset about it, we likely wouldn't have thought to ever return to your establishment if you had. Instead, you held yourself and your wonderful restaurant to a higher standard, and you made 2 raving fans that will return again and again and will recommend your establishment at every opportunity. Tiffany, thank you for a wonderful dining experience and thank you for a refreshing attitude and demonstration of personal responsibility that you so impressively gave. That level of service and attention to detail is rare in our world today. BTW, the Drunken Noodles are delicious and so are the Spring rolls. We will see you again soon. - Jake & E.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Owner and staff have always been super friendly. A must have are the in-house made drinks because they’re so delicious. As a southeast Asian, Basil’s papaya salad is as authentic as it comes. It tastes like my family’s recipe. I’ve tried a lot of their dishes and everything has been a hit. Wish I could give 10 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered takeout. Highly recommend the veggie curry rolls. They were wonderful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could leave a Zero star I would! I was picking up a delivery order here earlier today, and a man came in with a flyer of a missing child. He asked one of the girls if she could post it up for him. ( the flyer had a picture of the child and a number to call of someone knew or saw anything) The first girl said sure and started to take the flyer, the other girl behind the counter got an attitude with both of them and said NO! He then asked if not behind the counter, could she at least put it in the window where people could see and she said “We don’t hang flyers like that here.” As a parent it enraged me! I would hope if anything like that were to ever happen to one of my children someone would be willing to help in that way, especially knowing they get a lot of foot/vehicle traffic in that area for people to see. I’ve never eaten anything from here, only delivered, but I will never be a customer after today.Kid-friendliness: After today, I would not consider the worker’s actions “kid friendly”
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Luckily stumbled into this gem of a restaurant for a late night ? pho run !! They were super busy with take out orders, and a full restaurant — but service was superb and the food amazing ! The veggie pho was ? !!! Will be back !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered via DoorDash, so I can’t attest to the atmosphere or service exactly. That being said, food was absolutely fantastic, and it was still very hot and fresh when it showed up. We were especially impressed by the veggie curry rolls. Think a Samosa, but in Egg Roll form.A+, will be ordering from again.Vegetarian options: Great veggie options. Multiple different tofu choices, plus mock duck. Veggie curry rolls were a hit as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Rice, Green, Egg Rolls
Honestly disappointed with their small servings. Got take out and if you look at my photos, my drunken noodles filled the container only half way. Besides feeling cheated by the tiny portions, the drunken noodles were just okay. Asked for spicy but no real kick. Didn't care for the slimy texture inside of the chicken egg rolls. Tri color was good and refreshing but also cost $6. Overall, very pricy for small portions. Probably can get better food with bigger portions any where else on University Ave.
Restaurantji Recommends
We stopped in for lunch today and it was a great experience. Some of the best pad Thai I've ever had. Service was quick and friendly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Noodles, Cream Cheese Wontons
We ate at Basil Cafe for the first time after being highly recommended by several people. The pad kee-mow was excellent! Everything was perfectly cooked, vegetables not overcooked (common elsewhere), good heat.The pad thai was disappointing. I've eaten a lot of pad thai, but I've never had it prepared with (I think) spaghetti noodles. It made the texture all wrong and we couldn't eat it. It also wasn't very flavorful. I did like the heat and portion sizes.We will likely try Basil Cafe again but try a different dish.
Great customer service, clean place, beautifully decorated with a Lao touch especially the table cloth. Authentic full flavored food; shrimp pak Esan, fried pork belly with garlic, khao gai taut and summer pandan rice dessert. Definitely going back and highly recommended ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We ordered Drunken noodles online. While the overall taste was ok, the salt level was unbearable. It was to the point that it tasted almost bitter because of excessive salt. Even though I was hungry, I didn't finished my meal.Chefs should reconsider salt amount!
Food: 1
Recommended dishes: Noodles
This place was great! The service the atmosphere and most importantly the food! The food had me doing a happy dance in my seat! My new favorite Thai in the Twin Cities!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5