Don't waste your money here at The SAD STARVING elephant extra small take out container Look like one baked potato and a huge carrot and very little curry and meat. I am not paying 20 dollars for a few bites of dried out rice and water curry.The rice was crap and dried out on a Thursday night at 7pm. The Chicken seemed fake and weird.I won't waste my money there ever again I just go to Panda less stress and a fraction of the price at The SAD Elephant Run away as fast as you can.Have a nice day.
Antonio Thomas
Traveling through and man will I tell you. This place is great. Super cool vibe when you walk in, everyone super friendly and man. Takeout portions are a hit or miss sometimes. If you get curry sometimes the sauce to meat ratio is out of wack. Here… it was perfect. Great portions on the curry and pad Thai. The spring rolls were great. Spice level is solid. I got the red curry hot. And for me, it’s perfect. And they have this hot sauce that they threw in the bag. Idk what it is but DAMN it’s good. Definitely will come back next time I’m in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
huy huyyy
I don’t know how else to say this, but as an Asian person, this food is truly hideous. Hideous! (I have no personal vendetta against the owners or anything – just want you to be warned). We were told by an acquaintance that this was the best Thai food in Nashville and that it was life-changing. We ordered a few dishes, including the Tom Yum soup, and…I’ll just let you look at the image and judge for yourself. Tom Yum soup should be spicy and sour and sweet. The soup was truly just WATERY. There was squash/zucchini floating in the soup? NO flavor. BLAND as all HECK. Not even spicy or sour at all. literally tasted like a vegetable soup that had been simmering for all of 20 minutes. I have never had a Tom Yum soup so horribly distanced from the real thing. I mean, your friendly little bodega in rural East Tennessee can probably do a better tom yum soup. Heck, you can buy powder/cubed tom yum powder and it would be better. Maybe thinking the restaurant had messed up our order and had maybe served ANOTHER Thai soup that was airy and light, we asked the waitress, and she confirmed that yup, that WAS ACTUALLY TOM YUM SOUP. Horrified, I asked for a refund and we sent it back (the first time in my LIFE I have ever sent back a dish). They luckily did not charge for the soup, but the other dishes were also not good. The Thai salad was limp and overly-soaked in sauce and the sauce simultaneously coated the papaya but also did not penetrate the papaya, so it was just wet but biting into the papaya was absolutely flavorless. I don’t know how they messed it up so badly. When I went to pay, I was shocked the total for 3 dishes was almost $70. Horrible and overpriced. I know that the Smiling Elephant was voted as best Thai in Nashville in maybe 2011 (that’s what the sign says when you walk in), but…holy moly, the bar is low. Either standards have drastically changed since 2011, or Nashville Thai food really is just that bad. Anyways, do not come here, from one Asian person to another. You will leave unhappy, unsatisfied, confused, and broke. Not good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
MJ Khan
Absolutely GOATED! Loved their curry fried rice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Todd Michaels
Fantastic food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan Bowman
Exactly what you want when you go for Thai. I can’t speak to actual authenticity as I don’t really know, but it was fantastic. The Tom Yum was killer!
You feel like you are at a friends home, not a restaurant, in the best way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Libuse Karich
The pad thai is really good but other dishes we ordered were just okay. The Panang curry was sweet and watered down. My Chicken Pad Pra Kao was not minced and was dry. No spice to it, The chicken satay was not on skewers but served over rice with zucchini and yellow squash. The peanut sauce was served in the tiniest bowl, barely enough. We have been to Bangkok, Hatyai and Pattaya in Thailand and the food good but not fantastic nor 100% authentic. There are 3 other Thai restaurants that are way better. The server took our orders but not much follow up to check on customers. The charged a $3.00 card transaction fee and for our group of 6 they charged 18% tip but when received the receipt she asked for tip again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Missy Huff
Best Thai food I had in a long long time. Definitely beating Nashville. Food was perfect. Usually after eating Thai food I feel bad probably due to the msg and poor oil quality but I did not have that experience here. I felt great and had the leftovers this evening. The service was also great. The staff were so kind. And the iced tea was fantastic. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smiling Elephant Pad Thai, Curry of the Day
Deep Vadaliya
I ordered steamy bao bun with pork & pad kra pao (one of my fav thai dish) , it was good , bao was alright, i wouldn’t order it again. Pad kra pao is supposed to be minced meat (pork or chicken) but it was like small pieces not minced. Dish supposed to be hot & it was spicy so thats good. They have small garden outside, they probably grow their own herbs which is nice. The only thing i’d be careful about is they have a checkout fee on a card. Parking is right outside. Limited spots. Fast service.
Fried rice was the best I've ever had. Service is incredibly kind. Will def be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sunir Majilya
Had a very cozy and enjoyable experience. The food was good, the service was excellent and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ashley L
Best Thai food in Nashville! Their pad Thai isn’t the overly sweet, Americanized version you might be used to—this is the real deal. It’s bold, balanced, and packed with flavor that tastes straight out of Thailand. Pro tip: order it with the green bean noodles. Trust me. It gives the dish an amazing texture and makes it feel even lighter and more vibrant. Everything from the presentation to the service feels thoughtful and intentional. Smiling Elephant lives up to the name—it’ll leave you full, happy, and planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristina Hadzhi
Authentic Thai food with great quality! I love the coconut custard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lior r
By far the best Thai food in Nashville, authentic dishes rich flavors, made by a nice and welcoming Thai family, for the time you are there you feel like you in Thailand 🇹🇭 minus the English from the other tables 😅
Don't waste your money here at The SAD STARVING elephant extra small take out container Look like one baked potato and a huge carrot and very little curry and meat. I am not paying 20 dollars for a few bites of dried out rice and water curry.The rice was crap and dried out on a Thursday night at 7pm. The Chicken seemed fake and weird.I won't waste my money there ever again I just go to Panda less stress and a fraction of the price at The SAD Elephant Run away as fast as you can.Have a nice day.
Traveling through and man will I tell you. This place is great. Super cool vibe when you walk in, everyone super friendly and man. Takeout portions are a hit or miss sometimes. If you get curry sometimes the sauce to meat ratio is out of wack. Here… it was perfect. Great portions on the curry and pad Thai. The spring rolls were great. Spice level is solid. I got the red curry hot. And for me, it’s perfect. And they have this hot sauce that they threw in the bag. Idk what it is but DAMN it’s good. Definitely will come back next time I’m in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don’t know how else to say this, but as an Asian person, this food is truly hideous. Hideous! (I have no personal vendetta against the owners or anything – just want you to be warned). We were told by an acquaintance that this was the best Thai food in Nashville and that it was life-changing. We ordered a few dishes, including the Tom Yum soup, and…I’ll just let you look at the image and judge for yourself. Tom Yum soup should be spicy and sour and sweet. The soup was truly just WATERY. There was squash/zucchini floating in the soup? NO flavor. BLAND as all HECK. Not even spicy or sour at all. literally tasted like a vegetable soup that had been simmering for all of 20 minutes. I have never had a Tom Yum soup so horribly distanced from the real thing. I mean, your friendly little bodega in rural East Tennessee can probably do a better tom yum soup. Heck, you can buy powder/cubed tom yum powder and it would be better. Maybe thinking the restaurant had messed up our order and had maybe served ANOTHER Thai soup that was airy and light, we asked the waitress, and she confirmed that yup, that WAS ACTUALLY TOM YUM SOUP. Horrified, I asked for a refund and we sent it back (the first time in my LIFE I have ever sent back a dish). They luckily did not charge for the soup, but the other dishes were also not good. The Thai salad was limp and overly-soaked in sauce and the sauce simultaneously coated the papaya but also did not penetrate the papaya, so it was just wet but biting into the papaya was absolutely flavorless. I don’t know how they messed it up so badly. When I went to pay, I was shocked the total for 3 dishes was almost $70. Horrible and overpriced. I know that the Smiling Elephant was voted as best Thai in Nashville in maybe 2011 (that’s what the sign says when you walk in), but…holy moly, the bar is low. Either standards have drastically changed since 2011, or Nashville Thai food really is just that bad. Anyways, do not come here, from one Asian person to another. You will leave unhappy, unsatisfied, confused, and broke. Not good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Absolutely GOATED! Loved their curry fried rice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exactly what you want when you go for Thai. I can’t speak to actual authenticity as I don’t really know, but it was fantastic. The Tom Yum was killer!
You feel like you are at a friends home, not a restaurant, in the best way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The pad thai is really good but other dishes we ordered were just okay. The Panang curry was sweet and watered down. My Chicken Pad Pra Kao was not minced and was dry. No spice to it, The chicken satay was not on skewers but served over rice with zucchini and yellow squash. The peanut sauce was served in the tiniest bowl, barely enough. We have been to Bangkok, Hatyai and Pattaya in Thailand and the food good but not fantastic nor 100% authentic. There are 3 other Thai restaurants that are way better. The server took our orders but not much follow up to check on customers.
The charged a $3.00 card transaction fee and for our group of 6 they charged 18% tip but when received the receipt she asked for tip again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Best Thai food I had in a long long time. Definitely beating Nashville. Food was perfect. Usually after eating Thai food I feel bad probably due to the msg and poor oil quality but I did not have that experience here. I felt great and had the leftovers this evening. The service was also great. The staff were so kind. And the iced tea was fantastic. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smiling Elephant Pad Thai, Curry of the Day
I ordered steamy bao bun with pork & pad kra pao (one of my fav thai dish) , it was good , bao was alright, i wouldn’t order it again. Pad kra pao is supposed to be minced meat (pork or chicken) but it was like small pieces not minced. Dish supposed to be hot & it was spicy so thats good. They have small garden outside, they probably grow their own herbs which is nice. The only thing i’d be careful about is they have a checkout fee on a card. Parking is right outside. Limited spots. Fast service.
great place for thai food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Fried rice was the best I've ever had. Service is incredibly kind. Will def be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a very cozy and enjoyable experience. The food was good, the service was excellent and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Best Thai food in Nashville! Their pad Thai isn’t the overly sweet, Americanized version you might be used to—this is the real deal. It’s bold, balanced, and packed with flavor that tastes straight out of Thailand. Pro tip: order it with the green bean noodles. Trust me. It gives the dish an amazing texture and makes it feel even lighter and more vibrant. Everything from the presentation to the service feels thoughtful and intentional. Smiling Elephant lives up to the name—it’ll leave you full, happy, and planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Authentic Thai food with great quality! I love the coconut custard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
By far the best Thai food in Nashville, authentic dishes rich flavors, made by a nice and welcoming Thai family, for the time you are there you feel like you in Thailand 🇹🇭 minus the English from the other tables 😅
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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