Great place to chill and enjoy Chef made fabulous meals and great company to unwind..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandria Ancira
I went to the bar to ask for napkins and the bartender told me the napkins were for the kitchen only and made me get napkins from somewhere else, I’d understand if they were decorative but there was no difference and it felt like she just wanted to inconvenience me. Everyone in there was passive aggressive for no reason and the food was just ok.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Josh Varelas
Very pricey for food served in paper and plastic. Some dishes were better than others. I don’t recommend the lychee drink. Almost $130 for 2 people to have dinner and a cocktail each.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Emilio Adrias
The food was incredibly delicious, but the prices were pretty steep for a portion that could barely fill you up.
I would love to come back but a $12 drink needs to be taller than a kid’s cup portion for me to want to do so!
Service: 4
Cyndi Jackson
How does a James Beard winner end up with 4.4 on Google reviews? I have an idea.
The good:
Waterfall beef with tiger cry sauce!! So good! With Thai Kun (the best tiger cry) closed, Sway has the close second for this beloved dish. They charge more than double. Lao’d wins for flavor.
Spring rolls were fabulous. I wish there was a peanut sauce too
Jasmine rice was perfect. And it should be.
Green papaya salad was super pricey for the portion but it was tasty. I wish the cabbage had lined the paper bowl since it’s difficult to eat with plasticware if not precut. Also, I asked for Anglo spicy and got meh. Titaya’s continues to reign for my taste.
Smashburger was amazing! It’s small, but packs a flavor punch.
Muang luang was a wonderful cocktail, but the 5oz drinks comes with a $14 price tag.
The ? (What?)
Chicken lahb was really dry and seemed overcooked. The taste was fabulous but fat was sadly missing.
The chairs. I mentioned to the manager that the low metal stools for the regular tables were very uncomfortable. ( She mentioned this was to mimic a street bar in Laos.) Sadly, there are only 3 high tops with high back metal stools while every other seat is that cheap version you see at fast food. No back support, plus metal under my fanny makes for a quick meal.
Nothing non alcoholic - maybe unnecessary for most, but my spouse doesn’t drink. He does love NA beers. An ube frozen drink or Coca Cola were his choices.
In closing I’d say this. We spent $130 for 2 cocktails and the above referenced meal. The food was great. But the location is tough for many and the counter service, fast food vibe cannot support that price tag for long. And it doesn’t do justice to the food.
I’m afraid a party of 2 spending that much for Thai food isn’t looking for a picnic aura, making this a “let’s check it out” kind of place where many don’t come for seconds. I hope they find their niche, the chef is a genius.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
janna k
Casual restaurant in a cute eclectic location. You order at the counter and sit either in the dining room, at the bar or outside. Fantastic drinks at good prices. The food is good, but a bit pricey especially for counter service. A bit too much red onion in the dishes we ordered: Papaya Salad, Coconut Escolar Ceviche, and the Shrimp Lahb... the Fried Whole Prawns were good, but not exceptional. The Shrimp Lahb was not spicy enough. Honestly the chicken wings and the ribs looked really good, but I do not eat warm blooded creatures. So this is not a whole encompassing review, only limited to the items we ordered.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jenna
I was totally willing to pay 12 to try the mango sticky rice. But the rice wasn't sticky, it was like a brick. I haven't had mango sticky rice in YEARS and have been waiting to try it here because I live so close. If we weren't served an old portion of sticky rice, I would be in disbelief that people are eating that. But the flavor was good and good mango. It's crazy the waterfall beef doesn't come with rice. I don't think it can be enjoyable without rice. But I have rice at home usually so not too crazy. I've eaten here once before and the experience was more enjoyable. Just with that wasn't my finances first experience with sticky rice....
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Gary Sargent
As good as it gets in Austin, unpretentiousness great food and exceptional. NYT was correct!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles Parsow
Very creative, fun restaurant!
For drinks, we got the OOO-Bae and the Lemon Basil soft drink.
For dinner, we got the nam khao, fried chicken wings (caramel fish sauce with crab fat), single smash burger, fried pork ribs (a special that day), and mango sticky rice for dessert.
Next time, I want to try the Pork Bao Bun, Lahb, and Sugar Cane Pork Skewer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sachin Benny
went here on a busy saturday and the people working the tables and counter acted like they did not want us there. Took like 40 mins to first half of the order and another 40 to get the second order. The kicker really was that I was eating cold mediocre food while everyone at the restaurant had gathered there to watch the restaurant get featured on Guy Fieri’s TV show. I would suggest that the restaurant focus on food instead of trying to be famous.
You are in for a treat here. The crispy fried rice is delicious. Excellent flavors and textures. The restaurant has a bright and comfortable vibe. We’re so happy for the success of Chef Bob and his wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Bargsley
The food is definitely worth the drive! A twist on Asian food I had not experienced, and is was outstanding. We plan to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Alfano
Amazing place! We basically just ordered everything on the menu except a few apps. We only ventured into the medium papaya salad option which was the right choice spice wise, this place packs a spicy punch and it was very appreciated. Everything we ate was delicious, spot-on South east Asian flavors. It's going to blow up and if I can ever get back after they explode I'll be there in a spicy flaming heartbeat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam Mohler
Blown away by this food, drinks, and atmosphere. I don't think this place gets enough press, it's spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rowan Martindale
We have been huge fans of Bob's creations since before COVID, when he was at 4th Tap brewing (RIP). His crispy fried rice is one of my all time favorite dishes, and I can guarantee that all of his creations are a flavor sensation! Now pair that with Lao'd Bar's innovative, well balanced cocktails and you have a fabulous night in store! Go here! You will not regret it!
Great place to chill and enjoy Chef made fabulous meals and great company to unwind..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went to the bar to ask for napkins and the bartender told me the napkins were for the kitchen only and made me get napkins from somewhere else, I’d understand if they were decorative but there was no difference and it felt like she just wanted to inconvenience me. Everyone in there was passive aggressive for no reason and the food was just ok.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Very pricey for food served in paper and plastic. Some dishes were better than others. I don’t recommend the lychee drink. Almost $130 for 2 people to have dinner and a cocktail each.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
The food was incredibly delicious, but the prices were pretty steep for a portion that could barely fill you up.
I would love to come back but a $12 drink needs to be taller than a kid’s cup portion for me to want to do so!
Service: 4
How does a James Beard winner end up with 4.4 on Google reviews? I have an idea.
The good:
Waterfall beef with tiger cry sauce!! So good! With Thai Kun (the best tiger cry) closed, Sway has the close second for this beloved dish. They charge more than double. Lao’d wins for flavor.
Spring rolls were fabulous. I wish there was a peanut sauce too
Jasmine rice was perfect. And it should be.
Green papaya salad was super pricey for the portion but it was tasty. I wish the cabbage had lined the paper bowl since it’s difficult to eat with plasticware if not precut. Also, I asked for Anglo spicy and got meh. Titaya’s continues to reign for my taste.
Smashburger was amazing! It’s small, but packs a flavor punch.
Muang luang was a wonderful cocktail, but the 5oz drinks comes with a $14 price tag.
The ? (What?)
Chicken lahb was really dry and seemed overcooked. The taste was fabulous but fat was sadly missing.
The chairs. I mentioned to the manager that the low metal stools for the regular tables were very uncomfortable. ( She mentioned this was to mimic a street bar in Laos.) Sadly, there are only 3 high tops with high back metal stools while every other seat is that cheap version you see at fast food. No back support, plus metal under my fanny makes for a quick meal.
Nothing non alcoholic - maybe unnecessary for most, but my spouse doesn’t drink. He does love NA beers. An ube frozen drink or Coca Cola were his choices.
In closing I’d say this. We spent $130 for 2 cocktails and the above referenced meal. The food was great. But the location is tough for many and the counter service, fast food vibe cannot support that price tag for long. And it doesn’t do justice to the food.
I’m afraid a party of 2 spending that much for Thai food isn’t looking for a picnic aura, making this a “let’s check it out” kind of place where many don’t come for seconds. I hope they find their niche, the chef is a genius.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Casual restaurant in a cute eclectic location. You order at the counter and sit either in the dining room, at the bar or outside. Fantastic drinks at good prices. The food is good, but a bit pricey especially for counter service. A bit too much red onion in the dishes we ordered: Papaya Salad, Coconut Escolar Ceviche, and the Shrimp Lahb... the Fried Whole Prawns were good, but not exceptional. The Shrimp Lahb was not spicy enough. Honestly the chicken wings and the ribs looked really good, but I do not eat warm blooded creatures. So this is not a whole encompassing review, only limited to the items we ordered.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I was totally willing to pay 12 to try the mango sticky rice. But the rice wasn't sticky, it was like a brick. I haven't had mango sticky rice in YEARS and have been waiting to try it here because I live so close. If we weren't served an old portion of sticky rice, I would be in disbelief that people are eating that. But the flavor was good and good mango. It's crazy the waterfall beef doesn't come with rice. I don't think it can be enjoyable without rice. But I have rice at home usually so not too crazy. I've eaten here once before and the experience was more enjoyable. Just with that wasn't my finances first experience with sticky rice....
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
As good as it gets in Austin, unpretentiousness great food and exceptional. NYT was correct!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very creative, fun restaurant!
For drinks, we got the OOO-Bae and the Lemon Basil soft drink.
For dinner, we got the nam khao, fried chicken wings (caramel fish sauce with crab fat), single smash burger, fried pork ribs (a special that day), and mango sticky rice for dessert.
Next time, I want to try the Pork Bao Bun, Lahb, and Sugar Cane Pork Skewer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
went here on a busy saturday and the people working the tables and counter acted like they did not want us there. Took like 40 mins to first half of the order and another 40 to get the second order. The kicker really was that I was eating cold mediocre food while everyone at the restaurant had gathered there to watch the restaurant get featured on Guy Fieri’s TV show. I would suggest that the restaurant focus on food instead of trying to be famous.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Nam Khao Crispy Fried Rice
Restaurantji Recommends
You are in for a treat here. The crispy fried rice is delicious. Excellent flavors and textures. The restaurant has a bright and comfortable vibe. We’re so happy for the success of Chef Bob and his wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is definitely worth the drive! A twist on Asian food I had not experienced, and is was outstanding. We plan to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing place! We basically just ordered everything on the menu except a few apps. We only ventured into the medium papaya salad option which was the right choice spice wise, this place packs a spicy punch and it was very appreciated. Everything we ate was delicious, spot-on South east Asian flavors. It's going to blow up and if I can ever get back after they explode I'll be there in a spicy flaming heartbeat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Blown away by this food, drinks, and atmosphere. I don't think this place gets enough press, it's spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We have been huge fans of Bob's creations since before COVID, when he was at 4th Tap brewing (RIP). His crispy fried rice is one of my all time favorite dishes, and I can guarantee that all of his creations are a flavor sensation! Now pair that with Lao'd Bar's innovative, well balanced cocktails and you have a fabulous night in store! Go here! You will not regret it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nam Khao Crispy Fried Rice, Smash Burger, Lao Sausage, Mango Sticky Rice Dessert
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