J.j. Thai Street Food

John Michael Rotello

Bottom line: No frills, delicious, authentic Thai food. Been getting take out from JJ's for a while and we finally made the time to dine in. What a great experience! Not only is their menu much expanded, but the freshness makes a difference! So many flavorful dishes and it's the sort of place that makes you want to try everything on the menu. The atmosphere was casual and filled with a buzz. They've also received a note from the Thai consulate to recognize their authenticity. So, if you're looking for a bit of Thailand in Chicago, here's your place.

Esther

I love this place. It's not the typical Thai food Americans are used to, it's better. So no pad Thai or pad see ew type dishes. The soups warm the soul and the texture of the rice is perfect. Every dish is perfectly seasoned with the most unique, delicious spices. Try everything, but my personal favorite is the N6, egg noodles with BBQ pork.

Mona Tong

J.J. Thai Street Food is a small, bustling restaurant along West Town’s busy W Chicago St serving up classic Thai street food staples. Try to make a reservation for popular dining times— my friends and I forgot to do so and waited ~45 min for a spot on a Friday night. The space is small and intimate, with limited seating— a good spot for a casual date or small group hangout. I tried the following dishes: - SP3 Tum Khao Pho (Corn Salad): This had a flavor profile similar to papaya salad— quite spicy and a little sour. - A9 Gui Chay Tod (Tapioca Dumplings with Chives): This was really good— they make the tapioca skin crispier and stickier / more glutinous than many Thai places, which I really liked. The chive flavor was just right and not overpowering. - N4 Bamee Hang Moo Daeng (Egg noodles with BBQ Pork without broth): A simple staple dish, these noodles were nice and buttery but overall the flavor was kind of lacking. I think I would’ve preferred noodles with broth, so that’s on me… the flavor and fullness just felt incomplete without a hearty broth. It’s obviously pricier than traditional street food, but fair and standard considering the sit-down space, the friendly service, and lively area— most entrees are between $14-18. Although I wasn’t wowed, I haven’t seen too many specialized Thai street food spots in Chicago, and I’d definitely be down to come again to try other dishes on the sizable menu! — Price (relative to peers): 4.2/5 Food: 4.3/5 Ambience: 4.6/5 Service: 5/5 Overall Value: 4.2/5