Our readers love to talk about their favorite Thai restaurants and dishes in Champaign-Urbana
Editor’s note: Chambanamoms.com does not endorse or recommend the following businesses. All opinions below are those of chambanamoms.com readers and come from input on our Facebook page.
You asked for recommendations for Champaign-Urbana area restaurants that serve Thai food, and our readers jumped at the chance to talk about their favorites.
Maybe it’s a Champaign vs. Urbana kind of thing, but our readers seem to have largely divided their allegiance between Champaign’s Thara Thai and Urbana’s Siam Terrace. Thai throwdown?
Thara Thai, Champaign: “Definitely Thara Thai. They will customize anything and the food is always good.” “Their pineapple rice and coconut dessert is amazing!” “So incredibly good. Be prepared for a wait, not usually for a table, but the food takes a while to come out. So worth the wait, though. Never had a bad experience or left less than over the moon for the food.” “Pad Thai is amazing, and the mango sticky rice? Amazing!” “Thara Thai is the most authentic. I felt like I was back in Thailand. They don’t Americanize it unless you want it that way. Even comes with limes because it’s not Thai without fresh limes!” “Pho from Thara Thai is my favorite.”
Siam Terrace, Urbana: Serving Thai and Japanese cuisine. “I am a vegetarian and can choose tofu, seitan, or veggies for any of their dishes. So delicious and very accommodating.” “Siam Terrace is amazing!” “I LOVE their vegetable Pad Thai with extra peanuts and lime slices.” “Great food owned by a fantastic local family.” “The service is amazing and the food is top notch!”
Two other Thai places that get a lot of love from our readers: Sushi Siam and Sticky Rice.
Sushi Siam, Champaign: “My choice for chicken pad see ew.” “I love their beef noodle soup.” “Amazing food and service!”
Sticky Rice, Champaign: The only restaurant around that serves a combination of Lao and Thai cuisine (as well as a few Chinese and Vietnamese dishes). The family sources seasonal products from its farm in Villa Grove. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tried their pineapple fried rice.”
Thai favorites near the University of Illinois:
Bangkok Thai & Pho 911, Campustown (2nd location on Cunningham Avenue in Urbana)
Y Thai Eatery, Campustown: “Pad Thai from the Y Eatery on campus was a pregnancy staple!” “the BEST!”
Other mentions:
Basil Thai, Urbana: “The peanut lovers shrimp is so good!”
Golden Wok, Champaign: “We usually get our Pad Thai from Golden Wok.” “Golden Wok has good prices.”
Taste of Thai, Rantoul: “If you don’t mind a little drive, Taste of Thai in downtown Rantoul is amazing!” Editor’s note: Taste of Thai reopened in February 2023 in a new Rantoul location (112 E. Congress Ave.) for counter service and delivery only.
Thai House Restaurant, Bloomington
Did we miss your favorite area Thai place? Email us to let us know where you go for Thai food and why.