Duke's Pad Thai — Restaurant in Cayce

More like 3.5

We went to this place a few times when they opened and were disappointed enough that we didn't go back for a long time. Then when I had covid recently, alllllll I wanted in the world was spicy ramen. I ordered vegan spicy ramen from Duke's at least 3 times over the course of the week I was sick (with contactless delivery of course) and I swear it helped me get better (but I don't recommend getting covid in order to eat vegan spicy ramen, just get it anyway).

A few weeks ago, I got vegan drunken noodles and a spicy tofu salad. Both were great, 10/10. I've been thinking of the noodles since, so I ordered them for dinner today. I had a feeling something was wrong when I noticed the ticket said no protein when last time it said no protein no egg and sure enough, there sat eggs at the top of the container. I hate food waste almost as much as I hate eating animal secretions so I picked out what I could, but the last quarter or so was inedible for me. The restaurant gave me a refund. The point of this story is the staff aren't necessarily educated on what vegan means, so be specific in your order, maybe use the notes section if you order online.

Their spring rolls are consistently delicious. I also got the fried tofu bites and they were ok. I don't know if they were supposed to come with a sauce that maybe was forgotten but it needs a sauce for sure (I dipped it in the spring...

Stop here for a quick bite on my way north to meet some friends. The set up and idea is great for a quick bite that taste good and won't break the bank. I ordered the drunken noodles and thai sausage on a stick. I ordered my noodles spicy and as you can see in my picture I had to add sriracha but I guess my spicy is a little different than their normal customer, the noodles was not cooked all the way because it was still chewy but able to eat. I do not like lao/thai/Cambodian sausage fried and this one was yet agian fried on a stick, I'm guessing that's the fastest way they can deliver it without having to cook on the grill which would take much longer. My overall take on this place is I like the concept, items on the menu and the noodles bar options are probably the best thing. The taste is there in their food but their delivery needs some watching over because it seems like the chef or cooks are too lacks and serving out food without thinking if it's how it should go out. I hope this option stays there for a long time to come and what they choose to put on a plate really represents them as a establishment that has worked hard to gain a following and will continue to gain more regulars and not just make it and put on a...

One of our new favorite spots in the surrounding Columbia area! We had hoped for a long time that Columbia would get some more solid Vietnamese food options and for the most part this place delivers.

We tried two different Bahn Mi's on this particular trip. The first was the original and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed all of the traditional pickled toppings that come on a Vietnamese Bahn Mi and the meat was flavorful. We also got a signature Bahn Mi called the Phoenix Pane. It was not bad but I would recommend sticking with the Queen Bee (Classic) unless you want a different variety of sub, but other than having pickled vegetables the other tasted more like an ordinary sub at your normal chains. Don't get me wrong, it was good but it just didn't feel like the Vietnamese food we were after.

Lastly, we really like the staff here. They all carried big smiles, were eager to help and offered their own recommendations. The place was busy but they did a good job caring for everyone waiting. The overall service was speedy and the atmosphere felt very accommodating.

Highly recommend you check this place out. 5 out...