Cool Basil Clive — Restaurant in Clive

This is the best Thai food restaurant in the DM area. I came across Cool Basil when I moved here in 2012 when it was in a different, smaller location. I loved the food, so was glad when they moved to a larger building because it was always busy. I heard stories of restaurants not lasting in this new building they moved to, so was extremely worried. However it has been a couple of years at the new, larger location, and they still always seem busy, so I am happy! The restaurant is a good size, yet there can still be a wait during typical lunch & dinner times. However they do a nice job of serving quickly and getting tables turned over, so the wait isn't usually too bad. I absolutely love their Tom Yum soup, pot stickers, and sweet basil stir fry. I have tried their sweet basil fried rice, and it always seems a bit heavy and oily, but I really like the stir fry. My husband has had their sushi, and has never had a complaint. My kids love their chicken fried rice, and we all have tried their Chinese food menu, and have been happy with those choices as well. I have met many co-workers and friends, and taken many family members to Cool Basil for meals, and have never had anyone complain. I once ordered the sweet basil fried rice by mistake, and they took it away and brought me out the sweet basil stir fry with no charge, even though it was clearly my mistake. The front end and wait staff are all very friendly. They have a nice patio for those few months we have patio weather in Iowa, which adds even more seating options to cut down on the wait during nice weather. The parking can be a bit of a problem as the lot is good size, but the restaurant is so big that the lot can get fully pretty quickly. There is other parking around the side and back that can work. Getting in and out via 22nd Street can be tricky with all the traffic, but I always enter/exit onto University via the car wash entrance/exit, which is quite a bit easier. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food. You can call in an order for pick up, and it is ready pretty quickly, which is a great option if you don't have time for dine in. I have also had it delivered, and it has always been good, and hot still at the time of delivery. Highly recommend - this is our go to for...

Generally speaking, in the past, Cool Basil has been a primary staple in our famiy's dining out repertoire.

But we have been questioning this for approximately four months now.

Cool Basil has consistently not provided ordered foods and left out requested condiments.

My wife would ask for a little bit of spice and her food is blazing hot. I ask for blazing hot (because I REALLY enjoy REALLY spicy food) and comes lukewarm.

Today, I must say, has broken our resolve.

Again, my wife's food is blazing hot. But this time Cool Basil completely left out my food. I had to return.

Now, I will say the staff was willing to support assisting me; either via refund or cooking of the food. I asked for the food. When I get it home; it is soup. I had ordered an easily prepared noodle dish, Rad Na. I say easy because my wife can make these dishes with ease. So, the consistency is like soup and absolutely no flavor. I started adding soy sauce then salt, then soy sauce, then salt, then soy sauce, etc., etc.,

It was bad.

I hope Cool Basil can get their To-Go orders better for...

I used to love this place and eat here all the time. After last night-this is no longer a safe restaurant for me to eat at. I have a severe seafood allergy. I have always clearly stated this and up until last night, had never had an issue. My boyfriend and I went here on our first date and decided to go back last night for our anniversary. I clearly stated my allergy and ordered a chicken dish, my boyfriend ordered one with pork, and we got chicken egg rolls as an appetizer. Unfortunately, the egg rolls they brought to our table were actually filled with shrimp. I immediately had a reaction and had to use my epipen and we spent our Anniversary in the ER. I understand that mistakes happen-but today when my boyfriend warmed up his leftovers to eat them, he discovered it also contained fish instead of the pork he requested. This could have been another ER visit for me. The manager refused to talk to us. This is dangerous. If you are a person with allergies, this is not longer a safe...