Lai Thai Kitchen — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

One of the worst experiences I've had in a long time.

Placed a take-out order with two entrees, crab rangoon, and spring rolls. When I went to pick up my food, they had forgot to cook one of the entrees, and were not at all sorry. The offered to remake it, but told me it would still be a while and I would have to wait. Just figured my partner and I would share the one entree and appetizers and it would be fine, so I took the food and left.

Get home and discover the crab rangoons are the size of a quarter, not really exaggerating either. Ridiculously small. Then the shrimp spring rolls which are huge (the two rolls together are about the size of a beer can), have only one tiny shrimp per roll. The one entree we did get, the Pad Talay, was a good size, but was supposed to include shrimp, crab, scallop, and squid. The amount of seafood was pitiful. There was only one piece of crab and I couldn't find a scallop at all. It was very bland for medium spice thai food. Just tasted like store-bought curry simmer sauce.

When I called the restaurant to complain the woman told me that the owner made the food and she wasn't responsible. I don't understand what that means, but you shouldn't be blaming other people in the business and not taking responsibility. I expected them to tell me that this was out of the ordinary or try to convince me that something had gone awry and they could do better. That didn't happen.

While this restaurant is closer to me than the other thai places on the south side, I will not be going back and will just be driving a bit further for...

Having just moved to Grand Rapids from the vibrant food scene of Chicago, we set out on a quest to find a Thai restaurant that could satisfy our cravings. After hearing countless recommendations for Lai Thai, we decided to give it a go—and we couldn’t be happier that we did!

From the moment we stepped inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere welcomed us. It was clear we were not alone in our choice; we noticed a steady stream of customers coming in for takeout, a testament to the restaurant's popularity.

Now, let’s talk about the food. We ordered the green curry with tofu and the beef basil stir-fry, and both dishes were nothing short of spectacular. The green curry was a delightful explosion of flavors, with just the right amount of spice, creamy coconut milk, and perfectly cooked tofu that soaked up all the deliciousness. The beef basil stir-fry was equally impressive—tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a fragrant basil sauce that had us savoring every bite.

Everything tasted incredibly fresh, making each dish a true flavor bomb. And the best part? The prices were remarkably reasonable, especially given the high quality of the food.

The service was another highlight of our experience. The staff was genuinely kind and attentive, making us feel right at home as we settled into our new city.

In a nutshell, Lai Thai has quickly become our go-to for Thai cuisine in Grand Rapids. If you’re in the area and craving something delicious, do yourself a favor and visit Lai Thai—you won’t be...

I think I had a religious experience today at Lai Thai.

I was out doing somewhat dreaded holiday shopping today and smelled some Chinese food in a strip mall. It suddenly seemed that if I could have some broccoli dish or other and a couple of egg rolls, everything in life would be pretty good--at least it would make up for the shopping trauma. But there were no vegetarian egg rolls at the place I had stopped. So I left...on to another strip mall, another Chinese restaurant. Same thing---no vegetarian egg rolls. Driving down Alpine I wondered (for all sorts of reasons, Alpine among them) what we have come to, as a species.

Then I remembered Lai Thai--I'd eaten there before and I love that place--super friendly owner and staff, and wonderful, fresh food. I drove across town. I walk in and the little place is full, bustling, it's lunchtime, and there is a THAI BUFFET! This seemed like a miracle. The air was steamy and smelled so wonderful. People were talking, happy, eating wonderful food. The lovely young woman at the counter was so friendly. There were vegan EGG ROLLS! Half the dishes were vegan! I think my eyes filled with tears. I think bird song filled the air. I filled a take out container with the most gorgeous Thai dishes I have ever seen. Lunch was delicious. I paid less than $10 for this little bit of...