Kapow Buddy — Restaurant in North Bethesda

I really wanted to like Kapow Buddy, being a unique concept and local business in a mall that really needs it. Even after one subpar experience, I wanted to give it another try, but unfortunately, the second visit was no better, so I cannot recommend visiting.

On the first visit, we ordered two bowls using the order kiosk (which should theoretically cut down on errors); however, after waiting a long time for our food, the two bowls had about half the ingredients mixed up with each other. When we approached the counter to get the order fixed, the guy working the counter really did not want to re-make the bowls and kept insisting that we accept the bowls with ingredients we did not want. Only after another worker came to assist did they agree to remake the order. On this visit, we thought the food was OK but not as good as other Thai places.

After giving them a few weeks to work out the kinks, we returned yesterday for a second visit. On this visit, my bowl was so dry (it seemed they forgot to include any sauce at all, even though the bowl was supposed to come with the signature kapow buddy sauce), and the meat (crispy pork) was so tough that I couldn't eat it.

I went back to the counter to ask for more sauce so I could at least finish the rice - I asked the lady at the counter if I could get more sauce since the bowl was very dry, and she just frowned at me, didn't apologize or even look at how dry the bowl was to determine whether they forgot the sauce, and just squirted a tiny bit of sauce into the bowl. Since she seemed so inconvenienced by my request (even though they weren't busy and she was just standing around), I didn't feel like begging to get any more sauce and instead just threw away the rest of the bowl. This left an even worse taste in my mouth because I had left a tip when I ordered, yet they couldn't even be bothered to deliver the food to my table. Instead, they just let it sit on the counter without even bothering to call my name or look for me (presumably they may have called my name very softly and not followed up). I saw them delivering food to the table next to us (along with what appeared to be the owner/manager), so it seems like the owners/managers might be trying to provide good service, it's just that none of the other workers care to provide good service when the owners/managers...

This spot caught my attention on social media. A Thai Chipotle’ish type of spot!! Once I saw their set up, & food…I made my way to them!! I Love Thai food!! Let’s GO!! . Where I am: @kapowbuddy . Location Reviewed: 7101 Democracy Blvd., SPC 1158 Bethesda M.D. inside of @westfieldmontgomery . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Spring Rolls ($6.50 veggie spring rolls). Tasty, meaty w/0 meat, with a sweet n spicy dip!!

STAMP!! Their Curry Puff Kapow ($8.50 a Thai pastry with chili pepper, chicken, & potatoes). Crisp, fluffy, with well seasoned chicken!!

LIKE THAT! Their Buddy Wings ($8 Thai styled fried wings with a Thai dipping sauce). Crunchy, with a sweet heat dip!!

LIKE THAT! Their Papaya Salad ($8 carrots, peanuts, spicy papaya, cilantro, tomatoes, & chili peppers). A sweet, & spicy salad, crisp, & actually tasty!!

STAMP!! Their Chicken Create Your Own Bowl ($12.50 with fried rice, chicken, fried wonton, crispy basil, crispy onions, peppers, a fried egg, & their spicy Kapow sauce). Spicy, savory, plen, & flavorful!!

STAMP!! Their Steak Create Your Own Bowl ($12.50 with purple rice, steak, crispy basil, string beans, edamame, & crispy garlic). Tender steak, savory rice, & tasty toppings!!

STAMP!! Their Thai Tea, & Strawberry Lemonade ($5 each). Creamy sweet tea, & refreshing lemonade!!

STAMP!! Their Drunken Ta-Lay ($13.99 with Lo Mein noodle, shrimp, fried wonton, bell peppers, edamame, & spicy Kapow sauce). Well cooked noodles, thick shrimp, & well sauced!!

STAMP!! Thai, & Green Tea Cookies ($1.75 each). Both were sweet, & surprisingly soft!! . Customer Service: On Point. . Parking: DECENT. . Recommendations: Build your own bowl!! . Accessibility: It’s wheelchair friendly, & it’s differently abled persons friendly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=STAMP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕=LIKE...

Amazing new fast casual thai food spot on the Cheesecake Factory side. Went during soft opening and had to order almost everything. You can easily order in person, online, or at a kiosk. Easy parking and love the variety of seating. Pick a table for your whole crew, a cute spot for two, or sit your solo bum in the comfy egg chair 😉 They also have a bar if that's your scene, and outdoor seating. Food tastes fresh, with amazing flavors. Prices are reasonable, and any leftovers will taste great the next day. I ordered to-go and got it all 10min earlier than estimated! Menu is just missing deserts 😔

Clockwise from top: Tom yum - so flavorful, spicy but not overpowering, and filled with goodness. Should make it a veg base to order and then pick whether to add chicken. Nua Nam Tok - absolutely delicious thinly sliced beef. Love the fresh mint & cilantro paired with the spice. Som tum - you can't go wrong with their papaya salad with fresh lime juice. Spicy edamame - if you thought salted edamame was great, this will blow your mind! The signature kapow buddy sauce gets to shine and your lips will be plump 🤭 Build your own bowl - purple rice base marries so well with the flavorful toppings. Loved the eggplant & string beans but wish it were a more even amount compared to the corn. The shrimp w/ spicy kapow buddy sauce works well but I'd rather pay extra for bigger/deveined shrimp. Excited to try tofu or chicken next time, and hopr I'll be there in time to add...