Lucky Elephant Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in San Dimas

This place has changed in their level of service over the years--perhaps due to the stress of Covid. We all have to deal with it in the best way we can, including in our jobs. As a teacher, I have experienced great challenges as well, but still provide the service that is expected.

This was my review from 2019, before Covid--had given 5 stars originally:

What a wonderful experience! Delicious Thai food with gracious, welcoming, and attentive servers. The decor is breathtakingly beautiful with exquisite wood carvings throughout the restaurant. This was our second visit. Highly recommended!

This is my review 4/30/22:

The food is still good and the atmosphere is beautiful, but there isn't that same friendly, happy feeling throughout the restaurant and from some of the servers.

On 4/29/22, I took my mom there for her birthday. In The United States, it's customary to give the person celebrating their birthday a complimentary dessert--usually cake, pie, or ice cream. Many places also sing "Happy Birthday." I realize this is an asian restaurant and I don't expect them to sing, although it would have been nice.

However, if people want to live and do business in a country, they should follow the traditions and customs of that country in terms of how they do business. In this case, provide the complimentary dessert for the birthday celebration without restrictions or a negative attitude, which is what we got.

After I made this request, the waitress was hesitant, but said that she could bring some Thai donuts (very small donut holes) with a little cream sauce. I paid with a credit card and a coupon from Valentine's Day (I very rarely use any kind of coupon).

One of the workers came back with the receipt to sign, etc. and said that I shouldn't use a coupon with the request for the complimentary dessert--wow, cheap donut holes! She said that she gave me the credit this time. It was like a parent or teacher saying, "Don't do that again!" It's their responsibility to tell me that they can't take the coupon before they complete the transaction. It's their business, not mine.

I would rather have had a pleasant experience, not ruined at the end as it was, than get a few...

Thai food is all about ornate use of wide palette of flavors. It's Spanish food's polar opposite and the tongue's Pandora's box.

Lucky Elephant restaurant offers you everything and anything you've ever hoped for in a Thai restaurant, which is saying a lot!

'4-D' Pros: *Delicious, delicious, and freaking delicious: everything from the tom ka gai to the crispy catfish salad (both highly recommended and beautifully presented) made me wish I lived in San Dimas momentarily. By the time we got to the Indian-inspired Thai rotis (smothered in a delicate simple syrup with notes of coconut and flowers), I was depressed at the thought of even leaving the restaurant.

*Details: if you think the subtle redolence of banana flowers and fresh Keffir lime leaf will be missing from your pad thai (my Thai restaurant barometer of choice) because it's under $12, think again. These people don't skimp.

*Decor: the interior of the restaurant has carved eaves running parallel to its length that make every table situated along the walls feel like a Phitsanulok promenade. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of elephantine art pieces on display. Think of it as a challenge to try and count all of them! You'll fail spectacularly.

*Damn good service: as a culture noted for hospitality and friendliness, Lucky Elephant's servers don't disappoint.

As a legitimate (wannabe) Thai food connoisseur, Lucky Elephant rocks my socks!

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I'm not from Thai, but I had way better. I order on my way home from a trip for our family of 4 and choose to give this a try. For starters, the menu stated Pad See Ew was $15 with your choice of beef, chicken, or pork. And $3 extra for shrimp. When ordering, it actually charges $2 more for beef choice. Then I wanted extra veggies and, to which the option did not have an extra charge. so I thought the $2 were for the extra veggies. Upon picking up, no veggies and still $17 for the Pad see ew with beef. I let the cashier know, and she said it was charged for what was paid. And since I didn't pay for the veggie, it was not put on. She did not want to honor the pricing with beef. I then told her to then update their ordering website and change the label because it's wrong " $15 with your choice of beef, chicken or pork." Customers should not be made responsible for THEIR mistakes. Flavor wise, it's okay, but nothing special. Astonishingly, Spiciness is a sprinkle of powdered pepper??? I'll stick to Sweety Hut in West Covina, even if I have to...