Kao Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

i will start with the simple and apparently unavoidable as Thai food goes this place ain't cheap i have mentioned to the employees and/or owners/managers (pretty much anyone willing to listen) that they should offer a take out discount to offset the completely asinine Virginia Beach city Meals tax of 15% (which apparently falls on deaf ears) i have sat in their dining room once in the five years that i have lived literally several hundred feet from them but i have ordered take out countless times i say that to say this....their food is REALLY good and creative and fresh if it were a little more affordable i would eat with them more often and if they can create a solution to what seems pretty much like confiscatory taxation through the not so commonwealth of VBC meals tax i would likely tip very well instead of not at all. Finally i will offer fellow consumers this....if you love shrimp and are o.k. with it not being perfectly fresh...as am i....feel free to order the shrimp but don't bother to combine with chicken or other protein as their shrimp simply isn't ALWAYS the freshest (again been eating here off and on since before the name change 5 years or so) and well it can be a little "shrimp-ish" and when it is, it can dominate the dish which again isn't a deal breaker for me but may be for the more sensitive pallet. Mostly i really like this place and the overall value is a definite 4 star on...

(I ordered through Doordash, so no in person experience with service, yet)

The food was great! Thai is my favorite cuisine and this spot delivered. I ordered the Tom Kha (mild w/veggies), red curry (medium w/chicken), and the Thai green tea.

The Tom Kha had a terrific balance of spices and was just right on the spice level for me, with some spice, but not too overwhelming that it overtook the flavors. This was a perfect item to have while sick. Although, I will for sure order again even when not sick!

The Red Curry was lovely! I was a little unsure when I first received it because most places seem to have creamier curries, but this one did not disappoint. The flavor was phenomenal, well balanced, and the medium spice level was the best level of spiciness to not overpower the dish, similar to the mild for the Tom Kha. There was also a good amount of both chicken and veggies...and they include a side of rice as opposed to charging extra.

The Thai Green Tea was great! I've never had that before, but I love Thai tea and coffee and figured I'd try this. It was a great drink that was not too sweet, just the right amount of cream and tea!

Overall, food was great! This restaurant really knows their dishes and how to have wonderfully balanced flavors that really make their food pop. I will for sure be...

After many years of missing out on this restaurant, I have recently had my first experience with my partner who suggested we go for lunch after Sunday service.