Thai Tom Reviews

We went for lunch in this near ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant in the Seattle University area. Arrived early to beat the rush. It has room for four two seater tables and about eight people on the counter. You overlook the cooking and washing area. One chef in front of a eight burner cooking stove four feet away from those sitting at the counter. What an amazing experience to see the chef manipulating the woks and cooking four or five dishes at a time. He was extremely dexterous and a joy to watch. A limited menus of Thai dishes but very well made and full of taste. One not only enjoyed the food but the whole ambiance and experience. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an interesting experience and good well made Thai meal.

I was there around 9 pm on a rainy saterdaynight, and there was no line! Got a seat at the bar looking right into the tiny kitchen. Great to see the chefs at work! Food was good, well flavoured. This place is great if you are one or two and want a quick meal - too noisy to talk much, and food (and the check) are served rapidly. Good to know: they only take cash!

Thai tom is my favorite Thai restaurant.. Period. We go back here every time we visit Seattle. Also because my husband has fond memories of this place from when he went to college. Thai iced tea here is his favorite and I love the Iced coffee. Tastiest food I have had here are the fresh rolls, Pad Thai, yellow curry.... And our absolute favorite Penang curry!!! Getting a table here for large groups is probably impossible. Small place usually very crowded. The chef cooks right there and is a machine. Some people question the hygiene standards. I don't think the place is super clean but it is what we can expect out of a place in university district. We have never had any issues so far health wise when we ate here. A negative about this place that we notice is the 'tip dispute'. We leave a 20% tip and even then the waitress rushes out behind us telling us that we need to give them more. Apparently 20% only covers the waiting staff and not the chef. They keep telling us that we need to leave more for the chef. They don't let you go sometimes until you leave as much as they want. Sometimes we have left almost 40% as a tip!!! We just think of them as an eccentric restaurant. Now we just leave less for the waitresses and when they follow we give a little bit extra. Nothing could stop me from going back. It's small, noisy, hot, cold from waiting outside but we still love it. Bad service or not!

Stayed overnight at the Hotel Deca and was recommended this restaurant when I asked the young man at the front desk if I took him out for lunch, where would he want me to take him. He did tell me it was small, a "hole in the wall" atmosphere, but well worth the visit. He was right. Small, no more than 20 total could be seated at the counter and tables for two. I had panang curry and curry fried rice. Both delicious with crisp perfectly cooked vegetables. I must admit we did up the average age but good food is good food. Service acceptable and no one rushed us. We would go again.

I went to Thai Tom with some friends in June while visiting Seattle. We had to wait a while for a table, but the wait was worth it. We were lucky to be seated at the counter and got to watch the chef prepare each meal. It is very fast paced and a little rushed, but the food is so good! I would caution watching out for the heat. Even 3 stars is quite spicy. But our water glasses were constantly filled.

Really good food. I would definitely recommend. It was tasty plentiful well priced and very authentic.

Thai Tom is a small restaurant in Seattle's University district. It can seat a maximum of 30 people I think. Because if it's small size and popularity there is usually a long wait time. But every minute spent waiting is worth it for the food is simply delicious. My wife and I made it a point it have food from here at least once a week. Our favorite dish is the spicy noodle followed by Penang curry and yellow curry fried rice

Our friends told us this was their favorite Thai place, and they did not steer us wrong. We shared several dishes. The chicken coconut soup was one of th best we've had. The vegetable curry was excellent, as was the fried trout. The dessert was new to us, mango with sticky rice, light and very pleasant. Service was superb, food was out quickly and wait staff attentive but not intrusive.

After spending an extensive amount of time in Thailand and around Southeast Asia this has been the only place to compare. Thai tom is fast and delicious, fun hole in the wall place to visit. Highly recommend

We arrived around 5:30 and got a seat which was awesome. I loved the place and the feel of it. The spring rolls were ammmmazing. I personally had a hard time eating my pad Thai. It tasted very burnt with not much flavour and the chicken was extremely dry. I feel like I should have just gotten the cashew chicken haha but I figured pad Thai would have been safe at a Thai restaurant. Oh well! I will return anywho

If you're in a hurry, you can order take-out from this tiny restaurant in the U District on the Ave. Directly across from Buffalo Exchange clothing store. It looks like a "hole-in-the wall". There's usually a line to get in if you want a table but if you're willing to order take-out, you can get your food within 10 minutes. I order the vegetarian Pad Thai and yellow curry plate lunch. No sticky rice. Instead they use jasmine rice. For $8, you get a large foam take-out box with 1/2 rice and 1/2 main entree. The portions were decent. The Pad Thai was average in quality and taste. Some of the noodles were stuck together. But the yellow curry was excellent. You can choose from chicken, shrimp or beef. We had the chicken curry. Lots of vegetables in the curry. Went well with the jasmine rice. And the Thai iced coffee for $2.15 was a great price.

We stopped for takeout this week at around 7 pm. You have to love a campus area for cheap good food! The restaurant is tiny with seating for about 20, but it looked like only 1 table with more than 2 seats. We were ordering carryout so that didn't matter. The line was out on the side walk, about 12 deep to get in. We put in our order and had our food in less than 20 minutes. We got the fried tofu with peanut sauce. This was as good as I have ever had! We also had Pad Thai, Panang Curry and Green Curry. Spicy but flavorful. All came with Jasmine rice. This place is exactly what we were in the mood for! Highly recommend!

There was still a long line outside this small restaurant at 8:30pm on a weeknight --- that's all you need to know. Any party of >3 would be very difficult to get a table.

Atmosphere is great - it's a cool little restaurant - definitely a favorite of UW students. But... I ordered the summer rolls and green curry and the dipping sauce and curry sauce were so sweet I could barely eat them - and no sticky rice... I took a bite of the curry sauce and all I tasted was sugar. Having lived in Thailand for a couple of years - I know this Thai food made for foreigners - basically add more sugar and they'll like it. I told the waitress I couldn't eat it. Instead of offering to make it again with less sugar - she said "you're still going to pay for that right?" so I was out $17 for a bite of green curry and a summer roll. Not the best food, not the best service. I was pretty disappointed and went elsewhere where the curry was edible and there was sticky rice : )

That is simply the best place to eat Thai Food at. Only problem you'll have to wait some time to get seated! However, it is totally worth it!

This place was as much an adventure as a meal. Very small (some seating at the bar) and they cook everything over fire in giant woks right in front of you. We waited for a seat longer than we were actually in the place. Not fancy or elegant by a long stretch, but if you can tolerate the heat from the cooking surface, the limited seating and the weird music it is worth a visit. If you want to relax and experience a less frenetic environment, go someplace else.

Just delicious!!! This place may be small and get a little hot but totally worth it for the food and if you don't want to eat in then just do take out... You will not regret it. Fried Tofu, amazing.

This place is nothing to look at but the food it delivers is just delicious. The portion size is moderate,but what flavor! The place is small, tight and crowded all the time, but did I mention it has just delicious food. The service is sub par and the seating terribly uncomfortable... but did I mention the dishes were creative in flavor and yummy? Wear a coat because the door has to be left open due to the smoke from the grill. But... your tummy will be delighted even though you are shivering. I am a comfort lover... so it is never a comfort lover's favorite place to go but when I want good Thai food... this is the only consideration

This little place is one of the best restaurants I tried in Seattle, great food and enjoyable view of the chef in action. There are few sits and in the evening there is usually queue but it is worth the waiting! Absolutely recomended.

We ate here based on a recommendation from a friend, and the fact that we live within walking distance. I read the reviews about the long wait and poor service so we decided to call ahead for a pickup order, were told it was going to be 25-30 minutes (reasonable for an evening during a holiday week). When we got there the place was packed, which isn’t too difficult in this “intimate” restaurant. We only had to wait a few more minutes before our food (chicken pad Thai and chicken pad se ew, with two Thai iced teas) came out; total was $27, cash only. Their only proteins are chicken, shrimp, and tofu and they were out of shrimp (and mango, so no mango sticky rice dessert). Food came with rice, odd for a noodle dish but I like rice so whatever. Both dishes were small and lacked a decent amount of meat. Both were also dry, but flavor profile was good. Thai ice teas were tasty. I will try other Thai places before going back to this one. Since I’m new to the area I have nothing local to compare it to, but compared to NYC Thai this was not worth it.

The place is very small and no matter what time of day you go there is about 45 minute wait but so worth it. Second time we ordered takeout it was more efficient. Amazing food and prices are reasonable.

Thai, one of the world's best cuisines, IMHO, is a favorite choice because it's hard for a nonThai like me to get right, with all the spice combos and chopping techniques. However, at Thai Tom you get not only exquisite entrees, but you also get a Benihana-style cooking lesson from the smooth and quick-working chef. It's in the heat, I'm sure of it, blazing from what must be Seattle's largest stove gas jets to crispy up pad kee mau noodles on the outside but keep them all gooey and soft on the inside. One minute I was sure that pad kee mau stole the show; the next bite, chicken green curry had me oohing and aahing for more. Be sure to ask for lime slices, wear clothes that you don't mind getting smoky, go during off-peak times or you'll need a shoe horn to get in, get no higher than 3 on the heat index unless you're a dragon, take cash NO CREDIT CARDS and get the mango sticky rice for dessert. This place is a diamond in the rough, a real Siam jewel.

Yeah, the staff is kinda rude (unless they recognize you as a regular), and 25 min wait times usually extend into an hour, and don't even think about using the restroom (it's authentic Thai too ;O For me, personally, all of the above, gives the restaurant a certain "je ne sais quoi" that isn't easily achievable. The food is great 19/20 times and I am willing to forgive the 1 time (the good food makes me do it). Word of advice, take it down a star or two in this place.

My husband and I stayed at the Watertown hotel prior to our Alaskan cruise. One of the receptionists at the desk recommended this restaurant. Living in the suburbs of Northern Virginia we were a bit taken aback by the appearance. The restaurant is rustic and small but as we found out, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Because of its size there was a small line (I always like to see a small line when I go to a new restaurant however. If no one is there I usually won’t try it). Once we made it to the front of the line we were seated at the bar. The cooks were literally cooking right in front of us, there was no room for a traditional kitchen. We got to see how a restaurant really works. Our food was delivered quickly. The hubby had a chicken dish and I had the pad thai. For an appetizer we had the fried rolls. I have to say it was probably the best Thai food we have ever had. If you are looking for a quiet romantic evening, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for awesome food however, I would highly recommend this establishment!

Authentic Thai kitchen, small place with limited space, but fun to sit in the actual kitchen, fast and smiling service. Recommended.

Crispy on the outside, right texture on the inside, the tofu was the best I have ever had in a stir-fry dish. The noodles were good, the sauce a bit sweeter than I might have found ideal but the smoky flavor was delicious. Inexpensive, quick service. I was a little turned off listening to the wait staff asking people if they wanted to leave a tip as they were leaving the restaurant -- but then, I guess they shouldn't have had to ask if people tipped appropriately.

This place is super tiny and located in the university district. by the line outside it seemed everyone was willing to wait and I would have to agree with them! The food was great, the service was super.

Reading reviews here is like reading my mind... Except for our last visit when the sous chef & master chef switched places, food is consistently super fast & amazingly tasty! The staff may recognize you as a regular but don't expect any difference in service for it. The place is small and quite dirty (even when they first open the doors in the AM), but we feel smug as all those waiting outside peek in and we keep going back & back...

Tiny little place, not many seats so be prepared to wait or just get takeaway if it’s busy. The Pad Thai was honestly some of the best I have ever had. They cook it in a wok and some of the noodles get a little crispy and it makes it soooooo good. If I ever make it back to Seattle this is definitely going to be my first stop. As others have mentioned they do only take cash, but they warn you before you ever sit down.

Pros: Have had good food there before Simple, yet complex flavors (when good) Sitting in front of the fire is nice Cons: Money hungry, wont stop taking orders over the phone, resulting in very long waits for food Horrible customer service, rude Not the cleanest joint in the city When sitting on the long side of the bar in front of the cooks, the waitresses keep pushing you to move over so that they can grab the plates form the kitchen. Annoying. That's what kitchen shelves are for. This place has its charm when they can handle the pressure. I have previouslt recommended this place and taken family and friends to eat there. The staff and kitchen used to be fast, it's cheap and the food tastes good. Last experience was one of the worst I've had. The owner/waitress/host, a short and pushy lady, insisted on taking my order while I was waiting outside. 20 minutes later got seated. 55 minutes later got served one dish. The house was pumping out to go orders and made the rest of the seated guests wait almost a full hour for food. I ordered green curry for there and a soup to go. The curry was OK, better than eating my own stomach. Did not want to leave a tip after waiting close to an hour and 15 minutes to get my order. The owner argued with me that I should leave a tip. I said that a tip was for a job well done (and yes, I waited tables for years, so I say that understanding her position). She was rude as hell and told me to get lost. When I got home I noticed that the soup container was not even half full. I will never return to this place.

tiny, dark, barline table for eat, good pad thai, the chef cooking in front of customer, fast cook and serve to you, you can chose the level of chili spicy, i chose 3, next visit will try 5 🌶

It's a cramped space, in a good way. Sit at the counter if you can and watch as a great chef prepares flawless Thai food. I had the Pad See Ew and it was as good or better than anything I've had in Thai restaurants around America. The service was also very good, contrary to what I've read about Thai Tom. My water was refilled at least seven times (food was spicy) and the waitresses were very friendly and professional. I wish I lived closer to this place.

My boyfriend brought me here promising that the food would blow my mind, and in fact, it did! Despite the long wait, we had such great time eating some amazing Thai food here. I really really really enjoyed the Green Curry and the Pad See you again with Tofu. Soooo delicious! I do recommend ordering 3 or 4 stars of spiciness :) Will be back for moreeee!

If you are not already a student - you will be surprised to find a line at this dive. They hustle you in - seat you and feed you within 20 minutes. You can feel the head from the burners if you get a seat at the bar. You will share the counter with the cook - as he slides the food out of hot pans into waiting to-go vessels.... Not a bad thing - but certainly an experience. Food is good, hot and fast. Cheap eats - with a show. What can you lose? Ask anyone. This is a must try place. Go early - avoid the line and enjoy the show.

The food is ssssoooooo good! We had pad Thai and cashew chicken. Both were wonderful. I had my cashew chicken 4 star, it was perfect. Don't let the Thai salad go by, so good and interesting -- lettuce, potato chips and peanut dressing. Such a fabulous meal. We are in the restaurant, a hole in the wall, my daughter had found. I love Thai food and this was the best I had ever had. Lastly, the chef is so entertaining, he conducts a culinary symphony. Very fun to watch. Service is great too! Go out of your way and eat at Thai Tom, you won't regret it!

I ordered the pad thai with chicken to go. It was burnt and had a hair cooked into the eggs. This was my 1st impression, I won't be back.

My son introduced us to this tiny little treasure back when he first moved to Seattle. It seems to have lost the charm for him (and it's a long way from his new home). But my husband and I have to eat there at least once every time we make it to Seattle. It's a tiny little place and can be hard to get into. They do a big business in take-out also. The food is very fresh and you can get it nice and hot. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. Our favorites are Swimming Rama and Panang Curry.

We went here the other day. We had to wait almost a hour, when they said 15 minutes. We placed our order and waited longer. We ended up ordering extra appetizers, as we were so hungry. The food was great, but I question the billing. I didn't ask at the time, but we paid for more than we ordered and did not get a itemized receipt. They also require cash only.

This place is very tiny and the wait is super long. Best to go a little off the peak hours. I was surprise at the quality of the food here. Very tasty.

Ok...very small, very crowded...ordered to go. Food is crazy good--best Thai food I've eaten. Yum!! Atmosphere for authentic "hole-in-the-wall" dining can't be beat.

We were told to try this Thai restaurant that a lot of university students dine at. The food was served quickly. I found the portions small and the chicken was extremely over cooked. We had shrimp pad Thai, chicken pad Thai, shrimp curry and basil chicken.

I don't know how other dishes taste at Thai Tom because I only tried phad thai during my 5+ visits to that restaurant in less than 20 days... The line is always crazy so go there before 5pm. THe only downside is that there are really few seats inside the restaurant - take out is probably a good option. If you want to eat in the restaurant and it takes a long time to wait for your food, watching the chefs cook is quite an entertainment. Anyways, love this place! I still miss that heavenly phad thai every day...

I think my order got list so it took a while to get it but once they figured it out the food came quickly. It was delicious.

Truly a hole in the wall joint. Very limited menu. Tried several dishes per host recommendation. Food was prepared fresh in front of your eyes. Taste was average, nothing special....Service was very good though...

The food here is amazing and comes quickly but the workers are rather rude. Three times now I've had a worker demand me to tip her more...as in she picked a price and tried to tell me exactly what to give her, just not right. Would say 5 star but the service brings it down.

Okay.... I sat by the door and was glad for it. That way if the place burned down I could bolt out quickie like. The food is absolutely worth the wait, and the lack of anything else. The price is also great. Sweet people but ohhhhh it is sooooo small and the lines prove how good the food is.

When I lived in Seattle in the early 2000s I frequented Thai Tom (as a somewhat broke grad student). Now, every time I'm back in the city I make sure to eat at least one meal there. Everything about it is memorable and unique, from the eyebrow scorching flames coming off the cook tops to the remarkable flavors that the chef (no matter who it is), manages to produce. It's the best in Seattle, and perhaps the best on the West Coast. Don't miss Thai Tom!!!

Amazing, authentic experience! Been to Thailand five times and a lover of Asian cuisine and this was right up there with the best

I love this place. I love the food, I love the vibe, I love the smells of garlic, ginger, lemongrass and lime. I love the cramped, tight seating, the flames rising from the stove and chaos that somehow translated into one of the yummiest Thai meals I've had States-side. I came with a colleague for lunch and waited about 15 minutes for a table. Sat down and ordered promptly. I was so happy when the food I ordered "spicy" was actually spicy. (Usually I have to have my SEAsian husband vouch for me when I order something spicy - or stinky) I love this place.

After the initial wait for 30 mins for a take out it was worth it.. we ordered the chicken pad Thai and chicken cashew stir fry! Food was really lovely and the best Thai we have had in a long time.. absolutely worth the wait and highly recommend.

I LOVED this place and went here all the time until I saw a cockroach crawling down the wall. And there is NEVER just ONE cockroach... Will not return.

Amidst all the Thai options in the U District, this is quite possibly the best place for Thai food. The ever-present line outside the front door is testimony to this. Seating inside is very limited, hence the line. But everything is cooked right in front of you, and George, the owner, is a fantastic and friendly person.

I'm french so the food is important ! And I was charmed by this tiny restaurant ! The room was very little (it was really cool) and the food was gorgeous ! I loved the food ! Their Chicken Curry was awesome : I loved it. I recommend this restaurant if you're not many people. It's great.

I love Thai food; so I was excited to see the reviews of this place. I was so disappointed to be greeting by rude staff, surprised by their cash only policy, and frustrated by the fact that it was so cold in the restaurant because there’s nothing between the few tables and the door. We’d get bit by gusts of cold air every time it opened. The food was no better than anywhere else around, so it definitely didn’t make up for any of these problems. Won’t be back.

The food here is fantastic, especially for the price. It is very small and the bar seating can get pretty hot from the open flames coming from the stove but I think the food is worth it. The staff is most certainly a little abrupt/rude but they are vert efficient so I can appreciate their curtness. Our party of three ordered, got our food & had paid our bill all within about 30 minutes while the place was PACKED with a line out the door. I would go back in a heartbeat. Highly recommend the Phad See You & Poor Man Noodle.

This place is awesome.It is like a little hole in the wall place with very little seating but if you like thai food you need to try it. Its just an adventure you need to experience. They are busy and I know why. If the line is long they give you the menu while you wait, once seated you can watch them prepare your food on the grill. Just a super cool experience.

Small but worth the wait. Great thai food you get to watch them make.The smell of garlic and peppers was so incredible and the noodles were to die for.Watching the chef prepare and cook this food was an amazing experience. Just remember to bring cash because they don't take visa.

Having just come back from Thailand and visiting a friend in Seattle, we chose to go to Thai Tom and would absolutely go back! Tiny hole in the wall authentic Thai restaurant with great service and good energy. The food was exceptional and large portions at reasonable prices… I would recommend to anyone looking for a traditional Thai meal!

Don't know what else to say that hasn't already been said. Amazingly, delicious thai food. My ALL-TIME favorite place to go for curry. I always go there and get one thing: shrimp panang curry. What makes their panang curry so different from other thai joints is that it isn't a soup; rather, it's more of a curry SAUCE that is so nommy. Call ahead, get your grub to go, and don't forget your cash because it's CASH ONLY.

As a Denver native, I love Thai Food, but Thai Tom showed me what I was missing. This was real Thai food made on The Ave. near UW. It was amazing. Very spice too. Two stars is plenty, trust me. Be prepared for a wait. It's a small location and very popular. It's worth it.

This has been my favorite spot for Thai since college. Don’t let the outside look fool you! Also, be prepared to be disappointed ordering phad Thai anywhere else after Thai Tom’s! It’s serious the best! - very small, if you can’t wait (it IS worth it though) take it to go! - cash only - Thai spicy, the stars run hot!

We wanted Thai near the University. We got good Thai near the University. We phoned in our order. We were told 30 mins. We arrived 30 mins later. They hadn't started our order. We were told "Wait outside." The noodles were thick and tasty. The sauce was nice. Portions were smaller than any Thai I have been to. Just under $10/ plate. We would go back with lower expectations when we are not starving.

This place was amazing.The food was so good and made right in front of you(if you sit at the bar.) The location of this place was amazing as well. I would highly recommend if you are around the UW area and are craving Thai food to head here because you wont find a more authentic Thai place.

I can't say anything about the food that hasn't already been said, it's great. And the place is kinda small, which is why a first come first served policy is a very good thing. Unless the owner would rather seat more people. I walked in the door when they opened and sat at the counter by myself, and was subsequently asked to move twice in about 10 minutes. I think this is a terrible business practice and I hope that in the future, they will give more consideration to the people who arrive first.

This place gets rave reviews, but I really don't understand why. It is a tiny hole-in-the-wall with very little seating. We managed to squeeze into counter seats one night. There were three of us, and we all ordered different things. I wasn't very hungry, so I just ordered the pad thai. It tasted burnt. Other than that, there wasn't a whole lot of flavor. It actually was probably some of the worst pad thai I've ever had, and I've eaten A LOT of Thai food. The other two in our group liked their dinners better, but they agreed that the food was nothing special. The prices are quite inexpensive, and I think that is the appeal of this place in the University District. College students like cheap food. I'm not inclined to return.

We love good food and a place full of character. Thai Tom has both: full of heart with a style all its own and very satisfying food. You can certainly rely upon their Pad Thai or try from a a tempting selection. The Garlic Pepper Chicken is a favorite of mine. For me, I will find my way to Thai Tom on a regular basis. Here's the deal, this is a very popular spot and for good reason but they always manage to find a seat for you. Basically, it's a place for a quick meal and you'll be seated at the counter unless you're a couple and they can offer you a small table. That said, the atmosphere is very energetic and upbeat and fits a lot in such a compact spot. This place is a popular landmark on "the Ave" and a favorite among students at the University of Washington. The owner is beloved by the regulars. Just go and have a good time. But don't expect to linger for too long. It's only fair to everyone waiting to get in.

Located right on the ave, this is a very popular place. But since this is such a small place and has a high demand, there is always a waitlist. Since they can always find new customers waiting, they treat them like trash. Though they have a really nice cook, which kind on makes up for the bad service. Also if you get a seat at the 'bar' you can see the cooking action which is a treat in itself - the efficiency with which the chef moves.

I read so many good comments about the place and wanted to try it. So I went for lunch at a Sunday afternoon. There was a queue and I had to wait 10 min. Got a place on the bar just opposite the open kitchen. I ordered Pad Thai and watched the preparation. The first thing I noticed that the noodles were not soaked in water. Instead they put them completely dry in the wok. The chicken was this kind of industrial meat w/o any taste. It was over cooked and chewy. The complete dish was too salty/spicy. I had to flush down every bite with lots water. I suspect they put a lot of MSG. The plate was half broke (see picture). In General the place looked really dirty. Due to the open kitchen oil and dirt everywhere. Next to me a young student and her mother were sitting on the bar. I assume they were from Thailand. The mother watched the cook like me and I could tell by her face she wasn't delighted.... My conclusion: never ever again. And don't trust rankings in Yelp or Tripadvisor. I should have left when I saw how the "cook" prepared the dishes ...

Place is TINY. I was there around 2pm, no line. Panang Curry had good flavor. Perfect amount of spice for me. I asked for medium spice. My meal contained very few vegetables; mostly some onion (which had good flavor) and about three slices of green pepper and lots of sauce and rice. I had it with prawns which had good flavor, I received 6 of them. Average size portions. My clothes smelled like a fast food restaurant after I left. I was seated at a bar next to strangers although there was other open seating. There were about 5 tables which look like they could seat 2 each. Meal cost me $11-12. I was not offered dessert; which I would have ordered if offered.

Was recently in Seattle for a quick business trip and Thai Tom was 1 block over from my hotel (Hotel Deca - see separate review on this awesome hotel). Thai food is my absolute favorite and I am very hard to please in this category but Thai Tom was truly amazing. Incredibly small place, kinda divy, but the food was absolutely top notch. I stayed in Seattle for 4 nights and ate there 3 out of the 4. The pad thai, green curry, black pepper chicken and I believe it was the ginger chicken were all superb. Cooks were amazing. These guys were like well oiled machines behind the grill. Never seen anything quite like it. They have to be, obviously they are incredibly busy. Highly recommended.

I was fanning myself furiously while waiting for my food in this hole I the wall restaurant. Because of the size, the proximity of the burners make the place super warm. The food was ok, my husband and I had pad Thai.

We were lucky enough to walk in and get 2 seats at the counter. There was a line the entire time we were there - which should tell you that it's good. We shared the Tom Kha soup which was very good. We also had the Chicken Panang and Shrimp Swimming Rama - both were very well done. Prices were a little high but okay. It's a tiny restaurant so seating is really limited. Be prepared to wait if you go during lunch or dinner time without a reservation. Would definitely go again.

This is probably my favorite Thai place in Seattle - yes there's probably a long line, but YES it is 200% worth it. The pad thai here is just pure heaven. Loaded with veggies and perfectly seasoned, steamy, and flavourful! BE AWARE of the spice levels here - as a person who loves spicy food and ate it growing up, I thought a 4/5 would be ok, this was a MISTAKE. I was wiping sweat & tears as I ate the plate of fire in front of me, it was probably one of the spiciest things I've eaten. So good, but so much pain. The thai tea was what saved me - also very delicious!

It is a very small place but worth the wait to enjoy great food. Pad thai shrimp and cashew chicken were outstanding

Sit at the counter. Watch the maestro conduct. Not a wasted motion. 10,000 BTU zen. Feel the heat from all six burners. Wooden paddle menu lists the choices. Intense favors. Best coconut milk chicken soup we ever ate. PAd Thai, green curry rice with shrimp both truly wonderful. Ambiance unlike anything we experienced in decades. We loved it. NOT traditional sit down at all. One counter and a handful of small tables. Our wait only a few minutes but grew longer for others while we were there. Worth standing in line. Don't go if you need quiet or fauning service. Take out orders may take precedence over your order, chill out watch the chef work, it is magic, food more than worth any wait. About 12 bucks a person for this quality and entertainment is a bargain.

I came out to the UDub district solely for the purpose of trying Tom's Thai. AND IT WAS WORTH IT!!!! I had the best pad thai in my life all for around $8!!!

They serve good authentic Thai food in front of you. The quality, quantity and service are very good. The place is very cramped and one has to wait hours to get inside. The service is fast but the place presents itself with Thai food atmosphere. When you come out after eating your clothes smell of Thai food for some time.

To eat in this tiny, smoky Thai place is a great experience. It rained and no tables were available. They told us that we have to wait around 15 minutes. After 10 minutes she asked us what we want and after 15 minutes two seats were ready - with our dishes already there! The pad thai and the green curry were awesome! As we sat right in front of the cook, we saw how he prepared everything. He was really working hard! No beer, unfortunately. Cash only. Very popular, highly recommended place for casual Thai.

The food was delicious, served hot and fast. We sat at the bar and watched the chef prepare the food. The flavors were amazing and I will def return to explore more items on the menu.

This place is small, noisy and maybe not the cleanest restaurant in the world, but I now make an effort to go here every time I go to Seattle. I love the Tom Kha soup with shrimp. This place is especially cozy on a cold, wet Seattle winter night because you can sit at the bar and feel the heat coming off the gas range!

This hole in the wall is filled with character and the best Thai food in town. The good is cooked right in front of you with traditional (not American) service. It's great service and fast. No insincere chit chat! Love their food.

Formerly favorite. Rice on top of noodles?! And what's that chemically flavor? Where did the heat go? I've been to Thailand and have long relied on Thai Tom as the ONLY place to find that approximate taste. Did the chef take his recipes with him when he passed on? Do I dare try again? The Bangkok food truck moves up my list.

It's a very popular Thai restaurant on the Ave. Highly recommended. I have enjoyed watching the chef cooking in front of you while enjoying my meal.

We went to Thai Tom on a recommendation from one of the staff at the University Inn (see review). The restaurant isn't much to look at so if you're going for flair this may not be your cup of green tea but if you want delicious, authentic Thai food, this is it! Sit along the wall and watch the cook. this guy is amazing! He keeps 4-5 woks going at the same time and never misses a beat. This is simply a great place to eat!

Let me start by saying that this is the first time Trip Advisor has ever steered me this wrong. The wait alone at Thai Tom almost caused a friendship to end! We were told 15 minutes. Over an hour later... We were seated. Hunger ground away our sense of humor. As we sat down to eat we were faced with a tiny grimy restaurant. My very tall friend was not impressed... Especially after the wait. Then the food came. The fresh rolls were decent. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal was not. (The soup was good, I'll give them that.) Everything else. Ugh. As if the insane wait and bad food wasn't disappointing enough, my friend, flying out later that night, was then faced with the prospect of explosive diarrhea at 20,000 feet. Thai Tom grease-ball food left him with a digestive situation. He even had to stop at the store and buy pepto to avoid a mid-flight emergency. He survived... As did our friendship. But suffice it to say we will NOT be returning to this little hole in the wall.

Thai Tom is decent for its price. The dishes are very cheap (less than $10), though the dishes don't have that much meat in it and the flavor is nothing special. The restaurant is very small and dark, and you'll smell like thai food for the rest of the day.

We had plenty of southeast Asian food during our week-long visit to seattle and this funky yet authentic hole in the wall treasure may have been the overall winner. It was also the least expensive and smallest of the bunch. The pad thai was as good as what you could hope to find in Chiang Mai. The panang was top-3 that we’ve had outside of Asia. I cannot fathom why this is not a full, five-bubble rated restaurant.

Seemingly unfit when you walk by due to its small size and "rustic " interior and exterior, you might keep walking. However you'd be missing out on the most inexpensive and authentic Thai food seattle has to offer. Doting on restaurant details would take away from the time spent at the flaming wok. I'll take that over decorations and nice comfortable seating. Just take it to go! Hands down my fave since trapsing the U District in the very early 2000s as a UW student. I get back there as often as I can, even after living in California where thai food is as common as tanning beds, and after being to Thailand.

At first glance, this is a hole in the wall little restaurant. But then the staff welcomes you, takes your order and makes sure you are comfortable. (very service-oriented staff) Shortly thereafter, your order comes, wafting a delicious smell that makes your mouth water. I had the Swimming Rama with chicken, spinach and peanut sauce. Really good as were the spring rolls. Can't wait to go back!

You will almost always wait outside for a table at this very popular University District Eatery , and for good reason. It is a top secret destination for those in the know. So, if your afraid of melting in the rain, skip it, if your a brave Seattleite, and a little rain never hurt you, you should wait outside, and then start your way through the menu as you return time and time agin to one of Seattle's great secrets.

Fun watching preparers make the various dishes. Busy place so it may take a bit but not really long. I sat at bar as there is limited seating. The tofu appetizers was nice with spicy salad dressing. Yum. I also had chicken mixed vegetables which was good. Overall very positive experience.

Food is subpar and the only reason there's a wait is because there's very little seating inside the tiny restaurant. The menu (not even a real menu, since it's on a wooden tablet displayed on glass) doesn't even have prices. Random asian lady just shouts $10.50 for everything and it's cash only. After tasting my food, I wanted my money back! Not worth it!

This place is easy to miss and really is a hole in the wall. We walked by once as the line was too long. (That is a clue to how good the food is!) Walking by again we got lucky and got a table fight away. Place has some quirky things like the menu on wooden boards and the seating is crowded. You are in on all the action and can watch the cooks doing there thing. We had the pad thai and the basil chicken and both were yummy. Excellent portion sizes and we left filled. This place only takes cash, so come prepared. Our bill was just $21! No hesitation recommending this place.

the ambience is pretty good but the seating is not very good, a crowded place because the food quality and quantity very good

wow. excellent food. my favorite part of this place is sitting at the "bar" and watching the cooks work their magic. they have such an amazing system down that puts put consistently tasty dishes. their menus are on planks of wood (just another cool plus) the seating is a bit tough to come by... it's what some might call a "hole in the wall" size wise and it's such a busy spot that a lot of the time you need to wait about 15 to get a seat for 2. don't plan on coming here with a party bigger than 4/5 because you not only won't be able to sit comfortably together, the wait will be much longer. i just got back from a few weeks in Phuket thailand, had meals at many different restaurants, and Thai Tom is very comparable to those meals. very traditional.

This is whole in the wall Thai place in the university district. Food here delicious and remember it is cash only.

This small Thai restaurant have excellent food. The atmosphere and service is wonderful. The food is cheap and amazingly good.

First let me say that the food is delicious. It's prepared right in front of the customers and special requests are honored, for a fee. I have no complaints about the freshness or the flavor of the food, what I didn't like was the darkness and lack of upkeep of the restaurant. Also, the menu was handwritten on a board and was nothing more than the names of the dishes. Fortunately I'm familiar with Thai food or I would've had unlimited questions for the waitress. I will add that the man sitting next to me at the counter said he's a 15 year customer, so Thai Tom's is definitely doing something right!

This is another one of those places that you don’t judge by the outside. Located in the University district this tiny Thai place packs big flavors in a small quaint atmosphere. The restaurant itself really appears to be a hallway with extremely limited seating, perhaps only 20 at a time. The menus are on painted boards for you to look over and have all of your Thai favorites for very reasonable. We had the pad thai and the pad see ewe for under $20 including tip. The portions are perfect not being too large or too small and served in leaf shaped bowls. Along the walls you will see all of the awards that this restaurant has won locally as a Seattle local favorite and a student favorite as well. Be sure to come early so as not to have a long wait although they do move people in and out quickly. Be prepared for a great meal if not a little rushed. In a town the size of Seattle Thai Tom’s reputation and recommendations as the top Thai in the city are well justified. Of the Thai places we have eaten in the city this tops our list!

You would probably never find Thai Tom on your own but the locals know it well. It's a small diner-size place but the food... oh, the food! The Pad Thai is the best I've ever had, anywhere, and the prices are just as amazing. Make sure you wear your comfortable shoes, though; the lines can be intense.

Don't plan to sit around talking after your meal here. The place is small and 1/2 the spaces are counter seating. This is great food, fast. Cash only. We had Tom Ka soup and two curry dishes. All excellent. Can't wait to return. Take out surcharge I think $1.00.

A trip to UW for a game or to the U District is not complete without a stop at Thai Toms for delicious authentic Thai food. I like to sit at the counter and watch the chef toss all the ingredients and spices together. My favorite is the Pad Thai, which can be made as hot as you want to go!

Went here on a whim when we saw a line out the door, since we are always on a search for good Thai. Ordered some takeout (the place is tiny & ambiance is nil), drove home, and even after 40 minutes was the best Thai I've had. It was spicy - authentically so - tasty, and they gave you a good amount. You have to wait in line, then wait for your order, but it is worth it for take-out Thai.

While we were on vacation in Seattle we ate at Thai Tom's. Granted the space is small but the food is beyond the beyond. Spice levels at your command, staff excellent and the best Thai food I've ever had. If you mind crowded dining and a loud noise level this is not the place for you. But if you want excellent this is your go to. Highly recommended.

the best Thai food that I have ever eaten in my life!!! Hole in the wall but efficient... the chef is a rockstar!!

Very tatsteful and level of spices as advertised. However the noodles of my pas Thai were stacked together and hard to separate. The portion was very small. I am a lite eater and once finished I remain hungry.

Fast, inexpensive, and delicious!!! Worth the wait. We sat at the counter and were in awe of the efficiency and skill behind the counter. The salad appetizer was delicious- the peanut sauce was yum.

VERY small location (not the best for kids) however the BEST thai food ever. MUST GO visit! YUMMY! Worth the wait and excellent food!

This small place is a gem. Go there prepared to wait in line. No reservation accepted. But stay sure you will not be disappointed. The place is small, very small. But the food is simply delicious with strong and well characterized flavours and the level of spiciness of your choice (beware of thai spiciness.... If you are not used to it do not adventure above level 3!). The food is prepared on the spot by a chef just in front of you who manages 6 hot pans at the same time with acrobatic artistry. Stir vegetables, shrimps, chicken, noodles, rice.... Everything comes to you still hot from the fire. Best way is to choose a few dishes and share family style. The price is extremely affordable and when you finish you are tempted to get in line again for another round.

Have been several times over the years. During main meal times better expect to wait a bit. Small place with great food all out in the open to see. Always, Always dependably very good thai food in U district. Great prices. Eat and get out!! So the next people can cycle through. Great Seattle place for a little local color.

My husband and I went here during the University Street Festival. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. On a scale of 1 to 5 for spiciness, I ordered a 2, and was glad I did. It was just the right amount of spice for me. I had the vegetarian Pad Thai and my husband had some peanutty tofu dish. Both were delicious. The space is small and cramped. And the waiter was a bit brusque for my liking. It's definitely not a space to sit and linger over a meal. But it worked for a quick bite.

This laidback, no-frills Thai restaurant is the perfect place for a pick-me-up after walking around the Ave and campus. It's easy to miss this place from the outside, as it's less conspicuous than some of its business neighbors, but it's well worth stopping here. The menu is fairly standard for Thai restaurants, but the food is well-prepared, and many of the dishes have a slight kick to them (but without being so strong as to be off-putting). They only accept cash here, so be sure to have enough on you. However, the prices are lower than what one generally sees at Thai restaurants (most meals here are $8-9).

This can be a fun U District eating experience. The upsides and downsides are all a matter of perspective. I had the Cashew Chicken which was excellent, but ordered medium spice which was way too much heat for me - I can order medium at other Thai restaurants but not here! The room is Tiny with maybe 16 seats of tables along the wall plus counter stools. The kitchen is right in the room so it ALL happens right next to you. Quick service (they need rapid turnover), lots of students with the cheap lunch - $7.50 for way more than I can eat, great food. Drawbacks for me were loud techno music and they keep the front door open (usually a line going outside) so COLD inside. Would definitely go back again though.

if you like Thai food, this is the place. And if you don't, this is the place that can make you change perspective. Small, vibrant place with a line outside waiting for the opening. Everything cooked at the moment on a stove in full view. Strong and well defined flavors with your choice of spiciness. It gives you a fresh perspective on Thai food. Worth a visit but be ready to wait in line.

We went for lunch in this near ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant in the Seattle University area. Arrived early to beat the rush. It has room for four two seater tables and about eight people on the counter. You overlook the cooking and washing area. One chef in front of a eight burner cooking stove four feet away from those sitting at the counter. What an amazing experience to see the chef manipulating the woks and cooking four or five dishes at a time. He was extremely dexterous and a joy to watch. A limited menus of Thai dishes but very well made and full of taste. The Tom Yum soup was very very good. One not only enjoyed the food but the whole ambiance and experience. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an interesting experience and good well made Thai meal.

I've been going to Thai Tom for years and it's never disappointed! The phad Thai is the best I've had (better than Thailand!) and the Penang curry is delicious. Space is limited and hot but it's worth it! Not to be missed if you're in the U-district.

I spent a few months living in Thailand last year and this place definitely gives some of the local, authentic places that I ate at there a run for their money. Needless to say the food is absolutely amazing and prepared by an all thai staff. Prices are super reasonable and portions huge. Yeah... getting seated kind of sucks and you're probably going to have to wait outside for a few minutes because there are only about 10 tables in the whole place.... but it's TOTALLY worth it. Make sure to bring cash as well because they don't accept card. The "phad see-yoo again" is amazing

Absolutely wonderful eating experience!!!!! Love the Panang Chicken Curry... the Phad Thai has great texture and balance.... Eat here... fantastic food!

We had an incredibly flavorful dinner (green and yellow curries,pad thai + fresh and fried spring rolls) at Thai Tom. It’s a really small pace with a handful of tables and some counter seats and it really packs diners in. It was so busy on the Thursday night we were there that the wait staff was taking food orders from people waiting in the street. What to expect: great tasting thai food from a focused menu in a small—bordering on cramped—room.

My husband and I checked out this U District hot spot last month. I thought Thai Tom's Pad Thai was simply the best, most flavorful and unique helping of Pad Thai that I've ever had. My husband, however, did not like the charred taste that accompanies the dish. The sauce is also a little different than most Thai places. We got take out since the restaurant was full to the point of being obnoxious...I honestly don't think I could've squeezed through the restaurant to reach the counter and place an order. We're talking packed. One complaint that we both had was that the lunch portions - though priced the same as a comparable sit down restaurant with huge portions - were the smallest we had ever seen at a Thai restaurant. This didn't bother me so much but added to the reasons that my husband isn't keen on returning.

See good Asian food at fairly reasonable prices. Unfortunately there are only a few places to sit and it is sometimes very cramped. Cash payment only...

The entrees are great, but you MUST stay away from the Tom Yum soup. I got it with Shrimp and it costs $11 ALONE with tax, and it was salty to boot. A complete ripoff. The entree was cheaper!

Yes, it's small, and it's a "whole in the wall" kind of place. When I was college at UW this was my preferred place to go for Thai food, and still is when I am back in the UDistrict. There is a very good reason a line seems stretch out the door during lunch and dinner time. Highly recommend it.

This place is ALWAYS busy so we decided it was a must try. We managed to get seats at the counter (the restaurant can hold less than 20 people) and ordered Drunken Noodles and Pad Thai with a Fried Spring Rolls Appetizer and a Thai Iced Tea. Food is mad right in front of you and is ready in less than 10 minutes. It was extremely good! Nice flavors and a bit spicier than I was expecting! I fancy myself someone who can handle spicy food but this was spicy but tolerable. The spring rolls were very nicely seasoned and the Thai iced tea was also excellent. Our total price was $31 for two entrees, a specialty drink, and an appetizer which is more than reasonable. I would highly recommend giving this hole-in-the-wall a try! Just an FYI - CASH ONLY so make sure are prepared!

For a quick pad Thai or stir fry veg with rice, or for a quick nuddle or that curry in a low budget go for it. Just wondered why the appearance is atmosphere is sub standard. Budget hotel. Ok.

We were staying in the U District and were starving. Thai Tom treated us very well. The place was warm, inviting, and cozy. The staff were very pleasant and attentive. The food was above average. I definitely recommend.

The food was very good, but the service was terrible. We waited for almost an hour with 3 kids. The check was incorrect. As a cherry on a cake they only except cash

We stopped at Thai Tom for lunch on a Friday afternoon in late August. We got there right when it opened, and there was already a line to get in (so getting there early is best!) We were visiting Seattle for the weekend and stopped by based on a recommendation of someone we'd met on University Way. We're so glad we did. Food - We ordered the poor man's noodles and the pad thai. Both were delicious (and less than $9 each). Atmosphere - Thai Tom is small (around 5-6 two-person tables and a small bar). The tables are small and the chairs are wooden stools - just the basics here. But don't worry; once you taste how delicious it is, you'll forget everything around you. Staff - The staff was nice. Given how small the restaurant is and how busy they are, there wasn't a lot of chit chat (but we didn't mind). Overall, we'd definitely go back again!

Tiny, dark, cramped and borderline uncomfortable. Water to drink. Totally worth it for the creamy Tom Kha alone but, in truth, everything we tried rated with the best. Ate way too much... but I'll want that soup again come tomorrow.

Thai Tom takes Thai Cuisine to a whole new level! During lunch hours be prepared to wait 30 mins + to be seated. The restaurant is small and the cooking is done on a stove top in the middle of the room--it can get a little warm in there so be ready to shed a few layers. Also, they only except cash but there are several ATMs within a block. Entrees average about $8.

A little casual hole-in-the-wall place which is very small and including the counter may seat approximately 25 people (stretching it). Every time we come up to Seattle, we try and have lunch at this delicious restaurant. We were fortunate enough to get seated after a short wait (expected as they are always crowded). We started with Tom Kah soup which is consistently tasty, then we split the garlic-pepper chicken, pad thai and stir fry vegetables. Their curries are delicious. Try this great place. You won't be disappointed!

If you want a normal dining experience with room to move, do not come here. It is a hole in the wall with very limited seating. Do not come with a party of more than 4 people, best if only 2. Food is prepared right in front of you. Quick and efficient service. Those who want to complain about the heat and lack of space, they provide a carryout option. I am not sure if it is the best Thai food in Seattle, but they provide good food at a very budget friendly price.

As a student at the University of Washington, Thai Tom is a staple. Don't go here expecting service or ambiance, that's certainly not the end game, but what you will get is ridiculously cheap, insanely out of this world, delicious Thai. Everything on the menu is so great. It's so small, so expect a wait if you're going with a group during the main lunch/dinner hours (all days), but it's worth it! My personal favorite is the thai fried rice - perfection. Thai Tom should be your first stop if you're looking to eat in the U-District

The place is fully pack and small. It fits probably 20 people max. The food for me is bit too sweet. Prices are not cheap either. 6 of us having lunch there cost us around 100.

The tables are close together, the service is rushed and lack luster, you potentially could wait in line for an hour to get in but I believe it to be worth it. The food is legitimate. I will say that what they believe as a spice scale is a bit off. I asked for a 1 and it was hot, my husband got a 3 and was sweating so just be aware.

I didn't know just how many people call in their orders for pick up. It took 40 minutes to get our food. Meanwhile, we watched the chef box up about 12 meals to go, then attend to the seated customers. Also, I didn't know that a 2 out of 5 star would be so hot. My Pad Thai and my husband's Sweet and Sour Chicken were way too spicey! Either that's the norm there or being in a hurry they messed up our order. Several glasses of water got us through it. What a bummer since Thai is one of my favorite foods...

Usually a line but worth it. Tight quarters but cool to see the chefs cook. Usually get Tom Kha and never had better. Great stop when visiting son at UW

Fun, lively place to warm up on a rainy Seattle day! Excellent, extremely fresh pad thai and fried rice. Must be willing to sit at the counter or a tiny table. Takeout is a popular option but you will miss the excitement of seeing the chefs in action!

Tough to find a place (let alone Thai) that has better food for the price and speed. Not sure how Tom is able to keep up his pace for hour after hour, but the quality is consistently great. The wait for the food is usually pretty short, although the smells coming out of Tom's makes it a tough wait. The restaurant itself is somewhat dive-y, but you have the ability to watch your dish be cooked. I would recommend sitting at the bar/main table (but avoid the bar seats furthest into the restaurant - the edge is used for prep area for the food and waitresses will have to reach over/around you).

Thai Tom was an experience worth visiting due to the unique atmosphere, though the food was good, not great and the service was surly. A tiny space, half taken up by the kitchen and dishwasher, Thai Tom is a u district mainstay due to the fairly cheap, quick food. There is often a line though it moves pretty quickly. Inside is so packed, forget about carrying on a conversation. I'd actually rather not see the kitchen as I'm not so sure it would pass even a quick inspection. The pans that appear to have never been washed may add flavor, but I think I'd be happier with then behind a door. The food was good, but nothing to rave about. It was about as good as one of the better delivery places by me. The deep fried potstickerd were very good while the garlic pepper chicken was just average. It was nice to be served something so hot and right off the fire though. The servers and cooks look they they would belong in a tattoo parlor and continuously shuffle last you, bumping you from every angle. Worth a visit for the experience, but I don't think I'll be going back.

For ten years ago, still perfect. No question to ask. Perfect food. Super delicious and price friendly. Awesome awesome awesome! Origin of Thai food.

Rain or shine you could see devotes waiting our side.. long lines. We went there on a Saturday 6 PM... half hour wait outside and waiter took our orders and we went in (@6.30 most of the popular items were sold out and operating on a limited menu). Another half hour wait to get your food. It was amazing. and no complaints. Will go back again.

Tiny hole in the wall with more counter seating than actual tables. Food is not authentic at all, it's totally Americanized. My Thai wife had basil shrimp and I had chicken learn, it was nothing like what we're accustomed to. Larb was some kind of overly salted stir fried dish and the basil shrimp was sweetened like a sweet and sour dish, if I was a local I would not be going back!!!!

A friend from Southern India recommended this place. The food is delicious. I loved the green curry - but next time I'll take the spiciness down to 4 stars. It is a basic cash-only hole-in the-wall establishment. Bring cash! Expect to wait to be seated. Do not be surprised by the lack of customer service. Just enjoy the food.

There is standing room only in this little place. You have a bar that seats about seven people that can watch the cooks make your dinner and then about 5 little tables that seat 2/3 people each. But there was a waiting line out the door. They take your order outside before you are seated. Take out would probably be a wise choice if you don't want to wait. But excellent food.

I just love watching them cook, can be a bit of a wait. You can order for pick up and if its a hot day it's even hotter inside. Not for the diner who needs a lot of personal space, and don't doddle at your table they need it.

This place is so busy the hostess urged me to use a fork to speed me up. My skills with chopsticks are unconventional and slow, but effective. I left a scant few grains of rice in the dish.

This is the most awesome food and vibe! It doesn't matter what you order everything is excellent. You get to watch the cook and it's amazing to smell all the spices and dishes all coming together. My favorite is Tom Kah soup and Swimming Rama and the the Pad Thai delicious. Makes my mouth water just writing about it. A must more than once a week!!! Very good prices and large quantities of food. You will never leave hungry. Take some home for the next day as you won't have leftovers it's that good

This place gets busy at lunch hours during the school year. Don't show up when it's busy thinking you can find a seat, get fast service, or have your special requests met. If you do want good food, show up. Spice level seems accurate, the noodle dishes are fantastic. Also, off-hours are better (food is not rushed, staff is relaxed). Price is great, servings are a little small.

There's only room for about 20 people inside, and no tables bigger than two people. Still, the service was fast and efficient and the food was amazing. My date had curry, I had noodles, we were both thrilled with our choices. If you like Thai food, and you happen to be in the U District, I strongly recommend this place. The menu is minimalist, but it's also low cost. I'm used to spending $$$$ for decent food, but the bill for the pair of us -- even after tip -- didn't even clear $30.

This is a very small place with the chef managing three woks at a time. It is very spicy, but tasty. Recommend take out.

Best Thai I have found in Seattle. Tiny place thought so hard to find a seat, but if you are lucky you can sit at the counter right behind the cook who puts on a show with your meal. Usually a long line out the door for folks trying to sit down or get their take-out.

Hands down, my favorite spot to eat in Seattle for well over a decade. A tiny hole in the wall on University Ave. If you're looking for great Thai food, this is the spot. There's always a line for a table, but they're pretty quick with the turnover, and it is worth the wait.

Food is amazing, worth a trip to Seattle and a fight through the University district. Best to have fresh wok servings.

This is a popular spot for high school and college students, including my own kids. Over the past few months we've tried Thai Tom three times for carry-out. We kept giving the restaurant another chance, because how can a host of thrifty, hungry 17-year-olds be wrong? Understanding that this is hearty, quickly prepared, inexpensive food, we weren't looking for anything fancy; but the dishes were oozing grease, and gloppy, with overcooked and sad looking veggies. Yesterday's order was our third strike. None of the four dishes was very good, but the Pad See Ew was burned. Not overcooked, but blackened to a solid mass over what must have been the entire surface of the pan, with greasy black flakes throughout the dish. We threw away half of the dish, picking through it and pulling off the shiny black bottom part to discard it. Honestly, we should have tossed the whole thing. Thai Tom never should have sent this dish out the door. I'm guessing that they wouldn't have tried to serve it to someone perched on one of the stools in the restaurant (where you forgive the brusk staff as they urge you to eat and get out), since nobody would pay for something that badly burned; unless they were a few miles away in their own kitchens when they discovered the charred mess, that is.

I used to enjoy coming here; true, the service has always been marginal (as many others have commented on this website), but generally the lack of ambience and hygiene was tolerable since the food has been pretty good; I went there a while back and the food was bad, but gave it another chance today; we waited a very long time for our food, but it was good; the service (as always), poor; we asked for a fork, and they never brought it; when my wife took a plastic one from the tray beside our table the waitress literally slapped her hand (I am not joking); we left a tip (though they didn't deserve it), and then, amazingly, and I do not exaggerate, the waitress literally chased us down the street outside berating us for not leaving a big enough tip (this occurred in front of a crowd of astonished patrons waiting in line to get in); at first I thought we had accidentally not paid the bill, but when she clarified that our trip was too small, I said, well, this is definitely not going to get you a bigger tip and she told us not to come back, but to order from the take out menu in the future, "because we have to make money"! So, folks, save your money, and go to one of the other dozen Thai restaurants on the University Ave. that might actually treat you somewhat pleasantly. I saw that most of the people waiting to get in made that decision on the spot after seeing how we were treated and headed for the hills, so kudos to them for paying attention.

Food was excellent though the Thai ice tea was not as good as some others. We were here the past weekend and was surprised when we were able to sit in right-a-way. I guess the street fair was attracting people to their food fair, which was only around the corner. Since the street was closed off for the fair, we were lucky to find a space to park a block away. The Curry Chicken was great and was the Pad Thai. We always tried to come here but were discouraged by the wait (especially when weather is cold/rainy) Good spot to eat but they only accept cash.

I really do not like leaving negative reviews but I must. We were at the University of Washington Medical Center and wanted to eat somewhere pretty close since it was way past lunchtime so I depended on TripAdvisor to show us a good place. Thai Tom is a very small place and parking can be difficult to find but we were fortunate to get all 6 in our party seated at their tiny tables, 2 people at each table. Only 5 of us were eating but all 6 of us were seated. To me, the food was average but prices were high ($9.50). There was a menu online that had lower prices but they said they did not put their menu online. The Pad Thai was partially burned and one member of our party, who really likes Thai food, complained about it but a replacement dish was not offered. I paid the bill and was surprised by the price. I had placed the order for all of us but thought maybe one member of our party ordered something I didn't realize and didn't want to make a scene so I just paid the bill along with a tip. Since they do not take credit cards, I paid cash and did not get a receipt. The next day, after I checked if anyone ordered anything extra which they had not, I called Thai Tom and asked them to explain the amount of my bill. I don't usually do this but I knew I was going to write a TripAdvisor review and wanted to give them a chance. It was then I found out that 15% is added onto the bill for parties over 6. So with my tip, I ended up giving a 33% tip even though part of our food was burned. Also, only 5 of us had eaten, not 6. The nice girl who answered my call said they would give us a free appetizer to make up for the problem but we were on a trip and no way were we going back but it was nice that she offered. I'm glad other people enjoy this place so much but it was not a good experience for us.

After we landed at SeaTac, the first place my granddaughter had to visit was Thai Toms AND it was an amazing experience. It is tiny and such a visual relationship with food. Plus, it tasted so good that we went back just before we left Seattle too.

I'm not from America but every time i pass by Seattle I always come here. About two times a year and I'm always so positive and happy about my food. It is extremely tasty and delicious!

This place is awesome, just a tiny, dingy, hole in the wall, with the BEST Thai food and really cool service and atmosphere. Don't expect white linens and bright lights, this is the real deal... great food, neat experience. There is a reason the line goes down the block often! We packed into the back corner with our 3 kids across two little tables using an extra stool they had off to the side, and loved it. We won't pass through Seattle without going.

Food is good and price is cheap, just right next to the Washington University. Always a waiting line at the door, if you can't get a seat, then just take away!

A tiny noisy sliver of a Thai restaurant in the U district. Wonderful food. Lovely courteous service. Cash only. We'll go back.

I love Pad See Ew. My partner loves Drunken Noodle. Some of the best tasting Pad See Ew I've ever had, the best tasting Drunken Noodle I've ever had. While I found it a bit on the pricy side for a Thai dish for lunch, the flavors of the dishes were phenomenal. Sure, I've had fresher rice noodles, but this food was great. Now I understand why there's always a line. Also, hey, don't be discouraged; we were able to get take out in a matter of 15 minutes.

So, expectations may be low based on "Curb Appeal", but this is far and away our favorite Thai food, period. We usually call ahead and take it to-go to avoid the wait and close quarters, but there is a special appeal to sitting at the counter and watching the magic happen.