We got four take out dishes - 2 curry dishes, one eggplant dish (special of the day), and tofu pad thai. The portions were so small - especially the eggplant dish which barely had eggplants. The curries were too watery, not creamy enough. Masaman beef curry had very little beef. The pad Thai was just average. I asked for 3 out of 10 spicy but it was definitely much more spicy than 3… The rice was dry. Overall, we expected much better taste and portions. I don’t think we will return.

Very quick service and very good food. There is very little seating, so you will probably have to eat somewhere else.

It was our intention to frequent the "Japanese" restaurant next door...but the pictures online were comparable to "Bear" Express, I hate that place...
Saw Thai Express from the parking lot, checked out the reviews and photos and made a change on dinner for the night...SO GLAD WE DID!
Great portions!
EXCELLENT taste!
STELLAR customer service!
You can tell this place has been there since forever and is truly one with the community!!!
She said, they make the food with love and she was NOT lying!!!

I ordered the Ginger stir fry Chicken, I liked the taste of everything in it except the mushrooms(may be use a different kind or a better quality one). Pad thai was ok. They offer take-out only and parking can be tricky around the restaurant area.

I ordered the chicken satay and chicken pad Thai. Both were excellent. Only two tables inside. Extremely small.

Pretty good! They were quick and had an accurate spice level (3-4 was just the right amount for someone who likes some spice). The meal was very light, but also filling. There was a moment of panic when I thought there was no sauce, but it was under the rice. I wish I got chopsticks, but I think we had a misunderstanding. Would recommend!

This is the best Thai food I have ever had. I think it has the best Thai food and Cincinnati a little pricey.

Just came from Thai express and ordered the special with tofu with sticky rice and I didn’t like it. It had 3 big halves of lettuce under the salad(did not know it would be cold or that it was a salad). It also has another big wedge of lettuce that seemed to serve no purpose. It came with bland tofu chunks and hot sticky rice with no sauce. I feel like none of the food went together and they need to tell people it’s a salad. So disappointed and it’s my first time eating there. Prior reviews are deceiving.

Very quick service and very good food. There is very little seating, so you will probably have to eat somewhere else.

the staff is friendly

We got four take out dishes - 2 curry dishes, one eggplant dish (special of the day), and tofu pad thai. The portions were so small - especially the eggplant dish which barely had eggplants. The curries were too watery, not creamy enough. Masaman beef curry had very little beef. The pad Thai was just average. I asked for 3 out of 10 spicy but it was definitely much more spicy than 3… The rice was dry. Overall, we expected much better taste and portions. I don’t think we will return.

Excellent service and generous portions that we ordered

Been here hundreds of times and have never once been disappointed. I don't know how they do it.

Black pepper garlic chicken is very good

This is the best Thai food I have ever had. I think it has the best Thai food and Cincinnati a little pricey.

This place slams! I have been eating here for over 10 years and it hits right every single time.

very yummy

Looked very busy. Good pad thai

It was our intention to frequent the "Japanese" restaurant next door...but the pictures online were comparable to "Bear" Express, I hate that place...
Saw Thai Express from the parking lot, checked out the reviews and photos and made a change on dinner for the night...SO GLAD WE DID!
Great portions!
EXCELLENT taste!
STELLAR customer service!
You can tell this place has been there since forever and is truly one with the community!!!
She said, they make the food with love and she was NOT lying!!!

Best Thai food in the tristate area

1st of all, I love this spot. Been coming here since 2010. Never have a problem with my food, until today. And it's not with my food as much as the portion and price. My portion is so small for 11.50, I feel cheated. I even had to call them. Was told they changed portions a few yrs ago. Well I was living elsewhere for a few years too and post inflation, I can get more food at bibibop for the same price. They gon have to do something different for me to return. All love.

Excellent tofy pad thai loved it. Def a regular now...

This place is amazing. One of the best "hidden gems" in the entire city. Check any Reddit thread or magazine article in the last 20 years to confirm.

Excellent! The most authentic in town.

Always friendly and quick. Amazing flavor and quantity. I have been coming for 8 years. Thank you guys!!

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid this place is absolutely amazing 🤩 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Always delicious and fresh food at great prices from the sweetest family owners!

Great food, nice people who have been running the restaurant since the 90’s. Pad Thai is phenomenal and I don’t even like peanuts!! So good, must try and fair prices too

Been going since 2000, always great and plenty of food for the price. My all time favorite Pad Thai!

Great people and excellent food and service

Authentic pad Thai.

I tried this place for the first time probably over a decade ago and I have never had pad Thai anywhere else that was even remotely as good.

Ate the food too fast that I forgot to take a picture. It was amazing.

Food is very fresh every time I go and flavors are worth exploring the menu for. Short wait times, competitive prices, and pleasant employees. Lucky to have a spot like this around.

A little on the hot side but very flavorful and filling.

Complete dysentery. Hard to find a dirtier place in town.

THE best Thai in town, been that way since I was in college in 90’s. But, call them directly for pickup vs ‘order online’ unless you want to pay a $5 fee on top of $11 Pad Thai lunch - yes, $5 for a pickup!! DoorDash are crooks and don’t expose fees when ordering.

Nice employees, delicious food! Food is always fresh.

A restaurant where you can get truly vegetarian curries. Absolutely excellent. Charming, hardworking, and talented staff. Do NOT be fooled by the humble appearance. People travel far and wide for Wantana's thoughtfully crafted food...

Best Thai in the city

Best Thai anywhere, a must try.

This is one of the best places to get food in Clifton Heights without question and it happens to be one of my favorite Thai restaurants in the city. I love their Pad See Ew and Thai Iced Tea, it's my go to order. I like my food about as spice as Sriracha so I go for level 4. It's so delicious!! It's such a privilege to get to chat with the old ladies that work in there too.

Best pad thai in Cincinnati!

I ordered the chicken satay and chicken pad Thai. Both were excellent. Only two tables inside. Extremely small.

Best pad Thai and mango sticky rice in the city.

I always love getting Thai express. The food is always delicious.

Feel like home!! Food is so good. I will be back for sure

Small takeout Thai spot. Pad Thai noodles are always good!

Best authentic spice levels

The amount of food is not that much compared to the price. However, it was delicious.

probably the best pad thai in the city. What more do you want?

I love their spicy Phad Thai and Fried Rice. The good portion and spiciness.

I’m Thai, I just ordered Pad Krapao and Papaya salad I told them to cook it like very authentic Thai food for me because I hadn’t eaten for a year and really missed Thai food. They made me feel like I was eating Thai food in Thailand. I would love to recommend Thai express if you’re looking for authentic Thai food, you’ll love it like me.

Ate at Thai Express for the first time yesterday. Had the chicken pad Thai and it was great. Friendly staff, fresh meal made quickly!

Excellent Shrimp Pad Thai. Really spicy if you want it that way. It has been 5 stars for a long time, but occasionally lately the shrimp has not been 5 star shrimp. This is carry out only, so call 15 minutes before you go to pick up. Still the best Pad Thai in town.

Most delicious Thai food around, this little gem is one of the best Thai Food restaurants you will find.

The food was not good. Ordered Pad Thai, and it was too much vinegar that I could not eat the entire portion, my mouth was kind of numb . The coconut chicken soup was not good either. I would not recommend it. There are 2 tables to dine in but I don't recommend either...place is a little messy.

If you know you know.. best in the city

Great food and there is metered parking right next to the building. It is a tiny little gem. You can eat in but they only have a couple tables since the place is so small. It is a great place to get curry in a hurry ☺️! Call ahead and have your order ready for you.

It was our first time there. My husband and I both enjoyed it. He ordered the chicken with fried rice and I ordered the shrimp with fried rice. Spice levels were exactly what we asked for, clean on the inside and friendly staff!

Of the two times I have eaten here so far, it's one of the best Thai restaurants I've ever been to. Portions and prices are fair. Their wok-cooked food has excellent flavor, you choose your spice level, and they have good extras like spring and veggie rolls. My favorite dish so far is the Pepper Stir Fry. The dine in experience is good despite only having enough space for 6 people. The family is very nice and I always feel welcome in their restaurant.

Great place

Great Food 👍

This place is totally legendary for Thai food near University of Cincinnati. I've been to Thailand twice and I would put their Pad Thai above any I've tried before.

If you want authentic Thai, apparently this is the spot. My Thai friend, working in Cincy, couldn't believe I was so lucky to have such authentic food so nearby, at such good prices. I wouldn't know authentic Thai if you spilled it on me, but I know the food at Thai Express is always delicious and never a bad idea*.

*DO NOT PLAY WITH THE SPICE NUMBERS HERE.
It's 1-10 for a reason. We know you're a big strong guy, Biff, ordering a spice lvl 10 won't make you a hero.

Been coming here since I was a kid. I even have their number saved in my contacts. Always amazing and affordable Thai food. Nothing ever beats Thai Express!!

I went to college in Cincinnati and I fantasize about the tofu garlic noodles at least 5 times a year. Hopefully someday I'll be back in Cincy when Thai Express is open. One of the first places I tried Thai food, and still one of the best I've been.

Large portions, tasty food! We got the Chicken Pad Thai, Tom Yum Kai soup, and Pork Khao Soi, with an order of vegetable spring rolls and it was more than enough for 3 people... although one of them is our 2 year old.
The only tricky thing is parking but if you circle the block, you're sure to find something and can run in and out.

Best fried rice in Cincinnati

Bland, tasteless, small size, overpriced. I don't know how they are getting so many five star ratings, it seems very suspicious because it is a one star experience. With the location, experience, and clientele it makes me wonder if this is really just a cash washing business.

Been the best quick Thai place for as long as I remember. No frills, just good food.

Food was excellent.

Love this place, eaten from here at least a dozen times. Best Thai food I’ve ever had. Perhaps the best Asian food as well. Only downside is that the closest parking spots require payment even if you’re just dropping by for 3 minutes. Last time I placed an order, there was a slight mixup that ended with my order being level 5 (spicy) but I ended up enjoying it more than my normal level zero. Mixups don’t normally happen, so don’t worry. This is someplace you must swing by and get food at, the spring rolls are to die for.

Hadn't been to Thai Express in years. Walk in and nothing had changed at all. The staff is so gracious and welcoming. The Chicken Pad Thai was just as good as it was the first time I had it. Thai Express has been in that spot for 25 years and nothing has changed. 😊👍🏾👏🏽💯

Best Thai Food in Clifton.

They have the best thai fried rice.

Pretty good! They were quick and had an accurate spice level (3-4 was just the right amount for someone who likes some spice). The meal was very light, but also filling. There was a moment of panic when I thought there was no sauce, but it was under the rice. I wish I got chopsticks, but I think we had a misunderstanding. Would recommend!

Very delicious, fresh and hot every single time!
The best Thai restaurant in Cincinnati.
The matriarch is still working in the kitchen with the family….

Just came from Thai express and ordered the special with tofu with sticky rice and I didn’t like it. It had 3 big halves of lettuce under the salad(did not know it would be cold or that it was a salad). It also has another big wedge of lettuce that seemed to serve no purpose. It came with bland tofu chunks and hot sticky rice with no sauce. I feel like none of the food went together and they need to tell people it’s a salad. So disappointed and it’s my first time eating there. Prior reviews are deceiving.

My food didnt taste good and they didn't add my tomatoes. The white guy who was cooking my food was cussing while cookin my food

Very tasty!!

Absolutely perfect dive Thai food, the best I've found in Cincinnati. Had pad Thai, drunken noodles, Thai tea, and fresh mango and sticky rice for dessert.

Best Thai food in the city. Been coming here for years. Great options for vegetarians, amazing food, affordable prices and the staff is always friendly! I always get the Pad Thai with tofu

Staff are very nice, good prices, and very authentic Thai food.

This is the BEST Thai food in the city!! The food is freshly made with authentic ingredients there is never really a wait here not very big to sit in and eat. If you want the quaint hometown Thai food that will blow your mind this is the place. Very very friendly and a must have!!

Chicken Pad-Thai is slapping!

Tried the Thai Jerky Beef. Really good!

Great good, fast and friendly service

Best Thai food in the city

I honestly think that if there was room for dine-in this would be considered the best Thai restaurant in Cincinnati. I've been to the places in Hyde Park and nothing compares to Thai Express. I highly recommend the Khao Soi, it's my absolute favorite!

I fell in love with Thai food at a little place called Bangkok on the outskirts of Chicagoland. And since that time, I've been on the search in Cincinnati for a tom kha gai soup that is anywhere near the creamy perfection as that place.

Thai Express is about as close as it gets. It's small, crowded and steamy, but if a flavor-filled Asian take out place is just what the doctor ordered and you want something quick, relatively inexpensive with good Thai flavor, then this is a great spot.

Do not expect high end. Again, this is quick, tasty, authentic takeout Thai food at a good price.

My favorites on the menu are the aforementioned tom kha gai soup. It's got a great, sweet, creamy taste with ample chicken and mushrooms. I like to ask for some more cilantro in mine- makes it Sooo good.

My girls like the Thai veggie spring rolls. They are crisp and just what you'd expect with a nice sweet sauce to dip.

We also like the massaman curry. It's a milder curry with potatoes. And of course, the chicken pad thai is a go to and they do it right. The rice is very sticky and isn't the greatest- just standard bed of rice. The drunken noodles are soooo good. Great flavor.

Be mindful that like any Thai place, they ask for spice levels. Anything past a 5 and you'll be sweating.

If quick, tasty, affordable Thai takeout is what your mood calls for, then this is your place. I give this place a one and a half (out of two) Yums Up!

Unfortunately, our order tonight was skimpy...basil chicken had 4 times the rice than chicken. Same with the chicken Pad Thai. Taste was still good so I'll keep it 5 stars, but this is the first time we felt shorted. I hope it's a one off...

Good fried rice!

Nice and small place in heart of city. great flavors food prices are reasonable and good quantity. Authentic thai food

This is one of my favorite restaurants. Curry fried rice is the best.

An authentic Thai takeout place. They very limited space for dine in for self-service and quick bite. The food tastes amazing with very fresh Thai ingredients. They have an open kitchen style and they have a very fast service. The food tastes delicious and authentic.

The best pad thai I have ever had. No one else compares. An incredible local business that has been around for over 20 years for a reason.

Red curry and Pad Thai were outstanding.

I LOVE Thai Express! I've been going there for over 20 yrs. I first tried it while pregnant and satisfying cravings. My son is now 21y/o. I moved away from the area and have tried other Thai restaurants with no satisfaction. The owner and her staff would yell my name as soon as I would walked in and we'd laugh. I loved it! I've gotten plenty of ppl hooked too. I only get to the area about 3 times a year now, but they still remember me by name.

Was super excited to try this place out but unfortunately the Green curry and Penang curry we got were really bland. Service was nice but was hoping more from the food.

OH MY GOODNESS! SOOOO GOOD! SMALL PLACE THAT DELIVERS A HUUUGE PUNCH!!!

Possibly the best restaurant in Cincinnati. If they have the Khao Soi on special, get it. They do the classics better than anyone and have awesome specialty dishes.

Love this place, absolutely the best food in clifton in my opinion. You get a lot of food (i normally get two meals out of it) very reasonably priced as well. Can be a little spicy so if you don’t like spice get it low on spice. Service is great and fast and everyone in there is incredibly friendly.

I love Thai express. You get so much food for the price and Ed is so friendly and happy. Definitely worth the drive.

Bell peppers were too big and looked like they were pulled apart instead of cut. I counted 4 pieces of chicken in my $13 entrée as well as some canned mushroom and these bell peppers. Cheaply made not worth the price. I will say the spring role was great though

I ordered the Ginger stir fry Chicken, I liked the taste of everything in it except the mushrooms(may be use a different kind or a better quality one). Pad thai was ok. They offer take-out only and parking can be tricky around the restaurant area.

Absolutely delicious food at a reasonable price. Staff was welcoming. I'll definitely be returning!

Consistently excellent. Best Thai takeout in Cincinnati. Ginger chicken is fantastic! Pad Thai among the best around! Excellent service! Highly recommend!

The best Thai food in North America. I'll slap you with a fish if you disagree

Authentic

Fantastic food, quick service, cheap prices. I rarely go anywhere else for Thai food.

Fantastic food, friendly staff and short wait time! Strongly recommend the pad tai here.

Bomb Thai Food

The food at Thai Express is always excellent and the owner is a genuinely nice woman.

Authentic small eatery, great for take out amazing food

This is the most authentic Thai Food Experience in Cincinnati. Is the best take out restaurant around. I really enjoy the food this family prepares and their service

Definitely one the best if the not the best thai restaurants in the city. It is consistently tasty and has been around forever. They are leagues ahead of a lot of the other Thai restaurants in the city and the prices are good also compared to other places.

I came here after seeing all the good reviews but unfortunately mine wasn't good at all. I ordered a tofu fried rice. It came with just rice, onions and tofu. I was shocked to see that there was no veggies in there! To add to my disappointment it tasted bland and lacked any type of flavour. I could have made a better fried rice myself. I also have to mention the customer service was terrible too. One of the older ladies that served me had an attitude as if she was the one doing me a favor! I know the food is here is cheap but next time I'd rather spend the couple of extra dollars and go somewhere else where I can not only get good service but also decent tasting food.

Best hole in the wall Thai food, the managers are very nice!

The best Thai foods in the town. Authentic taste but not too spicy. You can choose spicy level.

Good place for quick, cheap Thai food. The food itself isnt bad, but I wouldn't expect to he blown away. Also, parking is always hard to find in this area so keep that in mind!

Clifton classic

The food was bad and half the staff wasn't wearing a mask when I went in to pick up my order

Authentic and fast Thai dishes for carry out. Call ahead or prepare to wait.

Always friendly, delicious food

I love this place it's better to call in right now but their food is delicious I love them since a kid this is chicken pad thai I like the sweet chili basil also

Great food, awesome price. The Pad Thai was amazing and its a go to for me. I’ve even taken it home for dinner and my family loves this place.

Simple set up but great food and service!

I love Thai express...good Thai food for a great price! I have been eating here for 20 years since I went to UC...food quality has not changed in all that time (probably because the same great cooks are still there!)

Excellent food as usual!

Great Thai food made with care and consistency. We have been Thai Express for 20 years and despite its humble appearance, it is absolutely a culinary treasure.

I love this place the food is perfect the customer care is perfect no complaints at all ill definitely come back

The best!

Thai Express is one of my favorite restaurants. They're such nice people and the food is really good.

I stopped in and ordered, since they were busy they told me it would be 20 minutes. Next time I'll call ahead. It was worth the wait! I only tried their green curry, but one day I'd love to try their other colors, including red and yellow. I asked for medium to mild spice level, they must have given me mild, next time I'm going for full medium! I'd much rather support a hole in the wall place like this than some chain restaurant. Check it out sometime! Close to lots of other interesting businesses.

One of my favorite restaurants! I’ve never had pad thai before but my mom brought it home from here and I was immediately hooked. I love their tofu pad thai and veggie spring rolls. I’m sure gonna miss this place when I go back to college but if you’re looking for a cheap, delicious meal this is it.

E14 my favorite 🥰

Amazing, authentic food with excellent, fast service

Best Thai in Cincinnati! I get it for lunch and the portions are big enough that I have left overs for dinner too.

One my favorite restaurants. Good,.fresh, tasty food.