This is as good and authentic of Thai food as I've eaten in any city in the US, and that includes much larger cities. The selection may not be as extensive but the food they are putting out is clearly made to order and made with quality ingredients.
I usually get the Pad Thai with chicken or beef &/or the Thai Basil with squid. I never leave without a Thai Iced Tea- (it's gooood.) The food is always hot and well seasoned. I do those crazy wing challenges with ghost chilies for fun so that being said, I normally get hot or Thai hot versions of stuff because I really enjoy it. Most typical American palettes should probably go with mild or regular.
The decor is definitely shabby or stereotypical at best, but you're not here for the ambiance, just the food. Definitely call ahead as they keep odd hours and go back to Thailand for weeks at a time sometimes. They can get very busy which can come across as rudeness but if you go in person you'll find the staff is actually very nice, they are just in a hurry/cultural thing. They've always treated me well and my order is always packaged well for carryout, hot, and accurate. The prices aren't cheap by Kokomo standards but quality ingredients cost money. If you tried to buy those ingredients and replicate it yourself you'd spend much more.
I get Jay withdrawal when they are closed, it's good stuff!
I guess I'll have to give this place another try and order something different. I ordered the Pad Thai and all it was was brown looking noodles with very little taste. I was hoping for true Pad Thai with bean sprouts, chiles, green onion, peanuts. There wasn't one veggie in this dish and it wasn't made with thai rice noodles. The noodles were more like fettucine noodles. Â I'll come back to update after I've had a chance to try the place again.
Review Source:Such a rare gem in the wasteland of north-central Indiana! Doesn't meet the Thai food in Indianapolis (or Detroit, for that matter), but delicious nevertheless. Call beforehand, because the owners periodically travel to Asia and close the restaurant, and their hours are awkward.
Jay's Authentic Thai Cuisine is my Pad Thai fix. Thank goodness!
No frills good food. this is my go to place when I can't decide what I'd like for dinner. Portion sizes are large enough to take some home and have it for lunch the following day. My favorite dish is a toss up between Panang and Pud Kra Prow...They are both delicious!
Ownership has recently changed hands, but the food tastes the same. (thankfully!) The only drawback is it's hard to find it open! They close WAY too early for dinner (7:30), and if you get there in the last half hour, you have to get it to go. Sometimes they even close for months at a time (to go home to Thailand) Maybe with the new owners it will stay open throughout the year.
I haven't been to Jay's in 2 years, but figure I should give them a good review for my once a week purchases at Jay's from 2007-2008. Love it, love it, love it!
Yes, they have slow service at times, but it's well worth the wait and the staff is exceptionally friendly. If I ever find myself back in Kokomo for whatever reason, Jay's will definitely be at the top of my list of places to visit.
I have to drop Jay's rating down a bit - a recent change in staff has not effected the food (still great), but service has gotten worse. On a few occasions, it's been 15-20 minutes before the server even comes by at all.
I'd still recommend Jay's - but only if you're ready for a long lunch, some battling for attention, and maybe refilling your own drinks. Or, come late and they won't be busy!
Jay's Thai would be above average in even a large city, but the fact that it's located in Kokomo, IN makes it an even more pleasant surprise. Prior to finding Jay's Thai at its old Sycamore location, the only good Thai food we had found was next to the mall in Lafayette. Now that Exotic Thai is gone (may it rest in peace) we've got an even greater appreciation for Jay's.
Long story short, the food is great. We're still exploring the menu, but the pad thai and pad see-ew (or Pud Z-EW) are right up there with the best we've had in Chicago. The red curry couldn't hold a candle to Exotic Thai's, but that's the only mediocre food we've tried there so far.
For the record, 'Jay' is not only real, he's the one cooking your food. If he's not busy he'll come out to make sure you're enjoying it. Don't feel obligated to make small talk, he just likes to see people's reactions to his dishes :)
Jay's Authentic Thai is perhaps the most under-appreciated establishments in this great nation. From the outside, it looks like nothing special and the inside is filled with expected oriental decor.
But that is where Jay's stops being ordinary. The food is by far the best in Kokomo and, dare I say, the state of Indiana. I moved away from Kokomo in November and I have cried every day. Not because I miss my friends, but because I miss Jay's Authentic Thai. If you are apathetic to spicy foods, go for the mild sauce as it still has a bit of a kick to it.
Go to Jay's. You will not be disappointed.
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