10/04/08

Good food, automatic credit card tip

by honestopinionz

Ok, so the food I like; it's one of the better asian eateries in the area. My favorite is the Yellow Curry Chicken, and the noodles aren't bad either.

However, I hate how they automatically charge your credit card tip. Seriously, if you go there to pick up, or order to go, AND you put "ZERO" in the tip lane, why are you charged a serving fee? At least mention that before to customers so that they don't unsuspectingly check their bank statements to find several Chai's payments that are $5 more than what they swiped for at the restaurant.

Neat and easy going atmosphere; not in the best part of the town, but then again, that could be said about most of Durham.

Come here if you really crave Thai food, but bring cash (to tip at your OWN liberty or in case you get jumped walking out of the place).

• Pros: Good asian cuisine of east/southeast asian nature
• Cons: unsuspected tip charges...don't go late at night

05/08/08

More style than substance

by poopaskoopa

I actually think it's not that bad, but I like noodles, so I'm probably biased.

I had 2 dishes. Noodles with chicken, and the other was the same dish with tofu.

While I'm not a vegetarian I'm pretty familiar about tofu, having grown up in Japan. I know when the texture is off, or if I'm being served some dry and over-fried firm tofu when I eat it. Because of this I sympathize with vegetarians in NC, because y'all are often stuck with substituting meat with tofu, and tofu in NC restaurants aren't very good.

They must all come from the same crappy firm tofu factory with overcooked skin. The fact is, tofu doesn't taste as good as animal-based protein sources, but it does not have to taste this mediocre. There're better tofus out there. Maybe some day restaurants will make their own tofu, or find a better supplier. That, and someone, someday, need to prepare meals with tofu in mind, rather than simply throwing tofu as a substitute.

Anyway, I thought the food was ok. I like the presentation, the description, even the taste. I'm not a picky eater. But everything they do left me thinking that a real chef would make the same dish better. I like their ideas, and their sales pitch, but they fail in execution.

I like the price, though. $7 or $8. Can't beat that.

• Pros: Price. Nice location.
• Cons: Food.

09/20/07

Adjust your thinking.

by spinningninny

Chai's is an easy to get to little noodle shop right near Duke. They have a range of "Asian" foods, but it behooves one to adjust their thinking before going there. It's not a Chinese restaurant. It's not a Thai restaurant. It's not a different type of Asian restaurant. Although, it does serve it's own version different Asian foods, they are likely to not be just as you remember it from your favorite Asian restaurant. Their Red Curry is good, but not like it would be prepared in an exclusively Thai restaurant. They have a good number of options and each is good in its' own right - just be sure to readjust your thinking before walking in.