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Sweet Rice Asian Kitchen
Master Critic Review
Sweet Rice Asian Kitchen
8.5
Sweet Rice Asian Kitchen is a Bucktown counter-service spot focused on Thai street food, Malaysian-leaning curries, and a strong vegan-friendly menu. Locals lean on it for bright broths, roti, and coconut-heavy desserts that travel well for takeout but are just as satisfying eaten at the small dine-in space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Noodles, Roti with Curry Dip, Sticky Rice with Coconut Ice Cream
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Thai street food and pan-Asian plates with standout vegan options and desserts.
Who should go: Diners craving vibrant Thai flavors and solid takeout.
When to visit: Weeknights for shorter lines and faster pickup.
What to order: Beef Noodles, Roti with curry, coconut sticky rice dessert.
Insider tip: Ask about heat levels and off-menu vegan specials when ordering at the counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; mostly metered and can be limited during dinner hours, but easier earlier in the evening or on weeknights.
Dress code: Casual — counter-service setting; jeans and everyday wear are standard.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally easy to hold a conversation, with brief spikes during peak takeout rushes.
Weekend wait: Typically no formal wait for dine-in, but expect a short queue at the counter and slower ticket times (10–20 minutes).
Weekday lunch: No wait in most cases; orders are usually ready quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several dishes can be made vegetarian and some are naturally meat-free.
Vegan options: Yes — one of the stronger options in the area for vegan Thai plates; staff can guide substitutions on request.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some rice and curry dishes can be prepared gluten-free, but there is no dedicated gluten-free kitchen or fryer.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-key meetup than a formal date — counter-service format, compact seating, and quick meals work well for relaxed conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is first-come, first-served with most guests ordering takeout. Dine-in space is limited but usually turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly, with approachable noodle and rice dishes; seating is tight, so it’s best for small families rather than large groups, and there are no dedicated play areas.
Best For
Better for: Fast, flavorful Thai street-food plates with strong vegan flexibility and takeout that travels well.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, cocktails, large-group seating, or a quieter, linger-longer restaurant experience.
Hours
Monday3:30pm - 8:45pm
Tuesday3:30pm - 8:45pm
Wednesday3:30pm - 8:45pm
Thursday3:30pm - 8:45pm
Friday3:30pm - 8:45pm
Saturday11:30am - 8:45pm
Sunday12pm - 8:45pm