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Immm Rice and Beyond

4949 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
$$
Thai, Hidden Gems 

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Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)

Immm Rice and Beyond 8.4
Uptown
A BYOB Uptown staple built around Thai street-food range—soups, salads, curries, and noodle bowls—where the best meals come from mixing one broth-driven anchor with one punchy salad or stir-fry. Keep the order disciplined (spicy, sour, and herbal on purpose) and it consistently rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes: Boat noodles, Green papaya salad, Khao soi
Scores:
Value: 8.6 Service: 7.9 Consistency: 8.6 Food Quality: 8.8 Atmosphere: 6.8 Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Thai street-food breadth with a strong hot-bar-and-noodle-bowl core.
Who should go: BYOB groups and Thai regulars
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or lunch rush
What to order: Boat noodles, papaya salad, khao soi
Insider tip: Pair one soup bowl with one salad—skip over-ordering noodles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited on Argyle and surrounding side streets, especially after 6pm. Plan a few extra minutes or park a couple blocks away.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy at the table, but it’s not a quiet room.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a waitlist spot
Weekday lunch: Short wait or none outside the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple noodle, curry, and stir-fry options can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but fish sauce and shrimp paste are common; confirm with staff.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some soups and rice dishes may work, but soy sauce is widely used.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual first dates than romantic ones—fun, flavorful, and low-pressure, but busy and energetic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, but expect a wait at peak dinner times; off-hours are much easier.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like noodles and soups; the room is busy and better suited to kids who can handle spice and noise.
Best For
Better for: Bold Thai street-food flavors, soup-and-salad pairing, and BYOB group meals that reward repeat ordering.
Skip if: You want a quiet, polished dining room or a purely curry-focused, mild-flavor Thai experience.
Immm Rice and Beyond 8.2
Uptown
A Broadway corridor standby for Thai and regional Southeast Asian comfort—noisy, casual, and built for repeat meals. The move is to anchor with one noodle or rice plate, add a bright salad or appetizer, and skip the temptation to order five mains.
Must-Try Dishes: Boat noodles, Khao soi, Mango sticky rice
Scores:
Value: 8.3 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 8.5 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 7.2 Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Thai comfort dishes with a menu deep enough to keep regulars rotating.
Who should go: Noodle seekers and casual dinner groups
When to visit: Early evening for easier tables
What to order: Boat noodles, khao soi, mango sticky rice
Insider tip: Pick one noodle lane per person—sharing too many bowls dilutes the meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broadway and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are standard.
Noise level: Lively to loud — conversation is possible, but expect raised voices during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable-forward noodles, rice dishes, and salads available.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but fish sauce is common; confirm with staff.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some rice-based dishes work, but soy sauce and shared prep are factors.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first meet than a romantic one — the food is a win, but the room is noisy and fast-paced.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are the norm. Arrive early or slightly off-peak for the smoothest seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy noodles and bold flavors; limited space makes strollers tricky.
Best For
Better for: Deep Thai comfort menus, rotating noodle cravings, and repeat neighborhood meals.
Skip if: You want a quiet dining room, polished service pacing, or a date-night atmosphere.
Immm Rice and Beyond 7.9
Uptown
A Broadway Thai specialist that leans into street-food energy—noodle soups and wok noodles that work best when you order decisively instead of sampling everything. It’s a smart cheap-eats pick when you build a tight two-dish spread and let the portions do the work.
Must-Try Dishes: Boat noodles, Pad see ew, Mango sticky rice
Scores:
Value: 8 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 7.9 Food Quality: 8.4 Atmosphere: 7 Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Thai street-food flavors with strong noodle focus and quick turnaround.
Who should go: Noodle people and small groups
When to visit: Early dinner for the smoothest service
What to order: Boat noodles, pad see ew, mango sticky rice
Insider tip: Order one soup noodle + one wok noodle to cover both lanes.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Broadway and nearby side streets; can be tight in the evening, easier earlier in the day.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are all fine.
Noise level: Moderate — lively room, conversation is easy but not hushed.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several noodle and rice dishes can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications; ask about fish sauce substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some rice noodle dishes may work, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re comfortable with a casual, energetic setting. It’s better for food-focused conversation than a long, lingering night.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, especially if you arrive early or off-peak.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who like noodles; the menu isn’t designed around kids’ meals and the room can feel busy.
Best For
Better for: Bold Thai noodle soups and street-food-style dishes with quick turnaround and strong portion value.
Skip if: You want a quiet, sit-and-stay Thai dinner or a broad menu built around curries and small plates.