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Panang Thai Restaurant
Master Critic Review
Panang Thai Restaurant
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Just east of the airport hotels, Panang Thai is a casual, art-lined room that doubles as a takeout powerhouse for travelers and nearby offices. The menu covers all the hits—pad thai, curries, fried rice—plus bolder plates like spicy fish fillet and duck curry at everyday prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Fish Fillet, Panang Curry, Crab Fried Rice
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A LAX-adjacent Thai standby with huge menu breadth, fast pacing, and reasonable prices that make it a default for hotel guests and locals alike.
Who should go: Travelers and nearby workers needing a Thai fix near LAX
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners between airport runs
What to order: Spicy Fish Fillet, Panang Curry, Crab Fried Rice
Insider tip: If you’re catching a flight, order online for pickup; the kitchen fires quickly and most stir-fries and curries hold up well in transit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small shared lot out front plus easy metered street parking on adjacent blocks; rarely fills up outside peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — travel attire, jeans, and tees are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate — steady takeout traffic and clatter, but you can comfortably hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for a table; takeout pickup is typically ready in 15 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait unless a nearby office rush hits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — many stir-fries, curries, and noodle dishes can be made vegetarian with tofu or veggies.
Vegan options: Decent options — ask for no fish sauce or egg; the kitchen is accommodating.
Gluten-free options: Limited but workable — some curries and rice dishes can be prepared gluten-free with modifications; confirm soy sauce usage.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It’s not particularly romantic, but great for a casual, low-pressure meal with reliably tasty food and quick service.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s a walk-in-friendly spot. Even during busy periods, turnover is fast thanks to heavy takeout volume.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the space is relaxed, servers are patient, and there are mild noodle and rice dishes that work well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Speed, value, and consistency near the airport — particularly strong for takeout that travels well and a menu with broad crowd-pleasers.
Skip if: You’re seeking an atmospheric, upscale Thai dining experience or rare regional specialties — this is more of a dependable classics spot.