Thai Elephant Express

KK Baskar

Best Thai Fast Food Restaurant in South San Jose. Been going here for the 9 years or so. Family owned authentic Thai restaurant. Really no wait and also quick pickup when you order over the phone. We eat here 3/4 times a month. Highly recommend!

Neal

Good Thai food in ESSJ. We got takeout and it was super fresh! Would recommend the basil fried rice!

rocio B

This is one of my favs place to get a quick bite when I go to San Jose. They're pretty fast because food is already made. If you're wondering about any plate you can ask to try it. It is pretty tasty and affordable.

Pratyusha Macherla

I’ve been coming here for the past few years, great Thai food! Very easy takeout option but also good quality food. All of their curries are displayed but rice and noodle items are made to order. COVID wise: they have 2 lines to order, one for phone pickup (which I recommend) and one for in person order which goes pretty fast. Highly recommend spicy basil fried rice and garlic chicken. Their in house Thai tea is also great! Not too sweet but perfectly paired with their food.

Steven Rubalcaba

This spot is INEXPENSIVE! Dishes are amazing - I love their basil ANYTHING! FYI - Parking sucks on weekends and spicy is SPICY AF. Take Out - 2 items w/steamed rice - garlic chicken and traditional ground chicken dish (can't remember the exact name). Bad pic, good food!

Some time ago I discovered this little Thai spot and was impressed by how efficiently the staff managed the line while still keeping a friendly tone. Who knew a counter service take out place could feel so polished and attentive, turning a quick meal into a pleasant experience?

I've been going here for years, whether its a few times a month or every week the food is always delicious. I usually get the Garlic chicken and massaman curry. My friends really like their tamarind fish, which Im unfortunately allergic to. Their Thai milk tea is honestly one of my favorites. The service is always great and they try to get through the line as fast as possible so the wait isnt too long. There are some chairs and tables, but I prefer getting my food to-go as it could get rather crowded in the restaurant.

Justine G

I've been going here for years, whether its a few times a month or every week the food is always delicious. I usually get the Garlic chicken and massaman curry. My friends really like their tamarind fish, which Im unfortunately allergic to. Their Thai milk tea is honestly one of my favorites. The service is always great and they try to get through the line as fast as possible so the wait isnt too long. There are some chairs and tables, but I prefer getting my food to-go as it could get rather crowded in the restaurant.

Joaquin Durazo

Some time ago I discovered this little Thai spot and was impressed by how efficiently the staff managed the line while still keeping a friendly tone. Who knew a counter service take out place could feel so polished and attentive, turning a quick meal into a pleasant experience?

Food was good, way too many bean sprouts on top but easy to take off. Service was rushed, did not feel welcomed.

If you're in San Jose and craving some authentic Thai cuisine, Thai Elephant Express is a spot you shouldn't miss. The food here is great, offering a variety of flavorful dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. One of the standout features of this restaurant is its friendly staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with warm smiles and excellent service, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Service is also impressively fast and reliable. Whether you're dining in or taking out, you can expect your food to be ready in a timely manner without compromising on quality. 2 Item Meals are highly recommend to sample different dishes. Moreover, the portions are quite generous. Considering the reasonable prices, the hefty servings provide excellent value for money. It's a perfect place for a fulfilling meal without breaking the bank.

This is the Panda Express for Thai food It’s a self serve restaurant , there are tables and chairs inside if you like to eat inside BUT primarily a ToGo place. The food is served in ToGo Boxes You can get 1 Curry + Rice OR 2 Curries + Rice There are good vegetarian options Apart from that they have custom Noodles like Pad Thai orders too. Food was excellent . Liked it very much Ambience is average , tables and chairs for you to eat , ToGo box , paper towels and plastic spoons. Service : Self Service (Pickup and throwing away of ur finished box) Prices are reasonable. The 2 Curries + Rice can be super filling for 1 person on a hungry day. Else I think portion size will be good enough for two people with one additional starter I guess.

Delicious papaya salad and fried pineapple rice. Its an express so everything is already cooked and ready to go. Fast, easy, and accept phone orders.

I usually get the pad Thai medium spicy but decided to try the pad se ew medium spicy. Flavor is good, not too salty, but I wish it was a bit spicier so I'd opt for more spicy next time. They put a lot of chicken in the noodles! Quick service and they have a few tables to dine in.

Favorite Thai take out place. Yellow curry with tofu, Red curry tofu and tamarind fish are good. If you can handle spicy food well, give the basil chicken a try. Been coming here for past for years, very consistent and delicious.

Came here for pad thai and ended up buying something else. The attention is very nice. The food a little spicy (even thought i bought the less spicy option) It has several tables to sit but for what i saw most ppl come and take the food out. I got Garlin Chicken

J P

Food was good, way too many bean sprouts on top but easy to take off. Service was rushed, did not feel welcomed.

Daryl Marcelo

If you're in San Jose and craving some authentic Thai cuisine, Thai Elephant Express is a spot you shouldn't miss. The food here is great, offering a variety of flavorful dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. One of the standout features of this restaurant is its friendly staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with warm smiles and excellent service, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Service is also impressively fast and reliable. Whether you're dining in or taking out, you can expect your food to be ready in a timely manner without compromising on quality. 2 Item Meals are highly recommend to sample different dishes. Moreover, the portions are quite generous. Considering the reasonable prices, the hefty servings provide excellent value for money. It's a perfect place for a fulfilling meal without breaking the bank.

Dr. Shannon D

Delicious papaya salad and fried pineapple rice. Its an express so everything is already cooked and ready to go. Fast, easy, and accept phone orders.

Prabhava Bhat

This is the Panda Express for Thai food It’s a self serve restaurant , there are tables and chairs inside if you like to eat inside BUT primarily a ToGo place. The food is served in ToGo Boxes You can get 1 Curry + Rice OR 2 Curries + Rice There are good vegetarian options Apart from that they have custom Noodles like Pad Thai orders too. Food was excellent . Liked it very much Ambience is average , tables and chairs for you to eat , ToGo box , paper towels and plastic spoons. Service : Self Service (Pickup and throwing away of ur finished box) Prices are reasonable. The 2 Curries + Rice can be super filling for 1 person on a hungry day. Else I think portion size will be good enough for two people with one additional starter I guess.

Apryl Chiem

I usually get the pad Thai medium spicy but decided to try the pad se ew medium spicy. Flavor is good, not too salty, but I wish it was a bit spicier so I'd opt for more spicy next time. They put a lot of chicken in the noodles! Quick service and they have a few tables to dine in.

Lawrence Marwong

Favorite Thai take out place. Yellow curry with tofu, Red curry tofu and tamarind fish are good. If you can handle spicy food well, give the basil chicken a try. Been coming here for past for years, very consistent and delicious.

Diana Olivares

Came here for pad thai and ended up buying something else. The attention is very nice. The food a little spicy (even thought i bought the less spicy option) It has several tables to sit but for what i saw most ppl come and take the food out. I got Garlin Chicken

It's fine, less junky food and much less flavors than typical Thai food. May be this typical for Thai food where others are using artificial flavors. Bit cramped due to small size and busy atmosphere. Good for takeout than in dining.

Long overdue review, But I've been going to Thai Elephant Express since they've open. I can remember when their Pad Thai prices were around 8-9$ a plate! (Miss these prices ) Although prices have gone up, the quality hasn't changed. Everything I've tried here is delicious. My go order is usually the 2 plate combo with, Rice, Garlic chicken and either the yellow curry chicken or tamarin fish. If you haven't tried their Pad Thai, I would strongly recommend this as well. The portion sizes in everything you order is very generous, and their service is friendly and quick! Parking can be a bit crazy, so sometimes I'll park across the street at Target, and then walk over. Will recommend to anyone in the area looking for some great Thai takeout!

Service and prices are great. The flavors are decent, but not authentic Thai. No matter what item I tried...they all had the same seasonings. Remind me of Panda's food...all items had the same flavor.

Panu Friedman

Service and prices are great. The flavors are decent, but not authentic Thai. No matter what item I tried...they all had the same seasonings. Remind me of Panda's food...all items had the same flavor.

PCG

It's fine, less junky food and much less flavors than typical Thai food. May be this typical for Thai food where others are using artificial flavors. Bit cramped due to small size and busy atmosphere. Good for takeout than in dining.

Incredible food and variety. However, it was unclear to me before making my 30-minute drive that yellow curry does not qualify under the $10 “one-item plus rice” offering. Curry + rice came out to $17, which was just unexpected, even if it’s on-par with the market in 2025. Ultimately, the menu and associated pricing proved to be a challenge to navigate.

RJ Moore

Incredible food and variety. However, it was unclear to me before making my 30-minute drive that yellow curry does not qualify under the $10 “one-item plus rice” offering. Curry + rice came out to $17, which was just unexpected, even if it’s on-par with the market in 2025. Ultimately, the menu and associated pricing proved to be a challenge to navigate.