This is by far my favorite newer restaurant in Portland. They've been crushing it since they opened. Their cocktails are off the chain, always changing, perfectly balanced and made by a fantastic team. If you come to Portland and can only eat at one place, make it Crispy Gai!!!
Melissa Averill (Missy)
Delicious drinks and tasty Thai! Had to order another set of wings to-go just so we could try them all!
Zeyu Hu
Hands down the BEST Thai fried chicken I've ever eaten in the United States.I grew up in Bangkok (lived there for 13 years) and let me tell you that this place is as authentic as it gets. The chicken is fried to perfection and the pairing sauces are also on point. We got the two thigh and two drum combo. For sauces, if you like something sweet for sure go for the Nam Jim Gai, which is like a sweet chili sauce (think the sauce you get with spring rolls). But for something authentic and a bit spicy get the Nam Jim Jaew. If you are going to eat fried chicken the Thai way, be sure to order some Som Tum and sticky rice as well.The service was phenomenal and the whole place had a great vibe! For sure worth a visit if you are ever in Portland!
Samantha Herriot
Well, they are known for their fried chicken and it is easy to see why. Super crispy and delicious! But don't miss out on the other dishes, the waterfall oyster mushrooms were my favourite part! And the cocktails were so good, with fresh edible garnish that really made them special. The actual restaurant is quite small, with just a handful of actual tables, most of the seating is on stools around the walls or at the bar.Vegetarian options: The crispy fried oyster mushrooms were amazing!
Yuli Chen Bomber
The fried chicken is a must get, so crispy! It doesn’t come with sauce and there are 5 or 6 different flavors for $2 each or $8 to try all of them. I personally think that’s a bit steep but would recommend the seafood sauce which was a mix of savory and sour from the lemon. We also got the khao soi which was yummy as well. The service was great and the ambiance was cozy with a few tables. We ordered some chicken to go as well since it was so good, they were still crispy 1 hour later. This was also where I discovered Maine ginger beer and it was amazingly good. The Thai tea was unfortunately not great, tasted way too sweet and likely from powder instead of actual tea.
The Autumn Experience
The atmosphere, ambiance, food, speed of service and drinks were right on point. It is a small place and the tables are quite close to one another. We had the fried rice, wings with Thai chili and ranch sauces, and brisket burnt ends. I also had the old fashioned which has a hint of banana. All of it was soooooo good. The small plates are portioned appropriately to share so you can try many different things. This is the best fried rice and wings I've had. The chili sauce was what you would expect, but the ranch was a pleasant surprise. It was flavorful and packed a nice punch.They do warn you about spicy items, but I love spicy. If you don't then steer away, these items are spicy.The Old Fashioned I was hesitant to try. I'm not a fan of sweet drinks. I found the drink to be well balanced and the banana to be very subtle but a fun and tasty addition!If you are eating your way through Portland, you've gotta stop in!
Timothea Pham
I came here with my boyfriend for a short trip from Boston and were on our way out, but stumbled upon this place. We’re so glad we stopped in! Beautiful decor, yummy food, and delicious cocktails. Our favorites were the red curry wings and Pandanmonium cocktail. We will be back!!
Cam Peden
Crispy Gai is one of the most unique experiences in Portland. Not only does the food leave you satisfied, but the decor and vibe is perfect. Plus, the cost is a bargain compared to many places in Old Port. The staff was incedible and great with our little. We always enjoy a place that welcomes everyone and Crispy Gai does exactly that.
Julia G
With dinner for 7 we were able to tackle a lot of the food menu and dabble in many of the cocktails. Even so, I wanted to eat IT ALL. Great flavor combinations and extremely well prepared plates. Come for the chicken, and stay and keep coming back for pretty much everything else.
Colin Becker
Downtown Portland is in a rough patch right now where the places to get a bite and walk away spending less then $20 are dwindling away. Add Crispy Gai to the list of good guys where you can get a good sandwich without paying an arm and a leg.The Spicy Chicken Sandwhich was moist, crispy and delicious; having survived the cold walk to my workplace without losing quality. The Tumeric Pickles and Spicy Mayo really add depth to the flavor, that enhance it instead of drown out the chicken itself. It was also filling, I had gotten the sticky rice side in case I was still hungry but it wasn't really needed.All in all it was a great, affordable lunch. I look forward to trying out the dinner menu.
Service was lacking, ran out of multiple menu items by 845, didn't know where oysters came from, only general vicinity of the oyster farm.Food was 4/5. I had the gumbo which definitely had a dark roux which was made with duck fat. The seafood in it was good. I've had better gumbo and it was $30 but it was above average food.Drinks were meh. listings were lacking (didn't have a white by the glass, only had one red by the glass). I expected more from such a highly rated place in downtown Portland.
Alexandra H.
I hate to give a mediocre review but unfortunately this place was just OK. I will FOR SURE come back and try brunch because I want to give it a second chance and honestly the beignets were 10/10 amazing. Served with pears and a creme. The fried rice tasted like someone accidentally dropped the whole pepper shaker in so maybe it was a complete accident. The other main we had, the seafood gumbo was also really salty and I rarely give that critique. Could eat a salt lick. Otherwise apps were delish (delicata squash and crab hush puppies) so I do wanna come back and give it another go!
Monica
Our food was amazing! The chicken and waffles was absolutely delicious. The jambalaya fried rice had so many flavors and textures and was really a delight to eat. The cocktails were also great!
Tanya Hart
I was a little disappointed to learn that you can only make reservations for this restaurant online but they do not allow parties of one to make a reservation. I called and was told I could not make a reservation on the phone and I would have to walk up only and that I could expect an opening ‘maybe’ in one and a half hours....when the first available ‘reservation’ is in 45 minutes. Kind of annoying. Ultimately I skipped dinner and grabbed brunch the next day instead. The mushroom hash was delicious and I can see why people really enjoy Eaux.
Alex Munz
Amazing dinner, unexpected mix of flavors and spices, generous in every way. Natural wine to die for. Service is sheer elegance, simple joyful and attentive.
This is by far my favorite newer restaurant in Portland. They've been crushing it since they opened. Their cocktails are off the chain, always changing, perfectly balanced and made by a fantastic team. If you come to Portland and can only eat at one place, make it Crispy Gai!!!
Delicious drinks and tasty Thai! Had to order another set of wings to-go just so we could try them all!
Hands down the BEST Thai fried chicken I've ever eaten in the United States.I grew up in Bangkok (lived there for 13 years) and let me tell you that this place is as authentic as it gets. The chicken is fried to perfection and the pairing sauces are also on point. We got the two thigh and two drum combo. For sauces, if you like something sweet for sure go for the Nam Jim Gai, which is like a sweet chili sauce (think the sauce you get with spring rolls). But for something authentic and a bit spicy get the Nam Jim Jaew. If you are going to eat fried chicken the Thai way, be sure to order some Som Tum and sticky rice as well.The service was phenomenal and the whole place had a great vibe! For sure worth a visit if you are ever in Portland!
Well, they are known for their fried chicken and it is easy to see why. Super crispy and delicious! But don't miss out on the other dishes, the waterfall oyster mushrooms were my favourite part! And the cocktails were so good, with fresh edible garnish that really made them special. The actual restaurant is quite small, with just a handful of actual tables, most of the seating is on stools around the walls or at the bar.Vegetarian options: The crispy fried oyster mushrooms were amazing!
The fried chicken is a must get, so crispy! It doesn’t come with sauce and there are 5 or 6 different flavors for $2 each or $8 to try all of them. I personally think that’s a bit steep but would recommend the seafood sauce which was a mix of savory and sour from the lemon. We also got the khao soi which was yummy as well. The service was great and the ambiance was cozy with a few tables. We ordered some chicken to go as well since it was so good, they were still crispy 1 hour later. This was also where I discovered Maine ginger beer and it was amazingly good. The Thai tea was unfortunately not great, tasted way too sweet and likely from powder instead of actual tea.
The atmosphere, ambiance, food, speed of service and drinks were right on point. It is a small place and the tables are quite close to one another. We had the fried rice, wings with Thai chili and ranch sauces, and brisket burnt ends. I also had the old fashioned which has a hint of banana. All of it was soooooo good. The small plates are portioned appropriately to share so you can try many different things. This is the best fried rice and wings I've had. The chili sauce was what you would expect, but the ranch was a pleasant surprise. It was flavorful and packed a nice punch.They do warn you about spicy items, but I love spicy. If you don't then steer away, these items are spicy.The Old Fashioned I was hesitant to try. I'm not a fan of sweet drinks. I found the drink to be well balanced and the banana to be very subtle but a fun and tasty addition!If you are eating your way through Portland, you've gotta stop in!
I came here with my boyfriend for a short trip from Boston and were on our way out, but stumbled upon this place. We’re so glad we stopped in! Beautiful decor, yummy food, and delicious cocktails. Our favorites were the red curry wings and Pandanmonium cocktail. We will be back!!
Crispy Gai is one of the most unique experiences in Portland. Not only does the food leave you satisfied, but the decor and vibe is perfect. Plus, the cost is a bargain compared to many places in Old Port. The staff was incedible and great with our little. We always enjoy a place that welcomes everyone and Crispy Gai does exactly that.
With dinner for 7 we were able to tackle a lot of the food menu and dabble in many of the cocktails. Even so, I wanted to eat IT ALL. Great flavor combinations and extremely well prepared plates. Come for the chicken, and stay and keep coming back for pretty much everything else.
Downtown Portland is in a rough patch right now where the places to get a bite and walk away spending less then $20 are dwindling away. Add Crispy Gai to the list of good guys where you can get a good sandwich without paying an arm and a leg.The Spicy Chicken Sandwhich was moist, crispy and delicious; having survived the cold walk to my workplace without losing quality. The Tumeric Pickles and Spicy Mayo really add depth to the flavor, that enhance it instead of drown out the chicken itself. It was also filling, I had gotten the sticky rice side in case I was still hungry but it wasn't really needed.All in all it was a great, affordable lunch. I look forward to trying out the dinner menu.
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was lacking, ran out of multiple menu items by 845, didn't know where oysters came from, only general vicinity of the oyster farm.Food was 4/5. I had the gumbo which definitely had a dark roux which was made with duck fat. The seafood in it was good. I've had better gumbo and it was $30 but it was above average food.Drinks were meh. listings were lacking (didn't have a white by the glass, only had one red by the glass). I expected more from such a highly rated place in downtown Portland.
I hate to give a mediocre review but unfortunately this place was just OK. I will FOR SURE come back and try brunch because I want to give it a second chance and honestly the beignets were 10/10 amazing. Served with pears and a creme. The fried rice tasted like someone accidentally dropped the whole pepper shaker in so maybe it was a complete accident. The other main we had, the seafood gumbo was also really salty and I rarely give that critique. Could eat a salt lick. Otherwise apps were delish (delicata squash and crab hush puppies) so I do wanna come back and give it another go!
Our food was amazing! The chicken and waffles was absolutely delicious. The jambalaya fried rice had so many flavors and textures and was really a delight to eat. The cocktails were also great!
I was a little disappointed to learn that you can only make reservations for this restaurant online but they do not allow parties of one to make a reservation. I called and was told I could not make a reservation on the phone and I would have to walk up only and that I could expect an opening ‘maybe’ in one and a half hours....when the first available ‘reservation’ is in 45 minutes. Kind of annoying. Ultimately I skipped dinner and grabbed brunch the next day instead. The mushroom hash was delicious and I can see why people really enjoy Eaux.
Amazing dinner, unexpected mix of flavors and spices, generous in every way. Natural wine to die for. Service is sheer elegance, simple joyful and attentive.