Basil Cafe

I was in town for a couple days, saw the reviews and decided to give them a try. Larry and his family take great care of there guests and the food was great, I ended up there two nights in a row. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ve been to Basil Café more than a few times and have always had a great experience. The food is delicious, and the menu has quite a few options (tried the vegan phở yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it). The inside is warm and modern. Definitely one of the places on our list we take people who are visiting from out of town.

This place is way too cool to be in Appleton. I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve ordered there, staff is great, atmosphere is great. Can’t say enough

I just don’t get why people are so excited about this place. For instance, their tom kha gai has neither lemon grass, citrus leaves or galanga in it. It tastes like chicken phở with a scant bit of coconut milk added (not enough). I get it about having to spice these dishes down for the local audience but this was some of the most bland Thai food I have ever tasted.

I wasn’t too impressed with Basil Café. I’ve been wanting to come here for a while too… One of the workers behind the bar kept staring at us, it was awkward. The place was very busy too. I wasn’t a big fan of the open seating. I might try coming again but there are so many better options in Appleton alone.
The Mee Krob was pretty good, especially the sauce. The spicy basil seafood combo was very pricy and had a very small portion. It was very hot and tasted ok. I didn’t feel well after eating here for about a day. I ate leftovers and didn’t feel well after that either.

Beautiful décor and delcious food! I thought it was the best Asian food I have had in Appleton.

I’m honestly not sure why this place has so many stars and great reviews. When my family and I lived in Appleton, we tried this place out because of the great reviews. The phở was ok. I don’t quite remember what we ordered, but I know we weren’t all that impressed. If you want authentic Thai food, I would go elsewhere. I think this place caters too much to pleasing westerners, that they’ve lost touch with the authenticity of their ethnic cuisine. I’ve only been here once and don’t plan on going back.

The best! Love their food we go a few times a year wish more. I would rate higher only if it was a little more reasonable, its tough to stomach when asian food is expensive. But we definitely go every time they have specials!

We went there for lunch and we were extremely impressed. The food was head and shoulders better than the Thai we can get in Green Bay. The service was a bit slow but they were very busy at 3pm. We had the basil beef and vegetables with peanut sauce and really enjoyed both dishes. We loved that neither dish was the typical guppy mess that you get at most Asian places. We will be coming back here often.

I am always pleased after eating a meal at Basil! You can’t go wrong with any item on the menu! The food is made with care and love!!!

Best restaurant in the Valley!

Amazing meal. had the Tom Yum soup as recommended and I recommend it as well as as a starter. The atmosphere and décor are beautiful, it is a must for anyone enjoys good food and service.

This is a Thai/​Vietnamese/​Lao restaurant that would be rated 5 stars anywhere — even in Asia. Endless selections of delectables — a scintillating mix of street food and traditional dishes. And they DO NOT compromise on tastes or authenticity.
We tried Sai Oui (sausages), Vietnamese crêpe, phad kee mao and phad Thai. Remember to leave some room for desserts because that too is amazing.

First off, I love the food and the people here are super nice. The huge problem here is the logistics. They’re bad at estimating wait times. Wait staff seems to lose track of tables resulting in long wait times to order and to get your check. It’s way to common to see people seated well after you get their food before you even order.
I want to love this place, but they really need someone to reorganize they way they manage the dining room. I’m rooting for this place. They have the makings of something special. I love the food. Just don’t go if they’re at all busy.

One of my favorite restaurants in the valley! The staff is very friendly and the food is amazing. Start with the Tom Yum soup!

Trying to find lunch on a Saturday afternoon in Appleton, WI can be tricky, especially when you’re indecisive. To Thai or not to Thai, that is the main question that I had in my head that day.
I entered Basil Café here in Appleton, WI thinking that I’d get pretty good Thai cuisine as well as Vietnamese as well. The restaurant was surprisingly very nice and definitely borders along fancy. Maybe just very nice and comfortable. For what it was worth, it was very clean, orderly, and definitely comfortable while dining at this place. Bonus tip: they serve both! And as such, I did order both, but boxed the Thai (pad Thai) for later. I got the beef Phở and it was genuinely decently okay. Not one of my better ones that I have had in a while, but it was decidedly okay. While I did do my #50statespho in WI in 2013 in Madison with friends, Basil Café is counted as a repeat. The overall experience here is decidedly average, yet quite nice and positive.
Can’t say fine dining or upscale, but the ambiance felt like it, for real. However, the service was good and I felt kind of regal, but maybe it was just the décor that made everything seemed extravagant when it shouldn’t be. The Basil Café here in Appleton, WI is located at 1513 Richmond Avenue in downtown Appleton. They have their own private parking lot, so that’s always great when you wanting to find a spot, but can’t find any elsewhere. It’s a stand alone building, which can be deceiving at times from the outside, but rest assured, it’s pretty nice inside. The prices here can be a little pricey, but that’s how it is sometimes. You can’t win them all, when you decide to try new places and cuisines, but you may be dazzled at what they have for you. They accept major credit cards, so that’s always a great thing.
As for me, the Phở could have been better, with a little more noodles and meat. I should have asked for that, in addition to more vegetables as well. One of the best things about Phở is to soak the leaves and the stems of the basil in the broth and eat it whole. And definitely the best sprouts to give the entire bowl some spunk and body that brings the Phở alive. What’s not to love about bean sprouts and basil in hot Phở? That’s how I roll. How about you? The pad Thai, which was eaten later as a snack or for boredom, was decently good. I rediscovered my love for pad Thai with the purchase here at Basil Café here in Appleton, WI. Yes, they make it silky smooth to where it was just too good and delicious.
While the higher prices can be a turn off, the ambiance and the taste can draw you in. The Basil Café is good for what it does in service and presentation. If you in the area, try this place out.
Support local!
B+

I haven’t been back to Basil’s since I got Phở to go on New Years. What a fantastic experience tonight: great food, great service and fantastic atmosphere. Larry is one of the nicest guys i know and always stops by to say hi and see how the food was.

Nice and cozy place.
Service is great.
Boba smoothie is OUTSTANDING!
But the Phở broth is tasteless.
I think I’ve never left Phở in my bowl. I did it this time.

Yes this is a plain basic building outside, but a pleasant surprise inside. Never judge a restaurant by it’s exterior, money should be spent on the inside décor and food. This is the case.
The beef jerky marinated for apps was different, a good serving for 4 to taste, was ok but tough… then so goes most jerky. The side of sticky rice in the grandma made rice basket was great. The specialty of beef basil was good, spice lever of 3 was good for me, you can order extra spice on the side, enough of a serving for extra. Again the beef was somewhat tough but good spices. The rice cakes desert were new to me, and very good. They do have a good beer selection and wine, no spirits, not a problem for me. The service was out standing and with the great staff I will be back to tray the options next visit to the area. Overall one of the better Asian food spots in Appleton.

Basil’s location is easily accessible and parking is bountiful. Outside seemed dull. It was confusing that it had 3 doors (one in the front and two at the sides): FYI — only the side doors are open.
Inside is updated and very spacious. Its Asian fusion: bright and vibrant, Hilltribe feel, a TV and bar area as well. Lots of eye candy. I really like it. Music was not loud. The waitstaff wore black so it was easy to spot them.
Now to the food. If you are here for Phở, it’s not the best. It’s lacking in flavor and their condiments are limited. You have to flag down the waitresses to get nampla, hoisin sauce, or even scriracha. Herb and sprouts came on an individual side. The broth is ok but nothing to blog about. I’m Asian and one whom eats phở more than the average person off the street so I know what I’m talking about.
In addition, I ordered the Vietnamese Bun Salad. I asked for pork. The meat was some kind of jerky beef like texture. It was not pork. All in all, the sauce was flavorful: sweet, sour, salty, a tad of spice. The portions are small for what you pay. It’s a $ 1 extra to add egg rolls to the salad.
Basically you’re paying extra for the ambience. Service is ok. They were helpful in bringing us drinks and extra condiments. Nothing memorable.