Reviews - Funky Elephant
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I highly recommend this hidden gem! It offers one of the most authentic Thai dining experiences you can find in the U.S. Please avoid asking them to leave out the fish sauce or reduce the spiciness, as these elements are essential to the restaurant's appeal. The flavors were spot on, and a standout dish was the drunken mussels and black cod curry served with vermicelli. It's a fantastic place with a friendly staff! View all feedback.
What Yueqi Chen dislikes about Funky Elephant:
Forget to post my ridiculous experience here last year. All food except chicken rice are terrible. My friend and I complained a little used Mandarin. Then, a waiter came by to give us a heads up that he heard that we will give a negative review on Google. At that time, I didn’t have that idea, but after that, I had?? The waiter asked us any comments to dishes and we gave their very objective feedbacks. HOWEVER, he se... View all feedback.
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Last update : 02.10.2023
Exited to try for the First time since I follow them in social media. Did not disappoint! Food was amazing. So good I had tears of Joy , literally, the food is a little more spicy than other Thai restaurants. I have no complaints about the heat level even though I don't eat that spicy. The food was so good I didn't mind the spice. All the food we tried was amazing. I liked that the Menu is not Overwhelming which makes it easier to order. The portions are smaller than other Thai places but the quality of the food is way better than other restaurants. So worth driving 30 miles to eat here . Will definitely come again.
Forget to post my ridiculous experience here last year. All food except chicken rice are terrible. My friend and I complained a little used Mandarin. Then, a waiter came by to give us a heads up that he heard that we will give a negative review on Google. At that time, I didn’t have that idea, but after that, I had?? The waiter asked us any comments to dishes and we gave their very objective feedbacks. HOWEVER, he seemed like don’t accept it at all and explained all we felt was wrong ?. So, why asked us what our opinions? I am pretty confused.Definitely will not come this place again.
Great Thai food place! I love the seasoning and the flavors. Portions are a bit small which makes it a bit expensive, however small portions enables you to try more dishes!The waiters are very nice too.100% would visit again!
This is a small place that packs a big punch. How did we get so lucky to have this restaurant in our neighborhood? The food is not like the typical Thai food restaurants Funky E's menu is small but its dishes explode with flavor. Take the pad that for example: it's not the plate of sweet orange noodles that you'd find elsewhere no, Funky E's is darker, oozing with flavor and spice, decorated with the most flavorful fresh shrimp. Nothing comes close.Wheelchair accessibility: The place is small so interior space is limited but there's more room outside. There is an elevator to get up to the level of the restaurant from the street.
The dishes were delightful, showcasing fresh ingredients with a wonderful balance of sour, tart, and spicy flavors that really elevated the meal. Among the five dishes we sampled, the wholesome noodles stood out as my favorite. The service was also swift and efficient.
Last update : 14.03.2023
This place is one of a kind. I have never had Thai food quite the way funky does it. I recommend the crispy rice salad, papaya salad and pad Thai as must try dishes. Also if you are a chicken wing person I don?t think they get much better than at FE.
The staff here is friendly and the restaurant has a good mix of indoor/outdoor seating. Now onto the food. I would not consider this traditional Thai food, granted the flavors were good, but the cost, i don?t think the experience is justifiable. Especially the steak dish. We?re talking maybe 5oz of flank steak in a curry sauce with arugula thrown on top for $20. While the restaurant is trendy and the food presents extremely well, i doubt this place will have any trouble appealing to the Berkeley crowd.
I ordered the beef curry along with jasmine rice and a strawberry matcha almond milk latte. Although strawberry wasn't listed on the menu, I found out that the mango option was also out of season. The meal was on the expensive side for what I received, but it was flavorful. There wasn't a lot of steak in the curry, though it was cooked nicely to a medium doneness (leaning a bit towards rare). Unfortunately, since I had it in a cardboard box outside, it cooled down quickly, which wasn't ideal. The curry sauce was delicious and had a nice kick to it, and the dressing on the arugula was enjoyable as well. However, the strawberry matcha latte wasn't particularly good. I’d consider trying it again without the strawberry, as it didn’t contribute any actual strawberry flavor and made the drink too thick. I'm not convinced that removing the strawberry would significantly improve the drink, so I might skip it in the future. The food took about 20 minutes to prepare, suggesting it was made fresh. They have limited outdoor seating, which is mostly sunny, but since the restaurant next door seems to have closed, there are additional tables available in shadier spots. The staff was excellent and very friendly.
We had a wonderful time enjoying the Angus beef, KMG #2, and wings. The beef was exceptionally tender and went perfectly with the best yellow curry I’ve ever tasted—it had an authentic flavor with just the right amount of spice. The wings were sweet chili flavored; they might be a bit too spicy for some, but I found the sweetness to be a great balance. The Thai tea was delightful as well. Our server had a fun and relaxed demeanor, which really enhanced our experience. I also admired the unique decor throughout the restaurant. And I have to mention, the restroom was quite impressive too!
This restaurant has a distinctive charm, but overall, it didn't leave a strong impression. The food was satisfactory, and the drinks were just average; in particular, the Matcha Latte could have been blended more effectively. I also found the prices to be a bit elevated. On the positive side, the service was exceptional, and it's evident that the local community really values this establishment.
Last update : 17.08.2023
I ordered the beef curry with jasmine rice and a strawberry matcha almond milk latte. The menu didn't have a strawberry option and the mango was out of season, but I opted for the strawberry anyway. The meal was somewhat pricey for what I received, but it was packed with flavor. The portion of steak was on the smaller side, though it was cooked well, achieving a nice medium doneness that leaned towards rare. Unfortunately, since it was served in a cardboard box and I ate outside, the food cooled off quickly, which wasn’t ideal. The curry sauce was delicious and had a nice kick to it, and I also enjoyed the dressing on the arugula. However, the strawberry matcha latte didn’t really impress me. I’d be willing to try it again without the strawberry, as it didn’t provide any true strawberry flavor and made the drink overly thick. That said, I’m not sure it would be any better without the strawberry, so I might skip it after one more attempt. The food took about 20 minutes to prepare, which indicated it was freshly made. The seating is limited to an outdoor area that gets quite sunny, although there are a few more shaded tables available since the restaurant next door has recently closed. The staff was excellent and very friendly.
This restaurant is truly one of a kind. I've never tasted Thai cuisine quite like what Funky serves. I highly recommend trying the crispy rice salad, papaya salad, and pad Thai — these dishes are a must-try. Moreover, if you’re a fan of chicken wings, I believe you won’t find better ones anywhere else than here.
Wow! Funky Elephant is incredible! It offers authentic Thai food that’s hard to find in the US. Although the menu is limited, every dish is unique and delightful. We started with the fried rice salad, which is a build-your-own salad and lettuce wraps. The flavors were complex and refreshing. The drunken mussels are a must-try! They come in a rich, dark sauce that pairs perfectly with rice, and the mussels are large and meaty. Next, we had the Gang Rawang Beef, a curry-based dish featuring a perfectly cooked medium-rare flat iron steak with a nice char, served with arugula and a yellow curry sauce. The combination of flavors was amazing! The fried shrimp salad felt more like an appetizer; the eggs were cooked over easy. I found it best to eat it with my hands, as cutting it with a fork could get messy. It came with a delicious chili sauce on the side. The pea flower jasmine rice was a delightful and unique touch. While it’s a bit on the pricier side, it’s definitely worth it! Currently, they are offering takeout only, but there is one table outside, along with some public wooden benches that can seat about 12 people. If I lived closer, I would definitely come here often or order takeout.
The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I ordered the pad thai.
I highly recommend this hidden gem! It offers one of the most authentic Thai dining experiences you can find in the U.S. Please avoid asking them to leave out the fish sauce or reduce the spiciness, as these elements are essential to the restaurant's appeal. The flavors were spot on, and a standout dish was the drunken mussels and black cod curry served with vermicelli. It's a fantastic place with a friendly staff!
Last update : 17.02.2025
This place had a unique vibe, but overall it didn't impress me too much. The food was just okay, and the drinks were average (the matcha latte, in particular, didn't hit the mark). I also felt like it was a bit on the pricey side. However, the service was excellent, and it's evident that the community really appreciates it.
I grew up in Southeast Asia, and the food here is truly authentic at its core. For instance, the KMG chicken rice reminds me of my favorite versions from Malaysia. I just wish they would include some Thai or Malaysian desserts on the menu as well!
I used to love this restaurant. They serve flavorful Thai street food that's hard to find elsewhere, and the owner and staff were always incredibly friendly, creating a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, my recent visit completely changed my perception of this place. The staff member who served us was rude, unprofessional, and exhibited racist behavior. She didn't bring us water when we were seated, which I initially overlooked, but her attitude really made me question what was happening. She kept taking our plates away while we were still eating, asking three times if we were finished. She also brought us the check in the middle of our meal without us requesting it, and then interrupted our conversation to ask if we were done with it just a few minutes later. It was even more shocking when she quickly took the signed check while we were still at the table. What truly offended me was her behavior toward the table next to us; she was incredibly attentive there, spending time introducing them to the menu and leaving their check behind for them to chat over. It was evident she knew how to provide good service, which made her disregard for us even more frustrating. The poor service overshadowed the delicious food and the pleasant outdoor ambiance that I had come to appreciate. I sincerely urge the owner to reconsider this employee's place in the restaurant to preserve its charm. It’s disheartening to witness a once-friendly atmosphere change like this. I’m giving two stars, one for the chef and the delicious food, and another for the previous, lovely staff.
**Review:** I would give this restaurant five stars for the food and the majority of the staff, but unfortunately, I have to give zero stars for one particular waitress who was both rude and discriminatory. I used to really enjoy dining here. The owner is incredibly friendly and accommodating, and I genuinely love the food. However, my experience was tainted by one waitress. She was very dismissive and gave much more attention to the white customers at the table next to us, while we felt ignored from the beginning. She didn’t check on us or bring us water when we were seated, and she even removed our plates while we were still eating. Her unpleasant demeanor negatively impacted our evening. It's worth noting that other reviews reflect similar experiences with this waitress's behavior. I would recommend that the owner consider letting her go to prevent more negative experiences for future customers.
We ordered the Angus beef, KMG #2, and wings. The beef came with the most amazing yellow curry I've ever tasted—just the right amount of spice and incredibly authentic. The wings had a sweet chili flavor; they might be a bit spicy for some, but the sweetness balanced it out perfectly. The Thai tea was also delightful. Our server was very relaxed and fun, and I really enjoyed the decor. Oh, and the restroom was pretty cool too, haha!
Last update : 31.07.2025
Cute, very small little place. Wonderful service. The food was out of this world. I would go back in a heartbeat. Exceptional satay. and crispy rice salad to die for! . Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
I love Funky Elephant! Khao Man Gai they have is the best! So delicious. I just recommend it all of you. For here and to go, both makes me satisfied and happy. Chicken, rice, sauce, and soup, everything is perfect! Thank you for making amazing food! Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4
The crispy rice salad was out of this world. The food was fresh and perfectly flavored. Will go back in a heartbeat. Crowded with a short wait. Kind and gracious staff. Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4
