Penny's Noodle Shop
Category: Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Wicker Park1542 N Damen Ave
(at Pierce Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 394-0100
- Nearest Transit:
Damen (Blue)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
80 reviews
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
"This is just an FYI!!! Haven't been yet but want to try it now that I received a coupon in the Couponhead.com that you get in the…" read more »
117 Reviews for Penny's Noodle Shop
One of the most overrated places in the city.
Food is average, service is variable. How this ever got such a buzz is beyond me, unless by simply opening one's doors and cultivating the "hip" crowd somehow imbues you with quality (or the pretense of quality, anyway).
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My friend, Erin, recommended this place cuz she said the food was good and the prices were great. She was right. I loved the place as soon as I walked in just because half of the restaurants walls were windows and the art on the other walls called my attention. So what was awkward when the waiter came was that he had a friend who I insisted I knew!!!! Then I realized she used to work at Veggiebite and the first time I went there she was my cashier. Hehehe. Small world.
We started with appetizers. I ordered the crispy rolls and my friend ordered the japanese gyoza. We were both happy with what we got. I fell in love with the crispy rolls and the sweet sour sauce that accompanied them. YUM!!!! For the main dish I ordered the Red Curry Rice plate with tofu and my friend got the pad thai. So I wasnt too excited about my rice and tofu. It wasnt as spicy as I expected and the coconut milk sauce was overpowering!!! My friend described her pad thai as "different." LOL.
I liked the place overall but next time Im just gonna try something without coconut milk because that was a real turnoff. The smell of it simply bugged me.
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Penny's gets it done everytime.
I have eaten here many a time and have always left full and happy.
Flavorful meals abound with a nice range of starters, noodle dishes, soups, and rice bowls. They use plenty of spices and whatnot for flavor - -the ginger-spiked dishes are consistently peppy, and the peanut sauce nicely understated and just rich enough.
I always like what I get and I have certainly poked around the menu quite a bit.
The portions are more than generous and arrive basically instantaneously. It's like the Penny's cooks READ MY MIND,or something! That's a good trick!
Ambiance is always pleasant with music on a low volume, enough space between tables so you don't feel as if you are unwillingly cozied up your neighbor's lap, and there's all sorts of neat art to look at.
Bottom line -- good food, fast and friendly service, music not too loud, vegan/vegetarian options, groovy layout, local art on walls.
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Gross. This just goes to show you that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. I used to live down the street from Penny's and their food was ridiculously cheap, so naturally I had to try it. Yeah... it's cheap for a reason. I got the chicken pad se eu my first time... I think there were maybe 3 or 4 small pieces of chicken in the whole dish. I tried the noodles but they were so bland that I opted just to pick out the chicken... I couldn't even make myself finish that. I think I gave up after a few bites and just went to Santullo's. I foolishly gave Penny's another try some time later at the recommendation of a friend and again I didn't get anywhere near being full - the food was just so bland I couldn't stomach it.
If you like food that actually tastes like food, don't go here.
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I eat at Penny's way too often and have been eating here for YEARS (probably like 15?!!? (Wrigleyville w/ my sis is where it started)). I have had both good and bad food so I can agree with both types of reviewers on here.
After experimenting with many of their dishes I have come to the conclusion that half of them are flavorless crap, and the other half is decent and worth ordering again.
Things I have been happy with and repeat order are:
Thai Iced Tea - usually pretty solid, had one or 2 bad ones in my day.
Tom Yum Soup - Always happy with this
Crab Rangoon - better quality/flavor then most it seems.
Pad Thai - This is sometimes good, sometimes crap, so it is a gamble.
Hot Pepper Noodle - This is usually pretty good, 1 or 2 times it has been almost too hot to eat. Lately it is very mild which I am fine with. Ask for crispy noodles if you want some extra grease/crunch.
Red Curry - This is usually pretty good.
Things I have had and I hated are:
Spicy Basil - This is too bland for me, but my friends love it.
Pad Se EWWWWWWWWWW - Flavorless
Shrimp Soup
5 pepper shrimp - tried this once and it was too hot to enjoy.
Shrimp noodle soup - kind of bland /weird
Bean Thread Noodle - 100% flavorless
I usually get delivery and find the staff very friendly. Usually I get my food within 25 minutes. I dislike how they are closed on Monday.
Over the years it seems like the quality has gone down slightly (less vegetables), while the prices have gone up, but overall I still enjoy the food, and have a belly and like 100 pairs of unused chopsticks to prove it.
Ohhh Penny baby. I missed you so much. I thought you may have changed, but no ... you still got all the right moves.
Delicious Hot Pepper Noodles, delivered fast and fresh, and at a good price. Sooooo good.
And the delivery guy was cool. He was totally not freaked out by the fact that I had him set my bag of food onto the candle-lit, make-shift altar upon my kitchen counter while I lay sprawled out on my futon cloaked in silk and listening to lite jazz. As the driver left.. I asked him to politely to shut the door behind him for I was about to make love to some Vietnamese spring rolls...
-Jonesy
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I was looking forward to this place, but it was gross. I ordered the Pad Thai and spring rolls. Spring rolls were bland, and the Pad Thai was HORRIBLE. Gross and no flavor. The chicken looked like beef. And there were no peanuts, barely any eggs...ugh! I wanted yummy pad thai so bad. I called for a refund and they were very hesitant. We will see if it actually goes through.
I absolutely love this place! We use to always order delivery after a long day of snowboarding or after a long day at work on a Friday night. I'm in love with the tofu pad Thai! Spring rolls are OK. Delivery was always quick and affordable. Portions are huge though.
Maybe not the highest quality food in all of Chicago, but I just love it so much. Best gyoza (potstickers) I've had - they're just crispy goodness. (Makes my mouth water just thinking about 'em!). The pad thai is great too. I'm not a vegetarian, but I love to get it with tofu. Their service is quick and friendly, and the prices are just right.
Penny's Noodles, very good inexpensive thai food, great pad thai and curry dishes, spring rolls and thai ice tea!
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Very inexpensive, very adequate Thai cuisine. Hot pepper noodle is seriously hot and seriously addictive, as is the 5 pepper shrimp; although the latter is a bit lacking in the actual number of shrimp provided (you can have them add more). Gyoza, Egg roll and Satay's are all pretty decent. Pad Thai, Sesame Noodle and Pad Se Eu all get high marks too.
Overall it's a place you should have on your short list of Thai restaurants if it's in your neighborhood.
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Disappointed with my meal, but not really surprised. This is to Thai food what Panda Express is to Chinese food. My basil chicken lacked flavor. It tasted so... generic. Very BLAND. I've had authentic Thai food before, and this ain't it. Just find yourself a Thai friend and eat at her mom's house :)
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This place is gross.
Been here a couple of times, but I just dont think I can stomach it anymore. The food is bland, the service is terrible, I just cant understand why it is always so crowded.
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They have the best Thai Iced Tea that I've ever had. All the basic thai food is great and cheap too! Be warned this one is not open on Mondays. The one on Diversey is though. Check it out.
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What can I say, I love this place. This place has great food at great prices, friendly service in a great neighborhood. I have tried almost all the items on the menu but my all time favorite is Hot Pepper Noodle. This dish is wide noodles stir fried with egg, tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, hot pepper and basil. You have a choice of beef, chicken, shrimp or make it combo. If you want a twist on this dish ask for crispy noodles, this is my favorite way of having it. I must have an appetizer and it's either Japanese gyoza or Tom Yum soup, accompany the meal with an iced coffee. So many other things on the menu are also good, the soups are great on that cold winter day. The shrimp soup specially is good or order the wonton soup the "old way". What's the "old way", well some years ago the wonton soup was wonton and noodles now it's just wontons. So if you want noodles say the old way or half and half, they'll know what you mean. The other cool thing about this place is that they support artists so on the walls you will notice the paintings are for sale and after some time they will put someone else's art work. I have tried other Thai restaurants but none make me feel more welcome like Penny's does.
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I agree that there are better Asian fusion places throughout the city, but this is the line up you need to order for a fresh summer meal at Penny's, which I get at least once a week when it gets warm:
Tom Kha Kai Soup, which is odd since I'm talking about the summer but this soup is kind of unreal (tastes like a mild penang) try it.
and
Sesame Beef Noodle now this is the dish I'm talking about it's a cold noodle entree with fresh Asian veggies and this awesome chili-lime vinaigrette that you pour over the dish (note ask for an additional sauce one is not enough) if you haven't experienced this dish you missing out for sure.
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Though nothing spectacular, Penny's offers a wide varieties of fine tasting entrees at very affordable prices. The atmosphere is ok, too many kids for me many a night, but the service is great; every waitress I had was attentive & courteous.
I have had the BBQ pork soup, Miso w tofu soup, Pad Thai, Thon Kai Gai soup, Udon, Egg noodles w BBQ pork, Sesame beef noodle, vegetarian bowl, & their Spicy Basil. All are good, and I would be happy ordering any of these upon my return to Penny's.
I can't for the life of me figure out why this place is always crowded. It sucks. Last night after realizing my favorite "go to" place, Goddess and Grocer was closed I popped into Penny's for the first time and was very disappointed. I will never ever go back, I don't even want to walk on that side of the street anymore.
Vegetarian Bowl. Phenomenal, everything in it is fresh and prepared to perfection in this light, delicate broth. With some seaweed salad on the side. Do it. You won't regret it. It's the only thing I've ever ordered, because why touch perfection?
I'd give it 5, but when we get take out they use those awful styrofoamy containers. Get with the program! Use the biodegradable stuff!
Closed on Mondays! I love this place, but I've been burned with the Monday thing a ton. I guess I should write it down so I'll remember it or something. Anywho... the chicken pad tai, hot pepper noodle, and crab rangoon are my favorites here. The delivery service has always been reliable and I've never had to wait for a table when I dine-in. I love hyphens.
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Our waitress was quick and attentive. The food was good and fast. The margarita was delicious and inexpensive. This restaurant is a great value and the large windows provide great people watching.
My boyfriend and I went to Pennys last Saturday and were pleasantly surprised with the quality, price and friendly service.
First off we ordered the Crab Rangoons which were the FRESHEST crab rangoons I have ever had. it was as if they had just been made and placed on out plate. Being as right now Chicago is quite cold I ordered a soup which I cant for the life of me remember the name of. It had fresh shrimp, cilantro and fresh mushrooms all cooked up in a very spicy delicious soup. Its one of the tastiest things Ive had in a long time. as the main dish my boyfriend ordered a pancake noodle and beef dish, something I have never had before and it was Delicious, not to mention that one order was more then enough for the both of us.
Now the prices were to say the least very cheap. for the both of us it was roughly $20 including tip.
AND the service!!!... OK so when going ANYWHERE in wicker park.. expect to see hipsters... but the young man who served us whose name was Ryan.. who my bf and I later named Ryan Mustache-io, was actually very nice, and courteous.
most def looking forward to going again, for the food and atmosphere.
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If you're gonna go to Penny's trek the few extra miles and go to the one on Diversey, its significantly better for some reason. I'm constantly disappointed by the Damen location, they're so inconsistent. Every now and then, they get things right, but I think I've learned my lesson and will no longer go to the Penny's on Damen. Don't judge Penny's by the Damen restaurant, go to the one on Diversey or Sheffield.
Yuck. That is exactly how I would describe Penny's... Or as a girl I know put it: "It looks like dog food."
Penny's food is flat out not good. They somehow manage to mess up every single Thai and Chinese dish they create, and the flavors are always off.
It's not even that cheap! There are other noodle places in Bucktown that can serve you just as quickly at around the same price. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
If anyone has a problem with this place, then they must not like anything different. Any shortcoming this restaurant has is completely justified by the REALLY affordable prices--so affordable, that it's amazing to me that there are waiters and tables to sit at. They're always really kind; it's a great place to go after work (being so close to the Blue Line) and the staff is kind and accommodating; my friend only drinks her own tea (I don't want to get into that) and they were nice enough to bring her a cup of hot water and a steeper. Who does that? (the restaurant, not my friend).
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Fantastic!! i go to Penny's noodles all the time and i just can't get enough of it! the Thai food slightly americanized is perfect and a great hang out for lunch or dinner. Awesome atmosphere with great service. I've been to all 3 restaurants in Chicago all so good.highly, HIGHLY, recommenced!!
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i love the soup here, and usually get it to go. they keep the broth and the veggies separate so everything is really fresh when i put it together at home. the hot sauce is a great addition when i feel a cold or the flu coming on.
the only good thing about penny's is their hot pepper noodles.
Still hunting for good Thai in Wicker Park. I guess it is hard to come by the further you get outside of Lincoln Square. The waiter recommended the Hot Pepper Noodles. Noodles were overcooked and fell apart as soon as I tried to pick it up.
Service was ok but the food was pretty underwhelming.
I've lived in the city for 7 years. I eat Penny's at least once, sometimes twice a week. If it's authentic Thai noodle dishes you are looking for, than scram... you won't find them here. If it's inexpensive, tasty, clean, FAST, fresh tasting noodles with no frills your after, this is the place. I love the vegetarian noodle bowl and the vegetarian noodle soup so much, that I crave it on a weekly basis. My boyfriend loves the spicy basil chicken and the hot pepper noodle. It's about $14 for dinner for both of us when we order takeout, and if you place your order in your car at North and Ashland, by the time you get through the door, your order is waiting, it is FAST! The best thing about it is I don't feel like I've eaten crap afterwards, what I order always seems pretty healthy. I love Penny's.
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I've been to 2 locations and both were MEDIOCRE. If you want Thai food, then I suggest you go to a legitimate Thai restaurant. If you want Chinese, then go to a Chinese restaurant. Otherwise, this place can only guarantee to fill the emptiness in your stomach.
Good, cheap, Thai food. It isn't the best but it isn't the worst by any means. I LOVE the Vietnamese spring rolls. I like this location the best, however it's really cold if you sit by the window in the winter. I wish I remembered my favorite server's name, he was REALLY good. :( He is Asian and has a big watch.
Well, i'm kind of a one or two dish gal when it comes to places like these because of possible repetitious flavors... however, this is a more delicious flavor that i don't mind. i loved every time i've gone there because sit down or take out i get treated very nicely, and timely, and it's cheap! i was however disappointed in the only one huge size of soda they offered for the take out part of my excursion.
All in all, definitely get what you paid for and more here. mm mm good.
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Penny's is one of those places that always delivers dependably okay food. I have probably tried more than half of the dishes on their menu in the few years that I've been coming here and most of them are reasonably priced and reasonably good. There are a few gems on the menu though. Their sea weed salad ($5.25) is super tasty, the Tom Kha Kai soup ($2.75) is rich and delicious, and the Red Curry ($6.40) is actually quite good (especially if you had some hot sauce). I'd stay away from the crab rangoon (there is just something off about them) and the noodle bowls (most of them are just sorta bleh).
While there is definitely better Thai food in Chicago, I'm not sure if anyone does it FASTER. Seriously. Their take out is like lightening. They have it done in MINUTES. I live around the corner, so that works out really well for me. But, if you live farther away and want to avoid having to reheat your food, I would recommend waiting to place your order until your a few blocks away or have arrived at the restaurant.
I would probably only give this place 2.5 stars, but since they have such fast take out I'm rounding up to 3.
you can't even say this food is bland, it is the absence of flavor. you'll want to say it was utterly forgettable, but chances are you'll never forget the night you went there for dinner and blew your own hard earned money on this awful crap. and wasted not only that, but your own time, and an opportunity to eat, almost ANYWHERE else. no thank you.
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I assumed this restaurant was a chain (in a bad way) because of the lack of ambiance, not too flavorful Americanized asian dishes, and the way I felt rushed during the meal. The dishes are cheap and taste okay. So I guess you get what you pay for.
If you want good noodles please go up by Andersonville and support a small noodle shop. It will be worth the $7!
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I do like Penny's. I have been going to various Penny's when I have lived in Chicago for over 10 year. I like Penny's 'cause you get a lot of food for not a lot of money. I like Penny's sliced chicken bowls. I like watching folks come off the train while sitting at this Penny's. I like this Penny's because when I have gone there is no line. I remember back in the day waiting under the tracks to get in, in boystown when Penny's was one of the only noodle places around.
I have been to Penny's a couple of times and my experiences have been mixed. The first time I ordered the basil chicken which was spicy. The dish was flavorful. I also ordered gyoza and the mango margarita. I did not taste any alcohol in the margarita, just watered down mango juice. Pot stickers tasted like they came from Costco. My partner got the pad Thai which was just OK.
The second time I ordered sauteed chicken and spring rolls. The spring rolls were stale and the chicken was dry and felt like I was chewing rubber. The egg noodles were dry on one side and bland. It was very unappetizing. The spring rolls were alright. My partner got the vegetable noodle dish which was just a bunch of stir fried vegetable and noodles in soy sauce.
The prices are cheap. I was surprised to see that my sauteed chicken cost only $4.95. No wonder it tasted awful.
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I like this place for the summer. Its got a great patio and is funny watching all the trendy people walk by! The food is average, nothing all that. We happen to have been in the area and took the blueline so I was glad I didnt drive my car, parking here is very difficult!
Meh.
That's my careful analysis. Pretty bland. Completely forgettable. I love me some noodles, so I'll try them almost anywhere, but I'll pass on Penny's. I appreciated that the vegetarian bowl had actual fresh vegetables on it, but the meager amount of tofu included was underseasoned and dried out. It was like fast food, which seems to be the general consensus. I'd much rather eat here than actual fast food, but it won't be unless I'm desperate. For the record, I received great service.
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