Charm Thai Noodles & Bar

Absolutely delicious Drunken Noodle! I eat here at least once a week, more often when the weather is nice and I can sit outside.
SADLY — As of April 2010, this place has changed hands. It is now Krittika Noodles and it is REALLY NOT GOOD AT ALL! From my first bite of the Phad Thai I knew that something was terribly, terribly wrong. It was bland, dry, uninspired Phad Thai – the bare minimum that you could still call Phad Thai. I might try the place again, and they wanted to know how to improve things, but really, can I teach someone how to make Phad Thai at a Thai restaurant?

Change owner again! Not the same people. Menu’s change! What happened? Where is the cute deck? Not so good

My husband and I really really wanted some Thai noodle soup. For some reason I was having flashbacks of when we were in Cali and had the BEST Thai boat noodles I’ve ever had. I was on a mission.
We Unilocaled for nearby Thai noodle soup places and this one came up so we figure, sure why not? I guess this place has changed names a few times, but as long as the food is good what does that matter to me?
The outside was a little sketchy to me, but once we got inside it was very. well charming. Very clean, the staff was very attentive and answered all our questions with a smile. The menu surprised me. There were sooo many different styles of soups and noodles. I never knew! Dry bowl, seafood, meat, veggie, clear noodles, thick noodles, soo many too choose from.
I finally decided on the Beef bowl and it was delicious! It was alot spicier than I expected. I’m used to the Americanized 3 stars, which means I would add more spices to it myself since a 4 is too hot! But this one came perfect! Didn’t need to add anything extra, no sauces or spices. just perfect. Even my husband didn’t add anything and he’s a pretty harsh critic since he’s half Thai. At first sight I thought it wasn’t going to be enough, but it turned out to be more then enough. I was stuffed and I didn’t even have anything else but the noodles!
We couldn’t eat anymore so we asked for our bill. I was very pleasantly surprise that it was under $ 20 for two! I mean yah, they did have the price along with the descriptions in the menu but who really pays attention to that? Okay I guess its just me then. hehe. But, you all know what I mean. You always expect it to be more.
All in all, I was very satisfied. Mission accomplished! I’m so happy that I found this place and will definitely be back often.

3.5
I live astonishingly close, so of course, I come here. Would I if I didn’t? Ahh… I’m reluctant to say, probably not.
Staff is friendly, place is cute — previous Unilocalers have called it Ikea-​esque or like a ‘modern greeting card with spare graphics’, both of which are dead on. Food is fresh and of good quality, depending on what you get, I think. Their ‘fresh garden rolls’ and ‘noodle bites’ are fresh indeed, and make a light, healthy meal or super cheap happy hour delights. Really fantastic.
On the other hand, I had the beef bowl when I was craving phở one day and not wanting to drive (yes, I know it’s Thai — it was worth a shot) and I’m fine with it being completely different than phở — but not so much with it tasting like concentrated beef bouillon and picking tough meat out of my teeth. I also tried the wonton soup — the pork was sketch and I did not dig the flavors otherwise — granted that’s subjective. If you lean towards crispy greens and bean sprouts, keep to your own territory — if you’re more a meat, acidic personality, it’s probably fab.
Up the spiral staircase is the cute little bar with a high table or two overlooking the street, and a couch area. It’s not Tavern Law, but the cocktails are somewhat above your standard bar. The lychee martini is perfectly drinkable.
I came here one night to be ushered in by a drunk middle aged woman who was dancing with her friends. She was really sweet and I could only escape to the couch by claiming (truthfully) that I was meeting a friend. They made for excellent people watching over cocktails and metaphysical debate.

Charm just gets better. I am definitely happy this was my first restaurant experience in 2010.
I was a little worried since my previous experience with this restaurant has only been happy hour, on the patio, in the summer. This weekend I ventured inside to have dinner. .. as well as happy hour.
You can’t review Charm without mentioning the 4 – 6 happy hour Monday through Saturday. It has one of the best happy hours! $ 3 for all their appetizers. $ 3 for beer and well drinks. And, the appetizer portions are fairly large.
Their dinner menu has a great variety and definitely does not disappoint. I ordered the Panang Noodle. I had the seafood (shrimp, scallops, and squid) in panang curry sauce, coconut milk, bell peppers, basil, and shredded lime leaves served over wide rice noodle on a bed of spinach.
Service is great. Food is great.

I love this place. I sat at the bar and chilled for hours. The food is great! Although the noodles are great, you should try the rice dishes.

doesn’t matter how many time this place change it names, it’s still fucking rock in my book, unlike Phở, their amazing noodle soup made up with tons of different spices and herbs, yet still blended together, balancing all flavor harmoniously. Every thing on their menu is excellent, my favorite are the Thai Sukiyaki, Dry bowl, and The Thai style Guay Jub!
the place is also very clean, and the services are great! and now that they have a full bar, even better!

Pretty sure at one point this place was called «Big Bowl» and then «Souper Bowl». Although I found «Souper Bowl» to incite a giggle or two, I think the facelift and change to «Charm» matches the tone and feel of the restaurant a little better.
Recommended as authentic by several Thai friends, I re-​tried this restaurant after a few years. We had the Beef Bowl and Panang Noodles. Both met, nay exceeded, expectations. Surveying the other patrons of the restaurant, it’s clear that regulars come for the noodle soups and they definitely delivered. Tender chunks of beef and a rich, savory broth (with some spice — I like it hot!) definitely made this bowl a winner and I’m looking forward to returning with my mom (the noodle soup aficionado) to try the others off the menu.
Another major bonus — cheap. Equivalent to Ave prices, dinner was $ 20 for the bf and I, so I gladly paid «this time» and he’ll have to get the next one. ;)

I still like this place regardless of name! The curry noodles are delicious and they do the spices right. 3 stars is still quite spicy; if you like mild, go for 1. Also now I can get boozy drinks when we eat there, always a plus!

Big Bowl, you’ve changed your name, AGAIN!
They now have stairs leading up to the «bar» upstairs. I’ve never seen one person in that bar. I wonder how they stay in business. The bonus is that they serve alcoholic beverages in the restaurant now. I never really feel like having anything though when I go there, it just seems more like a «I don’t feel like cooking tonight» place rather than a «I want to get a buzz» place.
Still good food, menu hasn’t changed. They NOW have BROWN RICE.

I really don’t understand these 5 star reviews. The first time I got takeout here, it was just okay. The second time was completely awful. I thought they had replaced the chicken with soggy cardboard. Fried tofu? Soggy cardboard.
I seriously don’t get it. I haven’t been back and I live less than 50 paces away.

I can’t believe I haven’t been here before last week! I’ve lived nearby for 2 ½ years now and this place has changed names a couple of times but for totally understandable reasons — the earlier owner of Superbowl had medical issues that prompted the transition.
We went on a cold January night for their soup. I’d heard you could get Thai dishes here, but didn’t realized that they give Royal Palm across the street some REAL competition.
We each got tea and I ordered the Tom Yum Bowl. Mr. T got the Wonton Bowl. I really enjoyed both. They are not messing around with their heat ratings: beware!
The best part for me is that we were seated quickly, brought tasty food quickly, and our dinner for 2 was under $ 25 even with 20% tip. I’m so happy to have found a great-​priced neighborhood place. I plan to work through the whole menu.

Same chefs and recipe of the old place (Superbowl).
Great place, cute outside dinning, convenient walk around whole foods or stop by Dream Clinic
Service = gotta give to the Thais they know what they’re doing
Ambiance = Great little nook! Great deck during summer
Food = Exotic flavor, love it
Crowd = Locals
Price = $
Favorite = possibly best noodle soup outside of ID
Worst = a bit crowded inside
Final Say = Cheap, great location, convenient what’s not to love!

One day I promise to go to Big Bowl Noodle House without a hang-​over; but for now has been a loyal friend in those hours of need. How could I not review have reviewed them sooner?
Tasty noodles and a small selection of staple Thai dishes served up fast and friendly. Very delish and reasonably priced for the serving size and the quality of the food. Personal favorite is the Tom Yum Bowl.
The menu is set up to mix-​match your choice of noodles, broth, meat/​veg and spiciness –so you can get exactly the bowl you’re craving. Perfect for a quick lunch or a late dinner.
The front courtyard has been evolving since my last visit. More tables, umbrellas, flowers and a fence to shield you from the traffic on 65^th. Looks inviting for sunnier days.

Super Bowl Noodles would have had a five star review, but the renamed Big Bowl Noodles isn’t quite as good. It’s not that the quality is bad, but it varies from day to day. Lately the noodle bowls haven’t quite had the rich flavor that they used to. Ask for the spice tray and you can add your own soy and fish sauce, but it used to be almost superfluous, as it came perfectly seasoned straight from the kitchen.
That sounds too negative, I love it here. Nothing improves my mood like a Big Bowl noodle bowl. If I’m stressed out I always crave their food. One bite and I’m set adrift in noodley bliss.
I would recommend the won ton bowl and spicy bowl. Both are delicious!
Oh, and don’t sit by the door. It’s cold and people tend to stare at your food while they’re waiting to be seated. Nosy bastards.

OODLES OF NOODLES:
The whole kit and caboodle
Should include oodles
Of big bowl noodles.
Seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu
There’s no such thing as a SNAFU
When you have your
Oodles of noodles
From big bowl noodles.
Rice, egg, wide, or clear
Have no fear
Because there’s plenty of
Noodles to canoodle.

Big Bowl, Super Bowl, whatever you’re calling yourself these days, I’ll still go.
Why? I’ll tell you know —
3 stars for a divided vegetarian /​non-​vege broth menu + your choice of 4 types of noodles + good items floating in said broth.
1 more star for bringing the heat! I ordered 4 stars and my lips were dancing in pain, my nostrils ran with pure snotty joyness and my eyes welled up with tears of pure heat. Loved it!

Quaint Quality
I’m relatively new to the neighborhood, and noticed this place a couple weeks ago. We went there today and I was really very happy. The menu is simple, and all the dishes are cheap and plentiful. I’ll tell you, there are ten thousand restaurants that serve the same exact menu, but this place does a really good job with atmosphere & presentation.
My selection was the red curry w/​tofu, and my lady picked a noodle dish with chicken. We also got the spring rolls. Yum! My curry was great, really fresh and delicious. Her food looked good too. The food complements the décor superbly. When the waitress showed up with the food, my rice was on a large plate with the curry in a squat little coffee-​mug looking bowl. If the food sucked, I probably still would have had fun.
You know what? The food didn’t suck. It was great. The curry was as spicy as I like, and my wife’s was as non-​spicy as she likes. We had fun, I’m going to put this place on my regular routine.
Bottom Line: This place is great. For $ 15, you could have spring rolls and a meal. For $ 25, including tip, you could have two meals and spring rolls. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed and respectful. I like it a lot.

This place used to be called «Super Bowl». I was surprised when the name changed, but relieved when I saw that the menu is mostly the same. Just some changes in names, but they are the same thing.
This restaurant serve mostly noodle soup, although they do have some dry noodle and rice dishes. I like most of their noodle dishes. I don’t remember their new names, because I’ve only been there once after they change, but when they were still «SuperBowl», my favorite dishes used to be called «Sahara Dessert» (dry noodle with some chicken, fishcake and peanuts) and «M80» (spicy noodle soup). I honestly think that their old names are more interesting. They have «Donald Duck», «Green Lake», etc… If you used to go to Super Bowl, you’d know what your favorite dishes are, because the new names essentially describe the food.
For the noodle dishes, you can choose the type of noodle you want: egg noodle or rice noodle. I think you can also choose whether you want the thin rice noodle or wide rice noodle. If you are a heavy eater, you can order some extra noodle (I’m sorry I forgot how much is the additional charge for the extra noodle. Will update when I remember later.)
For appetizer, I’d recommend their fried wontons.
I must say that I’m impressed with their level of spicyness. I’m quite a good spicy-​food eater. I usually order 5-​stars and still add a little more chilli sauce on my food. But at Big Bowl, 5-​stars is more than enough for me.
The place is clean and staff are friendly. But I don’t think this place is good for a big group, because the restaurant is pretty small. Suitable for parties of 2 – 4. 6 at most.

Just recently Superbowl Noodles changed owners and opened up as Big Bowl Noodle House. My wife was the one that showed me this place 5 years ago and we go every few weeks. It’s a small place that is in the lower part of a house.
The menu has not changed much, they still have very tasty noodles, but they are not quite as spicy and full of flavor as its predessor. Didn’t quite have as much noodles also, but if you are looking for a tasty bowl of thai noodles, give it a try. I usually go for the Tom Yum Bowl and get it 3 stars, which has quite a bit of heat to it, seems like a 5 star in other places. Price is right, $ 7.00 — $ 9.00.