There’s really only one place for authentic Chinese and Thai, and that's Big Bowl. It all begins with the highest quality ingredients–naturally raised chicken and beef, heirloom pork, sustainable seafood and produce grown locally. Because Big Bowl believes that the best food is made from scratch, you can taste big, bold layers of flavors in every dish, from the curries right down to the dipping sauces.
Everyone raves about the pad Thai, our spicy dishes that are truly hot, and our create-your-own stir-fry–and for good reason. Every element adds up to big taste and takes our food to another level, be it a fresh squeeze of lime, fragrant herbs or the seared Thai chilies.
Big Bowl is so big on authentic flavors that even the ginger ale is made with fresh ginger root–from scratch, of course.
"I would absolutely not be able to recommend this restaurant. The server did not take our food order correctly. I had to personally get up from the table and show him where he had not written down what I requested. And then, to ad insult to injury, the food was not made the way we requested. We were asked to order again, but it already took 25 minutes for the food to come, we could not wait another 25 minutes. Then the manager said he would give "dessert for all" to make it up to us, and he brought 3 desserts for 6 people and told us to share! The food was not that great either. The appetizer was tiny for the price, as were the kid's meals. It is overpriced and extremely loud. A very bad choice."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"The entrees are ample and very tasty. I enjoy going to this restaurant but they need more non-alcoholic drink choices. Often we go to Unos instead, simply for more non-alcoholic drinks. Also I have been to the restaurant over 10 times and never really knew about the sushi bar option. Is it just sushi and vegitables or can you have different types of meat (beef, chicken, shrimp, etc)? The staff should really offer to explain."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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"I have just recently gone gluten and dairy free to try can clear up eczema on my hands. This was the most food I have eaten since I have been on the diet. I am so thankful for a restaurant that caters to my dietary needs. Our waitress, Andrea was excellent and the food was DELICIOUS! The ONLY negative feedback would be that it was very loud and the music was loud and I prefer quieter atmosphere when my husband and I go on dates without our children who are 4, 2 and 10 months. Thanks for a great time!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
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"Everything about this restaurant is amazing, just one small down, kind of hard to find gluten free menu, or gluten free sauces that my girlfriend likes, and that would be nice to have a bigger vegetarian menu
The service with these youngsters is absolutely incredible, I always get what I want, and leave the restaurant very satisfied"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, kid-friendly
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"Even though Big Bowl is part of a chain, we were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the dishes we ordered and felt that the Chinese dishes were better than those at a competitor such as P. F. Chang's. Service was excellent and speedy, especially since we were there on a crowded Saturday evening. We'd like to return when we're in the area again."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2004
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"As a gluten-free foodie, I was excited to experience Big Bowl Restaurant for the first time. However, I was dismayed by the mediocre food and the poor execution. I ordered the chicken pad thai, and I could have made it better at home.
If you're looking for a quick, decent meal - it's a great location. We sat inside, by the bar, but the beautiful weather made it possible to open the doors to the patio and we had a lovely breeze.
The wait staff - host, our waiter, and the 2nd waiter who helped refilling drinks - who we dealt with were all pleasant, friendly, well-informed when I asked questions about dishes, and were very helpful. I couldn't have asked for a better customer service experience."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2009
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"I love the food at Big Bowl. I'm thinking that I won't be back during the evening any time soon because it is just sooooo noisy. The music is loud sometimes very fast-paced, which does not make for a relaxing dining experience. Other noise is very loud also - as the restaurant does not incorporate features to absorb it. From what I remember, lunch time is not quite as noisy."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups
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"Big Bowl is such a favorite of mine and my families. The food is so fresh, so flavorful, and consistent. It is not like the greasy Chinese or Thai food that you find at most "asian" food places. I have my favorites on the menu, but if I try something new it is always amazing. They use so many fresh ingredients I have never had one thing from there I did not love."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"I have eaten at this location a few times and generally had a positive experience. I wonder if they recently had a change of staff/management since the service and food were both sub par. Our server kept delivering things to the wrong table, bringing us stuff we didn't order and generally not "with it". Food was just okay."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2011
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"Hostess was terrible. took over 7 minutes to find a table when no one was there and half the restaurant was open. I was placed at a terrible table and assigned a waitress that was far too busy and therefore had poor service. I have been to Big Bowl dozens of times and this was the worst. Food was good, however, when it finally arrived."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2007
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"I've lived in Reston for 9 years but have never gone here because I usually prefer less of a "franchise" type restaurant when it comes to Thai and Chinese food. However, on this first visit I can honestly say that I was really impressed by my meal and the mixed drinks I ordered. I like my Asian food rather spicy and though I did order a spicy dish, I was pleased that it delivered with the right amount of "kick". This was also one of the few chain style restaurants I've been too which actually made a strong mixed drink. I ordered a Mai Tai which turned out to be so impressive that ordered a second, even at $10 per glass. So, overall I was honestly pleased and will go back for sure."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: hot spot
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"We love Big Bowl for the variety of foods and the fact that the kids menu is simply smaller versions of adult meals (we hate chicken nugget style places). Love the stir fries and everything has so much flavor. We are not exactly around the corner, but our meal at Big Bowl is always worth the drive!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Big Bowl has changed over the years. The food is not how I remembered it, but our server made up for the restaurant's deficiencies.
I was surprised that even with an OpenTable reservation, we had to wait to be seated. Granted waiting for a short period of time is not too bad, especially when those without reservations had a wait-time of at least 40 minutes. I will most likely visit Big Bowl again, but not anytime soon."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"It can be a noisy place and if you have a large group, you will be seated in the middle of the room which we weren't crazy about. They had a section to the side but apparently, they said it was reserved. Food was alright. It was our second trip there.."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2008
Special Features: special occasion
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Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"I found the food and service at Big Bowl to be extremely good. What I found bothersome after 10:00 PM was being seated between two tables of couples who had in tow a total of 6 small children. The adults were absorbed in each others' conversations and paid no attention to the children who ran around the table and restaurant screaming, pulling curtains and knocking into diner's chairs. When I looked around the restaurant I noticed that there were very young children at most tables after 11:00 PM, many of them making a lot of noise that their parents apparently could not hear. It was a bit like Chuckie Cheese goes Thai. Our food was surprisingly good and I would return to Big Bowl, but only during school hours."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2003
Special Features: kid-friendly
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"Big Bowl is one of our favorites in Reston AND in the general area! The food is always fantastic. The servers are always attentive and helpful. We enjoy the homemade gingerale of various flavors. It's a spot we bring all friends/family that come to two and we're never disappointed. The menu offers so many wonderful options - and our kids look forward to it as well! Would strongly recommend."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I enjoyed by dinner very much. However, the waitress I had stiffed me on my change. She was 2 dollars short when she came back. She did not give me any exact change (coins) back and was 2 dollars (and some extra coins) short. Instead of trying to flag her down and wait for her to come back we just left her tip a few dollars short. If I come back to this big bowl location and this happens again I will be sure to say something."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find, romantic
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"Regrettably, Big Bowl in Reston, VA is not the same as it use to be. I have been going to Big Bowl for over 7 years and the food quality has been declining for a while. I was really hoping that it would turn around, however it has not. The food and drinks seems to be very inconsistent each time our large group visits. Simple dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken or Sesame Seed Chicken should not be undercooked. One of my client's fish entrees was bland and not flavorful at all. What a shame. With so many restaurants nearby, I am afraid that our group will be venturing to another Asian-fusion and other seafood options in the near term."
Dined on 01/07/2013
2009
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"Had a relatively late reservation on a Friday evening. Didn't have to wait when we got got the restaurant. Table was located in the room at the back of the restaurant. Food was excellent. Service was great. Kids, 5 and 13, enjoyed it as well. The restaurant can be noisy at times, but with kids of our own it didn't bother us."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"A great place for a casual lunch. It is busy and a little noisy due to the open kitchen and expansive dining area, but it is fun and relatively fast. There are lots of options on the menu for special requests like vegetarians and gluten free eats. There is also the option to create something off the menu either using their wonderful stir fry bar, or else substituting ingredients within an existing dish. My friend had the Chet's choice of veggies in her meal and loved it. The drink menu is fun as well with their hot buttered apple cider (with or without rum) a real headliner. A great time as long as you don't mind having to speak a little loudly to be heard by your companions."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, great for lunch
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"I'm a big fan of the Big Bowl. The service wasn't quite as good as usual, but ordinarily it's really great -- perhaps just an off night for the server."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2007
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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