Sticky Rice Cafe
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Sticky Rice Cafe

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A family-run gem serving generations-old Laotian and Thai recipes with generous portions and warm hospitality.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Sticky Rice Cafe

Sticky Rice Cafe

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A family-run gem serving generations-old Laotian and Thai recipes with generous portions and warm hospitality.

"This place is truly a culinary gem of Knoxville. I will be dreaming of it!"

TIP

Portion Size

Consider ordering the lunch portion for smaller servings, as dinner portions are quite generous.

Spice Level

If you enjoy heat, don't hesitate to try spicy dishes like Meekatee soup or chicken laab.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Laotian, Thai

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(865) 249-6273

Address

100 Jack Dance St, Knoxville, TN 37919, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Laotian & Thai Flavors

Authentic Laotian & Thai Flavors

Experience generations-old family recipes of flavorful Lao & Thai dishes, from spicy laab to aromatic soups.

Asian restaurants in Knoxville with best Chinese, Japanese, Indian foodFind the best Asian food in Knoxville at these Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean restaurantsFind the best Asian food in Knoxville at these Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Korean restaurants
Generous Portions & Value

Generous Portions & Value

Savor delicious, freshly made dishes with copious portions that offer excellent value for money.

Google Review+1
Must-Try Mango Sticky Rice

Must-Try Mango Sticky Rice

Indulge in the delightful sweet treat of sticky rice served with fresh mango - a perfect ending.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Small businesses make our community special! ❤️✨ Sticky Rice Cafe is serving up the BEST Laotian food in Knoxville, and we’re here to show them some love! 🍚🍜 Support local & grab a bite! #SupportLocal #KnoxvilleEats #StickyRiceCafe #shopsmallbusiness #knoxvilletn #bigfootmortgage #bigfoot
@bigfootmortgageknox
22 likes • 1.7K views

Portion Size

Consider ordering the lunch portion for smaller servings, as dinner portions are quite generous.

Spice Level

If you enjoy heat, don't hesitate to try spicy dishes like Meekatee soup or chicken laab.

Delcious Laotian food at Sticky Rice Cafe for lunch today #knoxville #tennessee #knoxvilletennessee #laotian #laos #laotianfood #stickyrice #stickyricecafe #boba #bubbletea #asianfood
@i.kate.myself
77 likes • 2.6K views
Had to go get my #stickyricecafe today! Sooo good! 😋
@missyholladay
14 likes • 341 views

Peak Hours

The cafe is often busy; visiting during off-peak hours may help avoid crowds.

Sweet Ending

Don't miss the namesake sticky rice, especially the version served with mango for dessert.

Tips

from all over the internet

Portion Size

Consider ordering the lunch portion for smaller servings, as dinner portions are quite generous.

Spice Level

If you enjoy heat, don't hesitate to try spicy dishes like Meekatee soup or chicken laab.

Peak Hours

The cafe is often busy; visiting during off-peak hours may help avoid crowds.

Sweet Ending

Don't miss the namesake sticky rice, especially the version served with mango for dessert.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Sticky Rice Cafe is celebrated for its authentic Laotian and Thai cuisine, with many praising the generous portions and friendly service. Diners rave about signature dishes like the laab and mango sticky rice. However, a few negative experiences have been noted regarding hygiene and inconsistent food quality, particularly with fried items.

"stellar food! the dinner portion of my fried rice was plenty big enough, as well as big beef pieces. i finished about half, so i would recommend getting the lunch portion if you can’t eat as much! my thai tea was plenty sweet as well. :)
my only thing to note is that the parking lot is a bit small, and i wish they weren’t out of the matcha cheesecake when i went. all good things from me, though."

ray

"Terrific restaurant. I had the beef laab. It was delicious. This is one of the most flavorful dishes I have had from any cuisine. I liked all of them. I will point out not everyone is going to like it. Lots of onions, which I love, lots of heat, which I love, lots of cilantro, which I love. Fabulous dish. One issue, I chose med. rare. Which is the best way for steak. However, in this dish I think it should be med. well. Nothing was wrong with it. It was cut into small pieces so I think it may have been better a little browner, maybe. My son had the pork, his favorite here. All portions were copious and as delicious as they were large. The leftovers were magnificent as well. It reheats perfectly."

Spence Meyers

"We went on a Wednesday evening and our party of two had to wait 20 minutes for a table. It was no problem at all—especially once the food came out, as it was well worth waiting for. The staff was super attentive and kind. I loved seeing the owners being involved in the service; it shows how much they really care, and you can see it in quality. Our appetizers couldn’t have been more than a five minute wait, and the mains didn’t take long either. Everything was delicious and the portions were just right. We don’t usually order dessert but I eyed another customer eating the mango sticky rice and it piqued my curiosity, and oh joy am I glad I indulged… Delicious. Don’t skip the mango sticky rice, folks!!! This place is truly a culinary gem of Knoxville. I will be dreaming of it while I’m away."

トウトウ

What People Like

Authentic Laotian and Thai flavors
Generous portion sizes
Friendly and attentive service

What People Dislike

Occasional hygiene concerns
Greasy fried items
Inconsistent dish quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Many guests rave about the Laab, Meekatee soup, and the Mango Sticky Rice for dessert. Chicken Satay and Crab Rangoon are also popular starters.

Google Review+1

Yes, you can often request spice levels. However, some dishes are inherently spicy; it's advisable to ask your server for recommendations.

Yes, Sticky Rice Cafe is known for its generous portions. Consider ordering a lunch portion if you have a smaller appetite.

Google Review+1

Yes, Sticky Rice Cafe offers a selection of bubble teas, which are a popular choice for many diners.

TikTok

The restaurant is family-run and generally welcoming. However, one review mentioned a bland kids' menu.

Google Review

It can get busy, especially during lunch and dinner rushes. It's recommended to call ahead or make a reservation if possible.

Google Review

Sticky rice is a staple in Laotian cuisine. It's served as a side dish with many entrees and is famously paired with mango for dessert.

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Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

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Hidden gem Sticky Rice Cafe thrives in West Knoxville strip mall

Khan opened Sticky Rice in May 2016 with only her hard-earned savings and the help of friends and family. With more than 20 years in the Knoxville restaurant scene under her belt, Khan decided that she finally was ready to share her family’s beloved Laotian cuisine with her adopted community. With her mother, Phet (belovedly known as Mama Pat), acting as executive chef and a smattering of immediate family members running the show in the front of house, Sticky Rice has made a mark on the local restaurant scene not just due to its excellent dishes and superb service, but also because of its unique-to-Knoxville origins.

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There's nearly always a line outside this unassuming restaurant located in a strip mall about 9 miles west of downtown. Family-owned and -operated, Sticky Rice Cafe serves super-sized portions of classic Laotian dishes like crispy rice with sour pork sausage, aromatic beef laab, and savory noodle soups like kow poon and meekatee. Everything is made fresh to order Don't forget to order a plate of their namesake sticky rice, served for dessert with mango, or as a side alongside curries and stir-frys.

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If high school geography escapes you, Laos is a Southeast Asian country sandwiched between Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east. The north borders both Myanmar and southwest China, and its southern border is adjacent to Cambodia. Needless to say, the food is incredible, and Sticky Rice showcases it to perfection with traditional items like chicken laab with the namesake sticky rice (it’s sticky enough – and meant to be eaten with your fingers).

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Sticky Rice Café is a family restaurant located on Jack Dance Street that highlights several generations of Lao recipes passed down. Focusing on simple foods, Sticky Rice Cafe offers a great variety of meats, soups, sides, desserts and, of course, sticky rice. I recently tried this restaurant, ordering the spicy chicken laab, seasoned Grandma's stir-fried noodles and their delicious fried bananas.

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Sticky Rice Café is a family restaurant located on Jack Dance Street that highlights several generations of Lao recipes passed down. Focusing on simple foods, Sticky Rice Cafe offers a great variety of meats, soups, sides, desserts and, of course, sticky rice. I recently tried this restaurant, ordering the spicy chicken laab, seasoned Grandma's stir-fried noodles and their delicious fried bananas.

Visit Source →
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Find the best Asian food in Knoxville at these Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Korean restaurants

Sticky Rice Café is a family restaurant located on Jack Dance Street that highlights several generations of Lao recipes passed down. Focusing on simple foods, Sticky Rice Cafe offers a great variety of meats, soups, sides, desserts and, of course, sticky rice. I recently tried this restaurant ordering the spicy chicken laab, seasoned Grandma's stir-fried noodles and their delicious fried bananas.

Visit Source →
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Sticky Rice Cafe in Knoxville is a delightful hidden gem that serves up some seriously delicious pho. The aromatic broth is rich with flavors that dance on your taste buds, while the tender noodles and generous portion of tender meat make each bite a pure delight. With its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, Sticky Rice Cafe is a must-visit for any pho enthusiast in Knoxville.

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Featuring the less commonly found Laotian style of cuisine, this cafe points out that you are supposed to eat the sticky rice with your fingers. Start with some crunch with a choice of fried rolls or maybe crab Rangoon, and look ahead to fried, marinated quail with hot sauce. Go for Lao sausages or their specialty, the Phorrito, a spicy beef creation in a flour tortilla.

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This is another great family-run restaurant in Knoxville that is affordable and delicious. Sticky Rice Cafe showcases Laotian and Thai cuisine, as well as bubble tea. The restaurant prioritizes healthy, fresh ingredients, and every dish is made with love as the family behind Sticky Rice Cafe believes that food is much more than just a meal.

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Venture into the vibrant world of the Sticky Rice Cafe in Knoxville. This gem offers authentic dishes with a delightful blend of flavors, oozing a homey atmosphere that’ll tickle your curiosity and cravings. Some favorites from the menu that you absolutely must try include the scrumptious Crab Rangoon and the mouth-watering Beef Jerky.

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This cafe is a family-owned business that primarily serves food, however, they have an extensive menu for their teas. There are sixteen different flavors of tea to choose from, including green apple, avocado, blueberry and many more. One can choose either the traditional tapioca balls, fruit jelly or popping boba in their tea.

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About 10 minutes west, you’ll find Sticky Rice Cafe (120 Jack Dance St, Knoxville). There’s a significant Laotian community in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, and it’s cool to see family-run restaurants like this one flourishing. I’m celiac, and they offer a bunch of excellent gluten-free options.

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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (77 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Asian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 120 Jack Dance St Laotian Restaurant, Knoxville, TN 37919-5576- Read more on Tripadvisor

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If you’re looking for a delicious, affordable meal, look no further than Sticky Rice Cafe. This cozy little cafe is known for its fantastic Laotian cuisine. The menu features all of your favorites, like pho, Pad Thai, and curries.

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Sticky Rice Cafe a Laotian restaurant not one of the better pho in town because again not their specialty. It's convenient for the people near there.

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What better way to support local business than to stop by and see us today?. Now introducing our gluten free Phorito!

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Sticky Rice Cafe (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide