[2][3] Andi Prewitt of Willamette Week said of the location: The humble skinny strip of a dining room echoes the simplicity of those stands, and you can watch the team work quickly but methodically in an open kitchen.

Countryfied touches extend to the rustic wood, cheery blue-and-white vinyl tablecloths and drinks served in Mason jars.

[10][11] In 2016, Alex Frane included Hat Yai in The Daily Meal's "ultimate guide to Portland's best Asian fried chicken".

[13] He also included Hat Yai in the newspaper's 2017 list of sixteen "great" eateries in northeast Portland.

[14] In 2017, The Oregonian's Michael Russell called Hat Yai the "Southern star in Portland's Thai food constellation".