I had to start with what has got one of my favorite restaurants - Spoon Thai on Western Ave. in Chicago offers true down home Thai; no, not your run of the mill red curry green curry crap.A warning: Do not look at their mainstream menu. Instead, do as the locals do and ask for their "Secret" menu (not a secret anymore as its probably more popular than the bound one!). This is truly unique stuff from the Issan province in Northern Thailand. We are talking about such masterpieces as 'Nam Khao Tod' (or 'Naem Khao Thwaat') a "salad" made out crispy rice tossed with minced sour sausage, green and red onion, thai bird chili, juliened ginger, roasted peanuts, probably some fish sauce and heavy dose of lime juice." truly an amalgam of alternating tangy spicy flavors and textures. If that hasn't gotten your tastebuds salivating, maybe the photo on the top will!
Spoon Thai also does a wonderful version of the Banana Blossom salad or the 'Yum Hua Pree'. Their take on the Banana Blossom salad is this heavenly tossup of coarsely chopped soft banana blossoms and chicken chunks, shrimp, tossed in a creamy coconut milk based mild curry topped with fried onion. This along with their Naem Khao Thwat were reasons enough for us to make the 250 mile day trips to the windy city!
For those of you with the patience to attempt this masterpiece at home, here is a link I found. There are other wonders to be had; the jungle curry, Thai Fried chicken and a neat mango with sticky rice desert.
Spoon Thai :4608 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 (773)769 1173
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