After a fairly perfect introduction to Pittsburgh nightlife, the Surf and Turf pita at Cambod-ican was a proverbial coup de gras.
The pita is a torpedo of protein (grilled chicken thigh and elongated crab wonton loaded into a thin pita.)
Is it Cambodian? Probably not. Is it delicious? Yes.
The chicken shines in this sandwich. Well marinated, smoky, soft yet firm on the bite. Carefully monitored for internal temperature. Its respectfully finished with a sweet teriyaki demi-glaze that will leave your hands a bit sticky.
The crab wontons are as good as those can get. They are a conglomerate of imitation crab, breaded filling, and hot cream cheese deep fried in a dense corn meal batter. The bite experience is beautiful. The robust batter crust holds firm until it doesn't. You're left defending your palate against a cascade of creamy, crab flavored bliss. But this is a white flag you'll be happy to wave.
The pita was thin, but disappointingly chalky. It did not absorb the greasiness of its contents well. It did not hold them well. It distracted from the quality of the sandwich overall.
Replace the underperforming pita with something softer and more absorbent, yet thin, and this would be a five star experience. Cambod-ican is undoubtedly a great choice if you're within a couple miles and want excellent Asian American street food, particularly late in the evenings.