| rev:text
| - Thai Buffet is an unassuming little place at the end of a strip mall near Broadway and Dobson. There is treasure inside.
Upon entering, there's nothing to foreshadow the delectable experience awaiting you. The atmosphere isn't what you're going there for. The restaurant misleads you with the word "buffet" on the front. There is a small buffet setup in the restaurant, but it's not always stocked as one. Also, if you decide you want anything on the menu, the proprietor will cook it for you fresh, as part of the buffet. It's like going to a friend's house and being given the ultimate in hospitality.
The owner, or one of her family will greet you, seat you, and then provide you one of several delicious soups. On our latest outing, I had the chicken soup, while my daughter had the beef soup. The chicken soup was spicy, fragrant, delicate, and light. She serves it with a chicken wing that's cooked in the broth to add extra flavor. The beef soup was perfumed with ginger and lemongrass, with chunks of tender beef and also tripe. The meat was tender and succulent, just as you'd wish for in any soup dish.
The next course we were served were appetizers. We chose to enjoy some "egg rolls', though I use that term loosely. It was more like a spring roll, served with a sweet cucumber, cilantro, and onion sauce. Inside was succulent meat, tender rice noodles, and a distinct lack of the greasy, heavy, chewy mouth-feel that I'd normally associate with an egg roll. They were absurdly delicious.
Then, when we were ready, she made us plates (rather than us serving ourselves) from the offerings on the buffet. She had several different type of curries, stewed thai basil chicken, pad thai, and other offerings. Each selection was sublime. The curry was spiced without being spicy, chock full of tender potato and succulent chicken. The pad thai was sweet and spicy, with large whole shrimp tail generously apportioned throughout. The basil chicken dish she had was spicy, herbal, earthy, and filling.
After gorging ourselves on this sumptuous feast, there was still more to be had. Joann, the owner, gave us dessert. In a simple bowl, there was sweet sticky rice, pumpkin, and a generous helping of coconut ice cream. She will admit she doesn't make the ice cream herself, but do not let that dissuade you from enjoying it in this dish. It's sweet without being cloying, and fruity without being overpoweringly so. The rice lends a texture and an undertone that has to be experienced to understand.
Then, when it's time to settle up, you'd be surprised to know that the buffet is approximately $8 per person, not counting a drink. It's a crime that this place is not packed to the rafters from morning to night. Little family restaurants like this are a dying art in America, and this gem should not go unnoticed. Go there. Meet the wonderful people who make this joint a warm, delicious, and inviting place. You'll be giving yourself a treat, and making yourself a customer for life. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)