Thai One On

Sala delivers spice at the right price

By Rachel Birdsell
TFW Contributing Writer

Preamble Ramble

This is another reader recommended restaurant. I’m glad I got the recommendation because I don’t think I’ve ever even noticed Sala Thai before. It is just south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the former Asian Fusion building.

Food For Thought

I was there for lunch and decided to have the Pad Thai lunch special, which comes with a bowl of chicken and rice soup and a fried spring roll.

This next paragraph is a little gross, and I apologize beforehand for it.

I was cozied down and thoroughly enjoying my soup — it was warm and had just a hint of citrus. It’s one of those things that while you’re eating it, you feel like it has magical healing powers. Then, the guy at the table across from me started blowing his nose and I couldn’t finish the soup. I think one of the top rules of eating at a restaurant, right underneath “Wear Pants” and “Don’t Pick Your Ass” should be “Don’t Blow Your Nose at the Table.”

Thankfully, I had recovered enough that by the time my Pad Thai came out, I could eat it. I ordered mine hot (3 stars). It was the perfect amount of heat for me. I like to think that I can handle some pretty spicy food, but maybe I’m delusional. I also like to think that I’m still 23.

The Pad Thai was seriously awesome: seasoned perfectly, tender and full of veggies. Plus, it was served with crushed peanuts on the side and sprinkling them over the top made the dish go from good to @&^#%ing awesome!

The Sporkcast

(1-5 sporks)

Atmosphere: 3.5 gray sporks with tiny concrete blocks for handles
Sala Thai isn’t what you’d call a romantic place, but it is very calming. It was one of the quietest restaurants I’ve ever been in. I could actually hear the humming of some of the kitchen machinery. The humming, combined with a full belly, almost put me to sleep. Thankfully, I didn’t fall asleep because I’m sure I would have broken rule No. 4, which is “No Slobbering at the Table.”

Food: 4.7 Sporks that were singing “Hot, Hot, Hot”
There’s nothing like sporks who sing Buster Poindexter. The Pad Thai was great, and I’d bet that the rest of the dishes are just as tasty.

Staff: 4.85 homemade sporks with quilted tines
My waitress (who I have a sneaking suspicion was the owner) was fabulous. She made me feel welcome as soon as I got there. She was the only one waiting the restaurant and did a great job.

Dollars spent: My lunch was $7 and some change. Lunch for $7 is a great deal. The best part was that I had enough leftovers to take home for dinner.

Chance of returning: The quick, friendly service and awesome food will have me back to Sala Thai many times. Maybe next time I’ll be able to finish my soup.

If you know of a great eating place, drop me a line at rabirdsell@gmail.com. I’ll check it out and let you know what I think.