476407 Sat Jan 05 09:43:07 -0800 2008 4 8 Midwest 0 3263938 not that anyone in wichita seems to give a -----, but the best strictly Thai food I've had (and i think i've now hit 'em all) is Asia Garden on E 31st at Hillside (the Tha-Lao Cafe down the street is still my "best" SE Asian food, but it is more Lao than straight Thai). Have eaten there a few times now and each time it seems to get better. The owner is a long-time chef, she is of Pakistani-Chinese heritage, but grew up in Thailand, maybe she was born there. Anyway, she will spend hours at your table talking about food, showing ingredients, and explaining the food. She is delightful, though a bit hard to understand all she says. the green curry is the best in town. no question. and unlike many places, she hand grinds her curry paste (thai curries are all different requiring unique combos of herbs, chiles, etc. she does hers the "real" way in a mortar and pestle. she offers a couple of Indo-Pak items as well. can't wait to try those. the num tok, beef salad, is astonishingly flavorful with lots of lemongrass, chile and other flavors beaming from each tender piece of perfectly cooked beef. they offer 10% off right now if you have some types of affiliation: WSU, military, etc. My first time in, she gave me a hand written coupon for 10% off my next meal. oh, if you get the green curry, ask her to use Thai eggplants in it...she has them but only includes them on request... this place really rocks. too bad it will remain a secret Sat Jan 05 09:43:07 -0800 2008 25989 sambamaster 1 3265053 Is that the place in the old QuikTrip on the south side of 31st street? We were in Wichita last week and wanted to go to Thai-Lao but it appeared to be closed. Sat Jan 05 16:45:26 -0800 2008 3263938 32586 revsharkie 2 3265966 i am not a city directory, so can't tell you the history of the building, but it is on the south side. Thai Lao is often closed on weekends for private parties. I know he said they had lots of parties during the holidays. weekdays for lunch are usually safe, and weeknights. sunday evenings.... too bad you missed it, the food is great... Sat Jan 05 23:28:02 -0800 2008 3265053 25989 sambamaster 3 3267641 This was the day after Christmas at about 3 in the afternoon. But I'll be back in Wichita again soon and maybe I'll get to check it out then. The old QTs are pretty easy to spot. They all look a lot alike. There's one just off Lincoln (maybe at Hillside, can't remember at the moment) that is now a Welch's Cleaners. I remember when it was a QT and when they built the new one and closed it. Sun Jan 06 15:50:16 -0800 2008 3265966 32586 revsharkie 1 4097167 I went there once for a private party and it was excellent. I've been meaning to go back. Fri Oct 10 23:20:54 -0700 2008 3263938 231441 muslimah