What's fantastic at Spicy BBQ in E Hollywood?

[echoparkdirt]

Motivated by a discussion here on the (non) existence of great Thai on the Westside, I am planning a trip to one of my faves, Spicy BBQ.

But it's been so long since my exile from the east side that I've forgotten completely what I used to order there!

So, what are the best bestest dishes there ? Anything sub-optimal?

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Spicy BBQ
5101 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

[echoparkdirt]

I ended up getting the northern curry pork, which was absolutely wonderful. With big, bold, peasanty feel and huge chunks of ginger swimming in the soupy bowl. Really amazing, and I think that was my go-to dish back in the day too!

Also the pork patties, which were just ok, won't order them again

[yoyo]

My fave is the jack fruit salad

[Ciao Bob]

Northern Dishes (Sausage)
Ground Pork Patties
Nam Prik Oom

[Bjartmarr]

The sausage is okay, but I've had better elsewhere.
The ground pork patties are pretty good.
The nam prik is good too, but crazy overpriced. A small cup of nam prik oom and a thing of sticky rice to dip in it will run you around $10.
The khao soy is good, but as far as I know they're still using non-dairy creamer. I was hoping the no-hydrogenated-oil county law would change that, but I guess not. I now go to Sri Siam on Coldwater and Van Owen for khao soy.

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Sri Siam Cafe
12843 Vanowen St, North Hollywood, CA 91605

[TonyC]

+1 all points, especially the nam prik being ridiculous priced.

The pork patties are much better at Pailin. I don't know why Spicy Thai keeps getting lip service (probably thanks to JG/LA restaurant bloggers). Rest of Thai town has moved on, Spicy Thai hasn't improved since '08 (ErikM's first post). Telltale sign of downhill: restaurant being so lazy they stopped making a traditional dish due to "it's too complicated".

[echoparkdirt]

hmm. now this is distressing. what thai places are you fired up for in thaitown these days?

[Peripatetic]

Tony's responsible for my latest Thai Town infatuation: http://sinosoul.com/2011/07/cute-pig-...

[Bert]

The signature dishes are Khao Soi (a curry noodle soup) and their house made sour thai sausage. Note that the Khao Soi generates a lot of debate becauase, while everyone agrees that it's delicious, they add non-dairy creamer to get the perfect texture/consistency. but hey, it's tasty!

[echoparkdirt]

whats wrong with non-dairy creamer! It's beloved by Kosher kitchens everywhere!

[Peripatetic]

> whats wrong with non-dairy creamer!

It's being substituted in place of coconut cream, presumably as a cost-cutting measure rather than a flavor-enhancing one.

Here's Erik M's original report of the practice:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/529261 (about 2/3s of the way down).

[Jase]

None of the dishes you had there before were memorable enough for you to remember what they were?

[echoparkdirt]

Lol. Have u been there or are you just chatting?

[Jase]

I haven't but I'm always curious about places. I've been to the other Thai Town places enough times but not this one. So curious what to order too, since I'll want to try them out. Just was surprised that if it was one of your favorites in the past, that you couldn't remember even one dish. Not trying to stir up trouble, was just genuinely curious and surprised.

[echoparkdirt]

Lol thanks for the concern friend. Hope your genuine surprise wasn't too distressing.

[TonyC]

this made me LOL.

[Jase]

Oh, no distress at all. Just surprise and puzzlement that someone with such strong opinions on Thai food is unable to remember a single dish from one of his favorite Thai places. It's always interesting to see what people like from their favorite places and how it compares to others and how memorable they are. I'm always on a quest to learn more.

Thanks for starting this post since it seems like it's not worth the drive out. The use of non-dairy creamer in place of coconut milk is amusing to hear. Also the high cost and low value return of the nam prik. Always good to add to the collective data bank when considering options.

[echoparkdirt]

now that one made me laugh too.

Yes, it's a puzzling, surprising post. It's like an enigma wrapped around a riddle tied in a gordian knot. In retrospect, it's a wonder so many people understood it!