Best Thai
Char Thai Restaurant
5039 E. Fifth St.
READERS' PICK: This tidy little restaurant is a gem almost
hidden among its neighbors in a small, unsuspecting strip mall.
The family which operates the Tucson Char is related to
the owners of the Char Restaurants which defined Thai cuisine
for Phoenix residents for decades. Here, they offer the magic
of ancient Siamese soul food, deftly combining the familiar (beef,
chicken, shrimp, noodles) with the exotic (lemongrass, squid,
galanga, fish sauce) in a staggering array of choices. The menu
offers more than 100 entrees and appetizers, so you won't run
out of new things to try anytime soon. There are also plenty of
vegetarian dishes. They'll even customize the hot and spicy factor
from mild to nuclear. Don't forget to cool your palate with sweet
Thai iced-tea, or your favorite foreign beer. Then start planning
your next visit.
READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Thai food aficionados are no doubt
well aware of Karuna's Thai Plate, 1911 E. Grant Road,
and the bounty of flavors to be found in the small strip-mall
bistro. Karuna's offers an extensive menu featuring a variety
of curries and specialty dishes, as well as more standard fare
like Pad Thai. Karuna's is a great place for a date (the Catalina
theater is right across way); the real detective work here is
the hot and sour soup for two, and a plate of steamed spring rolls,
which is food enough for Paul Bunyan and Babe, but still easy
for your pocketbook to digest.
