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Something I’m going to definitely miss about San Francisco is the food. Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Pakistani, Ethiopian, Mexican, Korean, Russian… any food you could possibly imagine was relatively close-by on the 7×7 peninsula. LA is a big place though, and I’m sure all those things could be found here… I just need to get out there and find them.

My first excursion into local cuisine was Krua Thai on Sherman Way. If I had been driving, I’m pretty sure I would have missed it, as it’s in one of those little strip mall type places on the corner, along with a “water store”, which I’d never seen before, and a Russian restaurant you couldn’t see into thanks to full-window drawn curtains, reminiscent of the ever-shady Russian Bear on Clement St. in San Francisco.

The place was well-lit and clean and fairly large. While we were waiting for our take-out order, a group of 9 came in and the staff hardly blinked an eye, so you know large parties are welcome. They also have a space towards the rear called “The Green Room”, which is for private parties, and I think also karaoke.

Their menu was what you’d expect from any respectable Thai place, and we ordered some pretty good benchmarks when it comes to Thai food. Naturally we got the Pad Thai, Tom Yum Gai soup, and Cashew Nut Chicken. The pad thai was just ‘ok’… I was expecting something more flavorful. The cashew nut chicken and soup on the other hand were beyond everything. It was probably the most delicious thai food I’d ever had, and I highly recommend it. My mind was so blown by the cashew nut chicken that I don’t even know how to describe it, so you’re just going to have to try that one for yourself.

They also had an impressive selection of fruit smoothies and boba teas, but since I was in the Valley, the thought of those things hadn’t occurred to me. Next time I’ll be sure to try the Thai Iced Tea, too.

All in all though, I have to say it was pretty delicious. The parking lot can be crowded, but they do take phoned in orders, so with good timing, it’ll be ready right as you walk in the door.

Krua Thai is at 13130 Sherman Way, in North Hollywood. Don’t forget to pick up a to-go menu when you stop by!