EAT Thai Cafe, Bismarck, North Dakota

After my experience with Randy’s corned beef hash, I was determined to eat at a local place. You know, the sort of place opened by immigrants making their way in a new land. In North Dakota I guess that means Norwegians, and that suggests a tendency toward cold weather food. I’m familiar with Lutefisk and Rakfisk by reputation, and it really wasn’t the weather for sheep’s head or stew. What else in North Dakota? Steak, but I was pacing myself on steaks, with some big ones on the horizon.

What else? Thai! There are several Thai restaurants in Bismarck, most notably EAT Thai Cafe. Nancy and I headed over and found a small building

with a large herb garden. Nancy and I entered, looked at the menu over the counter, and ordered.

Nancy chose the green curry shrimp. How hot would you like that — on a zero to four scale? Two.

I ordered kaprow pork. How hot? Four. Four? Four.

We found a free table. The seating area is small and spare, with a Scandinavian feel balanced by Thai decorations.

The tables stayed busy, and there was always a short line at the counter for carryout. This is a popular place.

The food arrived, and we dug in. Nancy’s curry was well seasoned and the shrimp and vegetables were tasty. And I enjoyed my pork immensely. My only criticism is that they used those dried red chiles that you get with kung pho chicken rather than the usual fresh green chiles. When you bite into one, the fresh green chiles have a much more appealing texture than dried chiles.

Four was just fine for me. Nancy said she should have chosen three.

If you’re in Bismarck and you don’t want a steak, saunter on over to EAT Thai Cafe for a good meal and a refreshing change of pace.

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