171 Elden St # 171 Herndon
703.478.2233
www.thailuang.com
Hidden in the back of the office park cornered at Elden and Fairfax County Parkway is a gem I am reluctantly sharing with my fellow moms. For years now and when the craving hits me, which is pretty often, I will call my dear friend and associate Tom and simply say "Duck duck duck duck". In all the years we have done this, I can count on one hand the number of times he has responded with anything other than the time he will meet me.
"Duck duck duck" is the reason one would pass all of the other Thai restaurants in their neighborhoods and drive to Thai Luang. When I really like you, you will know it because I will take you to Thai Luang.
The people who eat there are regulars and bartender and manager Nunu greets every one of us like we are "Norm" from Cheers when we walk in. There is no need for menus or for the waitress to take our order because she already knows what we are here for. Duck.
Thai Luangs Crispy Duck Basil is flashed fried and mixed with the perfect amount of garlic and peppers and that's if you have it "American" spicy. Should you decide to have "Thai" spicy, consider yourself warned, a nuclear attack will commence on the roof of your mouth.
I have tried other things on the menu and they are all very authentic, which is why the restaurant is always jam packed and a good portion of customers are Thai, which is always a great sign. The Pad Thai, and Lemongrass Soup are my other two favorites and the two items that my children request every single time we go there.
I do recommend this restaurant for kids because they are so accommodating when it comes to finding something every kid will enjoy. And they don't give an evil eye when you get up to leave and there is rice all over the floor!
Remember the golden rule: Tip your wait-staff not by percentage, but by the amount of trash your kids dump on the floor.
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