Now, we’re no strangers to Thai food in Toronto, but food from Laos is something you definitely don’t see every day. So, we’re hanging out at Lao Lao Bar, this funky joint just north of Yonge & Wellesley, where they’re serving up dishes from just north of Thailand. Mind you, from looking at the menu, it seems like Lao food is very similar to Thai… or maybe they’re just doing a bit of both here.
Actually, Lao Lao is what they call moonshine rice whisky in the old country, but they don’t have it on the drink menu at Lao Lao Bar. (I’m guessing the LCBO wouldn’t be down with that, bro.) So instead, I’m drinking some $8 Sapporo draught beer and going to town on these Drunken Noodles with shrimp:
One of the origin stories for Drunken Noodles (aka Pad Kee Mao) is similar to Nashville Hot Chicken — an angry wife decided to get Montezuma’s Revenge on her husband by serving him something seriously spicy. Other folks say they’re just called Drunken Noodles cuz the heat helps soak up the booze. In any case, Lao Lao’s version of this dish isn’t spicy at all… so instead of slamming six Sapporos, I might only have five. 😦
But that’s not all we’re eatin’ here tonight, bro! This Lao sausage is coming in hot with a side of sticky rice. It tastes kinda like the Northern Thai sausage at Favorites Thai BBQ — maybe someone smuggled it across the border?
Now this bar snack will getcha back on track — we’re talkin’ Lao Heavenly Beef Jerky. You KNOW heaven isn’t too far away, bro!!! This has gotta be the first time I’ve ever had beef jerky served warm, but it doesn’t take away from the taste at all. I could eat this any day of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Burgers, Bacon & Beer 