Thai Kitchen

Before Thai by Thai and Jumbo Jumbo... there was the Chicken Teriyaki Man!!! The Chicken Teriyaki Man owns Thai Kitchen, a truck on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University. I used to go to this truck EVERY day (some times twice a day) for 3 years, only the stupid freshmen meal plans prevented me from being a loyal customer for 4 years!

I was so excited to go back this Fall for college recruiting. After a long day of talking to a bunch of college seniors (was I really like that when I was 22?!), my coworker and I stopped by the Chicken Teriyaki Truck for dinner. I was so happy when Chicken Teriyaki Man and Mrs. Chicken Teriyaki Man recognized me after so many years of being away! They even hooked us up with a medium size entree for the price of a small!!

The trucks on CMU's campus provide some of the tastiest and cost-efficient food on campus.

Chicken Teriyaki Man and Mrs. Chicken Teriyaki Man, nicest people ever!

A lot of offerings...

But Chicken Teriyaki is the best!! I also got a side of Thai Basil, but found it a little dry

CMU campus, at the corner of Forbes Avenue & Margaret Morrison St • Phone number unavailable

Super Chicken

I think we may have found a new default after-football game-eating joint. That is if we're not visiting Wendy or Ronald after our 9pm games. We've already been twice since our recent discovery! The menu is quite large so I look forward to trying more dishes.

Quarter Chicken Platter (2 sides: rice and corn)

Can't go wrong with the 1/4 dark here. I love corn and rice so it's pretty much a sure bet for me. Only complaint is the salty green sauce.

Onion Salad

I know a lot of people hate onions and even though I like them I wouldn't dare have a pure onion salad like this. But my friend got it and after trying some I was sold. I liked how the lemony flavor balanced out with the rest of my meal. maybe stay away if you're on a date ;)

Quarter Chicken Platter (2 sides: yuca and veggies)

Yuca is fantastic when it's cooked right, but I say no to Yuca at super chicken. It was dry and starchy.

Steak Burrito & Fries

My second meal here I tried their burrito, and it was confusing. It wasn't bad but sometimes I forgot and thought I was eating a cheese steak sandwich with tortilla and rice. I'll save burritos for chipotle next time.

8357-A Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA • 703.288.1665

Jumbo Jumbo

There's something to be said about finding a favorite haunt where everybody knows your name, like Cheers. For me, it's finding a place where they know my order (who cares if they don't know my name?!) and make it exactly the way I like it. Jumbo Jumbo is one of those places for me. (Thai by Thai being the other)

My typical order:

Beef Noodle Soup

Tender beef, pickled veggies (where Jumbo Jumbo stands out versus other beef noodle soups), and not too salty/soy sauce-ish. Probably my favorite non-homemade beef noodle soup! You can also request extra spicyness to be added.

Taiwan Chicken

Spicy deep fried chicken morsels. A lot of NYC/CA bubble tea shops have similar chicken snacks, but not too many DC shops have them... why? I do not know.

I usually pair this with a large Jasmine Green Milk Tea with tapioca balls. Sorry, no pictures of the bubble tea. But Jumbo Jumbo has some of the best bubble tea in the area if you ask me!!

Warning: Jumbo Jumbo also goes by Bubble Express. In fact, that is the name that will appear outside on the shopping plaza.

765 E Rockville Pike, Rockville MD • 301.545.1708

Tacos El Chilango

Meet Jesús.

Jesús owns a taco food truck in the Courthouse area of Arlington, serving Asada, Lengua, Chorizo, Al Pastor, and Pollo.

Lengua (beef tongue) taco!

Deliciousness! Tenderness! Each taco comes with chopped onions and cilantro with cucumbers and radishes on the side. Sorry the picture is half eaten... I couldn't contain my excitement!

14th Street between N. Quinn and N. Queen Streets, Arlington, VA • 571.236.0355

Hello Mosaic Cuisine,

You are tasty and unique. Definitely worth trying at least once. I can't wait to come back and try the breakfast menu. We ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees (side of sweet potato fries). I ranked it below in order of tastiness.

Crab Cheddar Quesadilla

So good. Comes with generous portions of crab.  I will order you again.

Brie and Mango Quesadilla

Delightful. I love brie and I love mangos.  The crab is more flavorful though.

Sweet Potato Fries

Nice and crispy on the outside, soft and potato-y on the inside.

Pecan Grape Chicken Salad

The waffles were very light and airy. Makes me want syrup and eggs.  Interesting on a sandwich, but after a while I really missed good old buns.  The salad was a bit bland with the waffle, but the grapes were a nice touch.

Parmesan Paprika Chicken Picatta

No thanks chicken picatta. The flavor was unbearable to me.
Though this is a "customer favorite" and my friend recommended it too.

186 Halpine Road, Rockville, MD • 301.468.0682 • www.mosaiccuisine.com

Thai by Thai

oh how i love you exploded egg.  i have been to thai by thai (both sterling and fairfax locations) 19238621974618 times since discovering you.  and i have never ordered any other entree besides you.  if i could marry you, i would.

Kai Rabert, a.k.a. Exploded Egg
a deep fried, yet oozing egg over a bed of rice, topped with ground chicken in a delicious, spicy sauce

10955 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA • 703.279.1595 • www.thaibythai.com

Little Fountain Cafe

Steamed mussels with thai red curry sauce, you were tasty!

Giant drumstick, delicious-ness

I forgot what you are, but you were extremely tasty and tender! That is why this picture is of you already half eaten...

Key lime pie... I'm not the biggest fan of key lime pie to begin with, but you were not bad.

Fondue... so romantic... I was the 3rd wheel in this meal!

2339 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC • 202.462.8100 • www.littlefountaincafe.com

Bistro Lazeez,

Yelp thinks you're amazing, but I think you're a little better than ok.  Clean, modern, not too pricey, not bad.  Probably won't be rushing back anytime soon though.

BLZ Chicken Medley

Flavorful Chicken.  Interesting Sauce.

House Salad Fresh!

Vanilla Pistachio Ice Cream

mm pistachios! unique and worth trying. the rose water is a bit strong though.
i'm not a big fan of eating flowers, but that's just me.

Chicken Kabab

Nothing to complain about, but I don't get all the rave reviews.

Guava Juice, Falafel, Pita

Guava juice was not chilled enough.  Falafel was nicely seasoned but a little too crunchy for me.

8009 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD • 301.652.8222 • www.bistrolazeez.com