The Best Thai in America: Lotus of Siam

I'm not done with Las Vegas posts yet.  It's time to dig out some gems that were sitting around while I was on hiatus.

Has my title intrigued you?  I can't say that Lotus of Siam is the best Thai restaurant in North America (because I haven't had Thai food all over North America), but a Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic has made this bold claim.

Don't let the crappy strip mall and humble interior fool you.

We had the best Thai food that we've had in recent memory here.

Lime drink ($2.75), Thai iced tea ($2.50), Thai iced coffee ($2.50).

The lime drink was tart and fresh. The Thai iced tea and coffee were sweet and strong.

Nam kao tod -- crispy rice mixed with minced sour sausage, green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, and lime juice ($7.95).

We'd never had anything like this before.  It was crispy and salty and meaty and tangy and refreshing and wonderful!  Are you sold?  You should be!

Soft shell crab salad -- deep-fried soft shell crab, fresh chili, lime juice, peanuts, and vegetables on a bed of sliced cabbage ($18.95).

If we see soft shell crab salad on a menu, we get it!  What a great version this was!

Hor mok sea bass -- steamed sea bass cooked in its own juice, egg, sliced cabbage, coconut milk and curry sauce ($28.95).

Super fish!  Who knew that sea bass wrapped in foil could be so special?  Tender, creamy, and perfectly spiced.

Crispy duck drunken noodles -- crispy duck topped with fresh chili and Thai basil served on top of pan-fried flat rice noodles ($21.95).

Yay for duck!  Yay for rice noodles!  Yay for kick!  Yay!  Yay!  Yay!  Best!

Lotus of Siam is well worth leaving the The Strip.  Cabbies know it well.  Go.