The Bangkok Cafe: clean, nice, light on spice

The Bangkok Cafe, a mom-and-pop restaurant in Englewood, serves authentic Thai food to a devoted clientele that keeps coming back to try new dishes. Located in a worn little strip mall that would be easy to drive right past, its interior is surprisingly modern, attractive and clean.

You could start your own sampling with the egg rolls or the chicken satay, both for $6.95. The fish patties, for a dollar more, are the most expensive appetizer, and are homemade from white fish, red curry, green beans and lime leaf, and come with a plum sauce.

If you're not wild about hot, spicy food, don't worry: There's little of the fare here,  unless you request it. The $9.95 beef salad, made from a classic combination of tomato, onion, lime and mint, could actually use a little more spice. Few will find the $10.95 Thai hot and sour soup, with chicken, too hot.

Favorite dishes include comfort food such as the panang curry for $9.95 and the Phad Thai for about half a buck less. You really can't spend more than the $16.95 that the Red Curry Salmon will cost you. Check the blackboard for the nightly specials.

As with most Thai food, the portions here won't overwhelm you. But the good food and good feelings you'll find here make for a very nice welcome to the neighborhood. 

Thai cuisine; Phad Thai; Bangkok; Panang Curry; noodles; specials