Sunday Dinner: You can go home again: Sen Thai, 7/20 @ 5 pm

A few weeks ago, a friend sent an excited message. At the former Spoon Thai location, he dropped in to Sen Thai to meet the owners of the original Spoon Thai.

For those who might not have enjoyed the specialness of Spoon Thai, it was ground zero for the secret menu intended for Thais only. The first person who identified this secret menu had no paper on him. He used freely available toilet paper to begin transcribing the Thai characters. Later Gwiv showed up, took the secret menu, gave them his driver's license and went across the street to make a photocopy. Another person scanned it to a pdf, then it was sent to an American Ex-Pat whose screen name was 'Food First.' She translated the menu with her Thai language teacher. What a blessing!

Erik M learned Thai food language to translate Thai menus all over town.

When LTH has barely three weeks old, I started a post for people to easily find the translated menus. If you ever used Chowhound circa 2004, you would understand how this was a major upgrade.

You would be seated next to a person who was enjoying crab rangoon and Pad Thai. I would order one-bite salad, banana blossom salad and Thai fried chicken. It was two worlds at adjoining tables, we later learned there were two kitchens: one devoted to Thai food menu and the other for Americans.

In a funny way, one could declare the band was back together again when a dozen of us met last week. I was reticent to say anything until I knew it was really what I hoped it to be. Thankfully it was just as wonderful as remembered. Of course this heat reticent person bumped into some chili-heat. I gulp as much water as I was known to do in the past.

At the time I was there, no other customers walked in and I did not see anyone collecting take-out. Later I heard a couple walked in afterwards. While it has been 20 years, and none of us are much younger, and this walk back to meals past was wonderful.

Pointed out by my friend who walked into Sen Thai for peek. The secret menu items are now integrated into the new menus. Just to keep you on your toes, you need to read through the color menu as well as the take-out paper menu. I did not study them carefully, though someone commented they each have unique items.

You can go home again as long as it lasts.

What better place to enjoy Sunday Dinner on July 20th at 5 pm.

We might want to pre-order some food we know we want, then order the balance the day-of.

All are invited. The optional exchange can be lots of fun — just make something and bring along some, and go home with other interesting meals. Details on exchanging (it's really not too tough) are included here.

I already made a reservation.

Attending
Cathy2
nr706
ekreider
Giovanna
GAF
Chouxfly
Mamagotcha
LHS
Moetchandon

Exchanging
Cathy2
nr706

Sunday, July 20 @ 5 pm
Sen Thai and Ramen
4608 N Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(872) 241-4873

Wednesday-Monday 11AM - 10PM
Tuesday Closed

In keeping with the tradition established last month, I'll be bringing another double-vowel dish to exchange — maafe.

For those who will be driving note that the date is the last day of the Square Roots Festival, which fills up Lincoln Avenue from Montrose north to at least Wilson Avenue and draws large crowds. Parking on Western Avenue near Sen Thai is normally very plentiful Sunday afternoon and evening but will probably be tight. Allow for a five to fifteen minute walk from the area between Western Ave. and the Chicago River.

It's also 350 feet from the Brown Line's Western Ave. CTA station.

Ekreider,

How will parking be on July 20th?

I am not opposed to moving dates.

Cathy2

Can Chouxfly and I join you, as non-exchangers? I never made it to Spoon Thai and would love to go home for the first time with you all!

mamagotcha wrote:Can Chouxfly and I join you, as non-exchangers? I never made it to Spoon Thai and would love to go home for the first time with you all!

Yes, though be advised we may change dates to the following week.

Remember when we almost met at Rainbow Thai?

Cathy2

Following week should be no problem for parking. The Square Roots Festival is a big one that is a joint production of the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

ekreider wrote:Following week should be no problem for parking. The Square Roots Festival is a big one that is a joint production of the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

I think parking ease is enough to shift dates.

I am in for dinner.

I am planning to be there for dinner on 7/20

I would like to join for dinner.

I'd be excited to join for dinner as well.

Santander wrote:I'd be excited to join for dinner as well.

Great!

There is reliably one more spot, because I may have a guest for #12. After that it goes to waitlist.

Regards,
Cathy2