By Greg Anderson
I’m sorry to say this, but old man winter is here. Sure, we might have had a few nice days in the beginning of November, but this is only because God thinks it’s funny to get our hopes up. Because of the cold, you might be looking for a nice place to escape. How about Thailand?

Well, if you’re like most of us, a plane ticket to Thailand is a bit expensive. So you’ll just have to head down to the next best thing: Diamond Thai restaurant in Sioux City.
Located on W. 7th, Diamond Thai is really a diamond in the rough. Some of W. 7th might be falling into a ghost town, but the recent influx of Asian immigrants and shops has given the street a new vitality, and Diamond Thai has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Sioux City.

Walking in, some might find the “look” of the restaurant a bit off-putting, since the carpet and paneled walls look out of the seventies and haven’t aged well, but the staff has done a great job decorating by incorporating deep red tablecloths and soft orange lighting into the décor. There are also many paintings and decorations from Thailand.

You can sit anywhere you like, and most likely the owner will come out to take your order. If you are a regular there, he’ll know your order down to a tee before you even say anything. He’s also very knowledgeable about the food he serves and what American palates would like or can handle. I’d order an appetizer to start with; the fresh rolls wrapped in rice paper are always good, but I’d go with fried sweet potatoes. You’ll be reminded of you’re grandma’s sweet potatoes, but with a savory fried taste and hints of peanuts. If you’d like alcohol to drink, you can bring your own.

Diamond Thai is B.Y.O.B, but this doesn’t mean you should be carrying in your case of Natty Ice. If you want to drink, bring in a heavy red wine to counteract the sweetness and spiciness of most Thai food or a heavy, rich beer like a Sam Adams or a Dos Equis. Or you could just skip alcohol all together and order some delicious jasmine tea or a Thai iced coffee, which is similar to chocolate milk.

When you order your main dish, read the menu carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions: the waiter is more than happy to offer advice. Try something you’ve never had before, like a curry dish, but be sure to indicate how spicy you’d like it. If you want to play it safe, the pad Thai is a noodle dish almost universally loved. The noodles have a nutty flavor to them, and the carrots and cabbage that come with it will make you want to finish your vegetables.

I heartily enjoyed my pra ram and can say its one of the best dishes I’ve ever head. Sautéed chicken atop a bed of crunchy carrots, broccoli and cabbage, all covered with a delicious creamy peanut sauce, not too dissimilar to peanut butter, but spicier. Whatever you order, get a side of sticky rice to go with. You’ll want something to soak up the leftover sauce. Also, if you go with friends, everyone should order something different so you can try each others’ food. The prices are incredibly reasonable with appetizers never being more than five dollars and a meal is around seven to ten dollars.

Thai food is miles away from Chinese food, so don’t go in there expecting to find Hy-Vee style orange chicken. Instead, expect to find something sweet and very spicy, but the spice comes not so much from spice, but more from the chilies frequently served for the food. This week, skip the Applebee’s made from a bag crap and try something freshly made and exciting.

Diamond Thai is located on 515 W.7th, and you can order ahead of time by calling (712) 258-2343. (Nov. 5)