Pok Pok (3226 SE Division)

So have I ever told you how I like things quick and dirty? Give it to me straight. Give it to me fast. Give it to me now. Sometimes this even applies to food. Forget the artful appetizer, the beautiful entree, the two hour meal time. Just give me the food already. All of it.

Pok Pok delivered. Twice. Now they are in my quick and dirty little black book of places to go when I am really hungry and want good food fast (okay fast after a bit of a wait for a table).

So let me just give you a quick and dirty rundown of the two meals I ate:

Limeade: Warmish, salty-ish, delish

Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings (mild): Crack cocaine for chicken wing lovers

Khao Soi Kai (chicken curry soup): tender noodles, chicken off the bone - I couldn't stop eating it.

House Roasted Peanuts: Salty, spicy, warm - careful of the dried chiles - I accidentally ate one
and lost my voice for a minute.

Papaya Pok Pok: Who knew that papayas could be so hot?

Hoi Thawt (crispy crepe with mussels): Crispy, chewy (good chewy), fresh

Grapefruit Drinking Vinegar: My new addiction. I wonder if I can concoct at home?

Muu Paa Kham Waan (boar collar): Arrrrgggh! (Had to do that) Deeply spicy and complemented with chilled salted mustard greens. I want to eat this with my hands all night long, with roars in the background.

Muu Sateh (pork loin skewers): Tender, tasty.

Okay, I know I haven't covered everything, but seriously, this is so much food and I'm embarrassed that I tasted all of it in only two meals! Also, I can't possibly think of any more adjectives to describe the kick-ass food. The service was fast and impeccable, and it needed to be - the food was disappearing fast. Pok Pok is richly spicy - spicy that you can taste for hours later and in your dreams that night and even if your taste buds are gone from the heat, you will want more.