Too Good to Be True

How could this be?  Sweeten Creek, ostensibly a causeway of nursing homes, oversized churches, condos, and trees, is now home to Asheville’s best culinary value ever.  Someone (possibly me) needs  to write a travel guide to gas stations, and this one better be on the top of the list.  Foodies, readers, chefs alike, listen closely.  The best Thai Food in Asheville, North Carolina, can be found at Little Bee Thai in the Exxon station on Sweeten Creek Rd.  And our president’s middle name is Hussein.*  I ask you, dear reader, which end is up?

A warning: call ahead.  They offer only one table and you probably don’t want to use it, and only one chef in this kitchen.  There’s also another guy who will talk to you and tell you stories about finding inspiration in the street fare of Bangkok.  He’s definitely onto something, because his wife (I think) can cook up an X-Men-sized storm.  Peruse the hostess cupcakes or beef jerky as you listen to the sound of fresh vegetables sizzling on the skillet.  My red curry was perfectly balanced with spice, and when I optioned for steamed tofu over fried she did not bat an eye.  The consistency of the curry was excellent, not too thick (like at Thai Basil), and featured a variety of peppers, bamboo shoots, and onions.  The tom kha gai was hands down the best chicken coconut soup to be found on this mountain, and possibly even in the tri-state region (until you get to Greensboro).  The sour, fragrant soup rivaled its oily counterpart served at Lemongrass in downtown Greeneville.  

We also ordered their basil noodles with pork which were delicious, and we ate every last bite.  Every menu item cashes in at under $7 for dinner.  Incredible.  We were happy and full to the brim for under $20.  Now with 12 Bones open Saturdays on Sweeten Creek location, we Ashevillians may have more than one reason to head down South.    Little Thai Bee, you’ve got a fan in me.   

 

*My soul has more Barack Obama stickers on it than your car.