Thai Paradise - Pocatello, Idaho

Thai Paradise
Pocatello, Id.

Nestled in the old town area, Thai paradise offers the casual diner an excellent variety of Thai and Pho dishes. Open for lunch Monday –Friday 11am-2:30pm and Saturday noon to 2:30pm and dinner Monday-Saturday 5-9pm. Parking is street side until after 5pm when the parking lot across the street allows general parking.
An impressive menu offers appetizers, salads, soup, Pho (Noodle soup) stir fried noodles, entrees which are served with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice for a dollar extra. Curries, rice dishes and a selection entitled Chef’s Favorites which include BBQ Thai chicken, Thai steak, salmon curry, shrimp stir fry and spicy sesame mussels to name a few. For those with a sweet tooth there are nine offerings that include such delectable items as coconut rice topped with coconut custard, fried banana wraps with coconut ice cream, Thai paradise delight - a purple coconut rice with coconut ice cream and attap fruit (palm seeds). All of the ice cream is homemade.

Wine and beer is available along with the usual offering of soft drinks and ice tea with one free refill on the tea or sodas. Also offered is sweet Thai ice tea or coffee available with cream. Portions are generous and they offer the diner the choice of “heat” ranging from none to very hot. Prices range from $7.50 to about $14.00 and take out is available.

We made reservations right at 5pm which was a very good idea since 25 minutes after our arrival the waiting area was already filled and patrons were standing outside waiting patiently for their turn. We found the food to be fresh, seasoned well and served to you hot from the kitchen. We ate to our fill and then had the left over’s boxed for that mid night snack.

The décor is tastefully done with rich colors, wood and textures to add to your dining experience. Thai Paradise is located at 140 S Main Street, downtown Pocatello, (208) 269-7313

JandD's Family Restaurant - Brigham City, Utah

J&D’s Restaurant
720 So. Main St
Brigham City, Utah
(435) 723-3811

Located on Main Street in Brigham city, J&D’s is truly a family style establishment. Booths are the mainstay with a couple of tables for larger parties and a friendly wait staff and affordable prices. If you prefer the home cooked style of food this is a must try, since the food does resemble what you would prepare at home.

They have a large breakfast menu, some three pages worth, and offer them all day long. The dinner menu offered a nice selection of favorites and they have a daily/weekly special at a nice reduced cost. We all ordered from the lunch/sandwich part of the menu. It states, “All hamburgers are one third pound served lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes on request. Add extra patty, $1.89. All burgers and sandwiches are served with your choice of soup, salad, tater tots, sweet potato fries or French fries.”

The fish double dish sandwich ($6.49) was served open faced with cheese on a regular hamburger bun accompanied with tater tots. The BLT ($4.79) was served on toasted white sandwich bread and with a nice mixed salad. The cheeseburger ($4.79) was served as well on a regular hamburger bun with a nice helping of French fries.

I say family style because that is just what it is, no pretentious food presentation, no swirls of some colored sauce, nothing piled on top of a mystery ingredient but most importantly a nice helping was given and not a tiny tid bit nestled in the middle of your plate. The food could have been cooked up in your grandma’s kitchen and would not have tasted better.

While we dined the staff and patrons interacted as old friends, this must be the favorite get together diner for the town. That marks a good place to eat when passing through a strange town, if the parking lot is full it must be the place of choice.