The best pad see ew in Raleigh

I talked about this blog with friends in July and hadn't gotten around to it. Well last night, after searching Raleigh for 2 years looking for my favorite thai dish done right I came across a little dive named Sakura Xpress on Hillborough near NC State. It inspired me to get my butt in gear and launch this thing.

I walked up to the place with apprehension because I tend to shy away from places with Xpress in their names, especially the Xpresses that leave off the e. But I couldn't resist going in and giving it a shot after seeing the menu posted on the door. There under the Thai section was "Pad See Ew". Now I have tried literally every thai restaurant in town. I've tried everyone from the coveted Sawsadee to the new Thai Cafe up the street from me. I've traveled a 45 mile radius to find this dish done the way I want. Who knew my treasure was right under my nose all the time.

I frequent the area on Hillsborough to do business at a local t-shirt shop, but I would've never guessed that in here lay the end to all my searching.

I ordered the food as I'm accustomed to - very customized. "I'd like the pad see ew with chicken and beef mixed. Oh that'll be extra, that's fine. When you cook it can you please make sure to sear the noodles and meat just right. I like to see a little browning on it. Please, please don't make it soupy or juicy."

The lady taking my order says, "It no juicy."

Relieved I say, "It's been juicy everywhere else," and I smile with anticipation that this may be the right time I've found the right place and the right cook.

"Oh and I need a side of white rice and oh yeah, some of the hot red chili pepper sauce cooked in." As she stared at me with a raised eyebrow I unapologetically say, "I like it the way I like it."

I wanted to buy egg rolls to eat on while I waited but when I asked her how big they were I got a very confused look. She obviously didn't know that was one of the many tests we Chicagoans have for how good or bad an egg roll will be. She said, "They are regular size." To that I held up my fingers and sized it out about 4-5 inches - yes in Chicago, size is important. "This big?" "No," she responds and pulls her fingers in about 2 inches in mock form.

"No thanks," and I settle on the order of inferior spring rolls. I wait in the dining area with only one other patron and hang on to my hopes that the lack of customers is not an indication of any kind. There is a 94.9 on the wall so the inspection passing is adequate for my culinary environment.

Well when the main attraction is presented I make a very audible and surprised "Yes, it looks right." The cook just smiles and nods as she hurries away looking over her shoulder once.

I taste the first bite and yes, yes, yes. It tastes right. It is great, a little greasy but mostly right. I yell to the back, "This so good, it is actually right." I greedily eat it all even though halfway through I am stuffed. I yell back again, "Are you the only cook?" Thankfully she says yes. I would hate to have to try and figure out a schedule to know when to come.

As the lady cleans my table she says, "You ate all? You can eat, that was a lot of noodles."

I say it's definitely a compliment to the chef but I can chow with the best of them.

My rating on a scale from 1 to Chicago : 8.25. I will definitely go back.

Welcome to a delicious new thing!

Well let's get the formals out of the way so that we can dive into the good part. My name is La Tosca Goodwin, Tosca to my friends. I am a Chicago (Chi-town) native and love food. I love to look at it, touch it, smell it, eat it, cook it, and if the sizzling is right to hear it as well. Yes siree I give in to every sensory I have and truly enjoy my food experiences.

So while eating terrible tasting and equally terribly priced cuban cuisine in Downtown Disney with friends. I revealed the idea for this blog. I wanted to create a space to rate the good, the bad and the ugly as compared to our beloved food haven - Chicago. We pondered names and I settled with "On a scale from 1 to Chicago." I mean really what other comparison is there right?

For this site I will be eating and judging how that food stands up to food in Chicago. I will grade apples to apples when it's at all possible, but because my food repertoire has increased considerably since my days in Chicago eating hot pickles with candy canes, bar-b-que ribs and links, pizza, fried chicken and fish, italian beef and sausage sandwiches, gyros, and chinese food, I will also grade food based on how it affects my sensories. I remember Chicago food with a fondness that almosts equates my mother's love. I crave it desperately some nights to warm my belly and tell me everything will be alright. Ok, I'm exaggerating. I got over that in college - well just a bit - anyway you get the idea.

The food more than the White Sox stadium, more than the Sears tower (or Willis or whatever they call it now), more than da Bulls or da Bears, even more than growing up hanging on corners and playing football in the street - the food is what I remember and miss most about my hometown. I remember my dad coming home from the bowling alley at 3 in the morning with rib tips from Leon's and lapping up the bar-b-que sauce with the square pieces of white bread and the side of fries. Bar-b-que just tastes best after midnight in case you didn't know.

I would also like, no love, for you all to weigh in. I really want my fellow Chicagoans but am open to the thoughts and opinions of those less cultured pallets. No really I want us all to join in the conversation. This should get interesting, but PLEASE no imihating, irrihating or hateration on my site. I'd like cheerful banter and exchange, but most of all let's really get the conversation going and see where our tummies lead us.

Happy eating and start rating your next meal on a scale from 1 to Chicago!