Bangkok City

With a no-frills menu of basic Thai options, Bangkok City is one of the most consistent stops for Thai food in the metroplex. It boasts a healthy number of vegetarian options, as well as a hearty variety of chicken and beef dinners. Especially potent are its Imperial Rolls – tofu and shrimp with vegetables wrapped in rice paper – and cold Thai salads. But the crispy duck is the star of the show. A roasted half bird, fried until crisp and served with chili peppers onions and crunchy fried basil leaves, will come as spicy as you like. If four-star “native Thai” isn't hot enough, ignore the menu and order as many stars as you like. One guy ordered 17 stars. He was never heard from again.