Café Equator

Go for: soups, Pad Thai, fried rice and curries.

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There are not too many Thai restaurants in Metairie but with Equator, you only need one. I have never been to Thailand but have eaten at several Thai restaurants and this is one of my favorites. It has been around for more than ten years and is right across from Lakeside Mall.

Café Equator has an appetizer list with many of your basics (Chicken Satay with the peanut sauce is a favorite of mine as well as the Karee Pup), several soups (try the Tom Yum Koong), salads (try the Larb Gai) and entrees for every palate.

If you are going for Pad Thai, this is one of the best.  I prefer the chicken but they also prepare it with shrimp.  If you think of Fried Rice as the Chinese version that comes as a side with miniscule pink shrimp and lots of egg, you are in for a treat if you order the Basil Fried Rice with your choice of meat.  You can split it with your partner or order it as an entree.

If you are a curry fan, they have green and red versions and both are delicious. If you like to kick it up a notch, tell them extra spice. For the most part, I stick with regular spice and it has a nice kick to it. If you are looking to eat something that is also fun to say, go with “Something in the Jungle”! – a Café Equator classic.

For all of you vegetarian fans, there is a whole section devoted to you! And, for the vegans out there, they specifically list the dishes that are made with egg or seafood stock so you know what to avoid.

WIth regards to price, this is not the least expensive place to go but the quality of food and service make it worthwhile. If you are on a budget, go during lunch. They don’t have all the items as the dinner menu but they are a few dollars cheaper.  Lunch can get pretty crowded and parking can be an issue even the small lot in front and another lot in the back.

– karen decker mccrossen