Sala Thai, 1718 2nd Ave (btwn 89th & 90th)

Growing up, the only food from Asia I was exposed to was the local Chinese restaurant, and once a vietnamese place near the WTC. Dad sometimes ordered sushi when we went out as a family for Chinese food, but that was really it. So when I decided to try ordering dinner from Sala Thai, I wasn't entirely sure what I was in for. Let's end the story simply with, I alternated ordering from here and China East every Sunday for about 2 years. Always quick to bring my delivery, always friendly on the phone, and always a good meal. I've never dined here, and frankly until I looked up the location to write this blog I didn't even know where they were located, but now I feel bad because the poor delivery guy had to either walk up/ride his bike via the giant hill connecting Second and Third Avenues at this point on the upper east side. But I tipped him well, so I'm sure it wasn't too terrible of a burden.

When you need Thai in your pj's and you're on the upper east side, give sala a call. You'll be happy you did.

WHAT TO BITE? Chicken Cashewnut, $10.95

Paquitos, 175 3rd Ave (btwn 16th & 17th)

Mexican food growing up was either when mom had taco night, or if the family happened to be in Connecticut and stopped in at Pancho Gringos. When I left for college, I was introduced to "fast-food" Mexican (I didn't have Taco Bell until I was in my 20's) when Chipotle joined my culinary conquests. It was wonderful, and I even made sure to stop at the ONLY one in Manhattan, at the time, when I was home over winter/summer break. The line would go out the door, even when they weren't giving out free burritos, and it still does today. This is not a post to hate on Chipotle, I will forever love you, but you lack nachos and sometimes, that's what I want with my tacos.

For some reason I was dying to have a good tamale and decided to try the hole in the wall next to my apartment, because my hole-in-the-wall Chinese place had turned out exceptionally well. Paquitos, with a few locations in the city (link goes to the one in the East Village that has a full bar and outdoor seating) was exactly what I was looking for. I went in for a tamale and came out with a small Mexican-American feast. Their pico de gallo is the freshest, most flavorful topping I've ever had and their menu, only about half of it is shown online, is always growing. The portions are massive, a burritos and nachos can easily serve two, and they are absolutely accommodating when it comes to substitutions. Oh and the sweet plantains, though they don't always have them, are done just right. It's a no frills place that has exactly what you're looking for, even if you didn't know you were looking for it. The Third Avenue location has ample seating inside, and although I usually eat at home, you could definitely sit there and devour your food, I don't think anyone would mind.

WHAT TO BITE? Carne asada burrito, $6.75 and nachos (add pico de gallo!), $3.95.