BEST THAI RESTAURANT

Magic Kitchen

115 North Lewis Street, 525-6975 4112 North Peoria Road, 525-2230 While Best Thai is one of our fastest growing categories – our readers nominated nine local eateries – it should be no surprise that Springfield’s first restaurant to serve aromatic specialties from Southeast Asia is still at the top of the charts. Opened in 1983 by Dang and Gay Amorasak and sold to Soumaly and Sang Thongsithauong in 1995, Magic Kitchen enjoys a reputation for tasty and reasonably priced Thai treats. While you can certainly find standard dishes like pad thai and chicken satay, why not take a risk on something less common like the lemon grass soup? Whatever you do, be sure to leave room for desserts like sticky rice with ice cream and tropical fruit. Magic Kitchen’s hours vary by location. Peoria Road is one of Springfield’s few BYOB establishments but leave your plastic at home – it’s cash only. Runner-up: Little Saigon