20ish years ago, I stopped at an Indian place in Winnipeg. Everything labeled "spicy" was anything but.
Conversely during that same road trip, I hit a small Thai place in central Minnesota and asked for their "Thai spicy" option on whatever dish I ordered. The woman tried to warn me, but I didn't care. I should have. But it was delicious.
I tried the "extra thai hot" in my tom kha once. I finished it because tom kha is fuckin delicious and it wasn't the cheap stuff, but I had regrets. The heat was definitely in the carolina reaper range.
Your best bet at a Thai place is to order Thai hot and also request they bring out the spice tray (most places have these). I always request it anyway as it signals to them that I actually want my food spicy and I'll do it myself if they make my weak.
I usually see it the other way where there is "mild, medium, hot, hot". And when I ordered the hottest, there is a 75% chance they give me some medium spiced bullshit because I am super white.
8 replies
20ish years ago, I stopped at an Indian place in Winnipeg. Everything labeled "spicy" was anything but.
Conversely during that same road trip, I hit a small Thai place in central Minnesota and asked for their "Thai spicy" option on whatever dish I ordered. The woman tried to warn me, but I didn't care. I should have. But it was delicious.
A lot of the places here add “Indian spicy” as an additional option after “Very Spicy”
I tried the "extra thai hot" in my tom kha once. I finished it because tom kha is fuckin delicious and it wasn't the cheap stuff, but I had regrets. The heat was definitely in the carolina reaper range.
I had an entire kitchen laugh at me when I ordered an 11/10 at a Thai place.
It was delicious, could still have been spicier.
Your best bet at a Thai place is to order Thai hot and also request they bring out the spice tray (most places have these). I always request it anyway as it signals to them that I actually want my food spicy and I'll do it myself if they make my weak.
I usually tell the server I'll double the tip if it's too hot for me to finish
I sometimes ask if something is spicy or “gringo spicy”.
I usually see it the other way where there is "mild, medium, hot, hot". And when I ordered the hottest, there is a 75% chance they give me some medium spiced bullshit because I am super white.