Thai Buffet, Mesa

Despite being one of several Asian-inspired restaurants in the East Valley, Thai Spices doesn’t just stand out—it’s “one of the shining stars,” according to Geri Koeppel of Phoenix magazine. Since opening its doors in 2009, the yellow, orange, and gold dining room has hosted thousands of memorable meals. This is thanks to the chef, whose experiences in helming Thai restaurants in San Francisco helped him home in on his own personal style and use of authentic recipes with ease. His menu includes grilled salmon with mango, duck curry, and chu chee tempura fish that Koeppel called “heavenly, made with delicate, flaky fried basa that didn’t get clobbered under a smooth but sinus-clearing coconut red curry.” For a lighter sampling of its namesake cuisine, Thai Spices offers a daily happy hour, during which appetizers—veggie rolls, fried calamari, and chicken satay—and imported beers, sake bombs, and cocktails are on special.