Thai food is all the rage in Phoenix — seems new spots are cropping up in every neighborhood these days. From fancy to no-frills, there's something to suit just about any taste and budget, but truth be told, we're fans of a humble hole in the wall called Sala Thai. It's laid-back and affordable, and better yet, the menu is packed with mouthwatering dishes that you won't just find anywhere. How about sliced duck in a coconut-milk-based red curry sauce, or juicy barbecued Thai sausages with sweet chile sauce? The flavors are amazing, and the kitchen is happy to go as "Thai hot" as you dare. Tangy, chile-spiked chicken larb, citrus-y papaya salad, noodle dishes, complex soups, whole fried catfish, and several vegetarian entrees comprise the 100-plus selections. It's a lot to explore, but until we can actually pull off a trip to Thailand, we're happy to eat our way through Sala Thai's stellar menu.