Thai Thai Cuisine
108 Osterville Drive, Holly Springs • Arbor Creek Center
(919) 303-5700 • thaithaicuisinenc.com
Average lunch entrée: $6-10

There’s a good chance you’ve never noticed Thai Thai Cuisine, a hidden jewel located in a small business complex near a large housing development. Once you discover it, though, you’ll be glad you did.

Inconspicuous proprietor Jirawan Pavapotago prepares bonafide provisions from her native Thailand. House specialties like pad Thai, pineapple fried rice and drunken noodle (stir-fried wide rice noodles with egg, onion, carrots, red bell peppers and basil leaves) are all dished up with aplomb. Using a variety of ingredients like cardamom, shallots, lemon grass and turmeric, dishes are prepared in varying degrees of spiciness depending on the patron’s preference.

At night, consider a chef special like the roasted duck curry or sweet chili fish with choice of tilapia, flounder or whole snapper topped with pineapple chunks, cashews and a toothsome chili sauce. Be sure to try a refreshing Thai iced tea with your meal.

The restaurant’s modest dining room features elephant-themed wall hangings and seating for about two dozen guests. Table service is consistently graceful and efficient.   

“I enjoy chatting with the staff in Thai and reliving all the great tastes I came to appreciate while living in Thailand for 18 years,” said Alan Lawton, a Christian missionary who now lives in Holly Springs.

Thai Thai is open for lunch each weekday and dinner seven days a week. And here’s a no-extra-charge bonus tip: A $5.99 weekday lunch special is among the best deals in the area.