If it’s spicy food you’re looking for, there are always obvious options like Real Chili or Qdoba. In both cases taste buds are assaulted with that pin-prick-on-tongue spicy sensation. But why not try someplace different?

Vientiane Palace isn't the most obvious spicy food destination. It’s tucked a block off State Street, but the value and Lao-Thai taste make the Palace a must-eat.

First of all, the portions are enormous. This is the type of restaurant where it would be a miraculous feat to eat both an appetizer, which include soups, salads, curry dishes, and fried rice, and a whole entree. Say you order the Vientiane Fried Rice — you get a large plate full of fried rice, along with a heaping bowl of white rice. It's very probable that you'll leave with leftovers, which is perfect because the food just gets better in the fridge.

It's one thing to finish a dish, but it's also a tall feat to finish one of the Vientiane Palace's spicy dishes. The restaurant has a starred- scale that runs from "no spicy" to "extra hot." Better yet — the staff understands the intensity of the spicy index. If you choose to confidently — or not so confidently — inform your waiter that you want four-star spiciness, they’ll be sure to forewarn you and somewhat adamantly suggest choosing two- or three-star spiciness instead.

You can also look forward to a good food coma after your meal, and a staff that won’t disturb your peace, which means no one will arrive with a check or clear your table.
But that’s the only downside to Vientiane Palace — the service. One can expect every step of the eating process to take longer: Being seated, being served, and so on. Meanwhile, the staff generally tends to appear preoccupied and uninterested. But have no fear, the lacking service doesn’t degrade the experience; the food is much too good for that.

The priciest dishes at Vientiane Palace are around $10, a price impossible to complain about after eating. Ambrosia on your plate and spice-fueled transcendence — it's a no-brainer.