"There are plenty of things that we’ll readily cry over—like the first ten minutes of the movie Up , or spilt milk, probably, if it were a common occurrence—but none, perhaps, as much as those first few fiery bites of papaya salad at Thai Kun. We like that they don’t hold back on the spice. Maybe it makes us stronger, or maybe that’s just something we tell ourselves as we’re wiping back tears and going in for a second bite. It’s a philosophy that goes into their whole menu—don’t hold back. And they definitely don’t. Whether that’s with a fiery Thai chili-infused margarita or a pork larb coated in a funky, spicy fish sauce dressing. Somewhat unexpectedly, all this phenomenal Thai food is found at the , Austin’s fancy outdoor shopping center. Sure, you’ll find classics on the menu like a sweet and sticky pad thai, or an excellent crab fried rice that’s almost more crab than rice, but those are just accessories to the more adventurous stars of the show. The slow roasted short rib panang curry is almost as rich and savory as it is spicy, and rotating specials like a large format ribeye—served with a spicy, fish sauc-y nam jim jaew—will have you throwing out any bottles of A1 left in your fridge. And even simple-sounding dishes, like a perfectly-cooked roasted chicken, get pumped up with a side of boom sauce—a sweet, spicy, and salty house sauce found across the menu. The patio can get loud at times, with the sounds of numbers and names being called out from nearby fast casual restaurants. But the indoor dining space—decorated in art by Peelander Yellow—is a welcome retreat from the shopping mall vibes outside, though a quick glance out the window at a giant Nike sign is a quick reminder of where exactly you are. But if you need a reason to make a trek to the Domain (other than for a quick visit to the Apple store), Thai Kun’s menu of classic street food staples and bold flavors should be all the excuse you need. " - Nicolai McCrary