Thip Khao Restaurant

"Considered the standard-bearer for Lao cuisine in D.C., Thip Khao comes from mother-and-son chefs Seng Luangrath and Boby Pradachith. Their Columbia Heights standby continues to satisfy heat-seekers with a menu full of fermented fish sauce, a heavy dose of chiles, offal, and cured meats. Hit orders include crispy tamarind-glazed wings, grilled pork shoulder with lemongrass, and a fiery Lao papaya salad. Over in Shaw, the team just rebooted its 5-year-old space that formerly housed cocktail bar Hanumanh into a modern Southeast Asian eatery called Baan Mae. If you find yourself out in the suburbs, the family’s Northern Virginia staple Padaek recently settled into a new Arlington home." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

"Thip Khao makes some of the best food in the city. The Lao spot’s red curry noodle soup will clear your sinuses, and we love their crispy beef sesame jerky. There’s often a line before the doors open, and you’ll probably be squeezed very close to your neighboring table. Don’t get too hung up on either of those things, though—Thip Khao is worth it. " - omnia saed

"This knockout restaurant for spicy, intricate Lao dishes operates on Mondays, as do its sister Paedek restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church." - Missy Frederick, Tim Ebner

"The VP enjoyed shan tofu with homemade chile oil, now on the menu." - Tierney Plumb

"To get an understanding of just how good the food in DC truly is, go to Thip Khao. The Lao restaurant in Columbia Heights always has a line by the time they open their doors, and that’s because the dishes like the mee kathi are bursting with flavor. The place gets packed and tables are close together, so be prepared to get cozy with your neighbor. It just gives you a good excuse to check out what they’re eating." - tristiana hinton