Written by Jamie Frerichs
A little strip mall located off Lincoln Highway – across from the growing campus of The University of Nebraska at Kearney – is home to a few usual suspects. There’s a textbook and Loper gear store, a cash advance location, a business solutions center…but it’s a unique place that keeps many craving and coming back for more. Perhaps it’s the exotic flavor or sensational spice that makes this a happening hot spot. However, I believe it’s the cultural and dining experience at Suwannee Thai Cuisine that’s unparalleled.
Suwannee takes great pride in preparing authentic Thai cuisine. They’ve conjured up creative dishes like Moon Duck, Chicken in the Mud, and Drunken Noodles. While some of the entrée names might make you wary, simply take a little time to read through their menu’s delightful descriptions to gain a better understanding. You can also seek guidance from the helpful servers at Suwannee. They encourage you to be adventurous and try something new! I think you and your taste buds – both the buds in your mouth as well as the friends with whom you go out to eat – will be stunned…in a good way.
Now I know what some of you are thinking, “Hmmmm, Thai food. Isn’t that super spicy?” Well, if you can’t take the heat, you’re in luck! Often times I’m enticed by spice, but if I’m not feeling up to the challenge it’s great they give you the opportunity to customize your meal to your level of spiciness. They also cater to vegetarians and meat and seafood lovers. Whether you’re mild or spicy, veggie or carnivore, there are various paths to take on this culinary adventure. Ready to Thai one on?
What has everybody talking (and drooling)?
- The Appetizers. Crispy Silver Bags strike me as an interesting name, but it’s not the name that has me captivated – it’s the exceptional taste. Small, but mighty, these deep-fried wonton skins form a delicate pouch around seasoned ground crab meat and cream cheese. Bag me up some of that!
If you can’t decide what appetizer is going to hit the spot, why not try the Thai Sampler? This includes two eggrolls, four crispy silver bags, one spring roll, and two dumplings. This is all served with their signature house sauces, and by the way, these might be the best dipping sauces I’ve ever tasted. You know – the kind of sauce or dip that you insist on keeping when the server removes the appetizer plates from the table…just in case you want to use the sauce on your entrée? Yeah, that kind of sauce.
- The Soup. I love soup. I love to eat soup in the winter or even in the summer time. I would eat soup in the rain, I would eat soup on a plane. I would eat soup here, I would eat soup there,…ok, I think you get the picture. Suwannee’s Tom-Kha Soup is delectable! It’s a bold blend of sweet and spicy flavors, with big slices of tomatoes and mushroom and your choice of tofu, chicken, or shrimp, all mixed in a creamy coconut milk and broth base. I would eat Tom-Kha Soup…anywhere.
- The Entrées. Drumroll please! I’d like to announce the winner of one of the best dishes I have ever encountered… Panang Curry. If you haven’t met yet, Panang Curry is created with a unique curry, broccoli, bell pepper, herbs, spices, coconut milk, and fresh basil. Add a little chicken and steamed rice into the mix and get ready to taste perfection. It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it will make you rethink the meaning of life, it will file all your taxes…it’s curiously good and Panang Curry should go on your food bucket list. You have a food bucket list, right? Well, you do now.
The national dish of Thailand, Pad Thai, is made with Thai rice noodles, green onion, cabbage, and egg, all stir-fried together and dowsed with their own special sauce. Topped off with a sprinkling of ground peanuts, this meal is a must-eat. It’s Thailand’s national dish, so it has to be good.
Feeling a little intimidated by all the exciting ingredients and innovative dishes? Then order up some Crispy Chicken or Mango Chicken. Both entrées are uncomplicated and unbelievably good. Crispy Chicken is a concoction of onion, bell pepper, broccoli, carrot, and fresh basil, all sautéed in their house basil garlic sauce. Mango Chicken is made with non-breaded chicken, fresh mango, bell pepper, onion, and cashews, all stir-fried and sautéed in their home-made sauce. This dish gets bonus points for its presentation – the sauce is served in a mango shell – and it’s as adorable as it is appetizing.
Specials, Promotions, & Events
Suwannee promotes a Student/Faculty lunch carry-out special every week day. It’s valid for carry-out only – just show your Student/Faculty ID to your server. The meal and a drink is only $7.00 after tax. Check out their website to see what’s for lunch!
The Good, The Bad, & The Tasty
Suwannee’s food is absolutely fantastic. You simply cannot find this distinct taste and presentation anywhere else in the area. However, this restaurant seems to be so popular, in my experience, sometimes it’s hard to find a seat. Perhaps this isn’t the case for every single day they’re open, but it makes me wonder if they could sustain a dining space twice the size, if not three times the size of their current footprint. The good news is if you can’t find a seat or don’t have time to wait, they perform very well in the carry-out category.
If you’ve dined at Suwannee you already know how incredible it is. And for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, please know that this is some of the best food you’ve never had. So, come on! Put that pen to paper (or finger to smart phone) and fire up your food bucket list! Suwannee deserves to be at the top of your list.
Website: suwanneekearney.com
Photo Source: suwanneekearney.com