There’s really no excuse for not becoming an expert eater of Southeast Asian food in Fort Smith.
Two new additions on Towson Avenue have received favorable responses in the competitive environment.
Laos-Thai & Sushi, 2919 Towson Ave., was opened in August by Kaise Rajsavong and Chanthyniti Konedavong. One YELP reviewer calls it a “hidden gem of Fort Smith.” Another praises the restaurant’s kao piek sen with homemade rice noodles.
One diner apparently has taken advantage of Fort Smith’s Asian cuisine. He writes this at Laos-Thai’s Facebook page: “I go to Fried Rice for fried rice, Asian Kitchen Express for everything else, but the food at Laos Thai and Sushi is incredible. Eggrolls are on point. Pho was delicious. Sushi was tasty. And they serve beer. Staff treated us very well. Go and give these guys your business. They fill the void left by Pho Dana.”
Rajsavong says that while Thai and Laotian languages are very similar, he says Laotian food’s flavor is “stronger.”
Business at his restaurant is getting better each month, the owner said. They have seats for 80.
Fried Rice 2
Elizabeth Pornjaroen opened Fried Rice 2 at 3802 Towson Ave. on Nov. 20 at the former location of Pho DaNa, which closed in March after 30 years in operation by Da and Na Nguyen. The anticipation of a second Fried Rice had built for months. The family’s first Fried Rice, which carries on at 3758 Midland Ave., was voted Best Asian Restaurant in the 2017 Times Record Best of the Best contest. Both restaurants now carry banners celebrating the victory.
Fried Rice 2 is obviously a hit with the locals. By 2 p.m. Friday, well after the normal lunch hour crowd had drifted off, Fried Rice 2 was hopping and the little kitchen was humming. Smoke streamed out the stack to carry the message to others.
One diner left this at Fried Rice 2’s Facebook page: “Pad Thai noodles with chicken...outstanding! And had the Pho with seafood in it..oh, my. The flavor was top notch....loved it! We will be back soon and bring our friends.”