Little Laos
Amarillo may know Thai food, but a popular new eatery in Amarillo’s Route 66 Historic District is introducing local diners to a slightly different set of Asian flavors. Little Laos opened in June, and has gained a passionate fan base in the building that once housed the legendary Barnaby’s Beanry.
“We like antiques,” says manager Malaivanh Kayakone, who operates the restaurant with her husband Bo, the chef. That hobby put old Route 66 on their radar, as did the lack of Asian options in the neighborhood.
The couple have been in the restaurant business for years, most recently with a location on East Amarillo Boulevard. With Little Laos, they hope to educate customers on the flavors and freshness of Lao food.
The two countries—Thailand and Laos—share a border on the Indochinese Peninsula. While their cuisines overlap in important ways, the differences are notable.
For instance, sticky rice is a staple in Lao cuisine, which accompanies spicy dishes like the restaurant’s best-selling Pad Kra Pao, where it’s served alongside stir-fried beef, chicken or pork.
Lao food is also more “herbaceous” than Thai, Malaivanh says, using fresh herbs like dill, mint, lemongrass and fermented flavors. “It’s a distinct flavor, bold flavors,” she adds, including fresh kaffir lime leaf in the popular Green Curry Chicken.
The Yum Seen Nam Tok has also gained a local following. Something of a “beef salad,” it contains pan-seared beef in a mix of cilantro, mint, onion, lime juice, fish sauce and chili.
Be prepared for the spice. “I’m not holding back,” says Bo, who came to Amarillo from Laos in 1981. “No kick, no flavor.” Yes, he’ll gladly provide low-spice options to match local preferences, but authentic Lao cuisine makes ample use of peppers—especially Thai chilies. Little Laos goes through around 10 pounds of Thai chili pepper a week. With a variety of spice levels, the couple says its Lao Papaya Salad is probably the best way to experiment with heat.
The maximum level, “Lao Spice,” is not for the faint of heart.
The Sixth Street location means a diverse clientele, from local residents to travelers along Route 66, and the Kayakones have served patrons from as far away as France and Russia. “We are very careful about our dishes,” Malaivanh says. “A critique could be worldwide, so we have to be at the top of our game.”
3811 SW Sixth Ave.
806.803.0373
