The Best Dishes Eater Chicago Editors Ate This Week: August 15 | Eater Chicago

"Laotian cuisine, outside of services like Laos to Your House, has been more or less nonexistent in Chicago until the recent arrival of a tiny Irving Park restaurant. Featuring a tight menu that blends Laotian and Thai staples, Lao Der is one of the best new spots in town. Even on a hot summer day, I couldn't resist ordering the khao piek sen — Laotian chicken noodle soup. The comforting bowl of chicken broth (I also added chili oil for some spice) teeming with rice noodles, chicken, chicken meatballs, onions, cilantro, and fried shallots was just what I needed after a long day. The friendly and attentive staff are happy to walk you through all of the offerings, but as for me, I can't wait to return on a cold day for more chicken noodle soup." - Jeffy Mai