Dee Dee - Review - South Austin - Austin - The Infatuation
"One does not simply walk up to Dee Dee—it requires a bit of planning and knowing exactly what you want to eat a few hours ahead of time. This trailer parked at Radio Coffee & Beer in South Austin is available exclusively by pre-order, but with just a little bit of patience and foresight, you’ll be able to eat some of the best papaya salad, moo ping, and laab in town. The small menu only features about 10 items—dessert and pickles included—but just use that opportunity to really familiarize yourself with a few Northeastern Thai staples. It’s located on the patio of Radio—one of our favorites in Austin—so you’ll be able to order beer, wine, coffee, and cocktails in an attempt to tame some of the intense spice from your second helping of papaya salad. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel Food Rundown photo credit: Richard Casteel Isaan Som Tom You can get a very good classic papaya salad or a spicier, funkier version with fermented fish sauce and salted crab shells. And as long as you can handle the tear-inducing spice that accompanies the latter, it’s absolutely the way to go. photo credit: Richard Casteel Moo Ping This is our favorite moo ping in town. These skewers are tender and juicy, with charred and crispy edges. The meat is rich, savory, and slightly sweet, and the tamarind dipping sauce adds a nice, tart bite. photo credit: Richard Casteel Laab Another very spicy dish. The minced pork really soaks up the fish sauce, Thai chili, and lime that make up the base of the sauce, and the roasted rice powder adds a bit of much-needed crunch to the mix. photo credit: Richard Casteel Mango Sticky Rice The perfect ending to a spicy meal. And Dee Dee’s version absolutely delivers. The mango is consistently at its peak ripeness, and the coconut milk sticky rice is sweet and creamy." - Nicolai McCrary
