Which of two top Vancouver spots for casual Thai eats is really using their noodle(s)?
It's up to you to decide, as the Pad Thai Throwdown is on this month, pitting sibling restaurants Sen Pad Thai in Vancouver and Longtail in New West against each other in a competition full of sizzle and spice.
Now in its second year, the friendly rivalry between the restaurants - both owned by award-winning Vancouver chef and restaurateur Angus An - launched November 7, which happens to be World Pad Thai Day.
Over the two-week run of the battle, customers are encouraged to visit both Sen Pad Thai and Longtail and order each restaurant's showcase Pad Thai. Then, diners can vote on their favourite and help determine which of the two has the ultimate Pad Thai dish.
As a delicious bonus, one voter will win the grand prize: A full year of Pad Thai, redeemable at both restaurants.
The first 50 guests to submit a completed stamp card showing they tried the Throwdown noodles at Sen Pad Thai and Longtail will receive this year's competition t-shirt for free. (The shirt is also available for purchase.)
The competition ends on Nov. 21, and only guests who dine at both locations and complete their stamp cards and submit them for the draw will be entered.
Headed to Sen Pad Thai in Vancouver? The bustling Granville Island Public Market stall's Chef Max Khuntong is dishing up Pad Thai BBQ Pork Ribs ($24) with hot tamarind sauce and classic Pad Thai rice noodles.
Meanwhile, reigning champ Chef Alex Lim at Longtail at the River Market in New West has Pad Thai Chaiya ($21), featuring grilled tiger prawns and taro crisps.
“It’s great to see our chefs get creative in the kitchen. Chefs Alex and Max have outdone themselves, and we look forward to having our guests give their new Pad Thai creations a try," said Angus An, founder and executive chef of Full House Hospitality, which counts Maenam, Longtail Kitchen, Sen Pad Thai, and Fat Mao Noodles in its restaurant portfolio, in the Throwdown's official announcement.
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