You’re in Luk Luk

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Like Thai food? Well friends, you’re in Luk Luk. Meet TukTuk Thai BBQ in Moline. I know exactly what attracted me to this fairly new eatery. Was it the word Thai? Generally, as a rule, I will choose Thai almost over any other genre of food in most cases. But if I’m being honest here, while the word “Thai” caught my attention, it was really the leather jacket-wearing, bandana-sporting chicken, driving the Tuk Tuk Taxi on the website. That’s what did it and I’m glad he beckoned me into this fabulous little find because their food is damn tasty, friends.

My first experience with Tuk Tuk was with Megs the Friend. Megs the Friend and I typically lunch at a local Mexican joint where we feast on chips and salsa like the chips and salsa factories are closing forever the next day. Aside from chips and salsa, the main reason we get together is to dish about what’s new in our lives and tell stories about all the people who have driven us nuts since our last lunch where we talked about all the people that drove us nuts. This time, however, after coming across the Tuk Tuk logo and being intrigued by one badass member of the poultry family, I asked her if we could venture out and try something new. She agreed and off we went.

When we got there, we were greeted by a vibrant and friendly hostess, affectionately known as Thai Thai. She welcomed us right in and got busy making us comfortable. I asked her for some recommendations and then ordered the Thai Wontons to kick the meal off. Crispy, golden brown on the outside; warm, curried potato and caramelized onion on the inside. If I actually dropped dead at that table after a bite of that appetizer, I’d leave this world a happy girl because I would have LIVED, friends. I don’t even recall using the dipping sauce- the flavor was so real- sauce would’ve removed the authenticity of it. I think some sauces were invented so Americans would eat stuff. Cheese was made for broccoli. Ketchup was made for fries. Sweet & Sour was made for Asian appetizers. This particular sweet and sour sauce is not your typical sauce- it’s got stuff in it and I have no idea what it is, but it makes it very good. So don’t get me wrong, the sauce is fantastic, but the appetizers don’t need it.

Thai Wontons

Megs the Friend and I were pretty invested in this place at this point. I had the Kang-Karee- a curry with potatoes and carrots in coconut milk. I added chicken because I eat very few meals without meat. This dish is the definition of comfort food. It’s the kind of stew-like meal I’d like to eat curled up on my couch on a rainy day. Megs the Friend agreed- this place is worth adding to the “regular restaurant” menu.

I’ve ordered take-out a few times since that visit and have tried new things each time. Gra Pow Gai Sup- a mix of ground chicken, vegetables, chili and basil- which was the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Not over-the-top spicy, though. It’s comfortable spicy. The kind of spicy where you can still appreciate all the complex flavors but enjoy a little kick. I’ve also had Pad Ka Tiam- a cabbage, broccoli and carrot dish with black pepper and roasted garlic sauce. I added chicken to that too. Also excellent.

But recently, Scott the Hubs and I stopped by on a Saturday night and were greeted with vigor by Thai Thai, who is, by far, one of my favorite restaurant personalities. She is the kindest and most welcoming host and makes you feel like her favorite customer every time she sees you. There is just something special about feeling appreciated and loved by the host at a restaurant.  I feel like I could have the worst day, but a trip to TukTuk could make the world disappear for a little while and give me the strength to face it again when it’s time to leave.

Scott and I had a couple of beers- mine was Chang, a Thai beer that’s got a kind of intense flavor, for a beer, in my opinion. It has a tiny, slight bitter taste to it, but not in an offensive way. It’s more like a compliment. Or like a period at the end of a sentence.

We, of course, had the Thai Wontons and we also had an order of the Thai Rolls. Both were crispy on the outside, full of flavor on the inside. Scott the Hubs liked the lettuce and carrot garnishes so much, he drizzled the sauce I didn’t eat on it and made a side salad. Such a resourceful hottie I have on my arm…

Thai Wontons and Thai Rolls

Scott the Hubs ordered the Pad Ka Tiam and I had the Prik Pow Chili Cashew- all excellent choices. And let me just say this about the presentation…the food is served up in the most beautiful fashion. The dishes are colorful and ornate and food itself is such a blend of beautiful greens, reds and oranges- it’s a piece of art by the time it makes its way to the table. There is talent in this- to satisfy the heart and stomach through eyesight before the food even touches your lips.

Prik Pow Chili Cashew

And the service… I wouldn’t call this fast food, so if you’re in a rush, find a drive-thru. These kinds of meals take worthwhile time and the staff does an outstanding job of keeping up with everyone, giving us time to enjoy our meals without feeling rushed. This is all good, because you’re going to want time to savor every bite.

Sidenote: I had to do a little research on the name while Scott the Hubs and I were waiting for our food. In case you were unaware, a Tuk Tuk is a three-wheeled, motorized vehicle that you will often see on the streets of Thailand. It’s small, it’s versatile and very popular over there. Well. Over there and here in Moline, by a licensed, taxi-driving chicken.

That’s one badass chicken.

So hop on your Harley, climb into your SUV, grab your pogo stick or hail a Tuk Tuk Taxi and get over there to try some of the best Thai food the Quad Cities has to offer. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a massive chicken in the window, giving you the thumbs up.