Best Thai Express

Best Thai Express sits in the Cooks Corner area of Brunswick and does the kind of straightforward, vibrant Thai food that keeps people coming back. The lunch crowd knows about the deal: appetizer, main, and drink for $14.50. Regulars swear by the curries, noodle soups, and fried rice, and the kitchen moves fast without cutting corners on freshness.

• Lunch special: appetizer, entree, drink for $14.50
• Consistent freshness; vegetables come bright and crisp
• Tom yum noodle soup and drunken noodles are standouts
• Fast service, no long waits during peak hours

Start with the fried Brussels sprouts or summer rolls. For the lunch special, order the spicy basil fried rice with chicken or the drunken noodles. If you're staying for dinner, the yellow curry with chicken and crispy pork belly is worth the price, and khao soi (the northern Thai noodle dish) keeps people coming back. Thai iced coffee or Thai tea for dessert.

Small, no-frills dining room where the focus is on quick turnover and getting food out. It's casual and a little loud during lunch.

Guests consistently praise the freshness and portion size, especially at lunch. One regular swears by the tom yum noodle soup, calling it "the best thing ever." A recent visitor described it as "the best meal we've had the entire month in the area."