Order Up is a recurring feature about a staff member’s visit to a local eatery.
I underestimated the Thai restaurant tucked away in a strip mall at Wards Corner in Norfolk. The storefront, near a Dollar Tree, was so unassuming that at first I drove right past it.
Soon, however, my confusion and criticism disappeared.
Ann Thai, open since November 2024, understands how to make Thai comfort food. The restaurant, which appears mainly to serve customers looking for takeout, does have a nice, colorful interior that could fit parties of fewer than 10.
I ordered the mango sticky rice, spring rolls, the crispy chicken panang and Thai tea.
While I waited, I had to pace myself not to finish the tea before my meal arrived. Though I’m from North Carolina, I don’t usually enjoy iced tea, but this was unexpectedly good. With its sweet, milky flavor, it didn’t bear too much resemblance to tea and therefore was perfect to me. The bendy straw it came with was also a plus. For $4.95, I would order this again with any meal.
Thai tea from Ann Thai, accompanied by a bendy straw. (Avery Sloan/The Virginian-Pilot)
Even though the mango sticky rice is listed as a dessert, I was greedy enough to try it first. Mango is one of my top three favorite fruits and white rice is my favorite carbohydrate, so I figured even if this dish wasn’t unique, I would enjoy it. I already had high expectations, but this exceeded them. The mango was one of the most flavorful I’ve ever eaten, and the rice was a perfect texture for this dish. For $9.95, the portion was decent as well, although I could always eat more rice.
The mango sticky rice at Ann Thai in Norfolk. (Avery Sloan/The Virginian-Pilot)
The spring rolls were good but unremarkable. They were crispy and filled to the brim, although I wouldn’t call them a must-order item.
I’d never had crispy chicken panang — and it turned out to be the highlight of my meal. I was getting over a minor illness, and I felt the curry melt away my congestion and open my sinuses. It was comforting, full of flavor and spice.
The curry sauce came on the side, which I was grateful for. Even though the single pepper on the menu indicated a minor level of spice, my palate would not have been able to handle much more despite the coconut milk base. The dish, $16.95, included a generous amount of deep-fried, crispy chicken and white rice.
Chicken panang from Ann Thai includes crispy chicken in a spicy curry sauce with white rice. (Avery Sloan/The Virginian-Pilot)
If you aren’t one to enjoy a dense curry in 80-degree or warmer weather, the menu has a lot that anyone could enjoy, including pad thai, chicken wings and salads. This is a restaurant worth ordering from, though you might need an extra couple of minutes to find it.
Avery Sloan, avery.sloan@virginiamedia.com
If you go
Where: 7647 Granby St., Wards Corner, Norfolk
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday.
Prices: $15 to $25 for most main dishes
Details: Facebook, 757-756-4689
Dining and Cooking