If you drive by too fast, you might miss it. Tucked away in a strip mall near the Tacoma Mall is Peanut Sauce Thai Cuisine, a culinary gem located among fast food and chain restaurants. With one of the most extensive Thai menus in Tacoma, as well as having the largest Thai vegetarian and vegan selection, it is worth a visit.

On a recent visit, I was pleased to find two appetizers I haven't seen too often on other Thai menus in town: fried avocado ($6.99) and garlic spareribs ($6.50). You read that right - fried avocado. I don't know how they do it, but it's genius. Crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, this dish is served with a sweet chili sauce and ready for dipping. The pork spareribs were a little tough, but still a nice bite to nibble on.

When deciding between my favorite Thai restaurants, I always order the same dishes at each one to compare the different flavors and techniques. For me, good baseline comparison dishes are pad thai ($7.50) and pad kee mao, or drunken noodles ($7.50). Their pad thai was the perfect balance of sweet and sour, and one of the best I've tried. Although a bit dry, the drunken noodles had good flavor and fresh vegetables.

If the reasonable prices, friendly staff and excellent service don't keep you coming back to Peanut Sauce Thai, come for the endless selection of new dishes to sample.

PEANUT SAUCE THAI CUISINE, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5003 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, 253.475.4889