Bites Nearby: Great Food and Great Prices at Cida Thai

Nothing is better than discovering a little hole in the wall place. Restaurants found in strip malls usually get a bad rap, especially with a laundromat directly next door. Cida Thai rises above the strip mall stereotype and provides a charming and affordable dining experience.

Located at 5435 LaGrange Road in Countryside, Cida Thai offers some delicious Thai dishes without breaking the bank. This establishment is B.Y.O.B with no corking fee—a rare find in the Western suburbs! An added bonus is Cida Thai is also next to a liquor store, so if you forget your wine or beer, you won't be out of luck.

This is a small place, yet you don't feel crowded. The service is low key and friendly—smiles and all. The owner is usually perched on a chair overseeing the patrons, servers and kitchen. This place, for lack of a better word, is cute.

Cida Thai changes their tablecloths and M&M centerpieces to coordinate with whatever holiday or season it is. It's always bright and happy and how can you go wrong with an M&M centerpiece?

The lunch menu prices are in the same ballpark as many of the drive thru restaurants on LaGrange Road. The upside to dining at Cida Thai is that it is a healthier alternative and the ingredients are always fresh.

If you're a fan of ultra spicy food, you have to specifically tell your server that's how you like it. Many of the dishes are made on the milder side, but if you like jalapenos in your food, ask and they will gladly add them. You can also substitute many of the dishes with your choice of meat, including tofu, which is nice if you're a vegetarian.

Is this going to be a mind blowing Thai food experience? No. But it is a great find in the Western suburbs and you can't beat the price!