IWNA Issue 1, 2019

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2018 Tavistock Restaurants, LLC; Sticky Rice
THE SETTING: Located in an unas-
suming strip mall about 10 minutes
from downtown Orlando, Sticky Rice
operates as a counter-service eatery,
with a handful of long, wooden tables
and metal stools. A mural of a three-
headed elephant is painted along one
of the concrete walls inside the restau-
rant, symbolic of both Buddhism and
the Laotian national animal. Rolls of
paper towels are placed as table cen-
terpieces so patrons can eat freely with
their hands.
THE MENU: The selection of small
plates is perfect for sharing and trying a
variety of Laotian favorites — and every-
thing is under $10! The go-to here is
the restaurant’s namesake dish, which is
served with two dips: jaew bong (a sweet
chili paste with pork skin) and jaew som
(an acidic lime and chili sauce). You also
can include sticky rice with other menu
items, or opt for crisp lettuce wraps — for
the laab gai (chopped chicken with herbs),
for example. Lemongrass pork sausage,
beef meatball skewers marinated in a
sweet chili sauce, spicy papaya salad,
and pork tapioca dumplings are all a
must-try. For dessert, choose between the
mango sticky rice topped with coconut
cream, or sweet purple rice served in a
bamboo stem with coconut gelato.
THE PARTICULARS: Sticky Rice is open
every Monday through Saturday, from
11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sundays
from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more
information, call 321-800-6532.
O-Town EATS
Trade in chopsticks for your hands at Sticky Rice, a Laotian street-food
joint that serves traditional Southeast Asian cuisine in paper boats.
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