THIS RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED.
Everyone needs a Sai Mai in his neighborhood. A casual interior, well prepared Thai food and amazing prices make this a dine-in, delivery and carry out (there are often as many people coming in and out to pick up orders as there are dining) favorite of Logan Square residents.

The kitchen shares the same space as the dining area, filling the exposed-brick room with savory aromas. With entrees that average $5.95, skipping an appetizer is a sin. BYOB or sip on a Thai iced tea (a spice-filled tea topped with cream) and order the excellent shu mai, eight bite-size steamed shrimp dumplings served with sour brown sauce. Bypass the average egg rolls for an order of Vietnamese or Thai Spring rolls.

You can't go wrong with much of the extensive roster of entrees. Standouts include the barbequed pork soup, a fit-for-a-meal bowl of homemade roasted BBQ pork, napa cabbage and green onions served over thin egg noodles in an exceptionally flavorful broth, and the rama chicken, steamed chicken and broccoli topped with a homemade peanut sauce. Other options include fried rice, noodle dishes, rice plates and curries, including a tangy sweet and sour pineapple shrimp curry.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Schwartz