Originally Posted by
rjque
I find it difficult to get "authentically" spicy food even in Thailand. I think most people see me and automatically assume they need to tone down the spice. Asking for the food "spicy like Thai people like it" often fixes that, but not always.
It often doesn't fix it. There are too many marginal Thai restaurants around my 'hood. I've asked for "spicy, and I mean it" and it usually ended up barely medium in most places. However, there are 2 places that are serious about their spice. One is a one minute walk from home. It was also part of the "inspiration" of this thread, because the owner/chef is quite creative in his dishes, and while many dishes are authentic Thai, many are not, but are excellent. (I have also decided that super really authentic Thai spicy at its peak is a bit above the heat level that I, and my interiors, enjoy.)