Jana’s Thai and Italian Food: West Norman Secret

First off, I have been sick and out of the food game for a week or so now, and had no idea that my partner in crime had reviewed a Thai restaurant just a few days ago.  Guess what, now it’s my turn to review MY favorite Thai joint in town.

Jana’s is a hole in the wall in West Norman, in Robinson Crossing shopping center (by the Dollar Movie).  You’ve probably driven by it and never known that you were within a few feet of incredible Thai food.  Jana’s is not as well known as the other Thai places that are closer to campus.  Jana’s is frequented by a smaller population of loyal customers.  Most frequenters of this place don’t even have to order, as the waitress already knows what you want.  It is the one place in town that I have a “usual,”  which is chicken pad thai, extra chicken, with heat level 10 out of 10…. Yeah I like hot food.

It is hit or miss whether or not the place will be packed.  Today we went at noon and there was only one other table seated when we walked in.  It’s got a really cool low key, under the radar feel inside.  It’s definately not fancy or upscale, and only has about 10 tables inside.

If you are a new customer and DO need to look at a menu, there is a wide range of choices – as the sign says they have both Italian and Thai food.  There is a picture of the menu and the interior of the restaurant on the photos page, so check that out after you finish reading.  I honestly have never tried the Italian food, but have heard good things, and will do a review of it shortly.  The thai food is incredible.  Everything on the Thai menu is much lighter and fresher than anything else in town I’ve tried.  At most places when you clean a plate of Pad Thai, you want to go home and slip into a food coma, but the sauce and ingredients in the Pad Thai at Jana’s will leave you feeling like you’re ready to step into the cage with Randy Couture… Well maybe it doesn’t make you feel like you want to get punched in the face, but you don’t feel as bloated as other places.

The chicken Pad Thai consists of:  Rice noodles, choice of meat, tofu, bean sprouts, green onions, crushed peanuts, egg, peppers – depending on the level of spiciness that you order, and the pad thai sauce, which is a sweet and sour type sauce (mostly sweet).  This combination is an incredible blend of sweet, spicy, sour, oniony, meaty, crunchy, peanutty, greatness.  I prefer my meal with a couple of spoonfulls of Sriracha (or however you spell it) sauce on top to take it from a level 10 to about a 15 to 17 on the heat scale – like I said, I like HOT food!   It really can’t be put into words, you just need to get down there and try it for yourself.

I will give a warning with this review though, once you drag yourself into Jana’s and have some of the Pad Thai, you will become addicted, and you will probably go into the restaurant several times a week.  I have been known to have 4 or 5 meals per week with Jana in the past.  For Real.

I suggest to all the readers that you drive over to Robinson Crossing, at I35 and West Robinson in Norman and give Jana’s a shot.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  The prices are average for a sit-down establishment.  Most meals are in the low to mid $20 range for a couple.

Go check it out soon!  And tell Jana the foodmongers sent you.

-Adam