Though the Great Wall of China has won the accolades of history, the Great Backscratcher of Thailand, built to reach any itchy corner across the nation, saved more lives than can be counted on a single hand. Feast upon equally ingenious Thai creations with today's Groupon: for $9, you get $20 worth of authentic Thai fare at Summer Canteen in North Hollywood. Summer Canteen serves up an extensive menu of Thai and Burmese fare. Start with an order of the crispy crab and shrimp on soy paper ($9), or opt for a bowl of succulent mussels, bathing in lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and herb-seasoned stock ($9). Summer Canteen’s selection of soups ($6) and noodles, such as the braised short ribs served over vermicelli noodles ($14), or Thai sukiyaki—cellophane noodles leading veggies, egg, and a spicy Sriracha sauce ($9) into a hunger battle—offers comforting culinary companionship. Rice-based meals, such as the shrimp, chicken, and pineapple-sweetened summer fried rice ($9.50), and curry fare ($9+) provide an edible rainbow of Thai tastes.

Summer Canteen boasts a casual, yet chicly urbane atmosphere, and its main dining room is furnished with cool metallic seating juxtaposed against warm wood tabletops and banquettes. A colorful mural presides over the dining area, like a judge over a courtroom full of guilty-looking babies.

Reviews

Summer Canteen has been featured in Grub Street Los Angeles and reviewed by Eater LA. It was also reviewed by My Daily Find and the Tolucan Times. Yelpers give Summer Canteen four stars.

• What makes Summer Canteen so special is its seamless fusion of Thai and other Southeast Asian cooking traditions – all using authentic spices – resulting in surprising flavor combinations. – Joseph Schneider, Tolucan Times
• The comprehensive menu offers a taste of everything: appetizers, soups, salads, noodles, rice, sides, and a few lunch sets. – Kat Odell, Eater LA