There are certain restaurants you expect to pass driving up the 101: kitschy fish taco shacks, Western-themed taverns, and In-N-Outs with 30 cars in the drive-thru line. But a strip mall Thai restaurant with food that rivals LA’s best? That’s a surprise—and why we never pass through Buellton without stopping at Na Na Thai. Located right off the freeway, this casual spot reminds us of LA’s Night + Market: there’s a bright, colorful dining room and bar area adorned with yellow and blue stools, circular tables for big groups, and shelves on every wall packed with various tchotchkes and natural wine. And the food might be even better. Highlights from our last lunch included a creamy coconut chicken salad that tastes like tom ka soup and stir-fried long beans with thick pieces of smoky tofu. By the time the spicy red curry with minced pork and another glass of Austrian riesling arrived, we were already rearranging our dinner plans that night just to try more of the menu.