Excellent "pan Asian cuisine" discovery!

Man, have I got a great recommendation for y'all.

Yesterday, Sarah and I went on a semi-annual shopping trip to Sam's Wholesale Club in Jax for staples, paper goods, bulk spices, etc.

On the way back, we stopped for lunch at a place she had ben raving about. It's a Thai restaurant - wait, it's not just Thai - called "Green Papaya."  It's mostly Thai, but with some Chinese and Vietnamese dishes as well.

It is located in the River City shopping center across I-95 from the Jax Airport. It is across the parking lot in front of the cinema at the very back of the complex.

When you open the door and see the upscale decor, you reflexively want to grab your wallet. However, given the really nice decor, ambiance, and fine china service, the prices are a really pleasant surprize. They offer ten different dishes during their lunch hours from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
The pricing is as follows: All entrees with chicken, beef, pork, or tofu are $7.95; with shrimp, scallops, or squid, $8.95. But trust me, once you take your first bite, price will be the farthest thing from your mind.

 I had the mango chicken for $7.95: "Chicken breast with fresh mangos, onions, peppers, baby corn, carrots, and mango sauce." It comes with your choice of white or brown rice, as do all entrees.  The larger portion of the same dish after 2:30 goes up to $13.00, but still quite reasonable. It does not show it as being spicy on the menu, but the waiter suggsted I try it with "mild" peppers. Good choice. That was without a doubt one of the most excellent Oriental dishes I've ever eaten, including in the Orient. Sarah had the General Tso's Chicken and we split a Crab Rangoon appetizer. It was all excellent. The total bill was $21 and change.

Their menu features 10 appetizers, 7 soups, 4 salads, 4 varieties of fried rice, 4 noodle dishes, 21 entrees, 5 curries, 4 desserts, and an extensive wine list. Everything is cooked to order from fresh ingredients. Reservations are accepted but not necessary.

Hours of operation:
Mon- Thu  11:00 AM - 9:30 PM.
Fri & Sat  11:00Am - 1030PM
Sun 12:00PM -9:30PM

Phone #: (904) 696-8886

Trust me on this one - you will love it!

P.S.,

Our own Raida's is, I'm sorry to say, not even in the same league as those folks.