Deadfish… While it might not sound like the most appetizing name for a Thai food concept, Pittsburgh’s hottest (perhaps literally!) pop-up has attracted a loyal following of hungry fans who have no problem with the name, as long as chef Isaac William DeBoer and his team keep the spice coming.
Haven’t had a chance to try it yet? Prepare your tastebuds now for flavors you’ve rarely had a chance to try in Pittsburgh: Hoi Phad Nam Phrik Pao (or mussels with coconut milk, chili jam, and basil), red pork ribs with Northern Thai Nam Jim Jaew (a sour and salty tamarind-based sauce), and even Pla Yang Choochee (smoked butterfish with choochee curry and rice).
In the past, Deadfish has taken over the kitchens of popular Pittsburgh foodie joints such as Soju, Bar Marco, Brick Shop, Vivo Kitchen, and more as well as appearing with a more casual, street food-focused menu at Coven Brewing, but no matter where they’re cooking, the Deadfish crew aren’t playing around when it comes to flavor.
Even if you’re a Thai food connoisseur, there’s a very good chance that Deadfish has a few menu items that are new to your palate, such as Gaeng Panaeng, a traditional red curry from central Thailand, and Khanom Jin Sao Nam, which is a cold rice noodle dish with pineapple, ginger, Thai spices, coconut, and shrimp “floss.”
Deadfish occasionally pops up with prix fixe menus with six or more courses – obviously including a dessert, which is often flavored with durian that you won’t soon forget – that attracts dedicated foodies from the ‘Burgh (and often sells out quickly).
In fact, Deadfish’s Guest Chef Farm Dinner at Churchview Farm in New Homestead is already sold out – for nine months from now! That’s right, their 9/3 dinner is already full. (Now THAT’S some serious hype!)
So, where can you find Deadfish next? Currently, the concept is popping up on Monday nights at Scratch & Co. on Lowrie Street in Troy Hill, always with tasty Thai dishes and often with Thai-inspired beverages to sip as well.
Of course, the nature of pop-ups means you could find Deadfish somewhere new soon (rumor has it… their own location?!), so make sure you’re following @deadfish.pgh on Instagram for all the latest updates on where you can savor the spice for yourself!
