I now live closer to Big Orange Midtown, which means I’ll probably be going there to eat and drink more often. And since this blog is pretty much a chronicle of my daily food escapades, you’ll also probably see a slight uptick in me writing about Big Orange.

There’s much to like about the restaurant. It’s taken my fair share of praise and criticism in the past, but, all and all,  the burgers are solid, the fries are excellent, the bar is one of the best in town, and the service is usually pretty spot-on.

It’s also a perfect spot to take out-of-town guests who have kids. Why? Because it has a fun, festive atmosphere and you know everyone can find something on the menu to enjoy. That’s why I suggested we eat there last night for our group of nine.

No surprise, Big Orange was a hit with my friends. Almost everyone ordered burgers, but I once again opted for my go-to menu item … the Thai Chop. It rarely, if ever, disappoints, mainly because of the perfect combination of ingredients. Romaine lettuce, red peppers, tomato, raw jalapeno, cilantro and toasted peanuts … all tied together with a sweet and salty ginger-soy vinaigrette.

Oh, and the chunks of rib-eye, cooked to a requested medium rare.

Besides the taste, what I enjoy most about this salad is how well the ingredients are prepped. From the super thinly sliced jalapeno to the tiny pieces of red pepper to the crushed peanuts, the Thai Chop is a wonderfully executed salad.

I washed it all down with a Lost Forty Hef. No complaints.

All told, it was an excellent dinner last night at Big Orange Midtown.