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You'd think this venerable Williamsburg hangout would've become passé by now, with the dozens of bars and eateries that have sprung up since it opened at its current location back in the neighborhood's dark ages (the late 90s). But people from all over the borough and beyond still flock to Planet Thailand for its quick service, arty industrial digs, and reliably tasty and frugally priced meals. The spacious entryway bar, decked out in cool concrete floors, super-high ceilings, and whimsical wine-bottle chandeliers—and a leaky-rowboat sculpture above the steps to the main dining room—is a draw, too, as is the better-stocked, less-crowded bar at the often overlooked Berry St. entrance. The prodigious menu tends toward Bangkok Thai staples prepared with a minimum of flair; the silky, citrus-tinged calamari rings in the spicy squid salad starter could use more spice, but the light sauce in the shrimp peanut curry is a welcome change from the gloppiness that plagues Thai peanut curries elsewhere. There's also a full selection of sushi and Japanese hibachi entrées (the steak resembles stew meat, but the scallops are truly succulent), underscoring why Planet Thailand continues to thrive: There's something here for practically everyone. — Mark Holcomb

Spicy squid salad, $5; shrimp peanut curry, $10