There was a time when visiting Dee Dee meant long, unpredictable waits in exchange for Thai food that would go toe to toe with Hot Ones’ “Da’ Bomb.” Things have changed, and Austin has been bestowed a gift and a curse (well, maybe “curse” is a strong word). These days, Dee Dee operates out of a takeout window at Leona Botanical in South Austin—a picturesque open-air dining area with a few standalone food spots and a shared bar. It’s still a great place for Thai, but it’s not without its quirks. Let’s start with the downsides. Leona’s parking is a mess—the lot fills up quickly, and there’s no overflow neighborhood nearby. The fancy digs also mean prices have gone up a bit, and the never-ending crowd of weekend brunch-goers seems to have nudged Dee Dee toward a slightly broader audience. With more food pouring out of the kitchen in larger batches, some of the punchy flavors and tear-inducing spice levels we loved so much are dialed back. Thankfully, the larger space means that the hour-long waits are gone, and there’s a much longer menu with daily specials. You won’t find pad thai here—instead, you’ll see Northern Thai specialties like minced pork laab and pad ka pow that still manage to pack a lot of flavor into tiny takeout boxes, mostly priced around $17 apiece. Dee Dee might not be the bucket-list destination it once was, but it’s also easier to visit now, assuming you make it out of the parking lot.