All-Drag Queen Staff Serves Thai Food in NW. No. Seriously.

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Photography by Byron Beck

To reiterate: Drag queens. are acting as the full-time waitstaff. at Oasisba, an Asian fusion restaurant and bar that recently — ahem — transitioned from a former life as the more-traditional Thai restaurant Sweet Basil. (Just a week ago, the restaurant posted signs hinting at a changing of the guard from restaurant to lounge, promising "spicy entertainment" on the menu. That statement has now changed to the more descriptive "gender illusionists.")

The just-outside-the-Pearl location (across the street from the Mission Theater) may seem a bit odd for a drag-meets-Asian food spot, but Oasisba's staff features famous-in-LA queens ChiChi and Chonga (famous for live-rapping to Salt N Pepa), among others, performing sets in between food service — every hour, on the hour. Also: The lengthy cocktail menu features Thai iced tea with Maker's Mark, which is kind of life-changing. Also: Drag queens serving Asian food. Then lip-synching to Kylie and/or a track from Dreamgirls. Then refilling your water glass. Brilliant.
· Oasisba [Official site]
· All Previous Drag Queen Coverage [Eater PDX - this link will go nowhere]