Thai Food Owensboro has relocated from Carter Road to 2601 W. Parrish Avenue, boasting the same fresh food in a modernized environment. Owner Nang Crowe first opened the establishment in 2017 and is ecstatic to grow her operation at the new location.
The new spot boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen significantly more extensive than her previous one, ample parking and road frontage, multiple bars, and more. Crowe said that business has grown since relocating, and the addition of a drive-thru is also a perk.
“I think my customers seem to enjoy the new spot better, and we are more visible from the main road,” Crowe said. “We have much more seating, and we have plans to offer even more services.”
The restaurant is in the process of obtaining a liquor license and has aspirations to begin serving drinks at its full-service bar accentuated by a large flat-screen television. They also have a shorter bar that previously served as a sushi bar that they want to convert to a breakfast bar.
Crowe moved to Owensboro in 1999, maintaining multiple factory jobs and serving her home-cooked meals to anyone with an appetite for authentic Thai food. Her first break came when she set up a booth at the First Presbyterian Church Multicultural Festival on Griffith Avenue a few years back.
“I began cooking for the festival and had several customers ask me when I was going to open a restaurant,” she said. “I didn’t want to go back to a factory and needed something to do. They left me inspired to open the restaurant.”
That same year, Crowe set up a food stand at the Dust Bowl, and she said she now collects customers from both events every year. Her greatest joy is seeing satisfaction in others when they consume her food.
“I enjoy when customers love my food – I get proud,” she said. “I want more customers to come in from the area and try my food. I want to educate them on the cuisine.”
Crowe said her customers range from intrigued wanderers to Vietnam War veterans desiring to experience the cuisine again. She said it’s also common for travelers and missionaries returning home from Thailand to visit her and fill their void for authentic Thai food.
Thai Food Owensboro’s menu features a variety of proteins ranging from pork and beef to chicken and fish along with a wide array of fresh vegetables and spices. Crowe grows many of the vegetables and herbs in her own garden while sourcing other produce from local suppliers.
She said there is a misconception that all Thai food is spicy, and that they happily offer varying spiciness levels based on consumer preference. They use a 0-5 rating scale that allows patrons to adjust their spiciness desire for every dish on the menu.
For more information on Thai Food Owensboro, visit them on Facebook here.
