Pawit’s Royal Thai Cuisine
A grand opening for a restaurant is usually a quiet affair. A few friends of the restaurant owners show up and they give tours of the kitchen. When Pawit opened his new restaurant, however, it was filled with people, eager to once again eat his delicious food. It was a raging success!
Pawit had been a partner at Thai Garden, but when the business arrangement went sour, he searched for a restaurant to call his own. When he left Thai Garden, the food quality dimished rapidly, so all his loyal customers have been waiting for months for his new restaurant to open up.
Pawit is a perfectionist in the best sense of the word. Not only does the kitchen need to be immaculately clean (take a tour and you’ll feel as if a doctor could perform surgery in his kitchen), but the rest of the restaurant needs to be beautiful. The grand opening of Pawit’s Royal Cuisine was nothing short of artwork.
He had a small staff the opening night and the restaurant was full, so our meal took a couple of hours to complete. We were happy to wait because it was the first time in months that we were able to eat his delicious Massaman Curry and Num Tok Salad. We sipped our Thai Iced Teas and enjoyed the appetizers.
When the food came, we weren’t disappointed. The curry was spicy and creamy. The Num Tok was a refreshing salad of beef and mint. The sticky rice was perfect. The mango and sweet sticky rice was moist and delicious. Once we asked Pawit how he found the best mangoes and he said, “I go all over the city looking for the best. I found these ones at Costco.” He was so proud of his find. Mike and I can never find fresh mangoes in the city, but Pawit keeps searching until he does.
When you come to Salt Lake City, Utah, you cannot leave until you’ve tried Pawit’s Royal Thai Cuisine. It’s the kind of restaurant that is a testament to Salt Lake City’s diversity.
Pawit’s Royal Thai Cuisine
1968 East Murray- Holladay Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117 Google Map
Phone: 801-277-39658
Hours:
Lunch: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Dinner: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday and Saturday close at 10:00 pm
Closed Sunday
The food quality at Thai Garden never diminished. I am a loyal customer of both restuarants and to be honest the food at Thai garden remains better than Pawit’s by far. the service is better, the spice is better. I think as “loyal customers” visit Pawit’s, they too will realize the best thai in utah is Thai Garden!
Comment by Johnathan — August 17, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
Pawit’s the man!! Yes, indeed, the food at Thai Garden diminished, and at first I didn’t know why. The sauce became watered down, the flavor meter dropped. When I found out that Pawit left, I was searching frantically at each new Thai restaurant to see if it was his. Thank you for letting me know where he went. BTW, he gives the best service anywhere.
Comment by Tyler — October 7, 2006 @ 9:36 pm
The food NEVER diminished what so ever. I am an extrememly loyal fan of Thai Garden, having befrended the managment. We (my father and I) were once a very good friends of Pawit also, and were helping him get ready for his big opening. Some complications occured between us, however. If you happen to go to Thai Garden, you will notice the many awards they have recieved to show that their food has not diminished in any way. Their food is absolutely amazing and I can honestly say that the food there is probably the best in salt lake. The general atmosphere of thai garden is wonderful too. I am dissapointed that this article puts Thai garden in a bad light.
Comment by sahra — February 25, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Pawit’s Thai is not has amazing food at good prices, the service is absolutely awesome. I cannot pick a favorite dish, its impossible, everything is delicious. I also cannot believe Pawit’s uncanny ability to remember costumers and treat them like family. I highly recommend this place!
Comment by Dana — May 28, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
The food at Thai Garden is much better than at Pawit’s. We are customers of both – but STRONGLY disagree that the quality of food diminished at Thai Garden. It is the original and is VERY GOOD! Pawit’s food is good, too, but it’s a shame he’s building his business in such a bad way.
Comment by Margo — June 11, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
I was a loyal customer of Thai Garden while Pawit was there, and when he left, I went back only a few times. I feel that the food it wonderful at both restraunts but I feel that Royal Thai has the better food.
Comment by Chris — July 2, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I realize my last posting a while ago had a typo that made it hard to read. So, i am posting again to restate Pawit and his amazing cuisine. The service is great and food is amazing at very fair prices. Can’t beat that! I do recommend you give it a try, you wont be disappointed!
Comment by Dana — December 27, 2007 @ 4:11 pm