Valerie Phillips, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Kaysville isn’t known for Thai food, and that’s why owner Winai Ketbot opened W Thai Chef there.

“When I was looking for a place, I realized there was no Thai here. I saw there was Chinese, but no Thai,” he said. “Also, I like the small-town feeling here.”

After remodeling the space on 2nd North that was formerly Sweet Cakes Bakery, Ketbot opened for business at the end of January.

So far, it seems that the locals are hungry for Thai food.

“I just opened a few weeks ago, and a lot of people already know about it and are coming in, without any marketing or advertising,” he said. “It’s spreading through word of mouth.”

Valerie Phillips, Special to the Standard-Examiner

The “W” stands for his first name, Winai. Originally from Thailand, he came to Utah in 2002 as a Buddhist missionary. He earned a degree from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas from 2005-2006. Then he worked at his mother’s restaurant, Pad Thai in Layton, with his brother.

“At that time, I also had the Thai Market right next door,” Ketbot said.

He decided to open his own restaurant because “I love cooking and want to succeed in my own business. I believe my cooking will be delicious for a customer.”

The space is cozy, with seating for about 18 people. But much of the business is takeout, Ketbot said.

Customers place their orders and pay through a self-service kiosk near the front counter.

Valerie Phillips, Special to the Standard-Examiner

One important detail: While placing the order, there’s a “special instructions” area where the customer can — and probably should –write in their desired heat level.

“A lot of people are scared of Thai food because they think it’s very spicy,” Ketbot said. “We rate the heat on a 1-10 scale. People can write down if they want mild or hot, it’s their choice. We can adjust anything to their heat level.”

The menu is filled with Thai classics. “We kept the menu small so we could execute it well,” Ketbot said. “We also have gluten-free and vegetarian choices.”

One of his signature dishes is Pad Ka Pao — a spicy stir-fry with a choice of protein (chicken, tofu, pork, beef, shrimp or a combination), plus basil, bell pepper and onion. It’s served with a mound of rice topped with a “crisp” fried egg.

The papaya salad is one of his own creations. It’s a mix of papaya, carrot, peanuts, green beans and lime juice. You can also get a pork or beef salad, which both have tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green onion, lettuce, lime juice and carrot.

Valerie Phillips, Special to the Standard-Examiner

And, there’s Pad Thai, the stir-fried rice noodle dish that most Americans are familiar with. The noodles are mixed with green onion, egg and bean sprouts.

One of the best-sellers is Drunken Noodles, with egg, onion, carrot, basil, bell pepper, broccoli and tomato, over rice noodles. (Despite the “drunken” name, no alcohol is involved.) “It’s very popular,” Ketbot said. “We put a lot of vegetables in it.”

There are several versions of fried rice, each with a choice of protein. Chicken, tofu and pork are $9.95; beef and shrimp, $11.95; and the combo of beef, chicken and pork is $13.95. Thai fried rice has onion, green onion, egg, peas and carrot. Basil fried rice is spicy, with onion, green onion, egg, pea, carrot, basil and bell pepper. Pineapple fried rice has onion, green onion, egg, pineapple, peas, carrot and cashews.

You’ll also find two soups — Tom Yum Shrimp and Tom Kha Chicken — and three curries: red, green or pineapple. Both the red and green curry have bamboo shoots, basil, zucchini and bell pepper. The pineapple curry has pineapple and basil. Once again, you can order your choice of protein.

One of the most popular appetizers are Golden Bags — wonton wrappers stuffed with cream cheese. Also known as “money bags” or “golden purses,” Ketbot said these are a tradition at Thai family parties and celebrations, and can be stuffed with crab or other ingredients.

“It’s for success, a lucky food,” he said. “I make them myself.”

For dessert, there’s sticky rice with mango (Khao Niaow Ma Muang). It’s sweetened and flavored with coconut milk for a satisfying finale.

IF YOU GO

Location: 237 W. 200 North, Kaysville

Contact: 801-544-6599

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Price range: $5-$13.95

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