Thai Food Paradise in The Desert

By Ramon Chávez

Photo Credit Featured Image: @Kawonderfulfood on Instagram

Bangkok native Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag and her life partner and business Dan Robinson have set the Phoenix food scene ablaze in Central Phoenix with their restaurant Glai Baan. Meaning “far from home” in Thai, Glai Baan specializes in the snacks and food that one might find in Thailand’s capital of Bangkok and the Northern Region of Thailand.

The restaurant’s menu is small but packs a punch with its huge Thai flavors. Must-try dishes include Kanom Jeeb which are juicy steamed pork dumplings full of flavor. The Peek Gai Tod are chicken wings that are fried crunchy perfection and come with a delicious garlic sauce. If you are looking for something more hearty, the Panang Curry is a braised beef curry dish that is made with coconut, peanuts, and chiles that combined create a silky sauce that will blow away your palette.

This quaint spot can be found around 24th street and Osborn Road in Central Phoenix. If you are planning on visiting, it is strongly recommended to call ahead and make a reservation as space and availability are extremely limited. If customers don’t mind waiting and want to walk in, the host will place them on a waitlist and they can enjoy a beer next door at Rewined Bar. The Glai Baan host will call the bar and let them know when a table is available. 

For more information visit the Glai Baan website http://www.glaibaanaz.com/ or their Instagram at @GlaiBaanAZ

Restaurant hours are:

Tuesday thru Thursday

12 PM-9 PM

Friday 12 PM – 12:30 PM 

Saturday 4 PM – 9:30 PM

Closed Sundays and Mondays