Round Rock restaurant builds loyal customer base with authentic Thai cuisine

When Jack Jirananda took over ownership of Thai Spoon in 2010 he set forth two goals: maintain the restaurant's loyal customer base, and integrate more authentic Thai dishes and ingredients into the menu.

To date, Jirananda believes his shift toward authentic recipies appears to be working as the restaurant continues to enjoy a strong local following.

"The advantage was we didn't have to start new relationships with new customers," Jirananda said. "We have done a good job of keeping the original recipes and adding new things."

All of the dishes at Thai Spoon are made to order and adjusted to the customer's taste preferences. Jirananda said the restaurant also offers a selection of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes.

Another aspect of Thai Spoon Jirananda has worked to promote is a family-friendly atmosphere, which he said is at the root of the authentic Thai dining experience.

"The way we eat in Thailand is called 'family style,' with three main dishes," Jirananda said. "We have a soup, a curry and a stir-fry vegetable, and we all share."

Jirananda co-owns, manages and prepares the food at Thai Spoon with his wife, cousin and sister-in-law. Jirananda studied hotel management in Thailand prior to moving to Austin in 2002, where he learned the restaurant trade while working at Satay Restaurant in Austin. By 2010, Jirananda said he was ready to own and operate his own establishment.

By chance, Jirananda was introduced to the original owners of Thai Spoon, who founded the restaurant in 2007.

"I came [to Round Rock] and found this restaurant by chance," Jirananda said. "I liked the atmosphere—it made me feel like home."

Since taking over, Jirananda and his family have placed an emphasis on customer satisfaction by being flexible with seasoning and diet requests, he said.

"We have tried to adapt and adjust the taste and flavors to make it more authentic," Jirananda said. "Our first goal is to maintain our customers and then add more authentic meals."

Customer Laura Rost said she has been a patron of Thai Spoon since the restaurant first opened and enjoys the food now more than ever.

"I love everything I eat here," Rost said.

A chiropractor by trade, Rost said she refers customers to Thai Spoon because of the restaurant's willingness to adapt menu items to individual customers' tastes and needs.

"[The staff] take the time to guide [customers] on the menu," Rost said. "They make you feel like you are family here—like you are stepping into a Thai family."

Dining Thai style

Thai Spoon co-owner Jack Jirananda said traditional dining in Thailand features a communal eating experience in which dishes are shared. Some of the featured authentic Thai drinks, appetizers, soups and entrees offered at Thai Spoon include:

• Yum nua ($10.95) — A salad combined with sliced beef, chili, cucumber, tomatoes and shallots topped with cilantro and scallion
• Thai tea ($2.50) — The tea features a combination of black tea, cream and sugars layered in a tall glass
• Traditional dessert combination ($5.25) — Sweet sticky rice with ice cream (coconut, mango or Thai tea) with battered and fried bananas, all topped with honey and sesame seeds
• Satay ($6.50) — A traditional appetizer of chicken skewers marinated in mild curry and coconut milk, served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad
• Tom yum ($3.95 chicken/$4.50 shrimp) — An authentic Thai soup and one of Thai Spoon's most popular items; the spicy sour soup comes with mushroom, onion, cilantro and scallions plus the choice of chicken or shrimp
• Pad cashew nut ($10.95) — A traditional dinner plate of stir-fried chicken, beef, pork or tofu with fresh onion, celery, bell pepper, carrot, water chestnut and cashew in a chili jam sauce

3720 Gattis School Road, Ste. 400, Round Rock, 512-733-2233, www.thaispoonrestaurant.com

• Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.
• Fri. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10 p.m.
• Sat. 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m.
• Sun. 5–9 p.m.