Editor's note: This article—which is included in our March 2020 print edition—was reported before state and county orders prevented restaurants from serving dine-in customers. As of March 26, Thai Spice Asian Gourmet is offering takeout, curbside service and delivery through GrubHub, UberEats, Doordash and Postmates.

For 12 years, Vim Ferrer, the owner of Katy’s Thai Spice Asian Gourmet, said he has been fortunate to build meaningful relationships with his customers through conversations, memorizing their orders and sometimes watching their children grow.

“Being a restaurant owner in Katy, although at times challenging, is also amazing,” Ferrer said. “We have the best customers, and I recognize nearly everyone who walks through our doors and love meeting all of our new customers as well.”

Thai Spice Asian Gourmet features traditional recipes, such as pad thai, curry and mango desserts.

Ferrer opened the eatery in August 2008, and he said the challenging part of owning a restaurant in Katy is the changing landscape. “When we first opened, there was only one other Thai restaurant in Katy and only a handful more of other Asian restaurants,” Ferrer said. “It feels like hundreds of restaurants have opened in the past year alone.”


He added regular customers still visit his restaurant but not as often because there are many more Asian dining options available.

Although his restaurant is a franchise born in Bellaire in 1995, Ferrer said the Katy location is a true family business operated by several members of his immediate and extended family including his wife, brother, parents, sister-in-law, cousin, godson and daughter.

“It was not my intention to be in the restaurant business, but something that I had become passionate about after spending so many years in the business,” Ferrer said.

Thai Spice Asian Gourmet


1420 S. Mason Road, Ste. 170, Katy

281-574-1500

www.thaispice.com

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.