Chaang Thai has been a favorite lunch spot of mine for many years now. Nestled next to the Metropolitan Theater on High Street, it is a short walk from my place of work. But the frequency of my visits to Morgantown’s original (and best, in my opinion) Thai restaurant is due to more than just geographical convenience.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, so I don’t have the frustrating experience of walking over with a deep craving for dumplings, only to discover that the purveyor is closed. Once I overcame the typical discomfort I experience when learning to use new technology, the ordering kiosks at the front of the restaurant allowed me to start placing my orders in a speedy fashion. I appreciate the budget-friendliness of the menu and often take advantage of the discount offered to customers paying with cash.
The menu is very accommodating to people like me who enjoy flavors found in Thai cuisine but would prefer not to experience the upper echelons of the Scoville Scale during a weekday lunch. Most dishes are available in nine levels of spiciness, while some get bonus levels of spice. The Drunken Noodles, for example, can be made at spicy level 75, or “Bangkok Street Hot.” I have plateaued at spicy level 3 with no immediate plans to advance, but I deeply appreciate that this barely-there level is termed “Legit.” The menu contains many vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options. These dishes are flavorful and filling, unlike the paltry salads that some other restaurants offer to customers with dietary restrictions.
However, due to the plethora of peanuts in Thai cuisine, those with nut allergies should use caution.
The servers at Chaang Thai are prompt, allowing me to spend my lunch break eating delicious food at a leisurely pace. I often sit close to the large windows that face High Street, but some days I need to be farther from the hustle and bustle. There is a lovely outdoor seating area tucked behind the restaurant, hemmed in by large brick buildings on either side. It feels private and quiet, an oasis of calm in the middle of a busy downtown area.
No matter where I sit during my time at Chaang Thai, I always return to my office satisfied and very glad I made the trip. I also feel grateful that the servings are so generous, because then I can look forward to the leftovers for lunch the next day.
