Dining
BY ETHAN THOMAS
Pad Kra Prow ( $18 ) with fried cat sh ( +$2 ) is served with rice, and your choice of protein—topped with a fried egg.
The soft shell crab starter ( $11 ) is coated with panko breadcrumbs and spices, served with creamy soy sauce and Thai Isan’s house-made spicy crab sauce.
ETHAN THOMAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
Fusion eatery o ers Thai classics with a Texas twist Thai Isan mixes spicy, traditional Thai dishes with the down-home smoke of locally beloved Lone Star favorites like brisket and cat sh. The background On the menu The menu leans on sauces, many of which are prepared in-house daily, including the pad Thai sauce, Ratajik said.
Owners Suriyawadee Phapa and Todd Ratajik opened Thai Isan House in March 2025.
“It just makes for a really fresh avor pro le in almost all of our dishes,” Ratajik said. “It’s pretty cool to have daily sauces that just come out tasting super fresh and delicious.” Texas in uences are woven throughout the menu. Brisket appears in egg rolls and curries, and house-breaded cat sh o ers another local protein. A Pad Kra Prow base with your choice of protein, and a crispy fried soft-shell crab, rounds out some of the standout options.
The concept was born at home, when Co-owner Suriyawadee Phapa began cooking traditional Thai dishes that quickly impressed her husband and business partner, Todd Ratajik. After nearly a year of recipe testing, Thai Isan opened in March 2025. Both owners have lived in Texas for 12 years and wanted to tailor the menu to re ect the region they now call home, Ratajik said. Ratajik handles much of the front-of-house work, and the kitchen is led entirely by Phapa. “Her in uence is unbelievable, and she’s a monster in the kitchen,” Ratajik said.
N
596 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels www.thaiisanhouse.com
Your New Smile Starts Here! LOVE YOUR SMILE AGAIN If you’ve been thinking about fixing your smile, worn teeth, old crowns, missing teeth, or cosmetic concerns, NOW is the time. We combine advanced digital technology with personalized care to design smiles that look natural, confident, and uniquely you. You deserve to smile without hesitation. CALL US for a Complimentary Smile Strategy Session 830-625-7611 (Includes 3D digital scan & personalized treatment plan) SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE
33
NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook