By GLENN KAHL

209 staff reporter

T.K. Kaewma and his wife Joy have opened the My Thai Cuisine restaurant in Ripon’s Save Mart Shopping Center drawing much of their business from the word of mouth of returning diners including Greg and Alma Decorte who rave about the delicacies they enjoy.

T.K. came from Thailand some 18 years ago and his wife from Laos – running a second restaurant in Tracy as well as working with her husband and his staff in Ripon.  The Ripon eatery has a staff of six to serve the Ripon public.  T.K. said about 20 percent of his business comes from Highway 99 travelers with the remainder coming from the Ripon community.

He spoke highly of the Riponites saying they are “the best” and telling how much he enjoys serving them in his dining room for lunch and for dinner from his 73-item menu.

The ambiance in the restaurant is “very Thai” with silk pillows on the table benches in the center of the dining room with orange and copper contrasting colors and mahogany chairs.  A TV displays the history of Thailand.

Ripon Chef John Mangelos – a connoisseur of fine foods – noted that Ripon diners appear to like the red curry along with the pumpkin curry dishes along with Pad Thai, a noodle pan fried rice noodle served with prawns and chicken tofu.

The restaurant is open daily including Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with a menu including lunch entrees, appetizers, salads, soups, from the grill, noodles and fried rice to Thai curries, sautéed style, seafood and chef’s suggestions that include Crispy Eggplant with Seafood with a price topping out at $15.95.

For dessert they serve something seen by their diners as very special, “Fried bananas with coconut ice cream.”

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.