Toy's Thai Café
The corner of College and Mason Street holds one of the most authentic culinary gems in Fort Collins. Founded in 1993, Toy’s Thai Café boasts a robust Thai menu with everything from the familiar Pad Thai to the more adventurous Yellow Curry. Nong and Lek are the husband and wife duo that decided to open the restaurant 20 years ago and pride themselves in preparing authentic Thai food for American customers.
In 1990, Nong and Lek came out to America with hopes of escaping the loud and busy lifestyle in Bangkok, Thailand. They made their way to Fort Collins and decided that they would bring traditional Thai food to their new American audience.
“We try to keep everything authentic,” Nong said. “Everything is authentic Thai. The only change we have had to make for Americans is using fewer spicy ingredients. Americans can’t handle spicy food as well as Thai people.”
The authenticity of Toy’s Thai Café is a rarity these days. Instead of soft drinks, Toy’s offers customers water, Thai tea, or Thai coffee and all of the recipes used have been passed down to Lek through years of tradition. It’s this unique assortment of food that has caught the eye of critics and food lovers alike.
In 1990, Nong and Lek came out to America with hopes of escaping the loud and busy lifestyle in Bangkok, Thailand. They made their way to Fort Collins and decided that they would bring traditional Thai food to their new American audience.
“We try to keep everything authentic,” Nong said. “Everything is authentic Thai. The only change we have had to make for Americans is using fewer spicy ingredients. Americans can’t handle spicy food as well as Thai people.”
The authenticity of Toy’s Thai Café is a rarity these days. Instead of soft drinks, Toy’s offers customers water, Thai tea, or Thai coffee and all of the recipes used have been passed down to Lek through years of tradition. It’s this unique assortment of food that has caught the eye of critics and food lovers alike.
Awards and Recognition
My Toy's Thai Café Experience
As I entered Toy’s Thai Café, I felt immediately warm and welcome – despite the fact that it was -2 degrees outside. I noticed the traditional Thai art that lined the walls as gentle music floated about the restaurant. Nong sat at the front of the restaurant and welcomed me with a smile when I stepped through the door.
Nong and Lek are not only the owners, but the only employees as well. When they came to take our order, my girlfriend and restaurant companion ordered the Chicken Pad Thai (narrow rice noodle stir-fry with eggs, chicken, fresh bean sprout, green onions and ground peanuts on top), which I was told is a favorite among American customers. I chose to go a less traditional route by ordering the Pad-See-Ew, which is stir-fried wide rice noodles, broccoli, carrots, eggs in a black soy sauce.
Our food was ready in about five minutes and served to us with the option of forks or chopsticks. I wolfed my portion down immediately and started looking around more. The service was friendly and Nong was more than happy to talk about his restaurant, his food and his heritage with me. Toy’s Thai Café is an affordable restaurant with a friendly atmosphere that serves delicious food and I highly recommend it.
Nong and Lek are not only the owners, but the only employees as well. When they came to take our order, my girlfriend and restaurant companion ordered the Chicken Pad Thai (narrow rice noodle stir-fry with eggs, chicken, fresh bean sprout, green onions and ground peanuts on top), which I was told is a favorite among American customers. I chose to go a less traditional route by ordering the Pad-See-Ew, which is stir-fried wide rice noodles, broccoli, carrots, eggs in a black soy sauce.
Our food was ready in about five minutes and served to us with the option of forks or chopsticks. I wolfed my portion down immediately and started looking around more. The service was friendly and Nong was more than happy to talk about his restaurant, his food and his heritage with me. Toy’s Thai Café is an affordable restaurant with a friendly atmosphere that serves delicious food and I highly recommend it.
Price Points
Nearly every entrée at Toy’s Thai Café is around 6-8 dollars. On top of that, they run a 7 dollar lunch buffet on weekdays that has become a favorite of CSU students. The owners recommend the sesame chicken and yellow curry to customers.
Toy’s Thai Café Slideshow
Article written and compiled by Davis English, 2013. Special thanks to Nong and Lek.