2 minute read
Pinto Thai Culpeper
THAI RESTAURANT
Pinto Thai Culpeper Thipphawan Jaipayungton
Celebrating its 19th year in Culpeper, moving from Main Street to Davis Street now over five years ago, Pinto Thai is still going strong. Pinto Thai brings the magic to Culpeper when you enter the restaurant and feel life you are in Thailand, but experiencing it in Culpeper. The award winning, family owned and operated restaurant serves both traditional Thai favorites like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodle, as well as some fusion options, making Thai food more accessible to new customers. They also make an amazing Thai Iced Tea and Iced Coffee, as well as mixed drinks. Visitors have the opportunity to make friends and learn some Thai phrases. Regulars have learned to greet “Swasdi (sa-was–dee)” and order in the Thai language, and in turn they have shared local traditions. That’s why Paul Satayaphanitkul’s family loves being here in Culpeper: it’s peaceful and calm; people are nice, curious and supportive. This bond has created a place of cultural exchange, since everyone has more time to learn about each other. The Satayaphanitkuls have been in the restaurant business for a long time. Satayaphanitkul’s mother was a chef in Washington, D.C., for 30
years. With her expertise and his big sister’s vision and love of small towns, they found a perfect place to open their own restaurant when they started in 2004 on Main Street here in Culpeper. Moving their location to Davis Street was a great shift, and that’s when the Satayaphanitkuls renamed the restaurant Pinto Thai Culpeper. They’ve since expanded with two locations in Winchester and one in Staunton. Culpeper is still their home away from home. Everyone in the family works at the restaurant, cooking with traditions and secret recipes handed down through the generations. Residents and tourists alike have embraced the family and their amazing food by recommending Pinto Thai and by voting them the Best of the Best in 2022. Pinto Thai has won several Best of awards and takes pride in taking care of customers each day they come in for a wonderful meal. Whether you are dining inside or ordering take-out or delivery, Pinto Thai is the unpretentious place that offers classic fare and some Japanese options along with outdoor patio seating. Pinto Thai also has a bar inside and serves delicious drinks for any occasion. They are open every day at 11 a.m. and hope to see you soon.
