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Restaurant Review
Fresh, locally owned and sure to please
reviewed July 2009 by Terri Nighswonger

My Thai restaurant has been serving up great Thai food since it opened near the intersection of Ohio 322 and 306 in Chesterland about a year and a half ago   I have to tell you up front, faithful readers, that my review of Chesterland-based My Thai might be just a little biased. My 17-year-old son works there and the owners, Becky and Fernando Diaz, are fellow church members and friends. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I’ll also tell you, with no prejudice, that My Thai has awesome Thai food in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere. Becky and Fernando came from Michigan and opened the restaurant about a year and half ago. Becky grew up in Aurora so Northeast Ohio seemed a good fit with family nearby. Fernando came from Mexico 10 years ago. “When we found the location, we knew it was where we should be,” Becky said. “We could see ourselves here. We’re excited to be here.” With Fernando’s ethnic heritage, the question usually comes up, “Why Thai?” Becky says Fernando and his father worked together at a Thai restaurant in Michigan so that’s where her husband’s expertise lies. It’s all in the family with Fernando and his brother Juan doing all the cooking. “He knew how to do everything. He makes all the sauces homemade,” Becky says. “I didn’t really know how much he knew until we opened the restaurant.” Becky is learning the business as she goes and the two are hoping someday to parlay their success in Chesterland into other areas. They know that getting the word out about their restaurant and about Thai food in general is important. “People just don’t know what they are missing,” Becky says. While pad Thai is one of their most popular dishes – a delicious choice – my favorite is the mango curry. With large chunks of juicy mango and the meat, or no meat, of your choice, I can’t resist it most of the time when I go. And, it’s not even on the menu but is usually a daily special. If you don’t see it, just ask. All dishes are made-to-order so if you see something you don’t want, you just have to ask. One of the biggest objections over Thai food most people have to get over is they think the only way to eat Thai food is hot, hot, hot. Most of the dishes at My Thai can be ordered mild, although a few have natural heat in the spices that are used, Becky says. In addition to the homemade sauces, My Thai uses no MSG, no added salt and light oils. They also provide gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options along with the choice of brown or white rice. Diners can also ask about their kid-friendly dishes which include chicken nuggets, French fries, cheeseburgers and kid’s fried rice. My Thai, which seats about 60 comfortably, has a full carryout menu and also serves beer, wine and some mixed drinks. My son, whose passions include eating and more eating (he’s 6 foot 3 and there’s a lot of him to feed), says his favorite dish is the southern Thai noodles, which are only found on the lunch menu. All the curries are great, Becky adds and the masaman curry is one of the most popular. Pineapple rice and drunken noodles are also very popular dishes. When we dine there, my husband, and frequent dining partner, likes the peanut curry. I can’t forget the cream cheese rolls for an appetizer with an awesome plum sauce. You can also choose the spring rolls, karee puff or chicken or shrimp satay. A sample platter will get you a good tasting of these and more. I’m not a huge fan of desserts and for health reasons I can’t and don’t want to eat some of the huge desserts I see at other restaurants. At My Thai the desserts are light, a perfect ending, and very tasty. My son and my favorite is the tempura fried banana, served with vanilla ice cream and topped with honey and sesame seeds. The green tea ice cream and the coconut ice cream are also popular favorites, as well as the cherry rice pudding and the banana and sticky rice, served on a banana leaf. Fast becoming a Chesterland favorite, My Thai is just a quick hop from Lake County down Ohio 306. Don’t miss out on Becky and Fernando’s hospitality and great food. The restaurant is located at 8488 Mayfield Road near the intersection of Mayfield and Ohio 306. Check out the full menu at www.mythaicleveland.com. Terri Nighswonger is editor of TNT Publication’s Family magazines.