Lek Rakkamol and June Kaonual thought they were done with the restaurant business five years ago.
The husband-and-wife team tried to retire, splitting their time between Thailand and Montrose while spending time with their three grandchildren.
But the quiet didn’t suit them for long.
“We planned to retire,” Rakkamol said with a laugh. “Then we came back again. I need to do something.”
That “something” is Sunny Thai, a white food truck that has been parked around Montrose for about a month, serving drunken noodles, creamy massaman curry and other staples inspired by the couple’s home regions—Rakkamol is from southern Thailand, Kaonual from the central plains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
From brick-and-mortar to wheels
The pair know the industry well. For years they owned Chang Thai in Glenwood Springs and later the Chang Thai restaurant in Montrose. The Montrose restaurant is now run by their daughter and son-in-law.
Kaonual said the food truck is the perfect fit: lower overhead, a flexible schedule and the chance to cook exactly what she wants.
“I like to serve authentic Thai food,” she said. “I love to cook, and I’m happy every time I see people enjoy Thai food.”
So far, business has been “not too bad,” Rakkamol added. Word of mouth has spread quickly among Montrose’s growing community of Thai-food fans.
What’s on the menu
Customer favorites include the chili-laced drunken noodles and pad Thai. Next up is khao soi, the northern Thai curry-noodle soup rarely found on Western Slope menus. The couple hope to debut it later.
Roots—and routes—in Montrose
Rakkamol moved to Montrose two decades ago; Kaonual followed 13 years ago. They like the town’s vibe.
“Not too big, not too small,” Kaonual said.
On most days they open for lunch and early dinner, posting their location on social media and at locations around town. When winter returns, they’ll likely fly to Thailand for a stretch—then come back to the truck when Colorado warms.
A couple locations they frequent are the Camelot Gardens parking lot and the parking lot at The Association.
Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.
