When it comes to Thai food in Eugene, there’s really no shortage. Sweet Basil and Tasty Thai Campus sit near the University, while Ta Ra Rin Thai Cuisine isn’t too much farther away. But another inexpensive alternative is Eugene’s food cart take on Thai food provided by Drum Rong Thai.
There are few food carts — or even restaurants in general — that get more exposure than Drum Rong Thai. Situated on a small concrete island between the bustling traffic of West 6th and 7th avenues, Drum Rong Thai seems like a paradise amid the sea of cars.
The hectic spot is an ideal location for Sumer and Ae Drumrongthai, the young wife and husband who own the restaurant. The name of the cart is their last name, but was spaced out to read easier.
The bright colors on the outside of the cart are fresh and catch the eye immediately. Walking into the outside eating area surrounded by a sea-blue fence, the cart seems like a piece of pop-art put up on the side of a busy street.
“The first thing most people comment on is the color,” Sumer said. “They like the bright colors.”
Aesthetics aside, Drum Rong Thai is serious about its food. Along with Ae’s sister, Ao Robertson, the trio is completely in charge of cooking and managing the cart during its business hours Monday through Saturday, from 10 in the morning to eight at night.
“I leave my house at 8:30 a.m. and come back at 9 p.m.,” Ae said. “It’s fun though; I like it.”
Ae, who was inspired to open up Drum Rong Thai after seeing his other sister’s food cart in Portland, is the main chef at the cart.
Using his experience from cooking in Thailand, Australia and Portland, Ae creates his own versions of traditional Thai food staples.
“It was his whole idea,” Sumer said. “It’s his passion; he loves it. I don’t ever hear him say he’s tired of it.”
With the choice of chicken, tofu, pork or shrimp, the menu offers favorites like pad Thai, pad see ew and thom kha, while also providing more offbeat options like pad prik king and chili sweet basil. The cart also offers a solid mix of curries, fried rice and a few vegetarian options.
Following the theme of food carts everywhere, Drum Rong Thai’s most alluring draw is that everything on the menu is $6.50 with the exception of shrimp, which costs a dollar more.
“We didn’t want to sell food for $10 or $11,” Ae said. “That’s why we sell everything for $6.50.”
The low prices, food and aesthetic appeal of the cart have gained Drum Rong Thai a solid group of regulars who come by every day. This speaks volumes for the quality, as the cart borders the Whiteaker neighborhood, where food powerhouses like Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen, Pizza Research Institute, Sam Bond’s Garage and the new Izakaya Meiji Company are all a few blocks away.
Even with their current success in the food cart business, Ae and Sumer eventually want to upgrade to a bigger cart and a potential move. These plans are all a few years down the road. For now, the Drumrongthais are cheerful restaurant owners, situated on a concrete island, surrounded by cars and happy customers.
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