Time for Thai: Phikun’s restaurant review

Local family-run eatery is worth coming back for writes one Evergreen columnist, but plan to take your time when going

EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen news editor

Restaurant goers at Phikun’s Thai Cuisine say they keep coming back for the individually cooked and made-to-order food.

A word of caution for those who plan on dining at this family-run business: try not to be in a rush. The food in this small local restaurant is tasty but can take a while to arrive.

Beef spring rolls at Phikun’s Thai Cuisine are served with a homemade peanut sauce. Phikun’s is located at 1020 S. Grand Ave. in Pullman.

“Sometimes there’s a long wait for things because they make each dish individually,” said Heidi Fairchild, a cook and server at Phikun’s, “but nobody ever complains … it’s worth the wait.”

I got to eat at Phikun’s this weekend and tried their pork spring rolls, pork Pad Kua Gai and beef Rama Garden. 

The spring rolls came out first and were a delicious start to the meal.

Admittedly, the wait between the arrival of our appetizers and our entrees was longer than I would have liked. However, both dishes were hot when they eventually arrived and the vegetables tasted fresh.

Initially, I thought the peanut sauce in the Rama Garden was overwhelming, but it was delicious when poured over rice.

Customers Alison Detjens and Yvonne Thompson said they eat at Phikun’s regularly, especially ordering take-out. Thompson said she loves the staff at the restaurant because they are very nice every time she orders.

Fairchild said Phikun’s has customers come from as far as Moscow, Lewiston and Spokane.

“If you know the place, you keep coming back,” Fairchild said.

The portions are large, so I recommend going with a few friends and splitting the dishes family style, as I did. Especially considering the size of the plates, I thought the prices were reasonable, even for a broke college student willing to splurge.

I would rate Phikun’s 3 and a half out of 5 stars. It was good Thai food, although not something I would phone home about. I intend to go back, but next time I won’t expect to be in and out quickly.

Phikun’s is open 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays. The restaurant is located at 1020 S. Grand Ave. in Pullman.