It may be located in a strip mall across from a Sonic Burger, but Orem’s Thai Chili Gardens is a brief journey to a faraway land.

Walking into the sparkling-clean establishment, the first thing I noticed — besides the near-lifesized portraits of the king and queen of Thailand — was its palatial furnishings.

Rows and rows of ornate, high-back chairs seemed fit for royalty. Lucky for customers, however, the prices at Thai Chili Gardens don’t reach ritzy proportions.

I started the meal with an order of egg rolls, which were more roll than veggies, but tasty nevertheless. Next time, I’ll opt for the fresh spring rolls.

Options on the five-page menu allow Thai lovers to dive into authentic, spicy dishes but at the same time lets those not totally familiar with the cuisine sample something mild.

Thai novices might want to try the Pad Thai. It’s mild fare, made of beef, chicken or pork over pan-fried rice noodles. Eggs, beansprouts, onions and roasted peanuts complete the dish.

Pineapple Curry is a more gutsy order, but very worth it. The creamy coconut milk and pineapple combination over meat, bamboo shoots, bell peppers and onions was a sweet and spicy treat. Be careful not to burn your tongue, though.

A server recommended the popular Pad Himapan, and it’s hard to resist its cashews in oyster sauce.

All three of the entrees sampled were generous enough to share and only cost $7.99 each.

One doesn’t necessarily think of dessert when one thinks of Thai food, but don’t miss out on the Sweet Rice with Vanilla Ice Cream. It looks a little like baby food, but there was something about the syrupy-sweet rice texture combined with smooth ice cream that sent my dinner experience over the top.

The decor may be fit for a king, but sometimes the service stopped short of what you’d expect for a ruler. The server forgot to clear the plates before dessert came, making it a struggle to finish the meal without bumping elbows and clashing dishes. But that was a minor complaint with the service. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a smile, and the order came out correct.

Other Thai options abound in Utah Valley, but choose Thai Chili Gardens if you feel like being king or queen for a day.