Lunch Ladies: Thai Drift
The Lunch Ladies enjoyed a warm. savory meal at Thai Drift in North Orem.
Gabby tried Pumpkin Curry for the first time and loved every flavorful bite! CREDIT: Gabrielle Harris
Jennette branched out and ordered Pad Thai. She thought it was delicious! CREDIT: Jennette Esplin
Lyndsi had some of the best Fried Rice she has ever had at Thai Drift. CREDIT: Lyndsi Seltz
Sylvia ordered the Yum Seafood Salad, which was delightfully tasty. CREDIT: Sylvia Abbott
Sometimes as enjoyable as the holidays are, you actually have to unwind and de-stress after all the festivities are over. A little peace and relaxation is a must, and finding the right place to treat yourself to a tasty morsel is definitely in order.
Feeling this need myself, and specifically craving Thai food, I asked numerous friends for recommendations. There was no clear consensus and I was surprised how many different places were suggested in the Provo/Orem area.
Since there was no resounding winner, my fellow Lunch Ladies and I decided to go to one of my favorite Thai restaurants, Thai Drift, found in north Orem. I’ve been pleased every time I’ve dined there, so it seemed like a safe and fitting choice.
We headed up State Street in the middle of a busy and hectic day. Finding time to stop working and even take a lunch seemed like a hassle, but with the group outing already planned, I didn’t want to make everyone reschedule.
As we made the drive from our Provo-based office, we had a bit more time in the car than we usually do on the lunch hour, since we typically pick spots in a closer radius to our homebase. At first we were just performing our usual debriefing on work projects, deadlines and needed communication, giving the feeling of an interdepartmental business lunch up until we arrived at the restaurant.
But for some reason as we crossed the restaurant threshold and were seated at our table we drifted into a different mode. Perhaps it was the delicious food we could immediately smell, the inviting, simplified and sophisticated décor, or perhaps it was reading all the appealing menu options; but quickly, effortlessly, the outside world melted away and we were no longer four co-workers on a lunch break, but rather four friends relaxing over a meal.
I get that might not sound different to some, or might sound dramatic to others, but to me it was noteworthy. I was immediately glad I had taken the time to go to lunch. What had seemed like a sacrifice was now a gift.
We perused the menu items, most of us openly admitting that we wanted to order multiple dishes purely because they sounded so dang appetizing! But decisions were finally made, and here is what we went with:
Lyndsi: Thai Fried Rice $7.99
Fried rice has always been one of my favorite things at a Chinese restaurant — as long as I can get it without ham. So when we were at Thai Drift and I saw they had Thai Fried Rice I just had to try it. It is fried rice with onions, egg, garlic and carrots, and I added chicken for a little extra protein. The flavors of the onions and garlic along with the Thai seasonings made this some of the best fried rice I have ever had. It looked like a ton of food when the plate was placed in front of me, but it was so good I just couldn’t stop eating it. The next thing I knew my plate was empty, and I was afraid the ladies were going to have to roll me out to the car.
Sylvia: Yum Seafood Salad $10.99
I pretty much enjoy any kind of cuisine and when in a Thai restaurant my go-to entree is usually something, something curry. But today after a quick study of the menu before leaving the office I was intrigued by the sound of this salad: “Mixed veggies, green and red onions and lemon grass, with our Thai Drift sweet and sour dressing and a hint of lime. Seafood contains, shrimp, calamari, mussel, shrimp ball, scallop and fish balls.” When I ordered it, the waitress asked how spicy I would like the dressing. I opted for “kinda,” but not super spicy. Served warm, it was all of the above and more. No bed of lettuce, just a few perfect basil leaves with some glass noodles tossed in. My taste buds were completely satisfied.
Jennette: Pad Thai $8.99
My favorite thing about being part of the Lunch Ladies is the freedom it has given me to branch out and try new foods. When going to Thai restaurants in the past I have always ordered curry, and usually Massaman Curry, which I love. Today, I tried the Pad Thai. Wow! I have been missing out. This is a delicious blend of pan-fried rice noodles, some sort of sauce, eggs, onions topped with the freshest bean sprouts I have ever tasted and roasted peanuts. I added chicken to top off this delicious dish. I could have added beef, pork, tofu or shrimp (add $1 for the shrimp). Thai Drift serves Pepsi products so I ordered water but the food is worth the trip even without Diet Coke.
Gabby: Pumpkin Curry $9.49
This delicious dish is made of truly fresh and flavorful ingredients. Red bell peppers, onions, bamboo shoots, chunks of sweet Asian pumpkin, and a great mix of seasonings, such as Thai basil, are found in a creamy sauce that is slightly sweet and a tiny bit spicy. The various vegetables were well cooked to maintain firmness, yet still be pliable and easily eaten. You can choose your meat, so I went with chicken, which was a perfect combination. The meal also comes with sticky rice which was excellent soaked in the curry sauce. I am not sure I have ever tasted such flavorful pumpkin or red peppers before. It was so delightful, my taste buds were captivated!
It’s funny how a simple shared meal can change the outlook of your day, or even set the tone of your week. We had some fun conversation, some great laughs, and we were able to pause and unwind from the non-stop last couple of months. Thank you, Thai Drift; your name suits you well.
— Thai Drift: 1655 N. State St., Orem. Open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, and noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays.