Family, courtesy and authenticity: these are the core values that Savanh Thai Kitchen prioritizes for their customers and employees.
Savanh Thai Kitchen opened its doors in 2018 at 1750 Opelika Rd. in Auburn, with a new takeout location on South College St. in December 2024.
Generations of the Malavong family run the business, each having a different role. Nicholas Harrison, the restaurant's current manager, explained the business's history.
Harrison and his wife, Malay Malavong, moved from Mobile and opened Savanh Thai Kitchen so his mother-in-law, Phounsavan, could pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant. Her sister, Phousone, also helped her achieve this dream.
“We incorporated my mother-in-law, Phounsavan, into the restaurant. So, Savanh from her name means ‘heavenly’ in Thai,” Harrison said.
Phounsavan’s passion and work ethic come from her past. After escaping the Vietnam War, she began working at five or six years old, taking care of her sisters while her father was in a prison camp for six years.
“That’s what makes me work hard too, because I see her work ethic, she’s worked so hard all her life,” Harrison said. “She came here with no clothes on her back. She swam across a river with her son on her back while being shot at.”
Savanh Thai Kitchen’s employees are not just members of the Auburn-Opelika community, it is their own family. Harrison’s oldest son can be found in the kitchen washing dishes, along with his father-in-law helping out during the week with his niece.
More than 10 businesses have occupied the same building where Savanh Thai Kitchen stands, yet none of them have lasted quite as long. Harrison believes this is because of their commitment to authentic Thai food, which is imported directly from Thailand.
“We make it with love, the products in our food are all from Thailand. Tumeric and everything, it’s more expensive, but it’s worth it,” Harrison said. “Everything is cooked individually and to order, so every dish is prepared separately. We don’t own microwaves, so it is all cooked from scratch.”
Customer service and restaurant ambiance are crucial to Harrison as well. He believes that a restaurant should be more than just a dining experience, but a place where patrons can feel at home. Customers are not seen as guests; instead, they are welcomed into the family from their first visit. Harrison and his family renovated the entire interior of the restaurant to brighten it and ensure customers feel at home.
Harrison prioritizes this standard of excellence for his employees as well, expecting them to create sincere bonds and maintain courtesy with customers.
“My interview process is really basic, I don’t care what experience you have as long as you have big family values,” Harrison said. “I want you to take care of each person and treat someone the way you want to be treated.”
Having a home and work life overlap might be difficult for some, but not for Harrison. Nothing makes him happier than working alongside his wife, children and extended family members. He mentioned how the family is extremely tight-knit and takes care of each other.
“I love working with my family, my wife is my best friend. She’s like my rock and my other person. Of course, you’re going to bump heads in the kitchen, but at the end of the night we’re all laughing and having a good time,” Harrison said. “That’s what makes it special, I love working with my mother-in-law, she’s like my mom.”
Harrison waits to see how their new takeout location performs. If it succeeds, they plan to expand by opening more takeout-only restaurants in other Alabama college towns, such as Birmingham and Troy.
On top of customer service and authentic food, Savanh Thai Kitchen aims to provide inclusive options. With 90% of their menu being gluten-free and vegan, customers with digestive problems like celiac disease can enjoy most menu items.
Harrison restated his love for people and the relationships he has built since opening Savanh Thai Kitchen.
“It’s easy because I'm a huge people person. I can get along with everybody, and everybody who comes in here is from every part of the world,” Harrison said. “I don’t care if it’s the DoorDash guy coming here to pick up food, I’m going to treat that person just as well, and that’s how you’re supposed to.”
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