York County restaurant is one of the best in the US. Everything you have to try
Lena TzivekisViet Thai Cafe, a York County restaurant serving Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese fusion cuisine for more than two decades, has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants, Viet Thai Cafe was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.
"We are truly honored and humbled being recognized for doing what we love," said owners Frankie Nguyen and Joe and Jenny DiMarcello. "We are so grateful to our community that has strongly supported our business throughout the years and appreciate the acknowledgment of our hard work and dedication to bringing our family's flavors to this community."
What makes Viet Thai Cafe stand out
Yen Nguyen came to York County from Thailand in 1976. Although her family was originally from Vietnam, she was a refugee from Laos, which borders Thailand and Vietnam.
In the '90s, her son Chris Nguyen, fresh out of culinary school, bought an old diner on East Market Street and started his own restaurant serving American food. After a year, it didn't work out. His mother suggested they switch gears and cook what they knew best. Noticing a lack of Asian cuisine in a community of Pennsylvania Dutch food and pizzerias, they knew it was a risk.
In 1997, the family opened Viet Thai Cafe, serving a fusion of all the foods Nguyen grew up with and knows best.
The restaurant was tiny, with a handful of tables that could seat about 25 diners. Nguyen would be in the open kitchen behind the counter as soon as you walked through the door, warmly greeting everyone who entered. She learned to cook by watching her mother and never followed a step-by-step recipe. When customers couldn't decide what they wanted, she would use her creativity and imagination to make something for them on the spot.
Her son Frankie and daughter Jenny began working in the family business as teenagers, helping their mother with everything from washing dishes to serving customers to buying fresh produce and ingredients daily. Eventually, friends of their children began to help out, including Joe, who is now Jenny's husband.
In 2010, Nguyen suffered a stroke, and her children have since taken over the restaurant. Jenny said her mother still cooks every day, even though she is limited to one hand.
A few years later, the restaurant expanded into a larger location just 10 minutes down the road, equipped with more tables, chairs and booths. The larger space has allowed the restaurant to serve even more hungry patrons, and Nguyen's family couldn't be happier to continue her legacy.
Her children said their favorite part of the restaurant is keeping it running for their mom — as a family. "Keeping my mom's dream going and being able to work with my brother-in-law and sister is big for me. We fight sometimes, but we love each other," Frankie said.
"I'm very happy my children helped me and learned everything with me. They do a good job," said Nguyen.
What's the best restaurant near you?Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
What to order at Viet Thai Cafe
Som Tom Salad. Often one of the more underrated dishes on a menu, it's rare to go to a restaurant specifically for the salad, but that's not the case with Thai or Laotian cuisine. This sweet, salty and sour papaya salad with a hint of spice combines shredded papaya, carrots, fresh chilies, tomatoes, peanuts and optional meat. It's the perfect balance of freshness and heat.
Red Curry Noodles. Nothing warms the soul like a hot bowl of soup or a plate of spicy Thai curry. This delicious red curry, made with red pepper paste, coconut milk and Thai basil leaves, is a balance of heat and sweetness. It is stirred into a plate of noodles with added protein and fresh vegetables for a hearty meal.
Sweet Roti with Ice Cream. A tribute to Yen Nguyen's time working as a street vendor in Thailand, this Indian-inspired dessert is a snack she often enjoyed from her fellow street vendors. This dessert combines warm, fried roti flatbread with a sweet apple fruit filling, a drizzle of caramel, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It really is the perfect ending to a meal at Viet Thai Cafe.
Did you know?
In addition to its extensive selection of Thai and Vietnamese dishes, desserts and beverages, the restaurant also offers freshly prepared, handcrafted sushi.
And if you look at the menu and still have no idea what to order, Frankie and his kitchen team will be happy to decide for you. Let your server know that you'd like the chef to prepare a dish based on what you enjoy, and you'll be surprised at the masterpiece he serves you.
Details: Viet Thai Cafe, 2535 E. Market St., York; 717-846-9302; vietthaimarketstreetcafe.com.
USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year:How the list of best restaurants was decided