For years, Mai Thai was a cornerstone of downtown Boise’s dining scene. Nestled in the Union Building—constructed in 1902 with sandstone from Table Rock—the restaurant welcomed locals and visitors alike with its innovative Thai cuisine, vibrant ambiance, and central location on 8th Street. In 2023, after surviving the challenges of the pandemic, the restaurant fell victim to arson, prompting an investigation that would reveal the building’s many structural issues.
Ongoing battles between the building’s landlord and the city have left the Mai Thai owner and chef Billy Pothikamjorn, as well as other tenants, without a downtown restaurant home. “We’ve heard nothing concrete, but we’re still serving food at Crave in Meridian. We’re pickup and delivery only right now,” said Pothikamjorn. “But we’re still here.”
While you’ll find your same favorites on the menu, Pothikamjorn is also offering bento boxes from Uncle Chai Bento Kitchen, which Pothikamjorn says are at a great price point for lunch, but allow people to mix and match new flavors.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, Pothikamjorn likes Khao Soi, a curry dish from northern Thailand served over egg noodles with braised chicken, bean sprouts, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and cilantro.
“It is fantastic, and not many people have had it. People don’t know that about it, but it is my favorite dish,” he said.
Though the team is actively seeking a new physical location, they’ve struggled to find a second-generation space that offers the amenities needed for a restaurant and also satisfies the desire to be in the heart of Boise. “Mai Thai was a place where people wanted to sit down with each other. Now, they can only pick up,” Pothikamjorn said.
For Mai Thai, community has always been important—downtown, the restaurant donated 160 meals a week to people who needed them. Now, in the Crave building, even when business struggles, they’re doing the same.
Though Pothikamjorn’s heart is in Boise, a city he said is full of talented chefs, he’s still proud to be challenging people to try new things from the Meridian location at Crave. For now, the Mai Thai team is hopeful that the Boise community will make the trip to support them in this transitional chapter. The fusion of flavors lives on—just a few miles west.
Pothikamjorn has been here 23 years now—a move he made after coming to visit a friend, and he still loves the city that made Mai Thai.
“There are a lot more people now, there is a lot more traffic, but people are still good here. It’s better than a big city,” he said. Order online today and support one of Boise’s most beloved restaurants at www.maithaigroup.com.
