Thai Food Honies, the last word pronounced like “honeys,” was a natural name choice for Chef Kaew Sumner’s new Thai restaurant.

“I call everybody ‘honey’ and everybody knows me as ‘honey,’” Sumner said.

Customers of Sumner’s former venture, A Taste of Thailand (Thai on the Fly), were invariably greeted with “Hi, honey!” if not “Free sample! Try, try!”

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Sumner is the pioneer behind Central Oregon’s food truck mania. She founded Bend’s first food truck approximately 22 years ago, developing a fan base for her pad thai, curries and drunken noodles made with inspiration from her grandmother’s and mother’s cooking, which she learned growing up in Bangkok.

Since closing A Taste of Thailand, Sumner has missed her customers as much as they missed her.

When asked about her reasoning for opening the new business, she said, “I’m lonely.”

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The entirety of the kitchen, based inside the Shell gas station on Highway 20, is visible from the ordering counter. Sumner can be seen tending to the stove, glancing over her shoulder to greet customers with a smile or a wave while using a stool to allow her small frame extra leverage for stirring pots and pans.

Bend has grown older over the two decades since Sumner established Thai on the Fly, and so has Sumner.

Hot pink signs taped to the counter are printed with reminders such as “closed Sunday, we need a break” and “please be patient, just an old lady cooking.”

Sumner does all of the cooking, according to an employee, but has enlisted help with taking orders from friend and owner of Beelicious Thai Cuisine in La Pine, Lekkie Srijunyanont.

It’s likely part of the reason Sumner has cemented a soft spot within the hearts and stomachs of the Central Oregon community.

Last week, the eatery inside the gas station was buzzing with activity as customers filed in to order over the lunch hour.

The atmosphere, however, is exactly what one might expect of a gas station. The space is frenetic and seating is limited to a table pushed up against the wall, several high chairs facing the window and two tables outside.

Hence, Sumner’s Thai food is best enjoyed on the go and orders may be placed by calling ahead.

Details

What: Thai Food Honies

Location: Inside the Shell gas station, 2699 Highway 20, Bend

Contact: thaifoodhonies.com, 541-420-9104

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Price range: Entrees range between $14-$16