Absence makes the heart grow founder, as the saying goes. And for husband and wife, Peter and Laddawan (“Mae”), that couldn’t be truer. The Thailand-born duo decided that after 20 years of working 12-hour days in restaurants in America, including their own, they needed a break. But, nearly a year after selling their restaurant and retiring, Peter and Mae found themselves itching to get back into the business. So they established Chang Puak - White Elephant Restaurant in December 2006.

At White Elephant, Peter, Mae, their children, and a niece work together to serve up the same type of food Mae learned to cook in Thailand and perfected over the years. These traditional dishes range from a yellow curry with chicken to a tom yum prawn soup with a touch of chili. This soup in particular is known for its ability to clear stuffy sinuses faster than snorting pepper.

No matter what dish patrons order, the family endeavors to treat them like royalty—after all, the restaurant was named after the sacred white elephants owned by the royal family of Thailand. Like the restaurant’s guests, these elephants are fed well and are always treated with respect.