Upin Thai

If you are looking for Thai food in western North Dakota, you have two options:

1) Upin Thai

2) Upin Thai

Ok, so you have one option. But cowboys and oil riggers rejoice - it's dang good. 

It doesn't look like much from the outside...well, let's be honest, it looks scary from the outside, an old brick building with a sign for "aifoo d." 

However, coming inside, the bright orange walls, bright plastic flowers, smiling Buddha and friendly owner all reassure customers that all is well, and all will continue to be well, forever and ever namasté.

Upin Thai is in Dickinson, which is the gateway to the Badlands, the spot where rolling plains of wheat fields stops and rugged country of cattle ranches begins. I have no idea how or why a Thai restaurant opened at the gateway to cowboy country, but sometimes treasure shines brightest when found in the most unexpected places. When going to Upin Thai, it's important to know a couple things: 

1) Everything is cooked to order, so be prepared to wait 15 minutes. 

2) The food is meant to be consumed as take-out.  There is no seating except for a few stools along a narrow bar along the window. 

I ordered up some curry and egg rolls.  There really isn't anywhere to sit in Upin Thai, except for a narrow counter along the window.  After waiting for my order to be cooked up, I headed to my car with my styrofoam clamshells filled with tasty treasures and frankly, just couldn't wait.  I cracked them open right there on the passenger seat to bask in the wonder of Thai food, a rare sight indeed for this North Dakotan.