"Cheaper Than" Restauraunt

Top left and going clockwise, Lotta (pro fighter) from Sweden, me,

Lena (Lotta's friend from Sweden who is here to fight), and Lindsey (pro fighter from Canada)

Most Rawai students hear a lot about the restaurant "Cheap Ass" even before they come here. I have eaten at Cheap Ass a few times, and it's definitely an alright place. I should state here, for the benefit of future students, that's real name is Tams, NOT "Cheap Ass"; we found that out the hard way once driving around for hours trying to find a restaurant named "Cheap Ass". My friend Coolio, who's bike I was riding on, stopped and asked Thai folks "how to find 'Cheap Ass'" and I warned him that they probably were thinking he was asking about something entirely different, considering it was Thailand, and that they were likely going to send us to Patong, LOL!

Without a bike, "Cheap Ass" is a bit far and not very practical. You basically can't walk there from the gym. Plus, a lot (not all) of their meals are like white rice with a slab of pork on it with a fried egg on top of that, which isn't very appealing to me, personally.

Then, through Lindsey, I discovered the restaurant that I found out has been dubbed "Cheaper Than", short for "Cheaper Than Cheap Ass". It's walking distance, although I'm the only person that really walks it, because like noone walks in Thailand. And I walk it pretty much daily, since they serve my favorite foods, and the chef/owner, a darling woman, prepares them just as I like them: Young Thai Coconuts and Som Tam (hold the msg; add extra garlic and extra chili, no shrimp or crab), which is the greatest food in the universe.

All the food here is excellent, and very affordable. I've overheard foreigners telling the owner that she makes "the best green curry in Phuket", and other such compliments. The meals there may cost a slight bit more than "Cheap Ass" but aren't really because they come with larger portions, which balances it out. I can get my Som Tam and a Young Coconut for 70 baht, which is a great, filling and SUPER healthy meal. Sometimes she makes me a larger Som Tam for 60 baht versus 40 baht, a deal I worked out with her since it's usually my main course verses a "side dish".

It's easy to get to, too, from the gym - I'll include directions at the end of this post for all new students, so they can check it out. The staff is small but super friendly, and I love giving them my business. I told her I was taking pictures for my online journal, to let other gym patrons know about her and her great food, and she was very appreciative. The Thais are all very humble and gracious! Here's some pictures so you'll recognize it even easier. . . . .

Here's the sign to look for!

Behind the counter here and at most Thai restaurants, you can see the stove

and pots and pans they are using to cook your meal right in front of you.

Everything is kind of rustic, and meals are made quickly enough, but one at a time.

Usually one person is served, then another, then another. . . in a large group you can

expect for the first person to be almost done by the time the last person is just getting served.

Just something you get used to in Thailand.

Some friends of the restaurant that are usually there during the day. Very kind people!

There's an ice chest and glasses sitting out so you can get your own glass, and there's

free pitchers of water on the table, unlike some places where you have to buy bottled water.

It's L-shaped, so the tables just line the side of the restauraunt,

as shown above.

I went around the side to take a picture of her pounding out my Som Tam with

her mortar and pestle. So cool!

Here she is, taking my order behind the counter.


Like most Thai restaurants, it's "open". There aren't any walls, really,

you are always kind of sitting "outside". You can sit at your

table and see the store next door, or a dog will wander up to you, etc.









Som Tam always comes with a side of fresh beans and a wedge of


green cabbage. Sometimes cucumber slices as well. Yum! Thais are great


about fresh vegetables!







And here's my FAVORITE meal, the one that I eat daily. Som Tam with the


side of extra vegetables, plus a young Thai coconut. DELISH! It's also


perfect for weight loss, energy, nutrition and building the immune system....and FILLING!

The best Som Tam in Phuket, close up! Mmmmm!

Directions from Rawai Gym:

Walking out of the gym, turn Right, heading towards the internet cafe.

Follow the road past the cafe and around the bend up until you reach it's end and can go either left or right. Go Left.

Stay on this road. It is past Don's Restaurant, another popular place, on your left. Continue straight ahead and in about five minutes or so you'll see a blue sign on the right for a place called Mama's and Papa's. Continue straight and very shortly you'll see the sign for "Cheaper Than" shown at the beginning of the post up on your Left.

Stop and eat.

Seriously, don't miss out on this place!