After moving across the country to Phoenix to start my master’s degree last summer, I wondered how I’d find a sense of community in a time when going out is risky.
I popped into a downtown restaurant, Zen Thai Cafe, at an off time after lunch one afternoon, and that was when it hit me that things were going to be OK.
It was all thanks to the owner and chef, Rachel McAuley, known locally for her bright personality and love for making people smile. “If you ever feel lonely, just come here,” I remember her telling me in August.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about tough times for restaurants. But despite struggles like working with a smaller staff than usual, McAuley keeps her head up through it all, with infectious energy and a warm, welcoming vibe.
In difficult — and often lonely — times like this, whether you’re sitting at a socially distanced table or just stopping by to pick up a takeout order, it’s great to have someone like Rachel to brighten up a rough day, or just to make a good day even better.
McAuley, who moved to Arizona from Thailand in 2003 and started Zen Thai in 2016, said everyone who comes through the doors to her restaurant is part of her “Zen family.”
“It’s nice to have people coming in, and you get to have relationships, you get to know them and later become friends,” McAuley said. “We’re not called customers, it’s not just food. You want to bring happiness.”
Zen Thai can be found at 110 North Central Ave. in downtown Phoenix. Call 480-420-8424 or order online via EatStreet.com.
Contact the reporter at gdelia1@asu.edu.
