by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
It's not always easy to decide where to eat lunch on campus.
But if you've been lucky enough to hear about a tasty Thai restaurant on campus, you have one more choice than most people.
Inside the Grace Life Baptist Student Union at 401 University Blvd., there is a small restaurant that serves authentic Thai cuisine at affordable prices.
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For about five years, CNM student Tina Sepulveda of Thailand has been the mind behind the great food being served.
"Its good food at good prices,"
Sepulveda said.
Tina's CafÇ serves 17 combination plates featuring traditional Thai entrees, such as green curry with rice and pad Thai. It also serves familiar items like egg rolls, fried rice and wonton soup.
Combination plates cost only $5 and are filling. Customers can also have a large bowl of one of four soups for only $4. Beverages and desserts are also available.
Some of the dishes may be hard to pronounce, but they are all equally enjoyed by customers.
"I don't always know what I'm ordering, but it tastes good, whatever it is," said Daniella Neal, a UNM student and ministry member.
There used to be a coffee house inside the Grace Life Baptist Student Union before Sepulveda started cooking authentic Thai cuisine.
"Tina came on board with us five years ago and was looking for something to do, and the concept just took off," said Ted With, director of the Grace Life Baptist Student Union.
Over the past five years, the Thai restaurant has acquired a steady group of regulars, some of whom eat there almost every day, With said.
"We don't advertise because it is just part of our ministry, and people only discover it by word of mouth," he said.
Tina's CafÇ is able to offer authentic Thai cuisine at low prices because the prices aren't set with profits in mind. The operation pays for itself and offers the University community an affordable place to eat good food, With said.
Tina's CafÇ
401 University Blvd. N.E.
Monday-Tuesday
11 a.m-4 p.m.
Thursday-Friday
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
