Pat Tantikul, the proud owner of the A-Roi Thai Food Truck, serves her food with a smile. It’s been a journey to get to where she is now, but there is nothing else she would rather do than dish up Bangkok-style street food to the Lowcountry.
Tantikul’s love for food was instilled in her during her childhood in Bangkok, Thailand. When COVID-19 rocked the world in 2020, she decided that she was ready for a new adventure and challenge. In 2021, she took a leap of faith and moved to Colombia, South Carolina with her two children. Thai food was almost impossible to find where she lived. With the help of a friend, she started cooking her Thai dishes to share with the community. It was there that Tantikul began to build her craft and create something that people enjoy.
An old connection brought Tantikul to Charleston in 2022, and while she had a chance to work in a restaurant, it just wasn’t the right fit. As a single mom with two children, Tantikul needed something with flexibility. She wanted to be present in her kids’ lives, and being tied to a brick-and-mortar location was not the answer. That’s when she made the decision to go mobile.
Tantikul’s start-up was small, and she began buying equipment from other vendors in the area. She would come to an area, set up her tent and tables and begin serving. “It was tough, but people really loved the food,” recalled Tantikul. She never stopped working and took every opportunity to share her food, whether at bars, breweries or events around Charleston. Her reputation grew and her customer base followed.
As Tantikul’s venture continued to grow, she knew it was time to take the next step. Tantikul bought a used food truck and spent six months renovating it herself. She did all the heavy lifting while still maintaining her pop-up cuisine business. Tantikul tore out the interior and replaced the appliances to design the kitchen she needed.
In March 2025, A-Roi Thai Food Truck officially hit the road. “When I opened, I had a lot of my regular customers come and say congratulations. That was nice,” she said.
A-Roi Thai Food Truck is located at the Mount Pleasant Magazine parking lot at 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd. from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday. The rest of the week Tantikul serves at local events and in neighborhoods.
Tantikul’s menu is constantly expanding, but pad Thai and noodle bowls are top sellers. The pork belly is another fan favorite. Vegan and veggie options are available as well. She also serves crispy Thai wings, spring rolls, curry puffs and crab wontons.
Tantikul is passionate about serving her food and is glad she can bring authentic Thai flavors to the Lowcountry. She has felt the love and support from the community and can’t wait to grow with them moving forward. Visit her website aroithaifoodtruck.com to view the full menu and learn where you can find her when the craving hits.
A-ROI THAI FOOD TRUCK
Menu: aroithaifoodtruck.com
Location: 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
By Cari Lawson
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