Ubon Vourtom

Ubon was born in Nakonsawan City, Thailand as the oldest girl of 9 children.  Early in life she realized that it was dependent upon her to help her family by providing inspiration and support.  She began by helping her mother in the kitchen and at an early age took her skills outside the home to the gates of Udon Tannie Airbase selling grilled chicken to the GIs who would frequent her little wooden cart.  She made enough money to significantly help feed, clothe, and shelter her parents and siblings.  Always one to look for the advantage in every situation, she decided to immigrate to the US as a refugee with a Cambodian Air force Pilot that she had befriended.  She made the decision based on the fact that she could make good money in the US that she could, in turn, send home to her family.  It was with that thought that she decided to leave her family and her own children to embark on an adventure that would ultimately benefit others rather than her self.  At the 11^th hour she decided that she would marry and climb aboard the USAF Plane to the states.  Only one problem, where could they find an official to marry them before the plane would leave in the morning.  They managed to find a rather inebriated local mayor that Ubon talked into doing the job.  In the process her birthday was doctored to make her old enough.  Just a couple of months, mind you, but she has had trouble with birthday documentation ever since.

She and her new husband made it to the line for disembarkation and somehow managed to get near enough to be selected.  She had taken the equivalent of $20 US Dollars to get change for a friend, but in the confusion she could not get the $20 back to her friend and thus ended up at Camp Pendleton, CA with only an, inadvertently  borrowed, $20 to her name.  As a refugee she had no money or means of support, so she called upon her talents as a fortune teller that she had developed studying with ancient monks.  Within six weeks she had made well over $2,000.00 that she promptly and dutifully sent home to her family in Thailand.  With luck and some persuading, on her part, she was placed as domestic help with a family in Peoria Illinois.  After a short stint as a nanny, cooking for the family, she moved on to a stay in San Antonio Texas.  She moved further on and eventually ended up in Washington DC where she managed to find a job as a “bus girl” in a Mexican Restaurant named La Casita.  Speaking almost no English, as yet, she spent her spare time watching the chef and taking notes in her native Thai language.  After four months she boldly pronounced to the proprietor that she could take over as chef.  After a short lived reluctance he decided to give her a try.  He was so impressed with her skill that by the end of the year she was managing the restaurant and within three years had saved up enough money to buy her first restaurant, El Cachito, in Woodbridge VA.  Within a few years she had opened El Cachito II in Falls Church VA. 

All the while during her restaurant ventures she was also buzy being the first Thai person to begin cooking and serving Chik-A-Bobs at various festivals and flea markets.  She has participated in so many local events and taught so many fellow Thais “how to”, that she has been dubbed the mother of the Thai festival vendors in the DC area.  She was the number one grossing vendor at the Taste of DC from its inception and for 15 years running.  In that capacity even the Mayor of the city knew her by name. 

I could write a book about Ubon’s exploits, her numerous awards and meetings with famous people, but in the interest of time, it suffices to say that she an extremely generous person who is continually trying to help others and at the same time make an honest buck for herself.

It is with that in mind that this award winning restaurateur looked to Nellysford and the chance to open up a new venture, and chapter in her life.  She has decided that she likes country life, after all, and really enjoys all the folks that come to Thai-Mex II to eat and enjoy.  Ubon welcomes one and all to experience the epicurean delights of both Thai and Mexican Cuisine.

September 10, 2006 is the Grand opening of Thai-Mex II and there will be entertainment, free samples of the restaurant fare and a good time to be had by all.  Ubon cordially invites y’all to come and experience her new world.