A Dining Review of Ubon Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Wilmington: Owned by Wit Milburn of Jeenwong’s Fame

Ubon brings the heat to the Riverfront.

By Matt Amis Published February 16, 2012 at 09:33 AM

(page 1 of 4)

The geang deang is served with freshly sliced pineapple and vegetables. Photograph by Jared Castaldi

At a Glance

Ubon Thai Cuisine
936 Justison St., Wilmington, 656-1706, ubonthaicuisine.com

Recommended Dishes: Panang meatballs, geang garee curry, pad Thai

Prices: Appetizers: $8-$10, Entrées: $13-$18

The first few beads of sweat began to form about four forkfuls into geang garee, an incendiary plate of potatoes, carrots and duck meat swimming in a rich sauce of coconut milk and roasted Thai curry powders.

I asked for this, I thought. I did this to myself. Me, and all those extra Thai chili peppers I requested.

Ask for a little extra heat from Wit Milburn, and heat ye shall receive. The beefy chef is certainly one of the more accommodating and jovial faces on Wilmington’s culinary scene. Chances are, if you’ve visited Wilmington’s Riverfront Market anytime in the last few years, you didn’t miss Milburn. Since 2007 he has been parked behind the counter at Jeenwong’s Thai Cuisine, along with his grandmother, Sirda Jeenwong, pleasing the lunchtime business crowds with broad smiles and crispy egg rolls.

Watching Milburn do his thing at the Riverfront was always a fun experience. All of his exuberance and passion for his family’s food was on full display most afternoons, whether he was barking lunch specials like a street vendor or trading jabs with a banker.

continues on page 2...