Mam’s Happy Thai Express offers a familiar format – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

A culinary journey from Bangkok to Berkeley culminated last month with a new Thai restaurant in downtown Ashland.

Mam’s Happy Thai Express stoked anticipation for several months with a “coming soon” sign on the storefront at 165 E. Main St. across from the Varsity Theatre. Prospective patrons can assume the restaurateurs’ plans simmered on the back burner when eateries were shuttered statewide to curb coronavirus cases. When Mam’s finally opened the first week in August, a line of Thai food enthusiasts extended across the dining room and out the front door.

My friend and I arrived just ahead of the dinnertime rush and claimed one of only four tables that Mam’s small footprint can accommodate under social distancing guidelines. Such limited seating in the space previously occupied by La Plancha comes with…