From Family Roots to Downtown Fame: The Story Behind Le Thai and Chef Dan Coughlin

Tucked into the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, Le Thai has become more than just a local favorite—it’s a story of culture, grit, and soul, all served on a plate. Known for its bold flavors and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant reflects the journey of its founder, Chef Dan Coughlin.

We had the chance to sit down with Dan, who opened up about the roots of his cooking, the influence of his family, and the path that led to creating one of Fremont Street’s most iconic dining destinations. What started as a deeply personal vision is now a cornerstone of the community—where every dish carries a piece of his story. 

The Roots and Rise of Le Thai

Dan had a lot of influence from his mother and father, who owned a Thai restaurant back in Thailand. He grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee, and was surrounded by Midwestern traditions, but it was the flavors of his mother and grandmother's Thai cooking that truly stuck with him. After moving to Las Vegas, and working in the restaurant industry for years, he brought those family recipes to life with Le Thai in 2011. His experience came from the kitchen watching his grandma- watching, learning, and experimenting any dishes he can get his hands on.

He combined street style Thai favorite with a modern twist, ultimately turning a small downtown space into one of the city's most talked-about restaurants. Among the favorites is their famous 3 Color Curry—a beautifully balanced dish that has become a crowd-pleaser for locals and visitors alike. His drive to perfect every dish, connect with guests, and raise the standard of Thai food locally helped make Le Thai a cornerstone of the Fremont East dining scene.

Behind the Scenes: CO₂ Safety at Le Thai

In a busy kitchen, there’s always something sizzling—but not every threat is visible. When Dan first opened Le Thai, he didn’t realize a CO2 monitor was even required for restaurants and bars. It wasn’t until a fire marshal brought it up that he began to dig deeper. What he learned next changed the way he thought about safety in his space. During a conversation with a CO2 technician, Dan was surprised to hear how easily dangerous levels of carbon dioxide could build up—sometimes during routine tasks like changing out a beer keg or doing maintenance for a walk-in beer cooler.

That conversation stuck with him. What seemed like a standard day-to-day task could quickly turn into a life-threatening situation without proper monitoring. Since installing the system, the technology has proven itself. During a packed dinner rush, one of Dan's staff member did not install one of their beer taps properly, and caused large amounts of CO2 to leak in the restaurant. The leak went unnoticed until their Aerosphere CO2 alarm system sounded, alerting Dan and his team to quickly reach out to our CO2 technicians, who guided them to safely evacuate the area. Thankfully, everyone was safe after the incident, but without our CO2 system’s timely alert, the outcome could have been much worse.

“Think about a restaurant that’s fully packed for a dinner rush and a CO₂ alarm goes off. I mean, it’s probably pretty gnarly.” Dan recalls. “They helped us get through that night... With us, everything is customer service, man. Are you guys responding on time? Helping us find a solution? That’s what matters.”

Today, CO₂ monitoring at Le Thai isn’t just about checking a box—it’s a safeguard that lets the restaurant run confidently and continuously, with protection built into the background of every service.

Reflections & What’s Ahead

Looking back on the journey, Dan is proud of how far Le Thai has come—from a family-inspired vision to a beloved downtown staple. But he knows that success comes with ongoing challenges and learning curves, especially in running a busy restaurant where every detail matters.

One of the biggest lessons has been about safety and partnership. Dan appreciates the reliability and responsiveness of CO₂ Monitoring, saying, “I would 100% recommend CO₂ Monitoring. You’ve made the process easy, and the customer service is spot on. It’s an easy call to recommend you guys.”

With a firm focus on consistency and growth, Dan’s plans for the future include continuing to refine the menu and keeping Le Thai a vibrant part of the local dining scene for years to come. But just as important, he’s committed to maintaining a safe environment where staff and guests alike can feel secure—knowing that the unseen dangers of CO₂ are being carefully managed behind the scenes. 

Ensuring a safe environment is just as important as delivering great food, which is why CO₂ monitoring is essential in restaurants and bars that use gas systems. Proper CO₂ detection helps protect staff and guests from dangerous leaks and unexpected incidents. If you own or manage a restaurant, explore our range of CO₂ monitoring products designed to keep your space safe and compliant.

Discover our reliable CO₂ monitoring products and expert safety services—keeping your restaurant safe, compliant, and running smoothly.