Eat Athens: The soup isn't just 'on' at this downtown Thai restaurant. It's also on fire.

Though Athens bands no longer have the chance to form over a Flaming Volcano drink the way the B-52's did at the long-gone Hunan Chinese restaurant on Baxter Street, the opportunity is still there if a group of musicians share a large bowl of soup at a long-running downtown establishment where the fire doesn't stop just because the food has come out of the kitchen.

Located at 149 N. Lumpkin St., Thai Spoon has been a staple of the Classic City culinary scene for nearly two decades, and unlike the elusive birria ramen at Agua Linda, Thai Spoon's hot soups are on the menu seven days a week.

Though customers are likely to order a cup of soup to accompany their entrée, a request for the large size bowl comes in a unique serving vessel with a little blaze to keep everything warm.

Thai Spoon opened in 2006, but its history dates back to 1997, when Khun Al first opened in the Lumpkin Street space. As the first Thai restaurant in Athens, Khun Al changed names to the more easily identifiable Thai Café before a server and a customer married and bought out the business. Though excellent Thai cuisine can be found at other places in town such as Siri Thai, Athens Wok and Puma Yu's, you can feel the legacy when you walk into Thai Spoon.

Fittingly, the menu at Thai Spoon is massive, with a variety of traditional and unique options from vegetarian-friendly appetizers and curry dishes to noodles, fried rice and seafood. The darkened atmosphere inside Thai Spoon makes for a classy experience no matter the time of day, and the spacious dining room is ideal for those looking for a safe bet to catch a table for speedy lunch service.

A typical misconception about Thai food is that everything is spicy, and though Thai Spoon's menu offers something for all tastes, 3 out of the 5 soups are only available at medium heat level. Of the four varieties, coconut, Tom Yum, spicy vegetables and tofu, and spicy seafood, only the coconut soup is listed as having no hot spices. But what it lacks in heat, the coconut makes up for with irresistibly creamy flavor, spoonful after spoonful.

And speaking of spoons, ordering a large soup doesn't just mean that the food is delivered in a trophy-like piece of dinnerware that looks like hammered aluminum. Don't let the protruding spout of fire that keeps the dish at perfect eating temperature distract you from the big serving spoon sitting on the plate below. This is a hint that the large soup is meant to be shared, but don't feel bad if you choose to keep it all to yourself.

For a closer look at the Thai Spoon menu, visit thaispoonathens.com/menu.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Eat Athens: Large soup at Thai Spoon is fire