Taste of Thai Town Chicago Grand Opening

By: Veronica Leighton

 

The much-awaited opening of the first Taste of Thai Town Chicago held its historic ribbon-cutting grand opening last July 3rd at 4461 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, what used to be the building of the 17th District Police Station. The beautiful, venerated Thai gold statue of Four-Faced Buddha serves as a welcoming sign for the customers where they can pause and pray before entering the restaurant. Amazing and overflowing sampling of Thai food served tapas-style were served to the guests who were invited to the private by invitation-only grand opening.

Inside, the cheerful atmosphere offers tastefully-done decors with authentic paintings and pictures, a good-sized noodle bar, with three roomy dining rooms and party rooms with outdoors ambiance. We were brought up on the top floor for a quick look at the herbal plants growing on the deck, and were told that coming up soon on the second floor is the Thai Spa offering that heavenly soothing Thai Massage experience.

Arun Sampanthavivant, who owns the internationally-renowned and five-star Arun’s restaurant on 4156 N. Kedzie Ave. for many years and one of the recognized top chefs of Chicago, is the principal owner of Taste of Thai Town together with other partners. Arun’s Restaurant has been listed in the popular book, “1000 Places to Visit Before You Die,” together with Charlie Trotter restaurant. With the demise of very popular Chicago chef Charlie Trotter, Arun’s is the only remaining Chicago restaurant in the book. We’re also very proud to say that Arun is the first Thai to receive the “Most Outstanding Asian American award” given by the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Award by the VIA Times/CPRTV.

Their menu brochure says, “Come to experience authentic Thai Taste that will be so memorable without having to travel ten thousand miles. Central to the casual cooking at Taste of Thai Town is our Noodle Bar where you are encouraged to explore various Thai and some popular Asian noodles. This is the place–the only place in Chicago –where you may find all kinds of international noodles to delight your taste buds. We want you to know us. We want to give you a chance to experience our food. And…we want you to see what we do BEST!”

Surely, you will experience Arun’s food at affordable prices at his new Taste of Thai Town. It is really a good neighborhood restaurant to bring your family and friends for that great dining experience of Thai culinary eating, spicy or not, that soothes everyone’s palates. Personally speaking, I just love their desserts taken with iced Thai coffee…sweet-toothed me.There is also ample parking on the side and back of the well-refurbished building,

 

VT/CPRTV’s Joe Mauricio interviews Arun Sampanthavivant, founding owner of Taste of Thai Town and Arun’s Restaurant.

The Four-Faced Buddha welcomes the Thai Town Center’s customers and guests.

Some members and leaders of Chicago’s Thai community in attendance at the grand opening of Taste of Thai Town.

(1) Sunny Leon (part owner), Don Kramer and Chicago’s Hungry Hound Steve Dolinsky of Channel 7; (2) Songphol Sukchan, Consul General of Thailand in Chicago; (3) The traditional & colorful Lion Dance starts the festivities of Taste of Thai Town.

(1) Filipino leaders in attendance, VT’s Jan Paul Ferrer, Ruber Salazar & Merle Salazar; (2) From left: Jan Paul Ferrer, Veronica & Flor Kramer.

 

WHERE ART Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust that used to be proudlydisplayed in front of the Rizal Heritage building on 1332 W. Irving Park for many years? VIA Times ran a breaking news brief report on page 32 (Ryan Tejero’s column) in our June 2015 issue. Reports have said that a small group of midnight revelers on the night of the Blackhawks victory vandalized the Filipinos’ revered hero’s bust (ironically, a day or two before the occasion of his birthday commemoration). Photo be Manny Zambrano