Followup: Sale, new name confirmed for closed Tom Yum Koong

Following up on last night’s report about the closing of Tom Yum Koong in The Junction – we have confirmed that it’s indeed been sold to Kay Fuengarom, owner of Zab Thai in Everett and Chaiyo Thai in Northgate The new restaurant will be named Bang Bar Thai (pronounced “bahng”) and is expected to open within two months, once renovations are completed, according to WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison, who’s been working on the story. Among the renovations he’s learned of – a new neon sign, designed and constructed by Western Neon in SODO. No other details yet on the new ownership’s plans, but we’re expecting to find out more during the renovation period.

Peter February 15, 2011 (7:09 pm)

Let’s hope this means no more horrible Thai soft rock and cheesy fluorescent backlit plastic “art” that made Tom insufferable despite their tasty food.

Irukandji February 15, 2011 (7:52 pm)

Bang Bar, hehe. Phuket.

WSRes February 15, 2011 (8:55 pm)

This could be good news! I just checked the Yelp reviews for Chaiyo Thai and it has four stars. That is compared against 2.5 stars for the old Tom Yum Koong and 3 stars for Pailin in Admiral. This new Thai place could be the best in the west!

Lorelee February 15, 2011 (9:13 pm)

Couldn’t be better than Budda Ruksa. Silly folks trying to compete. We’ll see…

Roger February 15, 2011 (9:21 pm)

I’ve had two great experiences at Thaitan. Pailin, otoh, was just average.

KBear February 15, 2011 (9:34 pm)

Insufferable? Really? Sorry they made you “suffer” for your tasty food, Peter.

miws February 15, 2011 (10:06 pm)

Irukandji- :lol:

Mike

grr February 16, 2011 (8:22 am)

@ Lorelee. agreed. Do people NOT do market research? WS Is Thai Fooded out already.

NOW..put in a kickass DimSum place…that’s what we need…Although..I don’t think the Underground Master Conveyor System that’s supplies all the places in the ID will reach this far..

Kate February 16, 2011 (9:08 am)

The way to beat Budda Ruksa is to offer free delivery! If the food is really good, they have a shot. If the food is mediocre, we will still drive to BR.

yacman February 16, 2011 (9:08 am)

Something that surprises me is that I know of not a single vegeterian/vegan restaurant in West Seattle. I’m not even a vegeterian, but this still surprises me. I really like Araya’s (vegeterian thai) in U-District. Anyhow, just a thought–and a potential business opportunity for someone.

WSB February 16, 2011 (9:13 am)

Yacman, you must have missed our extensive coverage of Chaco Canyon Organic Café, opening in Link on April 1st …

HolyKow February 16, 2011 (9:11 am)

Bring back Guppies!

Hmmm February 16, 2011 (4:02 pm)

Personally, I don’t care for Buddha Ruuksa. I think their execution is clunky at best. Thaitan has my vote for best Thai in WS.

que_so February 16, 2011 (5:00 pm)

Bring back Barfa-la-hara’s (Guadalajaras) – they had the best, oh wait I mean worst Mexican food ever.

We once ate there and my fajitas were at my table exactly 8 seconds after I ordered them. That’s just not possible.

How about corn dog restaurant? Or another place that accepts only cash?

Dan February 16, 2011 (5:55 pm)

Agreed, Hmmm. Buddha Ruksa tends to char/burn entrees.

jiggers February 16, 2011 (7:47 pm)

I always thought that we needed a fresh salad bar in the Junction.

grr February 16, 2011 (8:02 pm)

vegitables are soooo over-rated.

might be fun to have a great Ethiopian place here. There’s a few on the Cherry Street corridor that are out of this world.

jiggers February 17, 2011 (9:56 am)

Vegitables are overrated really? When was the last time you had a physical?

Christy February 17, 2011 (1:33 pm)

I’ve yet to find a truly great Thai restaurant in Seattle. Which is both sad and a bit surprising. Some places have decent soups, some have decent entrees, but no place has both. The delicate balance of flavors to be found in top-notch Thai food (sour, spicy, salty, sweet) is no where to be found in any Thai restaurant I’ve tried so far in Seattle. Since I’ve eaten at 20+ places so far, I’m starting to despair. Buddha Ruksa is okay, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Many of the dishes there are just too bland or sweet. Again, just in my opinion.

grr February 18, 2011 (12:13 am)

sheeesh Jiggers…didn’t ya see the :) ?

and as long as my vegi’s have a good serving of bacon with them, I’m good.

hehe

steve February 18, 2011 (9:06 am)

Kinda hoped Godfathers or Skippers would move back in!

Lulu February 18, 2011 (9:45 am)

Dan & Hmmmm — Totally agree with you on Buddha Ruska! I really don’t get the hype about that place. EVERYTHING has that same burnt flavor. For a while there, I thought it was just me :)

Anthony February 25, 2011 (11:27 pm)

I just went and checked out the other restaurant that the new owner has in Everett (Zab Thai Restaurant) and they have 4.5 stars in Yelp. So, I think this place will have a good potential of becoming one of the best Thai restaurants in West Seattle.

Sorry, comment time is over.