Drawing on luck, Pin Thai opens in Farragut
“We consulted with a numbers expert, who helped us with naming our restaurant — and even with determining the phone number,” explained Apicha Srisomboon, who owns and operates Pin Thai along with his parents, Praphan “Pan” and Ratchada “Pin” and his sister, Nana. “Numbers are very important in our culture and in Buddhism.”
The consultant also noted Pin’s nickname signified “good luck,” but paired with her husband’s nickname, “not so much,” said their son, who shared their story one day before the restaurant opened.
The Srisomboons, who now live in Knoxville, originally are from Thailand, with Pan and Pin leading the way to the United States 17 years ago, followed eventually by their children.
The couple, who owned a noodle shop in Thailand, continued to work in restaurants in the United States, most recently for 15 years at Taste of Thai in the Cedar Bluff community.
“But owning our own restaurant has long been the goal,” said Apicha, who immigrated here six years ago and also worked in restaurant settings as he honed his English-speaking skills.
“Language was a problem, but now we are ready,” he said with confidence.
In the meantime, they began scouting out locations about a year ago, finding the perfect spot at 723 N. Campbell Station Road, in the small strip shopping center across from Cracker Barrel.
They had hoped to be open in October but ran into some unforeseen delays, some relating to pandemic delivery issues and others with needed renovations in the space, which formerly housed a Cuban restaurant.
“We were able to get our equipment by December,” he said.
Nana was in charge of redecorating and interior designs, Pan and Pin worked out the authentic Thai menu — Pin also did a bit of landscaping in front of the restaurant — while Apicha worked the business processes, including coming before the Town Beer Board in December to successfully apply for Pin Thai’s beer license.
The extensive four-page menu — including a full page of lunch specials — offers a wide assortment of Thai delicacies. Appetizers include Spring Rolls, Fried Tofu and Gai Jor, a crispy tofu wrapped roll of chicken, “glass” noodles and sweet corn.
All food is “authentic Thai, very little is Americanized,” Apicha said.
Salads include Som Tum (Papaya Salad), a spicy beef salad, and the “Pin Thai” specialty salad garnished with eggs avocados, carrots, cucumbers, and peanut sauce.
Soups — Tom Yum (Thai herb lemongrass), Tom Kha (Thai herb glalangal coconut milk soup) and Moo Sub Soup with ground port glass noodles and tofu — along with main rice and noodle entrees feature a variety of vegetables and meats, along with sauces including Basil, Cashew and Ginger — and several curry options.
“We use curries, like they do in India,” Apicha said. “But Thai food is more flavorful, and is a mix between Chinese and Indian styles of cooking.”
Its teas include those known as bubble and jelly teas, along with Thai coffee, Sticky Cocoa Milk, Coconut Smoothies and Lychee Slushees.
“I am so glad to be opening this restaurant with my family,” Apicha added.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day (closed Monday). For more info: 865-392-1135.
