A New Thai Restaurant Is Filling the Vacant Baan Thai Space

A new Thai restaurant is coming to Southwest Portland, filling the shoes of a longtime standby. Earlier this year, Portland State University campus favorite Baan Thai decided to close the 16-year-old restaurant, known for its no-joke spice levels. Filling its place is a somewhat mysterious new Thai restaurant — without an easy-to-find Facebook page or website, the incoming Spice Thai Kitchen quietly filed a business license in September at the restaurant’s former location.

When it opened in 2002, Baan Thai quickly nabbed a positive review from the Portland Mercury, which called the restaurant “a real gem.” In 2015, the restaurant was featured on Thrillist’s 14 Most Underrated Restaurants. Baan Thai closed in August, after announcing the decision on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “This past couple of years has (sic) not been easy on our family as far as health is concerned,” the post reads. “We have decided as a family that we cannot keep going.” Stay tuned for more information on the new mystery restaurant at 1924 SW Broadway.

• Baan Thai [Facebook]
• Spice Thai Kitchen [Business license]
• Baan Thai review [Portland Mercury]
• Portland’s 14 Most Underrated Restaurants [Thrillist]