The Pad Thai Stand, currently located in the Convoy District, is getting ready to open a new location in Pacific Beach at 1136 Garnet Ave.
The company’s second location is set to replace Rhythm’s Chicken and Waffles and Yum Zab, according to the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality. Owner Nattapon Ranma Thitathan tells What Now San Diego that he originally planned to open at the beginning of August, but delays have pushed the grand opening to either the end of August or early next month. This is just the beginning for the business, as Chef Ranma is laying the framework for a much more expansive brand.
For those who haven’t been to The Pad Thai Stand in Convoy, located in the Ashford Center at 3520 Ashford Street, Unit A1, it’s good to know the restaurant is much more than a place to get a good bowl of Pad Thai. Chef Ranma tells What Now San Diego that there are many different ways to make pad Thai, depending on which region’s techniques are used and if any food allergies are present. Upon entering, the menu will give a detailed explanation of the different variations of pad Thai. The owner was inspired to create this concept from his experiences in his old restaurant in Oceanside.
“Many customers would ask about “authenticity,” looks, and flavor,” according to the company’s website. “Chef Ranma knows of over 30 different types. He also knows the two things that they all have in common: Noodles and tamarind sauce. After that, it depends on the region, family recipe, and access to ingredients… even what the cook prefers. Understanding, though, comes with experience. Many Thai people grew up with regional pad Thai. Those in the U.S., however, did not have the same opportunity. In 2008, his old restaurant in Oceanside introduced the pad thai of Chiang-Mai, Bangkok, and Chai-Ya to its patrons. The dishes became so popular that the chef would go on to dedicate a food stand to one of Thailand’s national dishes. Through The Pad Thai Stand, Chef Ranma continues to give San Diegans a taste of the exotic flavors he grew up with.”
Now, Chef Ranma is getting ready to expand into Pacific Beach, which he admits is much different than the Convoy location in terms of people. Whether you’re a resident of Pacific Beach, a tourist visiting for the day, or there to grab a drink at night, Chef Ranma emphasizes that The Pad Thai Stand will offer a unique eating place to teach its customers about the difference between Pad Thai. Chef Ranma is using this extra month to learn more about the area of Pacific Beach and get an accurate foundation for the restaurant.
The business owner tells What Now San Diego that this is important because, following this opening, he wants to expand into other parts of San Diego and, eventually, Orange and Los Angeles County. To do that, the local entrepreneur wants to establish himself as a trusted, local establishment that is an independent eatery before expanding in a corporate style without losing the mom-and-pop feel. Once the Pacific Beach location is established, chef Ranma says he wants to open in Carlsbad or Otay, likely in a year or so, before expanding beyond San Diego.
