Holding Little Bangkok legacy
New owner retains family operation tradition, Thai cuisine favorites
“I’m very excited,” the new owner said. “I love all the challenges and everything.”
Nguyen, who took over the eatery, 603 N. Campbell Station Road, Thursday, May 1, said patrons can expect much to stay the same, including the name.
“Little Bangkok is a piece of history, so I don’t plan on changing any of that,” he said.
“I know there are a lot of adults here that basically started eating here when they were children,” Nguyen added. “Everywhere you go, you walk down the street, and you’ll encounter somebody who, kind of, has some affiliation with this establishment or the older (former Chinese restaurant) in Lenoir City.”
“Wilson and Miss Peggy have been in the restaurant industry for years. They had another restaurant in Lenoir City for 27 years, (which has closed), and they had this one for 15 years.
“Thankfully, they allowed me to continue the legacy,” Nguyen said,
Also friends of Nyugen are the Yaps’s sons, Brandon and Andy, who remains at the restaurant as head chef and works alongside Nyugen’s sister-in-law, Tuyet Pham, in the restaurant’s kitchen.
“Mr. Wilson still comes up here to help us, too, but right now he’s more focusing on his garden,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen chose to buy Little Bangkok not only for his love of food, but also because “this is a family business, and I, too, am basically going to continue that same model.”
Besides Pham, “I have my niece already starting here, helping out, serving,” Nguyen said, adding, “We plan to build up on Mrs. Peggy and Mr. Wilson’s legacy.”
While the restaurant will remain Thai, “what we will be doing is we’re going to be streamlining (focusing on) all the popular items … the noodles, the fried rice,” he said.
Regarding the menu, Nguyen said, “I have made some alterations … I will be adding some things.
“I have taken way some things, unfortunately, but we will be adding newer items of the same protein,” he added.
In addition, “there will be items we will be taking back but adding as a special item later on,” Nguyen said.
“But, right now, we are focusing on cooking and making sure everything tastes as it should,” he added.
The restaurant’s current hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and closed Monday.
“Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we’re closed for one hour, from 3 to 4 p.m.,” Nguyen said.
Customers can order ahead by calling 865-675-3688.
“We have our system that’s going to go live,” he said. “We have an app website. Customers soon will be able to order Door Dash and Uber Eats.
“We hope to also do catering,” Nguyen added about expanding the business’ reach.
