Friday, June 13, 2008

Thai Of Athens, R.I.P.

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Yesterday after work, we headed to one of our favorite restaurants in town, the THAI OF ATHENS. We were looking forward to a delicious and relaxing dinner, but instead were shocked to discover that they were no more! Since the last time we ate there (maybe not even two weeks ago), the restaurant had closed it's doors for good. We were left with a permanent craving that was never satisfied...and to think that we'll never taste some of our favorite dishes ever again! We found out today that the husband and wife team that ran the restaurant was trying to sell the business, but had no offers. They've since moved to Japan to be with their daughter...the owner of the lot will probably knock down the building, and it it's place will be some anonymous strip mall or some obnoxious student condo-complex. Thai Of Athens used to be a favorite hang-out for some of the members of NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL - the lobby of the restaurant was decorated with napkins that were drawn on by the band and other die-hard regulars (including Missy)...I'm kicking myself for not ever taking photos inside of there when I had plenty of chances (really, the lo-fi and haphazard way they decorated the inside of the restaurant was something to behold). We'll cherish the good times that we spent there, and we'll miss it's wonky personality and all the delicious food...farewell, Thai Of Athens! We love you and we miss you!

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...from their webpage - the Thai Of Athens during happier times:

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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

aww, what a sweet memorial! i hope they google themselves one day and come across this awesome post. ;)

RANCHO COCOA said...

Yeah, it's sad...Missy actually just did a Tofu Baby comic for the Flagpole about the Thai Of Athens, but she had done it long before we found out that they went out of business. The comic comes out next week, and we were going to go into the restaurant to tell them to make sure to read next week's Flagpole, but...they were gone! So, it will end up being an accidental tribute to the Thai Of Athens....

Anonymous said...

Aw dang. I loved this place. The woman who at the register was always so sweet. I tried to get the recipe for the seugai from her once. No luck.

It's like a major bone has been removed from the body of Athens eateries. For most, maybe a rib. For vegetarians and vegans, a femur.

April Moore Skelton said...

:(

RANCHO COCOA said...

I know, it's sad...it's one less option for vegetarians and vegans...and just one less option in general for people who like good food! And yes, the people who ran the place were always so nice to their customers...(shaking my fist at the sky) "Goddamn you, sluggish economy!"

Mary Jessica said...

Bah, this breaks my heart. We had a bad feeling when we kept trying to call to get delivery, and each time, it was "we're out of suegai" or "we're closed on Wednesdays" (that was a recording, of course), or no answer at all. It was one of my favorite places in town. ACK!!!!

clare said...

bummer! so sorry to see them go...

Benjammin said...

I just found out about this the other day. Unfortunately, I no longer live in Athens and miss the once a week trip to Thai of Athens. The last time I went there was about 6 months ago (I visit semi-often when I come to GA).

I loved that place so much. The woman at the front counter always knew me by name, because I was the guy who always "wants it tennn staaar" (really hot).

It always gave me a smile when I'd call in a take-out order and I'd say "I would like sesame suegai". and she'd say "Annnnd???" -- I always gave in, and would also order vegetable spring rolls. She'd still say "Annnd???" ... eventually I'd have to say "That's all". Haha.

I did find out from her one time that they don't make the suegai or sueyu. They order it from somewhere in San Francisco. Never could get more details than that.

:(

Ben

Jennifer Le' Shay Harper said...

I knew they would be closing ... but the reality of the loss of Thai of Athens just hit me tonight. Although there are other Thai places in Athens, none have the character or the choices that Thai of Athens had.

I, too, will especially miss the front counter lady who always laughed because she knew my order before I even said "chuchee with sueyu".

Mina said...

Its probably way too late for this, but I found out that my backup favorite Thai restaurant (to Thai of Athens, of course) used to own Thai of Athens and sold it to the couple that ran the place. Check out Thai House in Roswell, GA. It is in a run-down strip mall and doesn't have the haphazard decorating, but it still serves suegai and sueyu. Their green curry sueyu is just as good as when I would get it from Thai of Athens. If they ever close I think I will be devastated.

RANCHO COCOA said...

Wow! What a great tip! Thank you...we'll definitely have to check it out whenever we get a chance...we ate at Thai Spoon late last year and Missy got a bout of food poisoning! So, we really haven't found our "replacement" for Thai Of Athens just yet. I hear good things about Cozy Yum Yum in downtown Athens, but have yet to try. Again, thanks for the information!

RANCHO COCOA said...

Wow! What a great tip! Thank you...we'll definitely have to check it out whenever we get a chance...we ate at Thai Spoon late last year and Missy got a bout of food poisoning! So, we really haven't found our "replacement" for Thai Of Athens just yet. I hear good things about Cozy Yum Yum in downtown Athens, but have yet to try. Again, thanks for the information!

Mina said...

I too have yet to find a suitable Thai restaurant in Athens. I forgot to mention that the waiter I had once at Thai House said that they order sueyu (and probably sugai too) from an importer in California, who gets it from Hong Kong (I think). I've been trying to find a way to get it myself to cook my own recipes, but I think they order it in bulk and I haven't been able to find any information on it by scouring the internet. Post a comment if you find a good restaurant in Athens!