Pok Pok
45°30′17″N 122°37′56″W / 45.50468°N 122.63219°W / 45.50468; -122.63219
Pok Pok was a group of Thai restaurants based in Portland, Oregon, founded and led by chef Andy Ricker. Pok Pok won both local recognition and major industry awards, with The Oregonian describing the restaurant as "one of those quintessentially Portland institutions, a sort of rags-to-riches story of the street cart that became a restaurant that became a legend."
The main restaurant was located on Southeast Division Street in Portland;[2] with its success Ricker opened satellite locations elsewhere in Portland, and at various times in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Its remaining locations closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
The first Pok Pok opened in 2005, specializing in street food and northern Thai cuisine that Ricker had eaten on his travels, especially through Chiang Mai.[3][4] The restaurant grew in recognition, being named The Oregonian's 2007 Restaurant of the Year,[2] and featured in a 2009 episode of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.[citation needed] In 2011, Ricker was named the James Beard Foundation's 2011 "Best Chef: Northwest" for his work.[5] At its closure in 2020, The Oregonian called Pok Pok "Portland’s defining restaurant for more than a decade."[6]
Outposts
A Brooklyn location followed in 2012; the Michelin Guide awarded it a star in its 2015 and 2016 editions but rescinded it in the 2017 Guide.[7][8] Ricker closed the restaurant on September 2, 2018, citing rising costs.[9][10][11]
Pok Pok Phat Thai and Pok Pok LA opened in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles in December 2014 and November 2015 respectively.[12][13] Pok Pok Phat Thai closed in August 2016, and Pok Pok LA followed in March of the following year.[14][15]
In 2018, a Pok Pok Wing opened in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas's Block 16 Urban Food Hall dining area.[16] This closed in December 2020 following the expiration of its licensing agreement, the last of the Pok Pok restaurants.[17]
COVID-19 pandemic
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Southeast_Portland%2C_Oregon_%28February_7%2C_2021%29_-_036.jpg/220px-Southeast_Portland%2C_Oregon_%28February_7%2C_2021%29_-_036.jpg)
In March 2020, Pok Pok announced its indefinite closure of all locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an impact on the restaurant industry due to social distancing mandates and guidelines. Initially, Pok Pok followed the example of many restaurants across the US in providing takeout and delivery services while dine-in remains prohibited. Following the coronavirus-caused death of New York chef, Floyd Cardoz, Pok Pok's Andy Ricker published a statement explaining Cardoz's death as the reason for the change in strategy. Ricker cited the tragedy as a “wake-up call to the restaurant industry” and himself.[18] In mid June, Ricker confirmed the permanent closure of Pok Pok NW, Whiskey Soda Lounge, and the northeast and southwest Pok Pok Wing locations, leaving just the main restaurant and possibly the southeast Pok Pok Wing location.[3] Ricker announced closure of the original and remaining locations in October 2020.[6][4] A remaining Pok Pok Wing in Las Vegas continued service through December.[17]
See also
- COVID-19 pandemic in Portland, Oregon
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry in the United States
- James Beard Foundation Award: 2010s
- List of restaurants in New York City
- List of Thai restaurants
References
- ^ Olson, Donald. "Pok Pok in Portland OR". Frommer's. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Brooks, Karen (June 7, 2009) [2007-06-15]. "Restaurant of the Year 2007: Pok Pok". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Frane, Alex (June 15, 2020). "Most of the Pok Pok Empire Is Closing". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Frane, Alex (October 30, 2020). "The Pok Pok Empire Has Officially Fallen". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ "Chef Andy Ricker of Pok Pok - Biography". Starchefs.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Michael, Russell (October 30, 2020). "Pok Pok, Portland's defining restaurant for more than a decade, is no more". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Adamczyk, Alicia (September 30, 2014). "New York's Michelin-Starred Restaurants Announced For 2015". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Sutton, Ryan (November 15, 2016). "Surprise: Here Are the 2017 NYC Michelin Star Rankings (A Few Days Early)". Eater New York. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ Goldfield, Hannah (June 25, 2012). "Pok Pok NY". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Wells, Pete (June 26, 2012). "Pok Pok Ny in Brooklyn". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Fabricant, Florence (August 13, 2018). "Pok Pok Ny to Close After 6 Years". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Scattergood, Amy (December 30, 2014). "Andy Ricker's Pok Pok Phat Thai now open in Chinatown". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Balla, Lesley (November 2, 2015). "5 Things to Know About Andy Ricker's Pok Pok in Chinatown". Zagat. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Elliott, Farley (August 2, 2016). "Pok Pok Phat Thai turns off the lights in Chinatown this Sunday". Eater LA. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Bargar Suter, Lesley (May 15, 2015). "Pok Pok L.A. Is No More, but There Is Glory in Its Passing". Los Angeles Magazine. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi; Mancini, Al (August 14, 2018). "Pok Pok, Lardo, Hattie B's to open on Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Stapleton, Susan (December 2, 2020). "Chef Andy Ricker's Pok Pok Wing Closes at the Cosmopolitan This Weekend". Eater Las Vegas. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ Frane, Alex (March 25, 2020). "The Pok Pok Empire Closes Indefinitely in Wake of Coronavirus Crisis". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
External links
Media related to Pok Pok at Wikimedia Commons
- v
- t
- e
- Acadia
- Alexis
- Altabira
- Analog
- Arleta Library
- Ataula
- Aviary
- Aviv
- Baby Blue Pizza
- Backspace
- Bailey's Taproom
- Batterfish
- Beaker & Flask
- Beast
- Berbati's Pan
- Berlin Inn
- Bijou Cafe
- Bistro Agnes
- Bit House Saloon
- Biwa
- Bluehour
- Blueplate
- Bombay Cricket Club
- Botanist House
- Brasserie Montmartre
- Bridges Cafe
- British Overseas Restaurant Corporation
- Byways Cafe
- Cafe Azul
- Candlelight Cafe & Bar
- Canlis
- Carriage Room
- Castagna
- Century Bar
- Chez Machin
- Circa 33
- Clyde Common
- Country Bill's
- Cup & Saucer Cafe
- Davis Street Tavern
- Der Rheinlander
- Dick's Kitchen
- Dig a Pony
- Dime Store
- Dóttir
- Egyptian Club
- El Gallo Taqueria
- Embers Avenue
- Esparza's
- Everybody Eats PDX
- Evoe
- Farm Spirit
- Fat Head's Brewery
- Fenouil
- Fermenter
- Fish Grotto
- Fong Chong
- Genoa
- Georgian Room
- Gilt Club
- The Goose
- Greek Cusina
- Grüner
- Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge
- Handsome Pizza
- Henry Ford's
- Henry Thiele
- Hobo's
- Holy Trinity Barbecue
- House of Louie
- Hunan
- Hung Far Low
- Industrial Cafe and Saloon
- Irving Street Kitchen
- Isabel Pearl
- JaCiva's
- Jackknife Bar
- Kenny & Zuke's
- Kornblatt's
- La Carreta
- La Moule
- Lazy Susan
- Le Bistro Montage
- Lincoln
- The Liquor Store
- Little Bird Bistro
- Local Lounge
- Lonesome's Pizza
- Lovely Hula Hands
- Lucier
- Malka
- Mama Đút
- Masia
- The Matador
- Metrovino
- Mi Mero Mole
- Ned Ludd
- Nel Centro
- New Copper Penny
- No Vacancy Lounge
- NOLA Doughnuts
- Ocean City Seafood
- Organ Grinder
- Original Taco House
- Overlook
- The Pagoda
- Paragon
- The Parish
- Pazzo Ristorante
- PDX671
- Pearl Tavern
- Pied Cow Coffeehouse
- Ping
- Pink Feather
- Pok Pok
- Portland Penny Diner
- Portobello Vegan Trattoria
- Purrington's Cat Lounge
- The Queen's Head
- Radar
- Raven & Rose
- Red and Black Cafe
- Revelry
- RingSide Fish House
- Roe
- Roman Candle
- The Roxy
- Satyricon
- Saucebox
- Seastar Bakery
- Shift Drinks
- Shine
- Shizuku
- Shut Up and Eat
- Southeast Grind
- Stacked Sandwich Shop
- Stanich's
- Starky's
- Sunshine Noodles
- Sunshine Tavern
- Sweet Hereafter
- Sweet Lorraine's
- Tails & Trotters
- Tanuki
- Tapalaya
- Tasty n Alder
- Tasty n Daughters
- Tasty n Sons
- Tercet
- There Be Monsters
- Three Sisters Tavern
- Tilt
- Toki
- Toro Bravo
- Touché
- Vault Cocktail Lounge
- Veritable Quandary
- Via Tribunali
- Victory Bar
- Whiskey Soda Lounge
- Wildwood
- Wong's King
- The Woodsman Tavern
- Xico
- Yaw's Top Notch
- Yonder
- Zefiro
Chains | |
---|---|
|
Related | |
---|---|