Popular Pensacola food truck Thai Street Food by Chef Eddy is on the verge of establishing a permanent establishment at 4400 Bayou Blvd. Suite 55 early next year. This marks a significant milestone for chef Ratchakrit Wilertthada, who launched his food truck in 2023 and has since built a remarkable reputation under the nickname “Chef Eddy.” With a wealth of experience from Thailand, where he worked in five-star restaurants and hotels, Wilertthada brings his culinary expertise to Pensacola.

Building a Reputation on Quality Ingredients

Wilertthada emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients in every dish. As stated in a statement for the News Journal, “We have built our reputation by making every dish from quality ingredients.” This commitment to quality is set to continue in the new restaurant, where customers can expect not only traditional Thai favorites but also unique seafood dishes with traditional Thai flavors that are truly one-of-a-kind.

The tried-and-true Thai recipes that have won over customers since the food truck opened, such as drunken noodles, pad Thai, and various curries, will remain on the menu. These dishes have become synonymous with Thai Street Food by Chef Eddy and are sure to delight diners.

In addition to the delicious food, the physical restaurant will offer a more spacious dining environment, allowing customers to enjoy their meals in comfort. It will also provide more menu items and the opportunity for entertainment inside the restaurant, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Overcoming Food Truck Limitations

Operating a food truck has its limitations, as Wilertthada explains. “Selling food from a food truck has many limitations that cannot meet the needs of customers,” he wrote. “To give our customers more options, they can enjoy the atmosphere, music, sports, have fun with friends and family and of course, eating your special food while it is still hot will make it more enjoyable. That is why we decided to open a restaurant.”

The new restaurant will address these limitations by providing a larger seating capacity. Initially, there will be about 70 seats available inside, with plans to add an additional 70 seats outside later on. This will allow more people to enjoy Thai Street Food by Chef Eddy at once.

As for the menu, the restaurant will expand on its seafood offerings to include a variety of delectable items such as sea scallops, soft-shell crab, New Zealand mussels, and various fish seasoned with ingredients imported from Thailand. These seafood dishes will add a new dimension to the dining experience and showcase Wilertthada’s culinary creativity.

Renovation and Opening Timeline

The new restaurant is currently undergoing renovation, and if all goes according to plan, it is expected to open in January. This has been a long-awaited moment for both Wilertthada and his customers.

“I feel like everyone is waiting for me to come back, and I’m excited to see them again. And another thing is that this is my dream,” Wilertthada said. “To be able to do something that we’ve dreamed of, it’s so exciting that I can’t describe it.”

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