Pok Pok facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pok Pok
Pok Pok and the Whiskey Soda Lounge in Portland, Oregon, in 2009
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Restaurant information
Established	2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Closed	2020
Current owner(s)	Andy Ricker
Head chef	Andy Ricker
Food type	Thai
Street address	3226 Southeast Division Street
City	Portland, Oregon
State	Oregon
Country	United States
Coordinates	45°30′17″N 122°37′56″W / 45.50468°N 122.63219°W / 45.50468; -122.63219

Pok Pok was a Thai restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States. Andy Ricker is the founder and chief chef. The main restaurant was located at 3226 Southeast Division Street. The restaurant and satellite locations closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

Pok Pok Phat Thai and Pok Pok LA opened in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles in December 2014 and November 2015 respectively, but Pok Pok Phat Thai closed in August 2016.

There was also a Brooklyn location, which closed September 2, 2018.

COVID-19 pandemic

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' death as the reason for the change in strategy. Ricker cited the tragedy as a “wake-up call to the restaurant industry” and himself.

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. Ricker announced closure of the original and remaining locations in October 2020.