Chanita Chayaluk

I have some news to share. I am opening my first Thai restaurant! TAAN coming soon in Humboldt Park this summer 🔥

Taan in Thai simply means “to eat” with a double meaning of “coal” depending on how you say it which is the method of cooking that will be the heartbeat of the menu.

When I left my career in counseling/higher education of 10 years to formally pursue Thai cuisine in Bangkok, the goal was always to share Thai food with Chicagoans. Frustrated by the lack of variety and depth of Thai food options in Chicago, I knew I wanted to change the landscape of it here in my hometown.

The journey of searching for the right place for TAAN has been over a year long, and I have many people I owe gratitude to (more to say on that), but I do believe that it is the right location and time for it. What you can expect at TAAN: a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar with a concise menu driven by local and seasonal Midwest produce. A low brow aesthetic for you and your friends. A cute back patio—because, Chicago. No gimmicks, no kitsch. NO PAD THAI.

I’m ecstatic, nervous, and terrified. You have got to be out of your damn mind to embark on a restaurant business in this economic climate, but I do believe that TAAN is special and deserves a home right here in Chicago. More to come. But for now, I eagerly look forward to welcome you in soon.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support thus far in here. Without you, TAAN is nothing.

📸: @nicolette.portraiture