Say Sawatdeekha (Goodbye) to J's Noodles & New Thai

Following news of the closures of several longtime restaurants including Sushi Sasa, Café Brazil and Fruition, a fifteen-year-old Thai strip-mall spot is getting ready to say goodbye — though there may be hope for it to move to a new location.

Over the years, there's been some confusion around J's Noodles & New Thai — including name and location changes (it's not related to J's Noodles Star Thai on South Federal Boulevard) — but there's never been any question about the quality of the food coming out of the kitchen at 1842 South Parker Road.

Since 2010, locals in the know have happily tucked into generous plates of the not-too-sweet Country Pad Thai, shatteringly crispy vegetable egg rolls, silky curries and refreshing papaya salads, complemented by a small selection of beer and other potables. And while its Thai hot level of spice might cause eyes to water, the reasonable prices never have.

That's all changing, though, and frugal foodies will soon be sniffling at the restaurant's closure. Owners Judy and Sammy Teawdeswan will be shuttering J's at the end of January. With their lease on the humble strip-mall location expiring and the neighboring halal market seeking space to expand, the clock is ticking for Thai food fans.

"The economy is bad, and we are not able to renew the lease," Judy says. "We have been doing this for a long time. COVID was very hard. And it's too expensive to find and move to another place."
Judy emigrated from Bangkok in 1997, and she and her husband took over a family member's restaurant in 2003. "I will really miss the customers," she notes. "I like cooking. I work from the heart." That work has allowed Judy, age 55, and her husband, 70, to put three daughters through college and build a good life in Colorado.

However, all hope is not lost just yet. "It is possible that maybe there will be an investor," Judy says. "There is a customer who would love for us to find another place. So we will hope."

She adds that the restaurant has patrons who will come in two or three times a week, and that some regulars even text her in hopes of early entrees. "If I can," she says, "I will come in and cook for them to pick up, even if we have not been open."

Through January, loyal fans will be hoping that the next tasty Thai meal won't be the last, and the Teawdeswan family will be happy to serve them. "I want customers to come and see us," Judy concludes, gesturing to the colorful space around her. "And enjoy the food."

J's Noodles & New Thai is located at 1842 South Parker Road and is open from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit jnoodlesnewthai.blogspot.com.