Zenwich Sandwich Shop Opens Second Location in Edgewater
The Asian-inspired sandwich shop will open at 1124 W. Thorndale Ave. near the Red Line station in mid-February, bringing Thai barbecue pork belly and other specialties.
Title: Zenwich Sandwich Shop Opens Second Location in Edgewater A sandwich shop specializing in Asian-inspired fare will open its second Chicago-area location in Edgewater next month.
Zenwich owner Chai Ploentham plans to open at 1124 W. Thorndale Ave., just west of the Thorndale Red Line station, in mid-February. The restaurant’s original location operates in suburban Elmhurst.
The menu features sandwiches with Thai barbecue pork belly, Sichuan spicy chicken and Taiwanese braised pork served on ciabatta bread, priced between $13.50 and $15. Customers can substitute rice-paper wraps or red quinoa bowls for bread at no additional charge. Pescatarian options include spicy garlic shrimp, while vegan diners can order crispy tempura patties.
“Everything here is made to order,” Ploentham said, adding that keeping the menu minimal means he can focus on making every sandwich high quality.
Ploentham, who is from Thailand, has operated restaurants for almost 20 years. He owned a sushi restaurant in St. Louis that closed last year and took over the Elmhurst Zenwich location from its original owners in 2018.
The restaurateur previously expanded Zenwich to River West and Wicker Park, plus a suburban Aurora location. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close all stores except the Elmhurst shop.
Ploentham said he’s excited to bring Zenwich to the Far North Side and believes the restaurant will offer something new to the area.
“I hope Edgewater likes the store,” he said.