RÁK: Modern Thai & Cocktails and Chewie Bitez open ahead of 2024 Christkindl Markt

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., November 14, 2024 – After more than ten years of success within the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, Rák Thai today announced they are expanding into the restaurant space where they will be adding new and exciting dining options to their fan-favorite menu. RÁK: Modern Thai & Cocktails, a full-service restaurant adding a modern twist to the traditional Thai flavors, will occupy the open restaurant space in the northeast corner of the first floor. Along with this expansion, the previous Rák Thai space is now home to Chewie Bitez, a new destination for mouthwatering sweet and savory snacks and artisan boba tea. Guests are invited to try both new restaurants starting this week.

As one of the original Market Hall Merchants, Rák Thai has thrived as the Downtown Market has grown during the past decade. Committed to finding new recipes and ways to celebrate Thai cuisine, founders Blon and Christine Hang are ready to take the next step, evolving the RÁK brand into a full restaurant concept that can accommodate more customers and provide an exciting new dining experience.

Offering modern Thai favorites along with newly-imagined appetizers, entrées, and cocktails, RÁK: Modern Thai & Cocktails will be an elevated dining experience celebrating the flavors and creativity of Thai cuisine while surrounding guests in a fun and inviting sit-down atmosphere. The Rák Thai dishes that guests have grown to love will still be available, along with so much more for Grand Rapids’ foodies to sink their teeth into. 

Considering its new name, guests can expect much more than fantastic Thai dishes. The upcoming restaurant also plans to have an extensive cocktail menu, serving traditional, “go-to” beverages while concocting a few original recipes of their own.

“The Grand Rapids Downtown Market has provided us with a space to experiment and grow our once-small business,” said Blon Hang, co-owner of RÁK: Modern Thai & Cocktails. “This is a big next step for us, and we know that the Market Hall is going to grow alongside the success of the Christkindl Markt. We are expecting thousands of people, which makes this holiday season the best opportunity to introduce our newest endeavors to West Michigan.”

Filling the previous Rák space is Blon and Christine’s completely new concept, Chewie Bitez. It combines the joy of indulgence with a dash of creativity with signature stuffed cookies and brownies in a variety of decadent fillings that ooze with flavor in every bite. From classic chocolate chip to adventurous flavors like s’mores and matcha, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. 

The new, fast and casual, grab-n-go concept aligns with the well-crafted convenience of the Market Hall, with signature stuffed cookies and brownies, as well as a variety of walkable foods, including chicken fingerz, seasoned french friez, cheese curdz and churro stickz, with a suite of dipping sauces to mix and match.

Chewie Bitez will also serve artisan boba teas, lemonades, lattes, cold brews, and other unique beverages. Guests can also enjoy a retail section of specialty candies, salty snacks, instant noodles, canned drinks, fun merchandise, and more. There are entire shelves filled with unique flavors of chips and colorful (and spicy) instant noodles.

“Rák Thai was one of the first restaurants to enter our Market Hall 10+ years ago, making this transition incredibly special and empowering,” said Mimi Fritz, President/CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. “We’re so thrilled to see what this next chapter brings to their team and to the Grand Rapids community.” 

About RÁK Thai 
Coming from their parents’ “mom and pop-style” Chinese restaurant, Blon Hang's yearning to try out modern food trends inspired him to open Rák Thai in 2013. The food menu focuses on innovative flavors, but is still filled with takeout favorites like Beef Bulgogi, Peanut Curry Noodles, Pad Thai, and Fried Rice. The Hang family has a lot of passion for food, which is perfect since the word Rák means "love" in Thai. Rák Thai is one of the original Grand Rapids Downtown Market merchants, serving West Michigan for 10+ years. 

About the Grand Rapids Downtown Market 
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a delicious destination that brings together small businesses, food entrepreneurship, award-winning venue spaces, and public events to create a vibrant, year-round downtown experience. Open seven days a week, the LEED-certified building is home to 19 local, artisan food merchants and restaurants. More at www.downtownmarketgr.com. 

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