How Many Restaurants Does Andy Ricker Have?

Andy Ricker Restaurants: Key Takeaways

As of mid-2025, Andy Ricker does not currently own any restaurants outright, with none operating under direct ownership.
He is recognized for having one Michelin starred restaurant, Pok Pok NY in New York City, awarded 1 star in 2012.
Ricker’s signature concepts focus on authentic Northern Thai cuisine and Thai-inspired casual dining and bars.
His recent brand presence is strongest in the San Francisco Bay Area with four Tam Sang locations.

Chef Andy Ricker is a celebrated Thai cuisine expert known for his authentic approach to Northern Thai street food, popularized through the Pok Pok brand. Despite wide acclaim, Andy Ricker does not currently own any restaurants outright.

This article provides a detailed exploration of Ricker’s restaurant concepts, including his Michelin-starred flagship and recent expansion efforts primarily in California's Bay Area, covering both fine dining and casual Thai eateries.

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Andy Ricker Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Andy Ricker, though highly regarded in the culinary community for his pioneering Thai cuisine, currently does not own any restaurants outright worldwide. His presence is more nuanced, primarily as a culinary figure and former restaurateur.

Historically, Ricker’s flagship was the Pok Pok brand, which at one point had multiple venues, however, today none of these locations operate under his ownership. Instead, his influence remains through concept licensing or partnerships, but no direct ownership or franchising activity is reported as of 2025.

His restaurant footprint extends through various concepts, often centered around authentic Thai flavors, casual dining, and cocktail lounges. The strongest visible presence is in Northern California's San Francisco Bay Area with multiple Tam Sang locations inspired by street vendor style Thai foods.

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Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
San Francisco Bay Area	4	Tam Sang (Palo Alto, Lafayette, Mill Valley, Cupertino)
Other Regions	0	No direct restaurant ownership reported
Total (Global)	0	No restaurants currently owned by Andy Ricker

Note: This reflects direct ownership as of 2025. Some previous venues like Pok Pok and Whiskey Soda Lounge have closed or moved ownership.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Andy Ricker’s acclaim includes the operation of Pok Pok Ny in New York City, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2012—a testament to his expertise in elevating Northern Thai cuisine to fine dining levels.

Since then, Pok Pok Ny operated as a key Michelin-starred venue introducing authentic Thai flavors to a global audience. Although the restaurant has since closed and Ricker does not currently own any Michelin-starred establishments, this accolade remains an important part of his culinary legacy.

Pok Pok Ny (New York, USA) – 1 Michelin star (2012). Known for authentic Northern Thai dishes served in a casual fine dining setting; pivotal in establishing Ricker’s reputation in the competitive NYC dining scene.

The Michelin star recognition illustrates the high level of quality and authenticity in Ricker’s cooking, even as his business model has shifted towards smaller and more casual concepts.

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Notable Andy Ricker Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Andy Ricker has developed several key restaurant concepts, most focused on delivering authentic Thai flavors through casual dining and bar environments. While none are currently owned by him, they remain associated with his culinary identity and style.

Pok Pok

Pok Pok is Ricker’s flagship concept known for authentic Northern Thai cuisine presented in a casual, approachable style. Though the original Pok Pok locations have closed or changed management, it remains a symbol of his culinary philosophy.

The concept has historically featured traditional Thai dishes, with a focus on bold flavors and street food authenticity.

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Whiskey Soda Lounge

The Whiskey Soda Lounge concept revolves around Thai-inspired bar snacks paired with a whiskey-focused drink menu. It offers a lively, social atmosphere inspired by Thailand’s night markets and cocktail bars.

Locations once operated in tandem with Pok Pok but are no longer under Ricker’s direct ownership.

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Pok Pok Wing

Specializing in Vietnamese-style fish sauce wings, Pok Pok Wing was a smaller concept focusing on popular street food items. This concept amplifies Ricker’s dedication to bold, savory flavors representative of Southeast Asia street foods.

Pok Pok Phat Thai

Centered around Thailand’s beloved noodle dish Pad Thai, this concept spotlights quick, flavorful, and casual meals based on traditional recipes.

Sen Yai

Sen Yai is a casual Thai noodle house concept also associated with Andy Ricker’s culinary approach, focusing on fresh, made-to-order noodle dishes inspired by traditional Thai recipes.

Tam Sang

Currently the most active concept linked to Ricker’s influence, Tam Sang has four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area: Palo Alto, Lafayette, Mill Valley, and Cupertino.

These venues emphasize flavors inspired by Thailand’s street vendors who prepare food fresh to order. Tam Sang offers casual dining with a strong focus on authentic Thai street food dishes.

The brand has expanded post-2023, reflecting strategic growth in a region known for culinary diversity and adventurous diners.

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Andy Ricker Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In conclusion, Andy Ricker does not currently own or operate any restaurants worldwide, with direct ownership reported at zero in 2025.

His legacy is closely tied to innovative Thai cuisine brought through Michelin-starred venues like Pok Pok Ny and a portfolio of casual Thai concepts, notably Tam Sang in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Although no longer a restaurateur with owned venues, Ricker’s contribution to Thai food culture in America and abroad remains significant. His focus on authenticity, approachable dining, and regional street food flavors continues to influence culinary trends.

Without franchises or licensed locations, Ricker’s restaurant footprint is defined more by advisory and conceptual influence than active ownership or large-scale empire-building.

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For those interested in experiencing Ricker’s food style today, Tam Sang locations provide accessible entry points to his signature flavors in a casual setting, with prices ranging from $15 to $45.

01. How involved is Andy Ricker in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Andy Ricker is primarily known as a chef and culinary consultant rather than a restaurateur with active ownership. He does not currently own or manage any restaurants.

His involvement today tends to be more advisory, focusing on menu development, brand identity, and culinary direction particularly for concepts like Tam Sang, rather than daily operational management.

02. Are Andy Ricker’s restaurants expensive—and which ones offer the best value?

Since Ricker does not currently own fine dining venues, pricing is mostly in the casual to mid-range category.

Casual concepts like Tam Sang offer meals typically priced between $15 and $45, providing affordable access to authentic Thai street food-inspired dishes.

Historically, Michelin-starred Pok Pok Ny was higher-end but is no longer operating.

03. How does Andy Ricker choose new cities or countries for expansion?

While specific expansion strategies are not public, Ricker’s recent activity suggests a focus on culturally rich and food-forward markets like the San Francisco Bay Area.

His partnerships with local food groups facilitate measured growth emphasizing authentic culinary experiences over rapid franchising.

04. Are Andy Ricker’s restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability practices vary by venue, but Ricker’s approach generally emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Casual Thai concepts like Tam Sang prioritize locally sourced produce when possible, aligning with modern culinary trends.

05. Can you book Andy Ricker’s restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Given that Ricker’s concepts are mostly casual dining without a central ownership, booking systems may vary by location.

Some Tam Sang locations accept reservations online or by phone. There is no unified loyalty program across concepts.