By Serena Solomon
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HELL'S KITCHEN — Yum Yum Bangkok Thai restaurants in Hell's Kitchen give new meaning to the term "local chain."
What started out as one restaurant on the east side of Ninth Avenue, between 45th and 46th streets, has now spread to four storefronts, all within 50 feet of each other.
"It's a good location," said Ann Someoon, manager of Yum Yum Too, which was actually the restaurant's fourth outlet to open. "There are residents. It's near Times Square and there is heavy foot traffic."
Cole Burden, an actor and nearby resident, is a frequent visitor of all three locations. He said that despite the high supply of Yum Yum Thai, all Yum Yums appear to do a brisk trade.
"It's kind of strange, isn't it?" he said. "It's like people can't get enough of Yum Yum Bangkok."
The first location — technically the downtown restaurant, but only by a few feet — opened its doors in 1998. Someoon said when the landlord offered more space to the owner, Mr. Don, he expanded to include a another storefront. Those two Yum Yums are served by a common kitchen and connect through a small corridor.
Serving more traditional Thai cuisine, Yum Yum 3 opened in 2005 and is separated from the first two storefronts by an Italian restaurant and a bar.
As the demand for Thai continued, Yum Yum Too opened last year around the corner on West 46th Street. It serves Thai and east Asian fusion. Reflecting Yum Yum Too's slightly more uptown location, it has an elegant feel, decked out with white tablecloths and shiny silverware.
Local resident Anya Wallch finds it convenient to have the restaurants close together.
"We look and see where there is the least crowd and then go in," she said. "I'm just thrilled there is always a place to sit."
Plans to expand in Hell's Kitchen are on hold for now, according to the manager. She said the owner had set the limit on the street — but there are plans to take Yum Yum to other neighborhoods.
After all, she said, "There are too many Thai restaurants on Ninth Avenue."
