QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CROWNS UTHAI AS QUEENS’ BEST PAD THAI ESTABLISHMENT

On Friday, December 20, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens, announced UThai as the winner of its inaugural Queens’ Best Pad Thai Competition. The contest kicked off on November 15 and asked foodies to nominate and vote for their favorite establishments serving up the Thai classic, with the Rego Park eatery emerging as the winner.
 
“As we wind down the year and reflect on the vibrant food culture of Queens, we are thrilled to announce the winner of the Best Pad Thai competition, the ninth installment in our ‘Best of’ food series,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Congratulations to UThai for their outstanding dish. This series has highlighted the borough’s incredible diversity and talent in the kitchen, and we’re excited to continue celebrating the best of Queens in the new year.”
 
“We are honored and excited to be the winner of Best Pad Thai in the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s contest,” said Arisa Srivilai-Sutunya, co-owner of UThai. “I am incredibly proud of our team for being so amazing and awesome; just the thought of our small team creating such a wonderful dish as pad Thai for our customers to enjoy can make me smile every time. We appreciate all the support from our customers and community.”

Other elected officials representing the Rego Park area also weighed in on the win.
 
"Pad Thai is Thailand's national dish and is also extremely popular here in Queens, where our culturally diverse community truly enjoys exploring the culinary traditions of countries all over the world," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "But while many Queens restaurants offer Pad Thai, only one can be said to be the best Pad Thai restaurant in the borough. I congratulate UThai on earning this prestigious honor from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and I look forward to seeing the Chamber continue to recognize the best in Queens cuisine during the new year."
 
“Queens is the World’s Borough and the great diversity that exists here is also reflected in the exceptional cuisine served by our local restaurants,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “I congratulate UThai for capturing the top spot in Queens’ Best Pad Thai Competition, and the win once again highlights how my congressional district is home to outstanding food establishments. I also congratulate My Black Thai and Kin'd which are located in my district as well. Thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce for working to shine a light on the wonderful small businesses in our communities.”
 
"It's no secret that Queens has the best food in a city full of fantastic restaurants,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi. “Congratulations to UThai for winning the Queens Chamber of Commerce's first ever Best Pad Thai competition!"
 
"Supporting small businesses like UThai is essential to the vibrant fabric of our community in Queens,” said New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “I commend the Queens Chamber of Commerce for recognizing these culinary talents, and I look forward to seeing more small businesses thrive in our borough."
 
“It's no secret—Queens is home to the most diverse cuisine and the best food in NYC! I'm thrilled that UThai in my district, Rego Park, has won the Best Pad Thai award in the borough! Congrats to the runners-up, and thank you to the Queens Chamber for this wonderful initiative,” said Council Member Robert F. Holden.
 
In total, residents nominated 10 businesses for this contest, and after hundreds of votes were tallied, UThai was selected as the winner.
 
The top three businesses selected by the public were:

1. UThai (Wetherole Street, Rego Park)
2. My Black Thai (Northern Boulevard, Jackson Heights)
3. Kin'd (Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows)

 
In addition to earning the title of Queens’ Best Pad Thai eatery, UThai received a plaque and a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The second and third-place winners also received certificates.
 
This is the ninth “Best of Queens” food competition. Prior contests settled debates over the borough’s best pizza, frozen desserts, burgers, halal, empanadas, barbecue, tacos, and bagels.
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Press release available for download, below.

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