Gin Khao, the Polk County Thai food truck known for popping up at breweries and farmers markets across the region, is getting ready to put down roots with its first permanent restaurant in Bartow. The owners have submitted plan review paperwork for a space on West Main Street, and the business has confirmed the move.
According to What Now, plan review documents list 750 W Main Street as the proposed site, just east of South Woodlawn Avenue and across from the Bartow Main Street Low Cost Pet Hospital. What Now also confirmed the news with owner Thomas Klug and noted that the truck's current menu includes pineapple fried rice, Thai cashew, pad thai and pad kee mao, with proteins such as chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu. It remains unclear when the storefront will open or how the menu might change after the move.
Truck Roots And Local Footprint
Gin Khao has built a local following by appearing at breweries and pop up markets around Polk County. Event calendars have repeatedly booked the truck for nights at Swan Brewing and other Lakeland pop ups, where its Thai bowls have become a regular draw. Listings from LALtoday and other community calendars show the truck on a steady rotation across the region.
The People Behind The Truck
Gin Khao is a family run operation. Chef Prapapan “Hippy” Klug and her husband, Thomas, run the business and have been the faces customers see at events. Vendor profiles report that Prapapan trained in Thailand, including at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, and Thomas oversees day to day operations and logistics, experience that could help smooth the jump from truck to storefront. Marketspread documents the pair's background.
What To Watch
There is no confirmed opening date yet, and the plan review filings indicate the project is still in the early stages. What Now notes that more details are forthcoming. For now, the truck's Instagram account, @ginkhaofood, is where the owners are sharing pop up schedules and updates on the opening. Local permitting and public notices will offer more clues as the build out moves ahead.
