Bahn Thai Restaurant Is Expanding in University Heights and Reopening in Hillcrest | Eater San Diego

"After operating out of a modest storefront on Park Boulevard for over a decade, I’ve watched the popular neighborhood Thai spot significantly size up in University Heights by moving into a much larger 3,500-square-foot space that was occupied by Johnston’s until it shuttered last fall and was the longtime home of Small Bar. Owner Paul Srimuang says they’ll be settling into the new location later this year after obtaining a construction permit to build onto the existing site to add more storage, and despite the building’s bar-focused history they won’t be serving alcohol. 2024 will also bring the reopening of Bahn Thai’s newer Hillcrest location on Fifth Avenue, which has been closed since May 2023 due to a fire; rebuilding has begun and they hope to be back up and running by June or July. The property transfer was assisted by Paul Ahern and Nate Benedetto of Next Wave Commercial, and former Johnston’s owner John Pani — who runs nearby Park & Rec — says he’s very happy about the sale and a longtime fan of the restaurant." - Candice Woo