Long John Silver’s (U.S. seafood fast food chain) docks its first Thai branch in Megabangna

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

 

Jul 24, 2024

 

The American fast food seafood chain has finally arrived on Bangkok’s shores. Named for the pirate in “Treasure Island” and a mainstay in American fast food with more than 500 locations, and they’re serving up de la mer classics and fried chicken. 

 

Since this might be uncharted territory for a lot of Thai fans, we recommend a safe bet like the fish combo set (B189) which is Long John Silver’s version of crispy fish and chips. Their Bucket Shrimp (B179) is coated with a special signature seasoning while the Chicken and Shrimp combo (B179) adds fried chicken alongside some waffle fries. 

...

The Thai owners claim their seafood comes from sustainably sourced fish from the Alaskan ocean to the coast of New Zealand.

 

(more)

 

https://bk.asia-city.com/restaurants/news/long-john-silvers-docks-its-first-thai-branch-megabangna

 

https://www.longjohnsilvers.co.th/

 

Also reported in the BKK Post a week prior via a corporate PR news release:

 

Long John Silver’s Now Serving Thailand

 

Long John Silver’s, the renowned American quality seafood restaurant chain, has just arrived in Bangkok at the retail paradise that is Mega Bangna. Long John Silver’s presents a veritable tasty bounty of glorious seafood from the finest sources, all cooked to perfection in Long John Silver’s secret recipe batter. The interior of its restaurant provides a warm ambiance, fun vibes and a great spot for social media-savvy photos … so ring the captain’s bell as loud as you want, and join in with all of the launch program fun!

...

Long John Silver’s distinguishes itself by offering sustainably-caught fish of exceptional quality that is wild-caught and responsibly sourced from the cleanest, most sparklingly clear waters, from the pristine oceans of Alaska to the gentle waters off the coast of New Zealand.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2831497/long-john-silvers-now-serving-thailand

 

Wonder who the master Thailand franchise holder is for this operation? Unfortunate that the OP article above doesn't say. But the articles say the managing director of LJS Thailand is a Supasiri Leelapornpinit, who has previously worked for True Corp. and CP, and posted on LinkedIn at one point re Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opening in Thailand. There was a Popeyes branch that opened at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok back around 2011, and may have been a branch in Pattaya many years before that, but no indication those have any relation to the current LJS operation.

 

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2831497/long-john-silvers-now-serving-thailand

 

 

 

 

[bunnydrops]

I haven't been to a LongJohns in 40 years. I did love the clam chowder. Met the founder once in Seattle, early 70s. They were just rolling out nationwide

[Yellowtail]

Is it open now? I've been watching the remodel (across from Ikea) for the last month when I go to the movies at Mega.

 

ShakeShack just opened there as well. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Thailand's recent history seems to be littered with attempted western / U.S. restaurants and chains that opened and ultimately failed here...

 

IHOP was one of those, which opened amid great fanfare at Siam Paragon and later Mega Bangna, and fell victim to the COVID downturn in tourism.

 

Carl's Jr. had multiple locations and then closed up in the past year or so. Outback Steakhouse had a location that was open for many years and likewise died and disappeared during COVID. Same with a popular upscale Mexican place named The Mexican in the Nana area.

 

Same with the Clinton St. Baking Co. diner from New York that opened and then closed in Siam Paragon.  And those are just scratching the surface off the top of my head....

 

I'm wondering how long the two Red Lobster outlets (at QSNCC and more recently Emsphere) will survive considering their typical entrees (lobster and steak dishes) run in the $30+ neighborhood before service charge and VAT are added on.

 

And meanwhile, Taco Bell Thailand, which is a very pale substandard imitation of the original version from the U.S., seems to be persevering and has gained a foothold here, probably aided by the fact that the worst of COVID has passed, tourism is returning, and the Thai franchise holder has multiple imported restaurant brands in its portfolio.

 

 

[Will B Good]

Long John Saliva.....he was the spitting image of his dad.

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Thailand's recent history seems to be littered with attempted western / U.S. restaurants and chains that opened and ultimately failed here...

 

IHOP was one of those, which opened amid great fanfare at Siam Paragon and later Mega Bangna, and fell victim to the COVID downturn in tourism.

 

Carl's Jr. had multiple locations and then closed up in the past year or so. Outback Steakhouse had a location that was open for many years and likewise died and disappeared during COVID. Same with a popular upscale Mexican place named The Mexican in the Nana area.

 

Same with the Clinton St. Baking Co. diner from New York that opened and then closed in Siam Paragon.  And those are just scratching the surface off the top of my head....

 

I'm wondering how long the two Red Lobster outlets (at QSNCC and more recently Emsphere) will survive considering their typical entrees (lobster and steak dishes) run in the $30+ neighborhood before service charge and VAT are added on.

 

And meanwhile, Taco Bell Thailand, which is a very pale substandard imitation of the original version from the U.S., seems to be persevering and has gained a foothold here, probably aided by the fact that the worst of COVID has passed, tourism is returning, and the Thai franchise holder has multiple imported restaurant brands in its portfolio.

 

 

I was sorry to see Carl's go, but I won't miss Outback, it was good, and then they cheeped it out, Sizzler at three times the price. Like to see a Longhorn give it a shot. 

 

Did you forget A & W? Kind of miss them, my kid loved it, and it was fun. 

 

I'll have to try the Red Lobster, my wife and kid both love it in the US. 

 

If Long John's is open, I'll give it a try, but I doubt Thais will like it, I know my wife does not. 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

I'll have to try the Red Lobster, my wife and kid both love it in the US. 

 

I think the RL chain has been having its financial problems in the U.S.... a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and location closures...and an impending sale coming out of bankruptcy.

 

Red Lobster hits a Chapter 11 bankruptcy bump

Jul 29, 2024

 

The company, in a recent court filing, showed that 228 total restaurants cannot make money with their current lease situations. With the 99 Red Lobsters already closed, that suggests that the company could shutter an additional 135 restaurants if landlords object to giving up their past rent claims.

...

Red Lobster, as it learns which locations will close, does have a new buyer. The company has accepted a stalking horse bid from Fortress Credit Corp. No other bidder emerged for the company, and the bankruptcy court is expected to approve the deal.

 

https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/restaurant-chain-closing-more-locations-in-chapter-11-bankruptcy

 

 

Here, the wife and I tried the QSNCC RL branch soon after it opened, and had a nice, pleasant (albeit expensive) dinner there. The service was really good by Thai standards, friendly, English-speaking and just attentive enough but not overbearing/annoying, and both the steak and the lobster entrees we had were good and up to U.S. standards.  But it's not the kind of place that we, or I suspect most people, would go to on a regular/recurring basis... But who knows...

 

The dinner bill for the wife and I:

 

 

 

At least, LJS is a more economical seafood option.... and hopefully, keeps to their promise that they're NOT using crap, medicated, diseased farmed seafood from Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc.

 

[Yellowtail]

24 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I think the RL chain has been having its financial problems in the U.S.... a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and location closures...and an impending sale coming out of bankruptcy.

 

Red Lobster hits a Chapter 11 bankruptcy bump

Jul 29, 2024

 

The company, in a recent court filing, showed that 228 total restaurants cannot make money with their current lease situations. With the 99 Red Lobsters already closed, that suggests that the company could shutter an additional 135 restaurants if landlords object to giving up their past rent claims.

...

Red Lobster, as it learns which locations will close, does have a new buyer. The company has accepted a stalking horse bid from Fortress Credit Corp. No other bidder emerged for the company, and the bankruptcy court is expected to approve the deal.

 

https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/restaurant-chain-closing-more-locations-in-chapter-11-bankruptcy

 

 

Here, the wife and I tried the QSNCC RL branch soon after it opened, and had a nice, pleasant (albeit expensive) dinner there. The service was really good by Thai standards, friendly, English-speaking and just attentive enough but not overbearing/annoying, and both the steak and the lobster entrees we had were good and up to U.S. standards.  But it's not the kind of place that we, or I suspect most people, would go to on a regular/recurring basis... But who knows...

 

The dinner bill for the wife and I:

 

 

 

At least, LJS is a more economical seafood option.... and hopefully, keeps to their promise that they're NOT using crap, medicated, diseased farmed seafood from Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc.

 

Yeah, I saw the bankruptcies and whatnot. It's a shame, not high-end enough for the rich who poo-poo it, and the non-rich are hurting a bit. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Did you forget A & W? Kind of miss them, my kid loved it, and it was fun. 

 

Yep, another goner to add to the western eateries list for Thailand:

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2276071/aw-restaurant-chain-to-close

 

It predated my arrival in Thailand by a few years, but I think (have been told that) the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and its long aftermath was a fatal blow to a lot of western eatery operations in Thailand in the ensuing years.... And then things began to recover finally in latter years, only to have COVID come along and deal another heavy blow to businesses that relied a lot on tourist / expat foreigners.

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

16 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

seen the new taco bell by TP gate???

 

Taco Bell U.S. took it in the shorts lately courtesy of my preferred Mexican fast food alternative that I'd love to come here...but almost certainly won't... Del Taco.

 

Taco Bell rival takes top spot for best fast food chain in US – and fans swear the number two choice is ‘a lie’

AMERICANS have voted on the top 10 best fast food chains, and a surprising taco spot was ranked number one.

 

Jul 22 2024

 

The first place most people think of when you suggest getting drive-thru tacos is Taco Bell.

 

It appears that USA Today readers would disagree after they voted Del Taco as the number one fast-food restaurant in the country. The outlet released a list of the top 10 best fast food chains in the country as voted on by readers.

 

The popular Mexican restaurant only has 594 locations, mainly on the West Coast.

 

(more)

 

https://www.the-sun.com/money/11991448/del-taco-voted-best-fast-food-customers-disagree/

 

[Yellowtail]

16 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Taco Bell U.S. took it in the shorts lately courtesy of my preferred Mexican fast food alternative that I'd love to come here...but almost certainly won't... Del Taco.

 

Taco Bell rival takes top spot for best fast food chain in US – and fans swear the number two choice is ‘a lie’

AMERICANS have voted on the top 10 best fast food chains, and a surprising taco spot was ranked number one.

 

Jul 22 2024

 

The first place most people think of when you suggest getting drive-thru tacos is Taco Bell.

 

It appears that USA Today readers would disagree after they voted Del Taco as the number one fast-food restaurant in the country. The outlet released a list of the top 10 best fast food chains in the country as voted on by readers.

 

The popular Mexican restaurant only has 594 locations, mainly on the West Coast.

 

(more)

 

https://www.the-sun.com/money/11991448/del-taco-voted-best-fast-food-customers-disagree/

 

Del Taco is better, but the market is not big enough yet. Once Taco Smells gets to 30 locations maybe. 

[Yellowtail]

39 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

seen the new taco bell by TP gate???

 

just popped up as they were giving free tacos out...curious to see how the thai workers keep up standards as im curious about the iceberg--tomato--cheese--etc....import tax..quality control etc...but i never go in these FF places anyway

 

the prices are outrageous as well but newbie stoner backpackers will be happy....almost 300 for a few crunchy tacos...nah

I don't hate it, and my wife and kid both like it. Quality seems about the same, presentation is nicer. 

 

I think McD's in Thailand is better than the US. 

 

McD's India was interesting...

[Yellowtail]

27 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Yep, another goner to add to the western eateries list for Thailand:

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2276071/aw-restaurant-chain-to-close

 

It predated my arrival in Thailand by a few years, but I think (have been told that) the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and its long aftermath was a fatal blow to a lot of western eatery operations in Thailand in the ensuing years.... And then things began to recover finally in latter years, only to have COVID come along and deal another heavy blow to businesses that relied a lot on tourist / expat foreigners.

 

 

I think my first trip here was in '98 and started the plant full-time in '00. McD's was about the only American fast food going, and not many outlets. I could count on my hands the number of times I ate at McD's in the ten years prior to relocating to Thailand, but it got to be my favorite stop on my weekly trips to Bangkok for a few years... 

 

Oh, and KFC was here. 

[sirineou]

Not sure where Mangabaga  is , but I sure would love to live there. 

Though I can see some problems with my family in the US who when they ask me where I live , i tell them I live in Mangabaga, at which point they will surely ask me  how much I had to drink and start arranging an intervention. . 

[Jingthing]

Do they still have hushpuppies?

Did they used to have fried clams?

Remember Howard Johnson's fried clams?

https://doyouremember.com/168999/howard-johnsons-fried-clam-strips

I wouldn't go there for fish and chips as there are so many British places doing that in Thailand.

I might try their fried shrimp and hushpuppies if they have it. 

 

Probably my favorite fried seafood ever is soft bellied clams but I've never seen those outside of New England especially Cape Cod.

[Yellowtail]

27 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Not sure where Mangabaga  is , but I sure would love to live there. 

Though I can see some problems with my family in the US who when they ask me where I live , i tell them I live in Mangabaga, at which point they will surely ask me  how much I had to drink and start arranging an intervention. . 

It's Mega Bangna, and it is where the 9 intersects the outer ring road, out by the new airport on the Samut Prakan side of the Trad Road. Pretty easy access, nice food and theater and great parking. 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Do they still have hushpuppies?

 

Believe one of the OP linked articles says that hush puppies are NOT on the Thailand LJS menu...

 

But Cheddar Bay Biscuits are on the Red Lobster Thailand menu... if your wallet is fat enough!  🙂

 

[Yellowtail]

Just now, Jingthing said:

Do they still have hushpuppies?

Did they used to have fried clams?

Remember Howard Johnson's fried clams?

I wouldn't go there for fish and chips as there are so many British places doing that in Thailand.

I might try their fried shrimp and hushpuppies if they have it. 

I think I read they would not have hushpuppies, but I'm not sure. Yes, I think they'll have fried clams. 

 

Howard Johnson's in the US? When I traveled with the carnival, we wintered in Orlando, and I used to go there almost every Wednesday (I think) for all-you-can eat fried fish, clams and french-fries, for (I think) $4.99.

 

I would take a pick-up full of guys and we would get our money's worth. It was right across the street from a drive-in theater that has $5.00 a carload every Wednesday too. Eat 'til we were stuffed, and then hit the movie. Good times those...

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Believe one of the OP linked articles says that hush puppies are NOT on the Thailand LJS menu...

 

But Cheddar Bay Biscuits are on the Red Lobster Thailand menu... if your wallet is fat enough!  🙂

 

How are the biscuits? 

 

Texas Chicken (Church's in the US) had good coleslaw and pretty good biscuits for a while, but they dropped the coleslaw and now only have small biscuits which are not as good. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

25 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

It's Mega Bangna, and it is where the 9 intersects the outer ring road, out by the new airport on the Samut Prakan side of the Trad Road. Pretty easy access, nice food and theater and great parking. 

 

 

 

There's also a regular, free shuttle bus service that runs from beneath the Udomsuk BTS station on the Sukhumvit Line out to the Mega Bangna mall...and back, of course. Pickup spot on the outbound side of Sukhumvit in front of the 7-11 shop there, if memory serves.

 

Now with IHOP at Mega Bangna gone and the new IKEA store opened at Emsphere near Phrom Phong BTS, there's a whole lot fewer reasons for me to trek out to Mega Bangna lately...

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How are the biscuits? 

 

Texas Chicken (Church's in the US) had good coleslaw and pretty good biscuits for a while, but they dropped the coleslaw and now only have small biscuits which are not as good. 

 

the wife and I shared a couple of baskets of them here at Red Lobster... one complimentary, and then a 2nd one paid....

 

I don't think I'd ever had them in the U.S., so nothing to compare to... But, they were "biscuits," and we had no problem eating them...  But not anything I'd personally go out of my way to grab....

 

[Classic Ray]

Tried to visit Amici in Siam Paragon on

Monday (holiday) but rammed out with Arab tourists and twenty more queueing outside. The whole shopping centre was full of Arab tourists, not seen like that since before Covid.

 

Glad the tourist trade is recovering and not just zero-dollar ones either.

[Srikcir]

Krispy LJS halibut fish and chips if offered same as in the US would be a game changer. 

[khunjeff]

On 7/29/2024 at 8:15 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

There was a Popeyes branch that opened at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok back around 2011, and may have been a branch in Pattaya many years before that

 

I remember the first Popeye's store opening on Silom in the early 90s, but it disappeared after a few years. 

 

On 7/30/2024 at 10:00 AM, Yellowtail said:

Is it open now? I've been watching the remodel (across from Ikea) for the last month when I go to the movies at Mega.

 

Yes, a few weeks ago - the opening was covered extensively in the media. 

 

On 7/30/2024 at 4:42 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Taco Bell U.S. took it in the shorts lately courtesy of my preferred Mexican fast food alternative that I'd love to come here...but almost certainly won't... Del Taco.

 

Del Taco did open one store on Sukhumvit about 20-25 years ago, but it didn't last long. 

 

On 7/30/2024 at 5:56 PM, Jingthing said:

Probably my favorite fried seafood ever is soft bellied clams but I've never seen those outside of New England especially Cape Cod.

 

Those used to be plentiful and cheap throughout New England, but unfortunately clam prices started skyrocketing a few years ago due to red tide and invasive predators, and they're now very expensive when you can find them at all.

 

https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2021/07/26/clams-latest-food-hit-skyrocketing-prices-shortages/8055477002/

[bamnutsak]

I was at Mega Bang Na on Tuesday afternoon/evening. 

 

Mall was heaving ~ 17:00.

 

Long John's was ~ 50% full. 

 

There is a Shake Shack at Mega Bang Na too.

 

I've never eaten at either (nor Taco Bell), in the U.S. or here.

 

 

On 7/30/2024 at 5:56 PM, Jingthing said:

Probably my favorite fried seafood ever is soft bellied clams but I've never seen those outside of New England

 

Native New Englander here, Clam Box devotee, North Shore (MA)/Ipswich, but others favor Woodman's.

 

 

 

[newnative]

    Had no idea they were still in business in the US.  We had a rather tired outlet years ago where I lived.

[Yellowtail]

It was H. Salt Fish & Chips on the west coast when I was a kid, that was some nice product. 

 

Still a few around, I think.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 hours ago, khunjeff said:

I remember the first Popeye's store opening on Silom in the early 90s, but it disappeared after a few years.

 

I've been here full-time since the mid-2000s....almost 20 years ago now...

 

And I was really surprised, when at various points along the way, I heard stories from OLDER timers of the various U.S. places that had staked claims in Thailand in past years, only to later disappear...

 

And then by the time I arrived, most folks of my era had never heard of those places ever having been in Thailand before a decade or two earlier.... The institutional memory, such as it is, often isn't very good.

 

But also, you have to be careful... Sometimes, some Thai operator will copy the name of a business or brand (or close to it) in establishing a business here... even though it might have no official/formal relation to the namesake operation in the U.S.

 

Do you know, if the Del Taco location you recall was in fact a legit extension of the U.S. chain?

 

 

 

[Yellowtail]

25 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I've been here full-time since the mid-2000s....almost 20 years ago now...

 

And I was really surprised, when at various points along the way, I heard stories from OLDER timers of the various U.S. places that had staked claims in Thailand in past years, only to later disappear...

 

And then by the time I arrived, most folks of my era had never heard of those places ever having been in Thailand before a decade or two earlier.... The institutional memory, such as it is, often isn't very good.

 

But also, you have to be careful... Sometimes, some Thai operator will copy the name of a business or brand (or close to it) in establishing a business here... even though it might have no official/formal relation to the namesake operation in the U.S.

 

Do you know, if the Del Taco location you recall was in fact a legit extension of the U.S. chain?

 

 

 

There's a "Panda Kitchen" in Salaya with the same logo/sign as "Panda Express" 

[bamnutsak]

On 7/30/2024 at 3:35 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I think the RL chain has been having its financial problems in the U.S.... a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and location closures...and an impending sale coming out of bankruptcy.

 

 

Thai Union bought into Red Lobster in 2016 and took control in 2020.

 

Just couldn't replicate that Shrimp Buffet model.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhTAtJSZkrc

 

 

How a global seafood giant broke Red Lobster

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/25/business/red-lobster-bankruptcy-thai-union/index.html

 

 

Red Lobster files for bankruptcy, says it’s investigating Thai Union’s “undue influence” in shrimp-purchasing decisions

 

https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/red-lobster-files-for-bankruptcy-says-it-s-investigating-thai-union-s-undue-influence-in-shrimp-purchasing-decisions