Longtime Thai Favorite Penny’s Noodles Returns to Wrigleyville After Six Years

A longtime Thai favorite is back in business in Wrigleyville, as Penny’s Noodle Shop is open inside the Wrigleyville space it vacated nearly six years ago. Penny’s has reclaimed the space at 3400 N. Sheffield Avenue (Paul’s Noodle Shop occupied the spot for the last four years). Penny’s had spent 23 years at the corner of Sheffield and Roscoe before closing in December 2013.

In the interim, Penny’s had been operating at a nearby location at 950 W. Diversey Parkway, a restaurant that closed in April, ending a run that started in 2005. Penny’s operated multiple locations in Chicago including in Wicker Park where Bill Kim’s Urbanbelly now stands.

Penny’s manager Areerat Potikul said the original crews behind the Wicker Park and Lakeview restaurants have returned to cook the food at the Wrigleyville spot. The only difference is that Potikul and her sister are running the restaurant.

Penny’s is known for affordable Thai noodles and soups. Comforting and consistent, it was a pioneer in the Chicago area. The mini chain still operates a location in suburban Oak Park. A Northfield location is now under different management with a new name (PSN Noodles).

This should complete a series of Lakeview Thai restaurant shuffles. Acclaimed chef Andy Aroonrasameruang moved his restaurant, Andy’s Thai Kitchen, into the Penny’s space on Diversey earlier this year.

When Penny’s first opened, few Chicagoans knew about the concept of regional Thai food. Now the city celebrates it at events like last weekend’s Thai Food Festival. Restaurants like Pink Salt in Fulton Market and Sticky Rice in North Center are diving into other culinary aspects of the country. Meanwhile, Penny’s returning to an old space and sticking with what made it popular. Penny’s is back in Wrigleyville.

Penny’s Noodle Shop, 3400 N. Sheffield Avenue, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.