Thai Bistro at Tellico Village

Thai Bistro at Tellico Village Whether your taste is Southeast Asian (Thai) or Central Asia (Chinese) you'll find your favorites. She came from a humble upbringing in rural Thailand.

(Tellico Village) The Best of Bangkok is coming to Tellico or maybe better said The Tour of Asia has arrived to stake a claim to the culinary taste of the Villagers of Tellico and Loudon County. The Thai Bistro at Tellico Village will be opening in Mid-May at 222 Lakeside Plaza and offering Asian Cuisine from Thailand, China and Japan. Chintana (Gina) Makin brings over 30 years’ experience in the

restaurant business with her to Tellico Village. As a young woman, she wanted more for her family and moved to Bangkok to learn a trade skill that would afford her children a better life. She began working in restaurants and built her experience from the bottom up. As she grew in knowledge of the restaurant business she worked her way to the 4 and 5-Star Thai-Asian and Italian restaurants training as a chef in a predominately mans world of the culinary arts. “I wasn’t allowed to work the Hibachi Grills in front of customers because Thai culture believes that being a performing chef in public is a man’s job.” She didn’t give up on her skills as a chef and happily worked in the kitchens preparing dishes of mainly Thai recipes but also Chinese and Japanese cuisine. “After several years, I was trusted by the owner to help with manager duties and be responsible for handling the finances of the day to day business. That responsibility meant a lot too me and I worked hard to show I was worthy of their trust,” Gina stated. In 2009 Gina was offered an opportunity to come to America. The former Commerce Secretary of Thailand had opened Thai and Japanese Restaurants in Orlando, Florida. She was brought to the Thai Thani restaurant where she worked and trained as a manager and was then assigned to the Celebration location in Kissimmee. She continued her chef and serving skills filling in as needed. Gina added, “I also went for two and three month trips to help other Thai Chef’s start their own businesses in Ohio and Maine. It is very important to form a good team for cooking and service.” Gina expects to use those same skills in building a customer base at the Thai Bistro at Tellico Village. Gina came to Knoxville two years ago at the recommendation of a friend, also from Thailand. She worked for nine months at the Asia Café in North Knoxville where she met her husband Glenn Makin as a customer at the bank where he worked before retiring. After moving to West Knoxville, she became a server at the Taste of Thai and quickly claimed many regular customers. Gina added, “I really enjoy Tennessee and the people have been so nice to me. I try the best I can to serve them and treat them like family.” And continued, “it has been my goal to open a restaurant that offers a variety of Asian favorites.”
When the restaurant opens, Gina will have a chef team led by a professional Thai and Asian Chef from Bangkok, who also came over to work at the Thai Thani in Florida originally. Chef Artid (ARE-TID) currently in Oxford, Mississippi, will show his culinary skills are second to none in quality and presentation. “I’ve known Chef Artid for 20 years and have very much respect for his professional skills. He will impress customers with his abilities,” said Gina. Thai Bistro will feature traditional favorites from Asian style cuisines including Pad-Thai, Drunken Noodles and Curry’s from Thai, General Tso and Sesame Chicken from China and Hibachi and Tempura from Japan as well as many other selections. “All of our sauces will be prepared from scratch in the kitchen for authentic taste,” Gina said and added, “Only the quality white meat for our chicken dishes, pork tenderloin, quality Shrimp, Salmon and Sea Bass for seafood dishes. Appetizers will include customer favorites Calamari, handmade Spring Rolls and Satay with Chicken or Pork and Thai Spring Dumplings.”
The decision to open in Tellico Village was made possible with encouragement from her husband Glenn who retired last year and works part time at the Toqua Golf Club as a Pro Shop Assistant. “My husband brought me several times to Tellico Village and I love the area like he does,” Gina quipped. “I am looking forward to serving customers from Tellico Village where they don’t have to drive so far for good Asian food.”
Glenn is known in East Tennessee for his publishing of Golf News of Tennessee and the website golfnews4friends.net since 1996. “I’m excited for Gina because I know her commitment to her work. And continued, “trust me, I’m not a chef but I love to eat and yes, I’m biased because she is my wife, but Gina is awesome. I will be available to do what it takes on the business end of the operation and support her completely.”

For details about the opening visit www.thaibistrotellico.com Have a preview peek at the menu, the loyalty program and contact information for reservations and take-out orders. See you soon!

02/03/2026

We are open again after 3 days of snow and ice. Come and enjoy Thai or Chinese food again. The highest rated in East Tennessee. Thank you.

01/25/2026

We will be open today normal hours 11-6 pm.

01/24/2026

Bistro closing at 6pm today and reopening tomorrow the 25th Sunday at 11am-6pm. Remember we stop taking orders and seating one hour before closing. thank you.

A big shout out about my wife Gina. NO ONE I know can do what she does. Running two restaurants has it challenges. Altho...
12/29/2025

A big shout out about my wife Gina. NO ONE I know can do what she does. Running two restaurants has it challenges. Although I do the books and work the counter after a year and a half of healing from surgeries, I have witnessed miraculous efforts from Gina in the kitchen, hiring new cooks and kitchen staff, keeping food on the shelves and in the fridge and serving customers with a smile. Her daughter is in Thailand for a month and Gina has been covering for her. This past week has tested both of us but more so her. Example, two days she handled ten tables at a time from 2 to 9 guest at each table. I witness how sore she is in the evening when she unwraps the bandages from her knees and still smiling. Customers see her working and are amazed at how she handles everyone with a smile. Please give some love to Gina and visit our restaurants. Thank you. Happy New Year.

12/14/2025

Christmas schedule:
24th open 11am and close at 6pm no lunch break
25th closed
26th open 2pm

New Year's schedule
31st open at 11am close at 6pm no lunch break
1st closed
2nd open at 2pm

11/11/2025

Veteran's Day Special. All veterans will receive 15% off their meal when showing ID. Thank you my brothers and sisters for your service.

11/07/2025

Thank you for choosing Thai Bistro for your Asian meal. Consistently one of the top rated Asian Restaurants in East Tennessee, right here in Tellico Village.
Many times customers ask what are the most popular entree's. So I printed out our sales from Jan 1 to yesterday Nov 6. 2025
See if your favorite is on the list:
Our overall top 3 entree's are...
Pad Thai 1,840 sold. Cashew Nut 1154, Drunken Noodle 1,108 sold. We also sell a lot of Thai Fried Rice, Yellow Curry and General Tso.
By catagory, our top 3
Curry, Yellow, Massaman, Green.
Fried Rice, Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice and Hot Basil Fried Rice.
Thai Dishes, Cashew Nut, Pad Bai Kapow, and Bangkok Chicken.
Noodle entree's, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodle and Pad Woon Sen.
Chinese entree's, General Tso, Sesame Chicken, Kung Pao.
House Specialties, Double Delight, Salmon Teriyaki, and Tornado Shrimp.
Appetizers, Spring Rolls, Crab Rangoon, Fresh Rolls.
Soups, Wonton, Tom Kha, and Egg Drop.
Desserts, Mango Sticky Rice, Choc. Lava.
Hope to see you soon for one of your favorites or something new. Thank you all.

11/05/2025

FALL/WINTER HOURS are now in place
Closed Monday
Tuesday-Friday
11am to 2:30pm 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday
12 noon to 8:00pm
Sunday
11am to 6:00pm

please forward to your friends and neighbors.

08/23/2025

Business is booming at Thai Bistro and we are so pleased with our current staff. Authentic Thai Food cooked by Thai Cooks that have been with us 3-4 years. Gina watches over the cooks to insure the recipes are used consistently. Gina loves her work, her customers and her employee's. Thank you all for eating at Thai Bistro at Tellico Village.

07/23/2025

Proud to announce that Gina is healing from her Cataract surgery with new lens in both eyes now. Her vision is clear and bright (still a little to bright) but adjusting to the better vision. Thanks for the support in prayers, as, God is Good. Come by Thai Bistro for a dinner and welcome her back. Thank you.

05/24/2025

Remember those who gave their lives for ours and others freedom.
A special date for those of us who served and lost brothers and sisters in wars.
Thai Bistro would an excellent choice to dine with friends and family this weekend. Thank you all.

Address

222 Lakeside Plaza
Loudon, TN
37774

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
4pm - 8pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
4pm - 8pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
4pm - 8pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
4pm - 8pm
Saturday 12pm - 8pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+18656576440

Website

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