Rama Thai to open new south-side location

Rama Thai is adding a new location on the south side of Springfield.

Owner Nadda Gamel said she's currently looking to open around Oct. 31 at 2808 S. Campbell Ave. The location would be under the Rama Thai Restaurant name, she said, and would add to her eatery portfolio that also includes Rama Thai Cafe at 1129 E. Walnut St. and Thai Square at 307 S. National Ave.

The roughly 3,000-square-foot South Campbell building previously housed Thai Express, which closed this summer. The building is part of The Village, a shopping center owned and operated by Magers Management, according to Greene County assessor records and MagersManagement.com. 

"The owner there came to talk to me and asked if I [would] like to go over there," Gamel said. "They told me that equipment ... is in good condition – newer equipment than what we have right now."

Gamel said Rama Thai Restaurant, with four employees to start, would offer an expanded version of the menu at Rama Thai Cafe. Her to-go options also would switch to Rama Thai Restaurant, she said, noting plans to bring on a third party to handle the operation.

"We're going to have a lamb special that's really special," Gamel said of menu offerings at Rama Thai Restaurant, noting that Springfield restaurant-goers should "try something if they love Thai food."

Gamel opened Rama Thai on historic Walnut Street in 2015, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Thai Square got its start around the corner on National Avenue in 2023.