Shortly after I posted the news today that China Thai restaurant had closed down, a coworker shared with me this news: Rice House China Thai at 54 W. Congress St. is also no more.
Rice House was well known with the downtown lunch crowd for its inexpensive lunch specials from both China and Thailand. As of now, the furniture is still inside the building but a sign on the door says the tenants were locked out by the landlord.
The message dated April 25 reads the restaurant owners were locked out due to "uncured defaults" under the lease and that the landlord has placed a lien on all property inside the building. Rice House's phone number has also been disconnected.
Some silver lining: Downtown Tucson is getting a new Thai restaurant in the coming months called Senae Thai Bistro. It will serve gourmet Thai dishes at a slightly higher price point than Rice House.