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Kanna Thai Kitchen licensed at former Di Chan Thai location in San Diego

Kanna Thai Kitchen licensed at former Di Chan Thai location in San Diego

Rule Changes San Diego, CA local

Beer-and-wine permit filed at 5535 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, the longtime home of a Thai restaurant that closed after 25 years

3 days ago: Beer-and-wine license recorded

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

Kanna Thai Kitchen is taking over the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard space that Di Chan Thai held for 25 years. On October 14, 2026, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recorded an active license for the newcomer at 5535 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

The type 41 license allows on-sale beer and wine served with food, not spirits. It is held by ZAB & SOUL INC. The record confirms the approval, but not whether the restaurant has opened its doors.

Why it matters

Clairemont loses a 25-year neighborhood Thai restaurant and gains a newcomer licensed to sell beer and wine with meals.

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Key Indicators

Type 41
California ABC license class
On-sale beer and wine at an eating place; hard liquor not included.
25
Years Di Chan Thai served at the address
Operated from 2001 until closing in 2026.

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Organizations Involved

Timeline

2001 October 2026

4 events Latest: 3 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Beer-and-wine license recorded

    Latest License

    California ABC records an active type 41 license for Kanna Thai Kitchen, held by ZAB & SOUL INC.

  2. Kanna Thai Kitchen sign goes up

    Signage

    Local blog reports the Kanna Thai Kitchen sign marks the incoming tenant of Di Chan's old spot.

  3. Di Chan Thai closes after 25 years

    Closure

    Shuts down after 25 years, leaving the building vacant.

  4. Di Chan Thai opens at the address

    Milestone

    Starts serving Thai food at 5535 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, per its website.

Scenarios

1

Kanna Thai Kitchen opens at its Clairemont Mesa address

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Local food blog mmm-yoso, which tracked the tenant handoff

If the beer-and-wine approval is the last regulatory step the restaurant needs, Kanna Thai Kitchen begins serving customers in Di Chan's old space. The license alone does not confirm an opening, so confirmation comes from the restaurant's own channels or local coverage.

2

Beer-and-wine license lapses before the restaurant opens

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: None; a routine regulatory possibility

If the restaurant never opens or changes course, the license could be surrendered, canceled, or allowed to lapse in ABC records. This is the default outcome if Kanna Thai Kitchen does not begin operating.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2012-2015

Sam Wo changes hands (2012–2015)

San Francisco's Sam Wo served Chinatown for more than a century before health violations forced its closure in 2012. New operators took over the space and reopened it in 2015.

Then

The new management restored the landmark in 2015, keeping its name and counter service.

Now

The handoff showed a beloved independent restaurant space could pass to new operators rather than sit empty.

Why this matters now

Parallels Di Chan Thai's 25-year run giving way to new operators at the Clairemont Mesa address.

2020-2021

Pandemic closes decades-old independents (2020–2021)

COVID-19 restrictions and rising labor costs pushed thousands of long-running independent restaurants across the U.S. to close permanently. Neighborhoods saw familiar storefronts turn over to new owners or chains.

Then

Owners who had served communities for decades retired or sold their leases.

Now

The turnover accelerated a broader shift of prime restaurant spaces to chains and new concepts.

Why this matters now

Provides the wider context for a 25-year-old family Thai restaurant closing and a new operator taking its license.

Sources

(3)