BANQUET HALL NOW OPEN IN YUBA CITY!!!
Please note the Yuba City Restaurant will be closed May 19th and reopen May 27th for renovations.
Thank you for all your support during the Yuba City construction!!
We are OPEN and looking forward to the new Plumas St.!!
Click here for directions for parking during construction http://www.sopathai.com/locationsanddirections.htm
Sawasdee Ka
Sopaworn "Soupy" Savedra had wanted a Thai restaurant in her hometown of Yuba City since 1975. "Every year I looked for it, thinking somebody is going to do it, but no one did," she said. So Sopa decided to do it herself.
Sopa, mother of five, (Chanda , Pottra, Martina, Martin, Anthony) began her Plumas Street restaurant -Sopa Thai Cuisine- 4 years ago calling it her "her dream come true." and saying, "its meant to be."
Born in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, Sopa moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1973 before settling in Yuba City 32 years ago. In her native language her name means a "pretty vine that winds around the tree," but most people have had a hard time saying "Sopaworn" so they call her "Soupy" or "Sopa".
At the time of opening the restaurant, Sopa was a full time claims representative at the Social Security office in Yuba City. Friends, and family of Sopa know it has never been unusual for her to have more than one job, sometimes three. "I'm not afraid to work," she said Her oldest daughter Chanda adds, "She loves to be around people, that's what it is." It's not surprising then, that only 3 years later after the success of the Yuba City restaurant she began another restaurant in Nevada City.
Sopa has worked at her share of restaurants since 1976 from local Asian to American restaurants. "So, I got a lot of experience in this field," she said Sopa loves running the show now, she has " always wanted to work for herself."
With Sopa as the leader and driving force, Sopa Thai Cuisine is a family effort as relatives and friends all lend her a hand. "Its something our family has talked about for a long time," said Chanda the restaurants general manager "So we said, " Yeah, let's save some money and do it." "I even retired early to be a part of this,' said Martin Savedra, Sopa's husband. Their oldest son Martin Jr. can be seen managing in Nevada City. Pottra may be seen on the weekends helping out, and Martina (Nitra) helps out when home from college. You can catch Anthony some Sunday's on the beautiful Nevada City patio, where he performs live music from his first CD. The Savedra's strictly believe in treating their guests as part of the extended family. Thus making Sopa Thai known for their excellent customer service.
Along with service, the restaurant's authenticity is very important to Sopa. She ordered much of the furniture and decor directly from Thailand. Both restaurants feature a special section for traditional Thai seating, where the floor is lowered and patrons sit with pillows and triangle shaped armrest also ordered from Thailand. The wait staff wear traditional Thai clothing such as sarongs, and 
"fisherman pants". The menu is authentic with over 60 items from traditional Pad Thai noodles, to Mango Red Curry, served along side a Singah thai beer. Almost the entire menu can be made very mild or very spicy, with vegetarian options as well. A lifelong Buddhist, Sopa has the restaurants blessed and anointed by Buddhist monks. The all- thai cooks put out offerings daily as well.
Opening in July of 2003 Sopa Thai Cuisine has become an award winning restaurant featured in Sunset Magazine, and since visited by famous sports players and diplomats. Praised and loved by locals alike Sopa Thai is a welcome, "taste of something new and exciting".
Re-vised by Lisa Anderson with credit to excerpts from The Appeal- Democrat / Chris Kaufman 2003
Last updated February 2008