Little Jack Style Thai to open in Bundanoon

One year after nearly closing their doors, one of Bowral’s more loved restaurants is opening a second eatery in the Southern Highlands. Find out when.

Bowral restaurant Jack Style Thai has made a miraculous comeback from almost closing its doors a year ago to opening a new venue this month.

Jack Style Thai was the first Thai restaurant in the Southern Highlands when it opened more than 30 years ago, and the trailblazing restaurant is looking forward to another ‘first’. It will be the first Thai restaurant in Bundanoon, a fact that has locals thrilled for its upcoming opening.

Co-owner Frank Nesci said locals have been ecstatic and are constantly inquiring about the opening date.

“There’s been great support. They’re so excited,” he said.

Jack Disadee and Frank Nesci are co-owners of Little Jack Style Thai, which will open in Bundanoon this month.

Frank and his co-owner and namesake of the restaurant, Jack Disadee, saw the need for a Thai restaurant in the booming Bundanoon area.

“It’s a market that’s been missed by the Southern Highlands,” Frank said.

“You’ve got Penrose, Bundanoon, Exeter, and it’s growing.”

Although the duo hadn’t planned to expand, the opportunity arose to lease the Ye Olde Bike Shoppe building in Bundanoon that Jack had always admired, and the two took it.

Frank said Bundanoon is the perfect fit for Jack Style Thai because of the strong community spirit there.

“Bundanoon is such a loving community where they all stick together and I’m sure if you win them over, you can do well,” he said.

11 Church St Bundanoon, the former Ye Olde Bike Shoppe, will be the site of Little Jack Style Thai restaurant.

Local support has kept the business alive over the last year after it was close to shutting down for good.

In April last year, lockdown measures had slashed the restaurant’s income to unsustainable levels and things looked bleak. But a call out on the radio from Highland FM turned things around instantly.

“It was all going downhill, and then Highland FM posted about us and then the next night we literally had queues lining up around the block,” Frank said.

“It shows the community support. It’s incredible around here.”

Frank Nesci said the renovations have been tough.

Six months of work and many delays later, Little Jack Style Thai is almost ready to open.

A year later and the restaurant is putting the finishing touches on the new premises at 11 Church St Bundanoon. The exterior, including the charming cycling mural, will remain the same, however the interior has been transformed.

The renovations have been going on for six months, with heavy delays from tradies, weather, and council. There were also some long nights put in by Jack and Frank, who handmade the interior touches.

The co-owners have already hired ten Exeter and Bundanoon residents to work in the restaurant and four Thai chefs to staff the kitchen. Frank said he hopes the new Bundanoon restaurant will have the same friendly dynamic as the Bowral restaurant.

“It feels like a family. It makes the workplace more enjoyable as well,” he said.

The wooden panelling, tables, and details were handmade by Jack and Frank.

Little Jack Style Thai will be opening in the next two weeks in Bundanoon, and Frank suggested it may even be earlier.

It’s likely the restaurant will hold a soft opening to thank all their supporters and those who have worked on the new building. Jack humbly contributes the success of Jack Style Thai to loyal locals.

“We want to say thank you to all the community that helps us and supports us,” he said.

“We can share our love to Bundanoon.”