She’s cooked for Padma, been on TV and now her Lexington restaurant is about to open
Rising food star Samantha Fore has announced when her new Lexington restaurant will open.
Tuk Tuk Snack Shop, the first brick and mortar restaurant from the local chef with national reach, will open on Sept. 22 at 124 Malabu Dr. Suite 110.
“Lexington is the place that really launched my business into a nationwide presence,” Fore said in a statement. “I’ve been waiting for the right time and place to open something in town, because the Bluegrass has always been my home. It’s a great homecoming.”
Fore began her culinary career with pop-ups called Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites in 2016. Since then it’s been a cooking highlight reel including: her curry tomato pie on the cover of “Food & Wine” magazine, cooking for “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi, appearances on “Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street” and traveling around the country cooking in Michelin-starred and James Beard-recognized kitchens. She was recently recognized as a Finalist for Best Chef: Southeast for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards.
What’s on Tuk Tuk’s menu?
The menu for Tuk Tuk Snack Shop marries Sri Lankan techniques and ingredients and classic Southern dishes. She’ll serve sandwiches, big snacks, sides, bakery items and desserts, according to the release.
Signature items include:
▪ The Webster, a fried chicken sandwich made with her Tuk Tuk Fried Chicken spice blend;
▪ The Duke, a grilled cheese with tamarind caramelized onions;
▪ Vadai “Corndogs” wrapped with lentil fritter batter;
▪ The Tuey (2-E), a BBQ-style jackfruit sandwich;
▪ The Sterling, a house-baked bun packed with spiced pulled pork and topped with Sri Lankan-style pickled carrots;
▪ Other items include rice bowls; house-made bread with sambols; Butter cake; Milk tea ice cream, and more.
Tuk Tuk Snack Shop
Where: 124 Malabu Dr., Suite 110
Hours: Monday, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Online: tuktuksnackshop.com
