New Maggie’s Bistro in York cooks with Thai roots
Mike and Tuk Bodell talk about her dream of owning a restaurant and what it’s like to work together at Maggie’s Bistro in York on Feb. 27, 2025.
The bistro is owned by chef Aroonlack ‘Tuk’ Bodell and her husband, Michael, who was originally from York County.After the success of their soft pretzel business, the Bodells decided to rebrand and offer a wider variety of dishes showcasing Tuk’s culinary skills.The menu features brunch classics, Thai-inspired specials, and eventually, their popular pretzels and smashburgers will return.
Maggie’s Bistro is WeCo’s newest brunch spot, offering a little bit of everything, from locally roasted espresso crafted drinks to French-style bistro fare, Thai specials, and yes − soft pretzels.
Formerly known as Maggie’s Soft Pretzels, Maggie’s Bistro is the business behind culinary-trained chef Aroonlack ‘Tuk’ Bodell and her husband, Michael.
Originally from Thailand, Tuk lived in Philadelphia where she worked as an au pair before attending culinary school in the city and interning with a French chef at a bistro.
While living in Philly, Tuk met Mike, who was originally from York County, and after getting married, they decided to move back to Bodell’s hometown.
For 10 years, Tuk was a stay-at-home mom and once her kids started school, she found herself with more free time during the day and thought about starting a business, her dream.
“I’ve always had a passion about cooking,” Tuk said. And when she lived in Philly, she fell in love with soft pretzels.
“I baked for my kids all the time and they loved it,” she said. Eventually, they would share their soft pretzels with family friends, who started making requests for party trays. That’s when the Bodell’s realized they had something special.
Maggie’s Bistro
In May of last year, the Bodells opened Maggie’s Soft Pretzels in West York, in the former Buttercream Dream bakery storefront.
Named after their 5-year-old daughter, Maggie, their menu featured everything from plain soft pretzels to pretzel bun sandwiches, pretzel rolls, Maryland crab bites and more.
And the community showed up. So much so that when the Bodell’s announced Maggie’s was closing in December for a rebrand, there was a mix of emotions: excitement and sadness.
Baking pretzels fresh to order had its challenges and rewards, with happy customers but often long wait times, and although it was getting busier and business was growing, Bodell said it wasn’t manageable at the time.
They wanted to pivot and start a business that offered more than just pretzels, so Tuk could utilize more of her culinary skills.
In February, Maggie’s Bistro opened in the space that housed Skillet to Plate Soul Bistro at 221 West Philadelphia Street, and rest assured, pretzels and smashburgers are slowly making their way back on the menu.
Their new menu is designed around light and fresh brunch options, including waffles, French-style omelets, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, salads and weekly Thai-inspired specials.
Maggie’s Bistro is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.