Running, Noodles, and Boston Dreams: Chef Tee and His Marathon Journey

If you’ve spent any time in Lakeview, chances are you’ve stumbled across Cozy Noodles. Located on Sheffield, just a block south of Wrigley, it’s nestled between an auto repair shop and some apartment buildings.

When you walk inside, you’re immediately greeted by the mouth-watering smell of Thai food, vibrant colors, and a cozy dining room. The walls are lined with memorabilia, from Singer sewing machine tables to Chicago Cubs bobbleheads, a replica of the 2016 World Series Trophy, and welcoming neon signs.

A closer look, however, reveals Chef Tee’s deep love of running culture. One section of the restaurant displays his bibs and medals from major marathons, while another showcases his custom-designed singlets and t-shirts, which he wears on race day. Adjacent to this is a dry-erase board with a countdown showing how many days remain until the 2025 Bank of America Boston Marathon. And, of course, there’s his wall of hand-painted Boston Marathon logos, placed strategically by the front window for passersby to admire.

Chef Tee’s running journey began in 2014, but it wasn’t until 11 years later that he joined his first training program with Fleet Feet. He was already familiar with the Fleet Feet brand, being a regular customer at the Lakeview location, managed by Jamie Hershfang, a longtime Cozy Noodles customer and a coach for the Fleet Feet Racing Team and Boston Bound Programs. Mike Moreau, another coach for both programs and an outfitter at Fleet Feet Lakeview had been encouraging Tee to join Boston Bound since he registered for the marathon in 2023. “I told him there was no time — I was too busy with the restaurant,” Tee recalls. “I knew I needed to run and train, but I couldn’t commit to an in-person training program with everything I had going on here,” referring to the demands of the restaurant.

Chef Tee ran his first Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2014 and has participated every year since — except for 2016, when he was busy feeding the entire Chicago Cubs organization during their playoff run, which culminated in their 2016 World Series victory. As part of a tip for one of his orders, Tee received a ticket to one of the home games during the World Series against the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians).

Chef Tee’s passion for running not only fuels his own involvement in the sport but also his desire to give back to the running community in Chicago. Every year, leading up to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Cozy Noodles offers a free “carb-up” meal to all runners who come in with their bibs. “Everything I do comes from my heart,” he reflects. Taking care of his local runners is incredibly important to Chef Tee.

Although he doesn’t expect anything in return, his community has shown their support. For the past two years — and continuing into his third Boston Marathon journey — Chef Tee has fundraised for the Boston Athletic Association. The organization’s mission is to educate and train underprivileged student-athletes while respecting their culture. In all three years, Chef Tee has met his fundraising goal in less than a month, offering meals and restaurant swag as thank-you gifts to all who donate.

Reflecting on his training with Fleet Feet, Chef Tee emphasizes the importance of making time for yourself. “You always say there’s no time, but you can always make time for the things that are important.” Every morning before his runs, he paints the Boston Unicorn on canvas. Just as he makes time for running, Chef Tee has carved out space in his hectic schedule to do something that brings him joy, fills his cup, and allows him to reflect on his dreams and goals.

Follow along as Chef Tee runs his third Boston Marathon in April, and be sure to stop by Cozy Noodles for a delicious meal.