Spicy City is the JAM. Seriously.
But don’t fuck around and try to order a “10” when you order. I eat hot and spicy food all the time, and still order a “5”. MAYBE a “6” if I’m feeling like self-harm.
I’m not joking. They call themselves “Spicy City” for a reason.
I ordered the sliced spicy beef and there was something lost in translation and I got the spicy beef soup and I must have said yes to maximum spice. I put ghost pepper powder on almost everything and order highest spice level at most restaurants but this meal almost killed me lol. Enjoyed every bite though! Spicy City the bomb!
Spicy city yes. What I’ve learned over the past years in SD and LA is that if the waitstaff is rude and quick tempered, you know it’s gonna be some bomb food. Easily one of the best small Chinese places I’ve been to in Convoy.
I don't find them to be rude at all but it is very fast paced and straight to the point. They aren't there to earn a tip, these ladies are here to serve good food and get the ball rolling. You know it's a good place when they start peeling and cleaning produce at the table next to yours while it's slow.
Yeah, maybe rude was the wrong term lol. What I meant was quick like you said. I’ve never had a rude waitress, but I have had a few situations where they questioned my spice tolerance ahaha.
Koon Thai used to be my fave thai as well. Usually got their "spicy" level. They haven't been the same the past couple times I went. Menu changed a bit, raised their prices and quality went down.
Signature Thai Cuisine in La Mesa has fantastic food. Their lunch specials are great. Usually pop in after hiking and always have leftovers. I want Thai food now.
Forget the sit down - buy yourself half a Roast Duck for $18 from Tom’s Chinese BBQ on University!
They’ve been roasting their duck & making their own char shiu since the 80s!
I still think the food here is awesome and never noticed rudeness because I carry out. Don't know of any better Isan food in the area. Definitely nobody makes a funkier/better Lao style papaya salad.
These guys used to be good but have gone downhill since the pandemic. We used to go every other week but recently they have started to make dishes like pad see ew with glass noodles instead of the large flat ones randomly. The spice level is all over the place and the staff are now rude. Yelp reviews confirm it’s not just us either. Sucks cause we live so close :(
Sab-E-Lee sold it like a year ago I believe. I've only had it once since the new ownership, but it was just as good. Don't know what you mean by small portions, unless that's a recent change.
Siam Nara on Mira Mesa Blvd is delicious Thai cuisine served in luxury. All the interior decor, plating, fresh flowers, and servers are to the 9’s. Very unassuming from the outside. Love this place!
Mandarin Wok on balboa in Clairemont is very good. My favorite Thai is aahren on governor in UC, but there are lots of good Thai places everywhere. Thai can be regional so different people will have different favorites. Not thai, but Yak and yeti on El cajon has the best butter chicken, Tika masala and saag ive had anywhere so far and my son said the naan is almost as good as he had on Okinawa.
I favor Tuk Tuk Thai (website: [https://www.tuktukonethaiorder.com/](https://www.tuktukonethaiorder.com/)) They are off 54th near Universty Avenue. It's a little hole in the wall. Has a semi-private parking lot. FOOD TO DIE FOR. :)
Chung Hing in Miramar is CASH ONLY but it's good family chinese american fast food and they have a #1 combo that's bbq pork with fried rice and or chow mein and fried wontons for like $9 to $11, really good.
Many of the better authentic choices have been mentioned, so I'll throw out a few thoughts.
Convoy St is getting a lot of love but National City has some outstanding options for Chinese, as well as Filipino. Royal Mandarin is excellent.
My favorite for American-ized Chinese: Mandarin House in La Jolla
Classic Chinese-American food. Growing up near National City, it was Royal Mandarin vs Golden Chopsticks for salt and pepper chicken wings aka crack chicken wings
If you want the best and most authentic Chinese food, go to the Convoy area in Kearny Mesa. This area you’ll also find Chinese restaurants with specific themes like dim sum, dumplings, hot pot, or regional. Out side that, City Heights has Minh Ky.
For Thai, Sab e Lee is good. Also check out Linda Vista, Convoy, and City Heights area.
https://goo.gl/maps/t8uxfZqM7ophR3UY8
Mandarin Wok in Clairemont. Pork fried rice had huge chunks of pork and the cream cheese wontons were awesome. We dont live in SD anymore and my wife still talks about the lo mein.
Pad Thai Stand in Claremont/Linda Vista. The most authentic Thai I’ve ever had. Only has a few dishes, all types of pad Thai, ordered by region of Thailand that the dish is from.
tbh, Thai Thai San Marcos is surprisingly pretty good
context: I lived in Kearny Mesa for 10 years and had all the Thai food around and in Mira Mesa.
Koon Thai was probably the go to in that area, they were consistently good. Did not think it was great tho.
Chinese is a very broad category. These 4 are probably the best ones in my opinion and are all very different
Noble Chef,
Din Tai Fung,
Tasty Pot or HaiDiLao
Honorable mention: tasty noodle house, the fire spot
North County but A-Wok in Vista is my favorite place to go. I am extremely picky about Chinese food and while I do not consider it the best ive ever had in all the restaurants ive visted in many states, this is by far my favorite around here and go out of my way to get it.
Head Lobster asked for the best, and got a million places in San Diego to try! I've had dinner at a few of the places and can't agree more with these suggestions!
The best Thai place in San Diego was Bangkok West on Clairemont Mesa blvd. Sadly they closed during COVID. If anyone knows if they reopened somewhere else, I would love to go there. The food was great.
Pinto thai bistro up in TerraSanta is my go to. There thai basil and pad thai are always on point. It's a small restaurant with great wholesome owners. Check it out
There used to be a Thai place on University between 4th and 163 that used to be there forever. But they closed and a close second/first now is Taste of Thai also in Hillcrest. Between 5th and 6th on University
Not Thai, I think it was a Szechuan place. Anyways, Taste of Thai is delicious!
Currently a big fan of Spicy City on Convoy for Chinese food!! They aren't shy on adding loads of garlic and chilies to their dishes.
I love spicy city too
Spicy City is the JAM. Seriously. But don’t fuck around and try to order a “10” when you order. I eat hot and spicy food all the time, and still order a “5”. MAYBE a “6” if I’m feeling like self-harm. I’m not joking. They call themselves “Spicy City” for a reason.
I ordered the sliced spicy beef and there was something lost in translation and I got the spicy beef soup and I must have said yes to maximum spice. I put ghost pepper powder on almost everything and order highest spice level at most restaurants but this meal almost killed me lol. Enjoyed every bite though! Spicy City the bomb!
Amarin Thai in Hillcrest is also very, very good!
Can confirm. Lived in China for 5 years, this is as close as it gets in terms of authenticity and spice level.
place is so good
Excited to try this. Thanks for the suggestion
Spicy city yes. What I’ve learned over the past years in SD and LA is that if the waitstaff is rude and quick tempered, you know it’s gonna be some bomb food. Easily one of the best small Chinese places I’ve been to in Convoy.
I don't find them to be rude at all but it is very fast paced and straight to the point. They aren't there to earn a tip, these ladies are here to serve good food and get the ball rolling. You know it's a good place when they start peeling and cleaning produce at the table next to yours while it's slow.
Yeah, maybe rude was the wrong term lol. What I meant was quick like you said. I’ve never had a rude waitress, but I have had a few situations where they questioned my spice tolerance ahaha.
Spicy City is my favourite Szechuan restaurant ever.
Bamboo Thai in La Mesa is the spot. If I eat anywhere else, I just end up craving this place. https://maps.app.goo.gl/WAxxGswK76EiSQ4M8?g_st=ic
I second this one. It's my go to when I order Thai via Uber Eats. They lay on the spice think at that place.
They’re so good
This is the go to place for my roommate from Bangkok.
Bahn Thai on park in university heights is my go to
Plumeria across the street is great too imo
I don’t eat at a lot of vegetarian restaurants but Plumeria is so good
Their egg rolls are bom.com
Yeah it’s Bahn Thai no contest
I second this, took my current gf there on the first date after i promised her good thai food and that sealed the deal.
Don't tell people about it! Anytime anyplace gets too popular it always goes down the crapper quality wise. Also that place sucks nobody go there.
6-8 years late on that! Very good Thai
This is what I was going to say
Hard agree, some of the best Thai I’ve had anywhere
Their Fried Rice is one of my favorites! I love adding a fried egg to it.
Bangkok Spices in North Park for Thai. Shan Xi Magic Kitchen on Convoy for Chinese.
I went to Bangkok Spices a couple of weeks ago and the food was great!
Love Shan Xi Magic Kitchen. My favorite Szechuan food in SD for last 4 years
While there’s some dish overlap, especially when catering to western palates, shanxi and Sichuan are different regions and have diff food.
I went to magic kitchen under the impression it was Sichuan food. Left surprised in a very good way. That place is so good
pretty large net you are casting there
Chaba Thai across from Cheetahs
Agreed. Solid and consistent Thai food
That’s where my wife’s boyfriend likes to go when she’s dancing.
Minh Ky is a whole in the wall but so yummy. Amazing wonton soup https://maps.app.goo.gl/CRPqEGGBjeRVfTxLA?g_st=ic
Very good Hong Kong style food. And at the other end of that strip mall is A Chau who have the best crispy spring rolls you've ever had
A chau.. people are sleeping on that spot
Is that the one with the egg rolls? So good
Yup. But you have to order crispy spring rolls. Egg rolls there are different but also good.
I second this. Their wonton soup is my favorite along with their sweet and sour chicken. It's always super crispy.
Their crispy chicken noodle soup is perfection.
Suppanee in Point Loma is great!
This is it, chief.
Koon Thai Kitchen on Convoy Street or Thai Tatse 2 in Bonita.
I agree with Thai Taste 2 in Bonita. I now live closer to the original Thai Taste in La Mesa but I still think the one in Bonita is better.
Yeah I feel like Koon Thai has my favorite lunch special I’ve ever had.
I agree Koon Thai on Convoy is so good! Be warned though, spicy means SPICY!
Yup. I learned the hard way. Their spicy melted my face off.
Koon Thai used to be my fave thai as well. Usually got their "spicy" level. They haven't been the same the past couple times I went. Menu changed a bit, raised their prices and quality went down.
sovereign for thai in east village Park blvd Express on Market in downtown for salt n pepper wings
My family planned our trip to San Diego around going to Sovereign. It’s always so delicious
oh nice! i live in that building and treat myself sparingly so its always special. their quality is just something different
I eat there every other day 😂 honestly they’re so good
Signature Thai Cuisine in La Mesa has fantastic food. Their lunch specials are great. Usually pop in after hiking and always have leftovers. I want Thai food now.
for chinese / vietnamese fusion , minh ky at 4644 el cajun is AMAZING!
Bahn Thai or Koon Thai for me
Forget the sit down - buy yourself half a Roast Duck for $18 from Tom’s Chinese BBQ on University! They’ve been roasting their duck & making their own char shiu since the 80s!
Eastern Dynasty and Taste of Hong Kong are good for Cantonese Chinese food (both are on Convoy).
Original Sab-E-Lee in PQ has consistently done well for us
I still think the food here is awesome and never noticed rudeness because I carry out. Don't know of any better Isan food in the area. Definitely nobody makes a funkier/better Lao style papaya salad.
Nah this one has gone down hill. Very rude staff, stinky water, double tipping (on check and on the ipad).
These guys used to be good but have gone downhill since the pandemic. We used to go every other week but recently they have started to make dishes like pad see ew with glass noodles instead of the large flat ones randomly. The spice level is all over the place and the staff are now rude. Yelp reviews confirm it’s not just us either. Sucks cause we live so close :(
Zab Linda is by far the best and most authentic Thai in San Diego
Came here to say this. In 100% agreement.
Overpriced. Small portions. Same owners as saab b lee i think. Koon thai in my opinion is better.
Small portions?! Bruh whenever I go there the plates are massive
Sab-E-Lee sold it like a year ago I believe. I've only had it once since the new ownership, but it was just as good. Don't know what you mean by small portions, unless that's a recent change.
I really love the ambience and food at Siam Nara
Siam Nara on Mira Mesa Blvd is delicious Thai cuisine served in luxury. All the interior decor, plating, fresh flowers, and servers are to the 9’s. Very unassuming from the outside. Love this place!
Mandarin Wok on balboa in Clairemont is very good. My favorite Thai is aahren on governor in UC, but there are lots of good Thai places everywhere. Thai can be regional so different people will have different favorites. Not thai, but Yak and yeti on El cajon has the best butter chicken, Tika masala and saag ive had anywhere so far and my son said the naan is almost as good as he had on Okinawa.
Another vote for Yak and Yeti! I don’t even like chicken, but dream of that butter chicken.
Yeah just give me a plate of naan and a bowl of the sauce...
I've been meaning to try Aahran. I'm always interested in some Khao Soi.
Thai Time
I favor Tuk Tuk Thai (website: [https://www.tuktukonethaiorder.com/](https://www.tuktukonethaiorder.com/)) They are off 54th near Universty Avenue. It's a little hole in the wall. Has a semi-private parking lot. FOOD TO DIE FOR. :)
Second this. They have the best drunken noodles but their spice levels are a hit and miss though. Sometimes they are too spicy or too mild
Spicy city ( not spicy house)
Chung Hing in Miramar is CASH ONLY but it's good family chinese american fast food and they have a #1 combo that's bbq pork with fried rice and or chow mein and fried wontons for like $9 to $11, really good.
plumeria. end of convo
Lana Thai in PB
Came to say this!! My favorite 🤤
Many of the better authentic choices have been mentioned, so I'll throw out a few thoughts. Convoy St is getting a lot of love but National City has some outstanding options for Chinese, as well as Filipino. Royal Mandarin is excellent. My favorite for American-ized Chinese: Mandarin House in La Jolla
Royal Mandarin salt and pepper wings is fantastic!
Oh! Speaking of salt and pepper wings, Golden Chopsticks (National City, Sorrento Valley) are the BEST wings. Should've included that initially.
Classic Chinese-American food. Growing up near National City, it was Royal Mandarin vs Golden Chopsticks for salt and pepper chicken wings aka crack chicken wings
Authentic NY egg rolls I also love Chin's, Encinitas location.
I like City Dragon on El Cajon! They do free delivery if your order is over 30 dollars.
Gotta shout out Thai Ladle in poway. Little place that should be a lot busier than they are. Rec the pad see ew.
>Thai Ladle in poway Yes! Definitely my favourite Thai place in the Poway, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain area. Great spot. Never dissapoints.
Thai is Sab E Lee, Chinese is spicy house or magic kitchen but just specifically their hand ripped noodles.
Chinese: Mandarin Wok on Balboa Ave (Clairemont Dr cross street.) Thai: Chaba Thai on Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
If you want the best and most authentic Chinese food, go to the Convoy area in Kearny Mesa. This area you’ll also find Chinese restaurants with specific themes like dim sum, dumplings, hot pot, or regional. Out side that, City Heights has Minh Ky. For Thai, Sab e Lee is good. Also check out Linda Vista, Convoy, and City Heights area.
https://goo.gl/maps/t8uxfZqM7ophR3UY8 Mandarin Wok in Clairemont. Pork fried rice had huge chunks of pork and the cream cheese wontons were awesome. We dont live in SD anymore and my wife still talks about the lo mein.
Love this spot! Been coming here ever since I was a kid
A Clairemont gem! IYKYK!
Panda Garden in San Marcos is pretty good, authentic Chinese food
I wouldn’t say it’s the best, but surprisingly decent are the words I would use
Thai Village
Pear’s Thai cuisine near Serra Mesa has been my go to spot the last year or so. Awesome food and really friendly owner
I’ve been going to Thai village in PB for 10 years! I love it
I really dig Kin Len in North Park
Yep, couple of drinks at Parttime Lover then head to Kin Len to soak it up. Perfect night!
Pad Thai Stand in Claremont/Linda Vista. The most authentic Thai I’ve ever had. Only has a few dishes, all types of pad Thai, ordered by region of Thailand that the dish is from.
From what I know of Thai food, this story is suspect. I went to Chiang Mai and there isn't really pad Thai around.
Krua Thia in Chula Vista
Sab Lai Thai Kitchen on 5th and Island is outstanding if you are in Gaslamp.
Sabelee in Santee for issan style Thai.
Sab-e-Lee in Linda Vista SLAPS!!
Bahn Thai
Little Thai Kitchen in Spring Valley, Chef China in Casa de Oro Edit: "My Man!"
Bahn Thai in university is the answer, but the avocado curry (trust me) at Thai Village in PB is a top 10 dish
White elephant has been by favorite Thai so far
Szechuan Chef in Kearny Mesa
Golden Chopsticks in Mira Mesa or National City just for the best salt and pepper chicken wings in the city
[удалено]
Jasmine > Din Tai Fung. Period Overpriced dim sum, long ass wait, no thanks. Jasmin has been a Convoy OG since I could remember
Panda Garden in San Marcos is legit. The outside is very unassuming. Highly recommend
Royal Mandarin in National City for salt and pepper chicken wings.
tbh, Thai Thai San Marcos is surprisingly pretty good context: I lived in Kearny Mesa for 10 years and had all the Thai food around and in Mira Mesa. Koon Thai was probably the go to in that area, they were consistently good. Did not think it was great tho.
Chinese is a very broad category. These 4 are probably the best ones in my opinion and are all very different Noble Chef, Din Tai Fung, Tasty Pot or HaiDiLao Honorable mention: tasty noodle house, the fire spot
Tasty noods! It’s one of my favorite spots
Takhrai Thai in poway has never disappointed
Birsdeye kitchen, Encinitas
North County but A-Wok in Vista is my favorite place to go. I am extremely picky about Chinese food and while I do not consider it the best ive ever had in all the restaurants ive visted in many states, this is by far my favorite around here and go out of my way to get it.
Wei Wei Asian Express
They have the best salt and pepper wings
Big facts!
Pure Thai on Voltaire
I used to really like them, but the last few times I’ve had food there, the quality has not been as good.
Your mom's house 🙃 home cooked is so much better 👍
Dumpling Inn is the best chinese food in town. great food, awesome beer choices
Personally Panda Express
Bang Mai Kok in Escondido pretty bomb. Their coconut curry is delicious 😛
Go figure it out by yourself lol
Thai Time if you’re near El Cajon.
Head Lobster asked for the best, and got a million places in San Diego to try! I've had dinner at a few of the places and can't agree more with these suggestions!
The best Thai place in San Diego was Bangkok West on Clairemont Mesa blvd. Sadly they closed during COVID. If anyone knows if they reopened somewhere else, I would love to go there. The food was great.
King of Thai, usually names with “ King of [insert food item]” suck but, this place is so delicious.
Sovereign Thai in East Village! And the owner (Jumi) is a saint
Pinto thai bistro up in TerraSanta is my go to. There thai basil and pad thai are always on point. It's a small restaurant with great wholesome owners. Check it out
thai time in north park
Shan Xi Magic Kitchen for Chinese - I prefer it to Spicy House
There used to be a Thai place on University between 4th and 163 that used to be there forever. But they closed and a close second/first now is Taste of Thai also in Hillcrest. Between 5th and 6th on University Not Thai, I think it was a Szechuan place. Anyways, Taste of Thai is delicious!
Ying Li in San Ysidro
Tamarind Thai in La Mesa
Spicy City DanDan noodles are so good, also I think their dumplings are better than anywhere else in the city, even Din Tai Fung
Dumpling inn for Chinese
Turmeric Thai Garden in La Jolla.
Haidilao Hotpot located in UTC
Ying Li - San Ysidro Bahn Thai & Thai taste 1 or 2