**** Thai Cafe has closed
At this time of the year, with all the hustle and bustle, it seems that there are occasions when we are only allotted time for a quick bite. And yet, our appetites may betray us, and require a more substantial, yet quick meal. In cases like this Thai Cafe is a Godsend.
Most Customers arrive at Thai Cafe with intentions of chowing down on the well priced ($6.50/lunch, $8.99/Dinner), which features about 25-30 items.
The quick drill goes like this. We walk in, and as the Server is walking up to us, we stage whisper, or raise fingers with the amount of people in our party. In this case two, the Server walks us to our table, while we give him our drink order. And instead of sitting down, we set off to the buffet.
If you expect "warming tray hell", you may be slightly surprised, that most(you'll figure out what doesn't rather quickly) dishes do rather well. And during slightly more busy times, the dishes are turned over quite promptly. By this time a whole 3 minutes has elapsed. After a few visits, you develop a Thai Cafe "strategy". You actually do two "plates" before sitting down. The first is a plate of "salads" and fried items. On any given day the Papaya Salad can be a good choice.
Very simple and without dried shrimp or crab, it's still features good "heat" from the chilies, along with the crunchy papaya, it's actually not bad at all. On this visit, the Larb(in this case ground chicken) Salad was just brought out, and thus didn't have the chance to dry out. The taste of lemongrass, and cilantro stand out. On many visits the larb salad has been dry, so we'll usually pass.
There are two noodle dishes that are usually dependable; the Spicy Noodles (Drunken Noodles):
Or the Pad Woon Sen (Bean Thread). As you can tell, these a quite short on the meat, but all carb lovers would probably enjoy them. On any given day, one could be better then the other; but an "educated" eye, can determine which to choose. There is also fried rice(ok), and what I consider to be terrible Pad Thai as well.
There are several curries, usually a spicy fried catfish, or something similar, salt and pepper squid(not bad), orange chicken, Pad Prik King(Green Beans)and a fried chicken with peanut sauce(I get just the chicken, and make my own sauce). During the evenings there is also a mussel, and a shrimp dish as well.
At 8 minutes, I've got my two plates, grabbed my sauces, and have started eating:
Since we eat fairly quickly, we can usually polish off everything in about 20 minutes:
Not bad, a meal under 15 bucks, and your out in under 25 minutes. Unless you really get 
mesmerized by those Soy Sauce Eggs.
It's not fine dining Thai by any means. But it's fast, and tasty, and much better then some of the cheap Chinese Buffets, and way better then many Chinese Fast Food options. At least everything does not taste the same and use the same "sauce". When we're in a rush, or really hungry and can't wait. We often times will drop by Thai Cafe.
Thai Cafe
4722 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
Lunch Buffet – $6.50
Dinner Buffet – $8.99
Hi Kirk,
Seems like the prices are definitely right for some pretty good Thai food. I don’t know why most of the places here are so expensive!
Hi Reid – I really think you get your money’s worth here. Thai food is expensive in San Diego as well.
Oh man! Does that ever look delici-yoso! ESPECIALLY the drunken noodles and the soy sauce eggs… mmm…
It seems like you have your Thai buffet strategy down – always a sign of a good eater!
i love larb!
yummy food!!!!!
Hi kirk !!!
What fantastic cheap fare !! It looks like great value for money due to the variety of dishes. I am sure you’ll find one or two that you like and that even makes it worth it at that price. Nice photos as well. BTW Merry Christmas to you too!!!!! Hope you and your wife had a fantastic cozy yummy time. And hope you have a happy new year as well.
Hi Kirk,
Hope you had a great Christmas! This place definitely is a great bang for your buck. In and out in 25 min? Gives you more time for chowing later on in the evening!
Hi Jo – Nothing is outstanding, but everything is decent, and it’s a good value.
Hi Kathy – Or a hungry one!
Hi bandini – good larb is delici-yoso!!! I do find that most places make their larb salads much to “dry” for my tastes.
Hi Rachel – You do get a good value here! I hope all is well for the holidays.
Hi Jack – Or more time for running errands, so long you show some restraint, and don’t eat too much!
Cool, you’re into Thai Cafe too. While they’re not the most high-falutin’ exemplar of Thai cuisine I’ve ever tasted, they do provide some very decent food for a terrific price.
Hi mizducky – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I guess you could say I’m a little into Thai Cafe, a bit too much. LOL! And you’re right, can’t beat the variety for the price, and the food really ain’t too bad.
i think i might want to check this place out!! i really want to figure out how to make the larb — it’s one of my favorite thai dishes!
Hi Annie – Actually the larb is hit and miss here! Larb is really easy. I’ll email you the recipe! I make really good larb, but it’s Thai style not Laotian.
Wow! Just found your blog from a review by Naomi Wise about Thai/Lao food-
You eat Peruvian (having lived in Peru, I am on a constant search for good Peruvian food here in SD), visit Maui (where my Mr. and I travel almost every year and are always on the search for good food) and you have done the leg work on all the great small restaurants in San Diego!!!!
Hi Yvonne – Welcome, and thanks for taking the time out to comment!