mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today. Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are otherwise engaged and not ready to write about their recent food adventures.
If you type in "Sab E Lee" in the 'Search' box at the top left corner of this page, you will get about 435 results. All of us here at mmm-yoso have been there, especially when it opened. We all enjoy the food. Kirk's most recent post was two years ago and he thought it was good grub, but not as outstanding as when it first opened. The Mister and I have become complacent and accustomed to Sab E Lee being a place to go for Issan style food and I've not even photographed some meals here. The food of Isaan is very hot and flavored with pungent herbs and seasonings, with some of Thailand's spiciest salads. The intense flavors of Isaan food is one way of managing an insecure food supply – very hot, flavorful dishes encourage diners to diffuse the flavors with a lot of sticky rice.
The small restaurant expanded out a bit last year, adding five tables and is centered with his beautiful sculpture.
The Mister and I had a small break in our day and met here for a quick meal, choosing the standard papaya salad ($7.95). Made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, small dried shrimp, green beans and topped with a mix of fish sauce, lime juice and chili (level 2). This is always so refreshing and wonderful.
Larb ($8.95), char broiled ground meat or tofu or mushrooms (pork in this case) mixed with roughly ground toasted rice and fresh herbs (notably mint) and flavored with a fermented fish sauce, lime and chili is a great type of meat salad, served at room temperature with either rice or raw vegetables. It is always a favorite and my choice on especially hot days.
All in all, a very nice meal.
Sab E Lee 6925 Linda Vista Road San Diego, 92111 (858) 650-6868 Tues-Fri open 11-3:30 and 5-9:30 Saturday/Sunday 11-9:30, closed on Monday. Cash only 