This kind of food was so good, I had to try it from the source. The hottest tom yum I ever had was in Bangkok, I could
hardly stand it (but it was sooo good). Some Thai girl took it (the tom yum) without breaking a sweat, an additionally difficult feat
considering 90+degF and 90+%humidity.
I also tried many varieties of Pad Thai. I especially remember some lady who had a wok and a burner placed in an alley in
Chaing Mai on the road from the 'city' to the night market. Excellent. Truly excellent.
All the food was good, although I don't think I ever ate in a restaurant with four walls. But I did average at least five meals per day, (not
including breakfast) all at about 18B +5B for a soda. Not bad for less than a buck.
The first Thai restaurant I went to was Jitlada, on Sunset Blvd., just east of the 101, across the
street from Rons. It was great. (The quality and service at Jitlada went down slightly after they received great reviews in the
LA times, but it is still good).
Another good place is almost immediately north of Jitlada, on the south side of Hollywood Blvd at 5176. It is called
Samuluang, but the sign is not in English, so it is hard to find before 10:00pm. After that it becomes
easier because it is where there are so many people. It is in one of those little mini-malls with a grocery store and a book
store. There is no place to park (they used to have a guy in a Thai police uniform in the parking lot, it looked silly to me), so
bring your club and park on the street. They are open very late (good when taking a break from an all-nighter).
My classmate (--click here if he ever gets a home page) would always want to go here to look or talk to the cute waitresses,
and the rest of us guys anyway wouldn't exactly decline the drive.
Pataya Cafe, on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena is fair and will do in a pinch. I have heard about several new Thai restaurants closer
to Old Pasadena, but haven't had the chance to try them.
For those that live out in the Redlands/Loma Linda/San Bernardino area, I suggest the Thai House on the north side of Redlands Blvd, just
east of the general mail facility. I wish more people would go to this restaurant, it is the best Thai food for miles around.
For another late night spot, but not Thai, try Montery Park BBQ, on the north side of Garvey, one 1/2 blocks east of Atlantic. The food is good,
very cheap, and they are open late. Sam Woo, just across the street has identical food (same owners) and is just as good and just as
cheap. I would always go to MPBBQ, though, for some reason; I don't know why.
A place that I found fairly recently with the help of Usenet postings is Singapore Express, on Lincoln Blvd in the Marina District, just
to the north east of the Marina Fwy ramp, at Maxella. It is in a white mini-mall. They have good mee goreng for less than $5. They deliver, but I just
can't talk them into delivering to San Bernardino (I have tried).
Click if you would like more information on Thailand or
Thai Food.