Madison | Sa-Bai Thong Thai Restaurant-Roast Duck Curry🦆🍛

Madison Thai Bite: Sa-Bai Thong – Duck Curry & Juicy Satay, But Skip the Beef Pad Thai 🍛 Friday night dinner with friends at Sa-Bai Thong was a mixed bag of delightful surprises and tiny letdowns. Tucked on University Ave (right across from 608 Hot Pot), it’s super easy to reach—just one stop off campus on Bus Route A. Here’s how our meal went: 📍 Location & Accessibility No hassle to get to: whether you’re driving or taking the bus, it’s a quick trip from campus. Bus A drops you off one stop outside campus, and it’s right across the street from 608 Hot Pot—hard to miss. 🍽️ The Food: Hits, Misses, and “Wish I Tried More” We ordered a spread of apps, mains, and drinks—here’s what stood out (for better or worse): Chicken Satay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Total winner. The skewers were juicy, tender, and coated in that classic peanut sauce we all love. I ate two right off the bat… which meant I had to pack half my main later, oops 😂. Roast Duck Curry (My Order!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A nice surprise—I didn’t expect Thai restaurants to do roast duck! The portion was generous (lots of meat), and the curry was that sweet, rich Southeast Asian style, loaded with pineapple chunks, pumpkin, and cherry tomatoes. The fruit cut through the creaminess perfectly. Kra-Prao (Seafood Version) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My roommate got this: shrimp, scallops, squid, mushrooms, and onions stir-fried with basil, served with rice. I snuck a bite of the shrimp—it was fresh and flavorful, with that bold, herby kick kra-prao is known for. Pad Thai (Beef) ⭐️⭐️ The only miss. We opted for beef, but it was way too tough—chewing felt like a workout. We ended up finishing the noodles but leaving most of the meat behind. Stick to other proteins here! Angel Wing ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Unsampled, But Roommate Approved) My roommate ordered these—chicken wings stuffed with pork and shrimp. I was too full from satay to try, but they looked crispy, and she said they were “solid.” Drinks: Thai Iced Tea vs. Thai Iced Coffee Thai Iced Tea ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Sweet, creamy, and exactly what I wanted—hit the spot with spicy/curvy dishes. Thai Iced Coffee ⭐️⭐️: My friend said it was way too sweet—she only drank a few sips. Definitely depends on your sugar tolerance! 📌 Final Verdict: Go for the Satay & Duck Curry Sa-Bai Thong is a solid pick for casual Thai food near campus. Skip the beef pad thai and maybe the coffee if you don’t love sugary drinks, but the chicken satay and roast duck curry are worth the trip. It’s affordable, convenient, and great for a quick meal with friends. Next time, I’m saving room for the Angel Wings—and skipping the second satay (…maybe). 📍 Location: University Ave (across from 608 Hot Pot) ✅ Recommendations: Chicken Satay, Roast Duck Curry, Thai Iced Tea #Wisconsin #UniversityofWisconsinMadison #MadisonWI #MadisonFood #MadisonEats #ThaiFoodMadison #UWMadisonDining #Madison