Sao Lao Thai Cafe — Restaurant in Houston

Lunch at Sao Loa Cafe Saturday at 11:30. It was good, but my experience was not great and didn’t hold up to the rave reviews I’ve read. Not bad but not fantastic.

It is a smaller, cute, informal place with 8 tables, mostly 4 tops and 2 two tops. Laid back vocals were playing (Billie Elish). You order at the counter and your food is brought to you. The server was very friendly and met me with a warm welcome.

I ordered Chicken Veggie Dumplings ($8) and Thai Chicken Basil ($15). I ordered Diet Coke but they were out. Total cost was $29.88 including 20% tip. There is a $5 cork fee except Monday & Wednesday.

I’ve edited this paragraph of this review. I had commented that the dumplings came out ten minutes after the entree which I did not enjoy. It has been pointed out that Sao Lao is counter service so you can expect to get all your food at once. That has not been my universal experience at small restaurants even if counter service, but I’ll concede the point. However for me it’s a reason I might not return. I don’t enjoy having all my food at once.

The basil chicken was very good. I recommend it. Rich flavors and served with jasmine rice and an egg prepared to your preference. I sometimes find ordering Thai and Lao food tricky on spice level. I like a little kick, but not “hot.” I ordered medium and next time I would go mild at this restaurant.

I was not happy with the dumplings. Yes, I know I could have sent them back and did not. I didn’t want to wait for them again and I think when you have send something back it’s worth mentioning in a review. To my taste they were well overcooked. Quite crunchy to the point of affecting the flavors (mild burnt taste).

Overall good but not up to expectations. There were two other parties there who were commenting on how great the food was and I went because of very positive online reviews, so I’ll give it...

This is the real deal!

UPDATE

Ok this place is addictive. Great food. Authentic food. You know it is always obvious when you eat at a restaurant that takes great pride in what the serve you…and…when it is someone that has been making these special dishes their entire lifetime.

I’ve traveled everywhere in Thailand and Laos…and…Khun Suli’s loving care in preparation shows in every bite.

Just go…you’ll be thankful.

Bruce

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand and Laos, completed culinary school in Bangkok, and eaten everything imaginable from food carts and restaurants across these two countries and cultures.

Here at SaoLao you will find food just as you would out of a family kitchen in Isaan - northern Thailand. A little history review will inform you that the current political borders, much of northern Thailand and Laos were part of the same Kingdom and often today you’ll meet people that have one parent that is Thai and the other parent is Lao. Both kind cultures, both are amazing cooks of fresh, herb filled dishes. Come here and you see this holds true with whatever you order.

I’ve had most things on the menu and I think it is safe to say, everything is delicious. The green Lao sausage and sticky rice, mangos and sticky rice, Lao beef jerky, papaya salad, laab, basil beef or pork, the boat noodles, nam khao, chicken wings, the curry…the list goes on….all are delicious and authentic.

If you love thai food but have traveled there, I suggest you try the dishes you aren’t l8kely to find in other restaurants in the USA. for me, boat noodles reminds me of being in a noodle shop near the Chao Phraya River. It’s a real treat. I always err on the side of ordering too many dishes.

Just ask for recommendations…you’ll be...

My experience comes with a caveat: I did not like the food I ordered. It is not the fault of the establishment, it just happens what I chose was offensive to my own taste preferences. I might try something different on the menu that might satisfy me. Ok on to the review.

Place is nice and clean with a fair amount of seating. Maybe 6 plus tables. You sit down at the table, they hand you a menu and you pay at the counter. There is an infrared water and ice dispenser to the right of it.

I ordered the papaya salad (11). It was of good portion and was very fresh. The papaya was shredded into thin strands and had very good fibrous chew. It drenched in fish sauce and a very spicy chili. The dish was very good, but a bit too salty with the large amount of fish sauce. The chili while very intense, actually kept me encouraged enough to finish it along with the cabbage and lettuce served to the side.

I then ordered the "Thai" boat soup. I heard rave reviews about how good it is, so I eagerly anticipated while the broth was finished cooking. I took a taste of the thick broth and was immediately disappointed with what I tasted. I hated it and so did my eating companion. It had hoisin sauce as part of the soup base. I strongly dislike hoisin sauce and the soup had it in such quantity that it took me quite a bit while to finish the other items in the soup.

Technically the bowl was perfect. The rice noodles were firm. There was plenty of blanched ribeye meat. The amount of meatballs were sufficient , and I enjoyed the vegetables and pork rinds in the soup. If it wasn't for my strong dislike of the broth, I would have enjoyed my meal more.

Service was excellent. Next time I will have to ask a bit more about the items...