Pacifica Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in Pacifica

First of all please DO read all of the negative comments, for I will explain them away in this post. I have been coming to Pacifica Thai for over 20+ years. I am a foodie and have an extensive experience in all types of cuisine, from simple fare like knowing where the best taco trucks are in the area, which ones have the best carnitas, al pastor, or tripitas, to high end restaurants serving the best roast rabbit, or gives the biggest pieces of Foies gras.

I have been to many Thai restaurants and would only try a different one these days to compare, I have yet found a restaurant that even comes close to Pacifica Thai. I have grown up with Joy and Tom’s thai food and know there is no other thai place for me. Though I left the area, I gladly travel back when ever I crave authentic Thai food. Yes, Tom may seem a little awnery when he takes your order, but he is straight to the point, what would you like to eat period. Joy his wife is very friendly and kind. They take turns cooking, or running the front. Point is, they are literally a mom and pop establishment. I have watched their daughter grow up, as they have watched my little tribe grow. So if you do come to partake, look past the demeanor and look to the food. If you want someone to kiss your ass because you are ordering food go to Gary Danko’s or Roy’s, you’ll even find your cloth napkin folded new if you come back from a restroom trip.

The food. Over the years I almost never deviate from my usual. Mind you I order a lot of food, before it was just my girlfriend and me. Then she became my wife, followed by one child, another, then one more. So the amount of food grew exponentially.

I start with with: Crab rolls corn cakes (veggie option) the wife doesn’t eat red meat todd mun (fish cake) tom yum talay (hot and sour soup) the effin’ bomb yo ! especially if you have a cold or if it’s cold out there in the pacifica fog after surfing.

then we continue with: pad thai shrimp (the best and moistest i’ve had hands down,the closest i could find was coconut bay in burlingame when i am too lazy to drive to pacifica which is rare. kai bai tong = this is minced chicken wrapped in banana leaves then fried. The flavors of cilantro,ginger,white pepper,and lemon grass permeate within. You cannot find this at any other place,it is a family recipe. I’d take this over the typical Angels wings any day, if you don’t know what that is you haven’t been to enough thai places. Then we usually order the special of the day, we have had the fish with cassia leaves in a curry sauce and many other dishes. I have settled on theses dishes but have tried most of the menu in the past. You will find that their red,green or yellow curries are delicious. The bbq is great. I just don’t order those dishes any more for the aforementioned usuals are our staple now. If you want home cooked authentic Thai food that people in thailand enjoy, this place is the one. Give Tom a chance with his short, SOUP NAZI demeanor and enjoy his food. Also ask for Chili lime sauce on the side, not on the menu but great with everything. Don’t tell him i told you. I cannot endorse this place more. My kids already fear the thought of them ever retiring, we would probably never eat thai food again unless we go...

We have been loyal customers for years, bringing our family there since we moved to Pacifica. We do so because the quality of the food is awesome.

The service, though, really leaves something to be desired. Each and every time we have gone to Pacifica Thai, there has been something wrong with our order. And I mean every single time.

As an example for multiple years they refused to bring us the chicken skewers that we ordered for our kids because the old man who takes the order thought they were too spicy. So we started ordering them for ourselves and giving it to our kids. You shouldn't have to do that in a restaurant. Last time we were there they really discouraged one of us from getting the dish they wanted, to which we signed and went along with it.

Recently we brought a large group there for a family dinner. While the food was tasty as always, they decided that we were done and started clearing dishes while we were still eating and a members of my family wasn't able to finish their dish. It was super awkward. I asked the man who takes the orders who told me that it was my responsibility to tell them to not clear the plates rather than them using their words and asking. He then brought a bunch of to-go containers, dropped them on the table in front of me, and said "well since I clearly don't know what to take, you can handle it from here." At the end of the dinner, after we had left a nice tip (because we're human), he comes to he and motions that it's time for all of us to get up and leave. The restaurant was empty and it was not closing time. The woman who runs the kitchen ran out and gave us some complimentary food to say sorry, because she knows we are regulars, and it's clearly her job to cover for the grumpy waiter.

After almost 20 years of going to that restaurant and having bad service each and every time from a waiter who clearly doesn't care about customers, we're done. Sorry Pacifcia Thai, your awesome food doesn't make up for your...

What I appreciate most about this cozy local gem is the delicious honest food, staff and ambiance. It’s just an honest to goodness great place that’s been here for decades and I truly respect that, in an era where most restaurants get too fancy with chaotic music and weird fusion menus for the sake of being “cool.” But not here. This husband and wife team deserve all the patronage, they are hardworking and genuinely friendly folks. Upon entering, the wife came out from back, greeted us right away and offered us to pick any table. We ordered some beer, Tom Yum Koong and Pad Thai. Fairly basic items but there was something special about each of them. The beer was ICE cold and also came with a frosty mug. I don’t know why most restaurants/bars don’t offer the frosty mug anymore but it’s a detail that shows an extra level of thoughtfulness for their customers. Next, the Tom Yum Koong soup, which came out quickly. Note: a medium level heat is still fairly tolerable. The highlight of this soup was a surprising slight sweetness, we couldn’t place where from but it was pleasant and overall delicious. Lastly, the well plated shrimp Pad Thai with generous sauce had excellent depth of flavor. We were so impressed with a tasty affordable dinner, which came out to less than $60. I also appreciated the little tamarind candy that came with the bill. Parking is easy as there’s a small lot in front and street parking. There are so many small details to love at Pacifica Thai. We look forward to...