Saab Sis Thai — Restaurant in Royal Oak

If you’re looking for a restaurant where you can make a reservation a week in advance only to be treated like an unwanted last-minute walk-in, look no further. This place has it all: tiny chairs, nonexistent customer service, and a manager with all the warmth of a parking ticket.

I made a reservation for a special family dinner. I called ahead to inform them we were now a party of 5 instead of 6, and came 20 minutes early, which the staff assured us would be no issue. We are five (small-average sized) adults, including my pregnant cousin—and were shocked when we were led to a table with four normal chairs and one sad little folding chair that looked like it was borrowed from someone’s garage sale. I wouldn’t have put my handbag on it, let alone expected a pregnant woman to sit there.

When I calmly and kindly told the server we physically could not fit at the table (you know, basic spatial reality), she blinked at me like I’d asked her to solve a math equation and said, “It’ll be fine.” Oh? Will it? Because unless the laws of physics have changed, my thigh couldn’t even fit between our table and the one next to us (see photo). But sure, totally fine.

After a painfully awkward standoff, we were “allowed” to move tables—how generous. But just as we thought the discomfort was over, the manager stormed over like she was auditioning for the role of ’Restaurant Villain of the Year’ and started arguing with me in front of the entire dining room. Loudly. Publicly. Embarrassingly. I finally asked, “Do you want us to just leave and go somewhere else?” and she didn’t even hesitate: “Yes.”

Honestly? The sheer audacity. No apology, no accountability, just pure, unfiltered hostility.

But here’s the part that really left a sour taste: as we walked out, I couldn’t help but notice other tables being treated with smiles, comfort, and space to breathe. Funny—we didn’t seem to get any of that. And let’s just say, we didn’t exactly look like everyone else in the room. Terrible experience aside, this place is a fire hazard and should be looked into by the ROFD.

Bottom line? This place doesn’t deserve your time, your money, or your dignity. I wouldn’t go back if they offered me a free five-course meal and a proper chair. Hard pass. I fully anticipate a snarky response from the owner (and zero accountability or apology) with their own rendition of what happened. That is fine, as my review will soon be buried by the fake reviews that have flooded this page since our experience. Will not be returning.

In response to the owner: Thanks for confirming exactly the kind of dismissive tone I described.

Yes, we arrived early—with your staff’s approval. And no, the table was not “appropriate for five people”. But you know that.

I calmly explained the issue and asked if there were options. Your staff chose to escalate, not me. Asking “do you want us to leave?” was meant to find a solution—not invite hostility. You said yes. Loudly. Publicly. Unprofessionally.

And as for your comment on racism: I didn’t throw that word around lightly. I pointed out how we were treated differently than other patrons, and instead of reflecting on that, you’ve doubled down with deflection. That says everything.

This group came with every intention to support and possibly spotlight your business. Safe to say, that ship has sailed.

Thanks for confirming we made the right call by walking out. Good luck with...

Where to begin. I went here for an early birthday dinner. The food was decent, but nothing special, so I'm not sure what the rage is all about. It started off all wrong. The server was an absolute snob and refused to explain the difference between green and red curry. I don't think she knew herself, because she tried to make it sound like I was stupid for asking and kept repeating that they used "different spices", like duh. A server at an "authentic" Thai restaurant who can't describe their food? And treats their customers rudely at the very start? I'm an ESL/Literature teacher, so I know when someone clearly doesn't know the answer to something and then tries to bully their way through it. The food runners barely spoke English and couldn't understand us very well. No hate, but it's pretty important to have that skill to work in that position. They also let our dishes pile up before waiting to clear them. I assume that they were badly understaffed. All in all, lousy service. Though the interior is nicely appointed, it's poorly temperature-controlled. Small heater fans dotted the restaurant (tacky & a safety hazard?), but there were barely any in the area where we were sat, so we were freezing the entire time. The bathroom doors were so close to the toilets that you had to straddle the toilet to get in and to close the door behind you. Plenty of potential, but if they don't get that stick out of their (well, you know) and work on their customer service, save your money and try somewhere else. Also--am I the only one not taken aback that they don't offer chopsticks? Again, an "authentic" Thai place...

Saab Sis has consistently been the best Thai food I’ve had in Michigan over the last 30 years. Today I had the summer special Khao Soi double-noodle house made curry dish. A riot of flavors and textures, rich, deep, tangy, spice it to your taste (its not spicy as presented but I may have alarmed the server by eating the chili sauce on a fork 🔥🤷🏻‍♂️). I’ve never had a curry like this before. EDIT: I forgot to mention the chicken! A leg and thigh so tender that I only used a fork, no knife. Super tender, maybe poached? My usual go-tos are Drunken Noodle with Beef, and the beef is velveted like at a proper Chinese restaurant. So tender and flavorful. My dining companion ordered that today and was very happy with it. I also really like the Ka Praow dishes, basil is my favorite Thai herb. I usually bring home a red curry for my bride, as I did today, always a great choice. Personally, I like the depth and earthiness of Saab Sis’s green curry a little more than red. If you enjoy calamari, you’ve got to try the Coco Calamari app! Very lightly battered and served with a sweet sauce and fresh shaved coconut sprinkles on top. One last recommendation is the Tom Yum soup, especially with the seafood. Generous portions of shrimp, mussels, scallops with all the herbs and lively notes (lime, chili, cilantro) you’d hope for. This Tom Yum is so far beyond any other restaurant’s attempt that it’s almost embarrassing to think back to what I’ve been served elsewhere. Enjoy! First picture is the Khao Soi (my dish today looked exactly like the picture) second is my Thai basil...