Soi Alley Eats — Restaurant in Sacramento

I was really excited to try this place but fairly disappointed. I ordered Pad Thai with tofu but got chicken, and it came with zero vegetables (just noodles, sauce, and chicken). There were only two other people there who had already gotten their food so my order was the only one they had at the time. It's also not a great location - it's right next to the camp under the overpass and there were gunshots while I waited for my food at 6pm (still light out). The owners were super nice and provided great service, and the price was fair. But overall not vegetarian friendly and wouldn't stay to eat based on the...

THIS IS THE PLACE. This is where you get the best Thai & Lao food in all of Northern California. I have spent over 2.5 years living in southeast Asia and this place brings me back more than anywhere I've eaten. Everything we ordered was FLAWLESS. It's affordable, packed with flavor, the couple the runs it are kind and wonderful folks and it's in a cute little back alley setting just like you're in a tucked away corner of Chiang Mai. If you're considering going somewhere else, for the love of god, DON'T. You will leave this place full of joy. (No liquor but they DO allow BYOB!!!...

The good: The place has a cool outdoor setup in a discrete alley. It's a cozy and quiet location for a relaxing break. I love the location and really wanted to like the food.

The bad: I ordered the Tom Yum Gai w/noodles. It was lazy and unremarkable. The broth was made from the paste you find in Asian grocery stores. They use instant noodles that don't hold their texture. I think it was even served in the same disposable plastic bowl that the instant noodles came in. It's the kind of meal I would have made in college for $1.50. To charge $13 before tax and tip...