The Original Sab-E-Lee — Restaurant in San Diego

Our group of 3 came here at 1:20pm on a Sunday. There was no wait. As it was a beautiful day, there were groups sitting outside, but we opted to sit inside. The parking here is easy in a spacious plaza.

We got SIX items. Man, we were hungry! We chose a salad, noodle dish, curry dish with rice, and 3 types of meat salads. The larb and raw beef were recommended to me by a friend. All the meat salads tasted similar to each other, like the same seasoning. I don't regret trying so many!

We chose 5 as a spice level and for some others, we chose medium. I would say the spice builds but for someone who loves Samyang spicy noodles, 5 is good. We could maybe even do 6, and then get sweaty at 7. They don't play around here! I recommend getting sticky rice to eat with these flavorful items.

Som Tum Thai ( ) $12.37: Shredded green papaya mixed w/ tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, dried shrimp, fish sauce, chili, & lime juice - This tasted so fresh! I liked that the slices of papaya weren't too thin like other places. It felt like it was hand cut, and the spice level we got was perfect with it. Very juicy and addicting.

Nahm Tok Beef ( ) $15.48: Grilled Beef mixed w/ homemade spicy chili & lime sauce - My cousin chose this as she was the most interested in it after reading its description. It's cooked meat with chili and lime sauce. Like I said before, the lime flavoring is the same for these meat salads, and this was good, although I think I liked it the least compared to the other two meat items.

Pork Larb () $14.44: Char-boiled ground beef, chicken or pork mixed w/ spicy chili & lime sauce - This was so delicious! I loved the texture of the meat. We liked to eat it with the raw cabbage and cucumbers. The texture is like minced pork. I'm sure the other meat options would be great too.

Spicy Raw Beef / Koy Nua () $15.48: Thin sliced raw beef rib eye mixed w/ garlic, mint, chili & lime sauce - This was my favorite of the three! I love the crunchy texture of the toasted flour (?) that they used. My friend compared it to a sandy feeling, but I think it made it more fun to eat. Even though it's raw meat, it wasn't as intimidating as it sounds. I've had tartare from Korean, American, German, and African places, and this one felt like it was coated in seasoning pretty heavily so the texture didn't throw us off. It was chewy and addicting!

Green Curry with chicken () $14.44: Green chili based curry w/ bamboo shoots & eggplant, bell pepper, basil, peas & carrots - So delicious with jasmine rice! I especially liked the pieces of eggplant in here. My favorite topping was the bamboo slices. You can't go wrong with green curry. The portion was big enough for the three of us.

Pad Thai () with chicken $14.44: Thin noodle w/ ground peanuts, green onion, carrots, cilantro, bean sprouts & eggs - This is my go-to Thai dish. I liked that there was a balance of sauce and sweetness; it wasn't too sweet nor wet here.

The service was great. Overall I'd love to come back! I'll be thinking about the speciality dishes...

A Hidden Gem: The Original Sab-e-Lee Review

I've had the pleasure of dining at The Original Sab-e-Lee multiple times, and every experience has been consistently amazing. This unassuming restaurant has won my heart with its authentic Thai flavors, generous portions, and attentive service.

Standout Dishes:

Red Curry: Rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced, with a depth of flavor that will leave you craving more. Green Curry: A delightful harmony of coconut milk, lemongrass, and chilies, with tender chicken or your choice of protein. Tom Kha Soup: A spicy and sour masterpiece, with a flavorful broth that's both refreshing and invigorating. Chicken Drum of Heavens: Crispy fried chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze that will make your taste buds sing. Fresh Spring Rolls: A delightful combination of crunchy vegetables, shrimp, and herbs, served with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce. Drunken Noodles: Stir-fried noodles with a savory sauce, tender beef or chicken, and a hint of spice that will leave you wanting more. Pineapple Fried Rice with Fish: A flavorful and filling dish that combines the sweetness of pineapple with the savory taste of fish and spices.

What Sets Them Apart:

Red Chilli Spice: The perfect blend of heat and flavor, adding depth to each dish without overpowering the other ingredients. Spice Levels: The staff expertly adjusts the spice level to your liking, ensuring that each dish is tailored to your taste buds.

Desserts:

Mango Sticky Rice: A classic Thai dessert that's both sweet and satisfying, with a perfect balance of coconut milk and mango. Fried Banana with Ice Cream: A decadent treat that combines the crispy texture of fried banana with the creamy sweetness of ice cream.

Why We'll Be Back:

Consistently Delicious Food: Every dish we've tried has been flavorful and expertly prepared. Attentive Service: The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating, making sure that every visit is a pleasant experience. Value for Money: The generous portions and affordable prices make The Original Sab-e-Lee an excellent value for the quality of food and service.

Our Verdict:

The Original Sab-e-Lee is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves Thai food. With its authentic flavors, generous portions, and attentive service, it's no wonder that this restaurant has become our regular spot. We can't recommend it enough – you won't go wrong!...

Worst restaurant experience I have had in San Diego. When we got there, the place was packed and there was a podium out front. After a couple minutes of being ignored despite several waitresses serving people right next to the podium, we figured out it was a self-service list. We put out name on the list and continued to be ignored for another 20 minutes. After we were seated, we were delivered 2 glasses of water promptly, except 1 glass was filled to the brim with fresh ice water, the other iceless and room temp, as if the pitcher ran out so they just stuck it under a tap. We ordered our food and asked how the spicy levels worked. We were told 1-10, with 3 being a medium. I ordered a pad thai level 6 and my wife ordered drunken noodles level 3. My pad thai was fine for the most part. The beef wasnt very well seared and was a bit rubbery, as if the pan or wok wasn't hot enough, but the noodles were very springy and tasted good. The spicy wasnt as hot as I'd expected, but no harm there, finished my plate without even catching a runny nose. My wife on the other hand seemed to be having some trouble. She kept saying how spicy her 3 was, and while she prefers it less spicy, she isn't a wuss either. Obviously we have different tolerances, as shown by our meal choice, but I offered to try hers and see if I agreed. Much to my surprise, her 3 was WAY spicier than my 6. I took 2 bites and gave a small cough, my mouth was on fire, my eyes watered slightly. If I had eaten a whole plate of that my stomach would have been rolling. She tried to make the best of it and ate a few more bites but eventually gave up. When the waitress came and asked if we'd like the check, I asked if maybe they had mixed up our spicy levels, that my wifes was too hot to eat (she still had about 3/4th of her meal left). The waitress looked at her plate, said "really? Well she ate it, so are you just letting me know? or...? cause if she ate it we have to charge you...". Needless to say I left no tip. Don't let the name fool you. Sab-E-Lee in Santee is amazing, hands down our favorite Thai in San Diego. The original Sab-E-Lee in Rancho should be required to...