Phat Thai — Restaurant in San Francisco

Well now, let me spin you a tale of unexpected delight and culinary marvel. As I meandered through the crisp January air, not in pursuit of vittles but rather led by whimsy, my eyes did chance upon a sign so beguiling it set my appetite astir. It read: “Phat Thai.” The name alone bore such repetition as to suggest a certainty of mastery, and I was reminded, indeed, of Sir Danksalot and his fabled TukTuk of enchantment. “Why not?” I thought. If fate bids me here, who am I to decline her summons?

The exterior was as welcoming as an old friend’s smile, and within, I found a cozy abode of some twenty tables, a bar gleaming with bottles, a neon sign casting its colorful glow, and the hum of cheerful music. The staff, though not wholly of Thai origin, bustled about with a genial air that transcended such trifles. After all, as the Thais say, “jai yen yen”—keep your heart cool.

Now, the menu—ah, the menu! A cornucopia of delights awaited, and lo, there was even happy hour on a weekend! Half-priced Singha and Chang? Why, that is the kind of generosity to make a man weep with gratitude. As a vegetarian, I cast my eye upon their Pad Thai, which, though adorned with egg, was graciously altered to suit my needs. Such accommodation deserves no less than a kop khun mak mak (many thanks indeed).

But the true gem lay in their chili selection. Four varieties, mind you—not the paltry one or two most establishments offer. Here was the full spectrum of heat and flavor, a veritable mai pen rai (no worries) for the adventurous palate. And the beer! Beyond the local brews, they boasted IPAs and other frothy wonders fit for any connoisseur.

Cleanliness and order reigned supreme, the floors shining as though polished by the hands of angels. This place, my friends, is a sanctuary for those seeking both sustenance and a bit of cheer. I shall say without hesitation or hyperbole, Phat Thai Phat Thai Phat Thai is a beacon of joy, and I recommend it to all who value good food, good drink, and a touch of magic in their dining.

—A humble wanderer and lover of...

I've explored countless Thai food establishments over the span of 50 years. Just a few days ago, I decided to visit Phat Thai with the expectation of encountering the typical San Francisco fare—greasy, simple, and somewhat lackluster dishes. To my delightful surprise, the experience at Phat Thai transported me back to my initial encounters with the Slanted Door startup on Valencia Street more than 20 years ago.

The culinary offerings at Phat Thai were nothing short of exceptional. Opting for the Tom Kha Soup, I discovered a delightful blend of affordability, absence of greasiness, incredible flavors, and an abundance of vegetables. Unlike many Thai restaurants that tend to overload their dishes with cheap noodles, Phat Thai presented a refreshing departure from the norm.

My culinary journey extended to their iced Thai coffee, featuring a nitro infusion that left me exclaiming "OMG." Without a doubt, it stands as the best coffee I've ever had. Anticipating several return visits each week, I can confidently say that, having traveled the world and worked in renowned California restaurants, Phat Thai deserves a place among San Francisco's best dining establishments.

Similar to the ethos of the Slanted Door, Phat Thai is a family-owned establishment where the chef takes on the role of owner. This dynamic contributes to the creation of amazing food, great value, and an overall superb dining experience—where the decision to dine out is never in question. Just like my experiences at the Slanted Door, I relish in savoring extraordinary cuisine within a down-to-earth, unpretentious...

If you are visiting San Francisco to see the beauty that can be seen in the Bay Area - this here is a MUST SEE and stop for spicy food, Thai food, and Asian cuisine enjoyers altogether. The owner Bobby (Jahanvir) has made Thai food really well and he rocked my socks off. The papaya salad has a perfect blend of herbal, acid, and fish sauce flavor with the kafir lime. I test any Thai restaurant's traditional sense through whether or not their papaya salad is any good, and this place felt truly Thai to me as if the flavors from Bangkok were teleported to SF.

The pineapple fried rice felt like a killer fusion - raisins with an Iranian twist, the turmeric from Jahanvir's Bengali side, and the chicken marination in lime and South Asians spices with the overall cooking execution in the Thai fashion was tasty. I didn't find myself a fan of pad thai much, because I didn't order it, but as a family we enjoyed all the dishes. I would recommend pad thai with tofuu if you're vegetarian TBH.

But all in all, I was especially in love with the pad ke mao at the Thai spicy level as well as the panang curry. Everything here is made with love, and this place keeps food execution on par. You must come here and have the mango with sticky rice as well!!!! Cheers Jahanvir thank...