Bangkok Thai

After dining at Bangkok Spices Thai Restaurant several times, delighted by the fresh ingredients, generous servings, and reasonable prices, I was happy to join the manager for a Thai tea. The family owned business is amongst the newer restaurants to arrive on the Boulevard. The inspiration to open the restaurant spurred from sampling various Thai restaurants in San Diego and realizing there was an opportunity to showcase their unique style of home cooking.

The space at 2832 El Cajon Boulevard became the ideal location to launch their venture because of the relatively inexpensive rent, little competition, and the close distance to the 805 freeway. They are also particularly pleased with the selection of grocery stores in this neighborhood. In fact, they purchase most of their ingredients locally at North Park Produce and Sin Lee Food Corporation, a Vietnamese grocery.

Speaking of ingredients, if you savor the delectable flavors of peanut sauce, cilantro, chili pepper, lime, and basil, then you will love this restaurant. Thai food is known for great soups, rice and noodle dishes, and elaborate entrees. Every dish is prepared with a choice of vegetables, tofu, chicken, beef, shrimp, calamari, scallops, seafood, mock chicken, mock duck or combination.

Mock is another word for vegetarian, and at this restaurant, any entrée can be altered for vegetarians. I personally cannot get enough of their mock duck satay appetizer, served on skewers with a side of peanut sauce. The Pad Thai noodle dish is fantastic and the most favored entrée is the Spicy Seafood Basil. Lunch specials range between $5 and $7, with the average entrée being around $10. Bangkok Thai Spices Restaurant also serves wine, beer, and sake.

When I asked about the customers, the manager was very pleased that more the fifty percent of their customers work or live in the neighborhood. Costumers often mention before leaving that they'll be back, and most importantly, they come back.