BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Sutha Thai Kitchen
1161 Irvine Blvd.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 734-6100
It happened again. No sooner do we rate a restaurant "Best" than it is sold, no doubt because its value quadruples. After several visits to the Bangkok Corner, we gave it the thumbs up, and by the next time we visited it was under a new name and management.
1161 Irvine Blvd.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 734-6100
It happened again. No sooner do we rate a restaurant "Best" than it is sold, no doubt because its value quadruples. After several visits to the Bangkok Corner, we gave it the thumbs up, and by the next time we visited it was under a new name and management.
I am happy to say that the Sutha Thai Kitchen carries on the fine tradition of its predecessor. This tiny restaurant, tucked away in the shopping center at the intersection of Irvine Blvd. and Old Irvine Blvd. (across from Michaels), appears to be designed primarily for take-out and delivery (free delivery with a $15 minimum order within a 3-mile radius). There are just five or so tables lined up in a small area in the front. But that is one of the charms of this place, if you opt for sit-down dining as opposed to taking it home. Typically there are just a few people there, so the service is amazing. Our beverages never got below the 3/4 mark before they were instantly refilled.
On this latest visit, we ordered the Seafood Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Pad Thai and the Spicy Seafood Platter. All were very good, with fresh, crispy vegetables. I especially liked the Seafood Platter, which included fish, shrimp, mussels, squid and crab, all sautéed with the house spicy curry sauce.
A common problem with Thai restaurants is they never take me seriously when I ask for the food to be a ten on the spicy scale. At one of my favorites in the Long Beach area, the conversation always goes something like this.
"Please make that a ten on the spice."
"Ten is very, very hot. I'll make it six."
"No. I've eaten here before, I can take it, please make it a ten."
"OK, seven."
"Ten! Ten! Ten!"
I can always tell if they have complied, because the other patrons start coughing uncontrollably when our order is being carried to the table. I'm still trying to get Sutha Thai Kitchen to that point, and on this visit they came close. There was some minor coughing from the other patrons when they brought out the Mongolian Chicken. A very, flavorful, spicy dish.
Most dinner entrees are $8, and the lunch specials are around $6.50. The lunch specials come with soup, and the sweet and sour soup is amazing.
For the fresh ingredients perfectly prepared, the service and the complete charm of this tiny restaurant, we rate Sutha Thai Kitchen the Best Thai Restaurant in and around Tustin.
On this latest visit, we ordered the Seafood Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Pad Thai and the Spicy Seafood Platter. All were very good, with fresh, crispy vegetables. I especially liked the Seafood Platter, which included fish, shrimp, mussels, squid and crab, all sautéed with the house spicy curry sauce.
A common problem with Thai restaurants is they never take me seriously when I ask for the food to be a ten on the spicy scale. At one of my favorites in the Long Beach area, the conversation always goes something like this.
"Please make that a ten on the spice."
"Ten is very, very hot. I'll make it six."
"No. I've eaten here before, I can take it, please make it a ten."
"OK, seven."
"Ten! Ten! Ten!"
I can always tell if they have complied, because the other patrons start coughing uncontrollably when our order is being carried to the table. I'm still trying to get Sutha Thai Kitchen to that point, and on this visit they came close. There was some minor coughing from the other patrons when they brought out the Mongolian Chicken. A very, flavorful, spicy dish.
Most dinner entrees are $8, and the lunch specials are around $6.50. The lunch specials come with soup, and the sweet and sour soup is amazing.
For the fresh ingredients perfectly prepared, the service and the complete charm of this tiny restaurant, we rate Sutha Thai Kitchen the Best Thai Restaurant in and around Tustin.
--Hari Seldon
Tustin Magazine Secret Shopper
August 21, 2009
Tustin Magazine Secret Shopper
August 21, 2009
Sutha Thai Kitchen
(714) 734-6100
Open Monday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
See the excellent review of Sutha Thai Kitchen on Monster Munching.
(714) 734-6100
Open Monday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
See the excellent review of Sutha Thai Kitchen on Monster Munching.