Sab E Lee (Rancho Penasquitos, CA)
Ms T is the biggest fan ever of Thai food, so we were quite overdue for a first visit to Sab E Lee in Rancho Penasquitos. Let’s just jump to the comparison – the obvious comparision between Pailin Thai and Sab E Lee.
Better at Spices Thai (now Pailin Thai):
- Larb Kai. This was missing something, maybe the galangal or lemongrass, and it didn’t seem to have much ground rice in it. Pailin Thai’s is more authentic.
Better at Sab E Lee:
- Penang Curry. Sab E Lee’s is more traditionally flavored and was excellent. Pailin Thai’s Penang curry isn’t traditional, but I do love it so.
Better elsewhere
- Basil Chicken – nothing in San Diego can compare to the basil chicken we had in Cambodia.
- Wonton Soup – better at any Kearny Mesa Chinese restaurant.
- Fried Rice – this is the kind of insipid fried rice that gives asian restaurants a bad name. Scrambled egg and a few peas do not a Fried Rice make.
I would definitely eat at Sab E Lee again but I have to give the edge to Pailin Thai, whose food has stronger, more authentic flavor. Sab E Lee exists because they are located in the heart of the burbs and seem to get strong dinner traffic. Pailin has a very strong lunchtime following as they are very near the Rancho Bernardo business parks.
Larb Kai with chicken, spicy 2 (but tasted like a spicy 6)
Penang Curry with chicken, spicy 4
Wonton Soup
Basil Chicken, spicy 6
Fried Rice with Chicken
Sab E Lee
https://goo.gl/maps/ZEfwAUngzeS2
Rancho Penasquitos Towne Center, 13223 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129
