Sab E Lee (Rancho Penasquitos, CA)

by Ms T · August 29, 2016

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)