Comments on: Sayonara, Suriya!

By: rai sue

rai sue — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:03:30 +0000

Suriya thai has just been reborn at 1532 Howard St btwn 11th & 12th. Talked to Suriya yesterday, and he said they moved due to landlord issues. Who knows? But they have pumpkin curry on the lunch menu–yum!

By: polojones

polojones — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:14:42 +0000

About La Rondalla: In November, I was on a bus in Laos and met a man from SF. Random. He was good friends with the late proprietor of Rondalla. Apparently the deceased’s son was left with the family business and properties and is supposedly remodeling, but not very earnest in his endeavors. Has rental income and not a lot of motivation to run a business.

Sucks for us. I wish he would turn the space over to someone useful.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:23:54 +0000

I only had great experiences at Suriya. Two blocks from home and the best Thai in the area. First Alhambra and now this?!

By: bc

bc — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:16:12 +0000

I might be off but the two times I ate at Osha but I felt it was overpriced and way too “showy” with the whole space. If I want all the hype, I’d just go to Osha on Union Street. Is the Valencia Street location any better?

For Thai near me, I using go to Pad Thai on Mission near Cortland (there is another place near by too), Thai House in the Castro (a bit further) or Sawatdee. As johnny0 said, Angor Borei (Cambodian) on Mission near Cortland is really tasty and the owner (I think?) makes the place feel like home. Try the pumpkin curry.

As for that area, how is Toad’s? I’ve only been once but it seems to be on an isolated block and I’ve never seen it packed. I was happy with my meal but I haven’t been back since it’s somewhat out of the way.

By: Tim Moore

Tim Moore — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:33:52 +0000

I only ate there once and didn’t love it, but it is sad to hear about yet another closed business on that end of Valencia.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:17:40 +0000

Aw, I’m sad. I’ve only been to SF twice and ate there both times, mainly because it was so good the first time. (I’m the guy that took the photo)

By: Gillian Gillett

Gillian Gillett — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:51:48 +0000

Thank you, Fergus! I’ll miss Suriya, too; it was unpretensious, unusual and friendly. Thai Samosas were popular with small kids. Suriya was a welcome open business on the walk south from BART.

By: fergus

fergus — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:32:05 +0000

I notice some of the people ripping Suriya don’t appear to have eaten there.Of course, the comment boards are always filled with people making off hand comments that are lacking in perspective. Overpriced? The portions were ENORMOUS. One entree and an appetizer could be split with a date and both would be full.
Plenty of food and not expensive. Bland? wtf? The food was hardly bland there, and was entirely unique to Thai restaurants in the city, ranging from the North Thai curries to the various saute and stir fry dishes. True, the “Cash Only” deal was a hindrance, but overall this was one of the most unique Thai restaurants in SF and Mr. Suriya (the chef and cooking instructor…not a lady) was a very nice chef and owner.

I don’t know what to say about the rats, but probably a lot of the editor’s favorite eateries have the same issue.

By: johnny0

johnny0 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:27:20 +0000

Good Cambodian in La Lengua -- Ankor Borei on Mission @ Cortland. Easy transition from Thai, with more chilies and fish. Haven't tried the mock chicken but it's there for those who like their food to fool them.

By: Drew

Drew — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:29:57 +0000

@monkeeknifefight @tk Saigon Saigon is SORELY missed in this house. What was that Italian place a block away…owned and run by the coked-up dude that was always on his cell phone? He was good, and cheaper than Vogalonga (sp?).

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:36:34 +0000

GOOD not God ^^^^ I mean, I see the divinity in plenty of things but papaya salad, even at its best, isn’t really one of them..

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:35:52 +0000

Yeah, this place was god and the presentations beautiful. I am sorry to hear it’s gone. As far as exorbitant prices go, geez, Osha is way worse.

By: zinzin

zinzin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:08:49 +0000

when i first moved to SF in 1992, i lived at the corner of 16th & guerrero, over what is now the eyeglass store (and was then a punk rock squat).

we used to walk over to Bangkok 16 a few times a week, and eat gai ga prow. the guy that owned the place, Terry, and his family lived upstairs. we watched his kids grow up….

pretty sure they’re all still there, though we don’t go there anymore. i remember it really depended on the day & which cousin was cooking, food-wise.

that joint is really a neighborhood institution. need to go back soon…

By: SFDoggy

SFDoggy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:42:53 +0000

This was a better than average Thai place with an inventive menu but it was a bit of a walk so I didn’t make it there much.

Besides Osha, where else is there good Thai in the Mission?

By: zinzin

zinzin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:54:05 +0000

never tried those spots. will do so.

thx.