Chan Dara Thai Café Photos
Business Info
Chan Dara Thai Café Popular Dishes
CHAN DARA THAI CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Chan Dara Thai Café
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
My parents discovered this place recently and took me here to try it out. We arrived a little bit after 5pm in order to beat the dinner rush, and were seated right away. We ordered the Satay Chicken ($9.95 for 4 pieces), Som Tum (Papaya) Salad ($11.95), Tom Yum Shrimp Soup ($8.95), See-Eyew Noodles with Chicken ($14.95), and Pineapple Fried Rice with Pork ($15.95). Both the noodles and the rice were so good, and I would come back for those. Everything just smelled and tasted so aromatic and they tasted just as great the next day. I was not a fan of the papaya salad. It came with this wedge of raw cabbage which I'm assuming is to wrap the papaya in? Personally, I could have done without it. The salad was also marinated with so much vinegar that it was the only flavor in the dish that I could taste. I don't know if the vinegar just wasn't given enough time to marinate into the papaya, but it just tasted like straight vinegar. Service was fine, they only came to take our orders and take the food to our table. I think they only checked up on us once and there were times when we tried to flag them over but they just walked right past us. By the time we were leaving, the place was packed and there was a wait outside. Food here was great so I'll be coming back here whenever I'm craving Thai food. Next time I'll have to try one of their curries as well.
I seen and saved this place that I found on Yelp. I wasn't thinking of giving it a try until later until I was going for sushi next door and realized hey that's the Thai place I just saved! So I immediately wanted to try. Located in a large plaza with plenty of parking. Service was straight to the point. As mentioned by many others' reviews, there's 2 ladies working. The older lady who looks to be Thai mixed with Chinese who's very straightforward and seems grumpy but I think that's how she is. There's another younger woman who's much younger and more personable and friendlier. I ordered takeout and the food came out in a reasonable time. I ordered beef spicy noodles and yum beef salad. The nicer lady took my order and asked me for spice levels for both items 1-10. Me not thinking it was going to be spicy like that got an 8 for the salad and 10 for the noodles. The lady was surprised and I assured her I'm Lao and can handle the spice lmaooo man I underestimated their spiciness thinking it wasn't going to be that spicy like other places. And nowhere in these reviews mentioned their spice levels are no joke so let me be the first to tell you lol don't get me wrong it's good spice the way I like it but boy was it spicy!!! My son couldn't eat it but I enjoyed it and it was kicking my butt too lol but I loved it! The flavorings were there for both items. The salad was very flavorful and juicy. The noodles were spicy and flavorful and not bland. Loved it!
Second visit to Chan Dara was just as yummy as the first time! We enjoyed a sampler, which mostly filled us up before our entrees arrived. Service and ambiance are as lovely as the food. I'll continue coming back for more authentic Thai food from Chan Dara.
Chan Dara Thai Food is one of the best restaurants I've visited recently. I'm a vegetarian, and the Panang vegetable curry was absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent too. Highly recommend
I ordered my food takeout via phone and after I ordered, they told me the time for pick up and hungup on me, so I had to call back to get the total. Definitely understand (and love) when a business is busy, but there's no need to rush an order that was 2 dishes and hang up. My food is ready when I get there and I pay upon arrival. Small spot inside with a few tables taken by small groups of people (no outside seating). I ordered 4 veggie spring rolls and a chicken pad thai for $26. Average pricing I guess nowadays but thought that was a little expensive. Spring rolls were super yummy and the peanut sauce was great, wish they were bigger containers but I definitely should've ordered more knowing I love to dip. Chicken pad Thai was kind of dry, not very saucy and lacked flavor.
Came hungry with a group of 8 golfers after a round at the Welks exec course. We got seated immediately at 6:30 pm with no reservation which was awesome. Our waitress was very friendly and funny. I ordered the pad Thai beef mild. The food came out quickly and was delicious. The noodles were sweet, tangy, and umami although the beef could have been a bit more tender. Word of caution: dress warm if you get cold easily! The AC was strong when we came. Overall this is a solid Thai spot in north San Diego.
What a gem in Escondido! I usually come here to order the green curry. The star dish! They have one of the best green curries in San Diego. The curry egg noodle was also delicious. It's in between a dry and wet dish. I don't really like their pan fried noodles here as it tasted good but there are not enough noodles ratio to meat/veggies and the noodles are stuck together. I like pan fried noodles at charm Thai Rancho Bernardo. Typically, I also order Tom kha soup, fried rice or spicy pan fried noodle, fried fish w sweet and sour sauce, shrimp salad. Shrimp salad leans on the spicier side so go low on the scale. They are super fast for take out, wait 15-20 min. They do not have beer here.
Best Thai Restaurant in the area!! You must get chicken satay for appetizer. Chicken is really tender and juicy. Whenever I come here i get either a thai ice tea or thai ice coffee which comes with one free refill. You can ask for a togo cup if you don't finish the drink! The service i really nice and very welcoming. Love all their dishes. Spicy level: they are true to their spicy level. Spicy means spicy. read more
6 months ago
12 days ago
The prices on their website are not what they charge. Their food is good but definitely call for pricing. They have a good lunch special. read more
6 days ago
My parents discovered this place recently and took me here to try it out. We arrived a little bit after 5pm in order to beat the dinner rush, and were seated right away. We ordered the Satay Chicken ($9.95 for 4 pieces), Som Tum (Papaya) Salad ($11.95), Tom Yum Shrimp Soup ($8.95), See-Eyew Noodles with Chicken ($14.95), and Pineapple Fried Rice with Pork ($15.95). Both the noodles and the rice were so good, and I would come back for those. Everything just smelled and tasted so aromatic and they tasted just as great the next day. I was not a fan of the papaya salad. It came with this wedge of raw cabbage which I'm assuming is to wrap the papaya in? Personally, I could have done without it. The salad was also marinated with so much vinegar that it was the only flavor in the dish that I could taste. I don't know if the vinegar just wasn't given enough time to marinate into the papaya, but it just tasted like straight vinegar. Service was fine, they only came to take our orders and take the food to our table. I think they only checked up on us once and there were times when we tried to flag them over but they just walked right past us. By the time we were leaving, the place was packed and there was a wait outside. Food here was great so I'll be coming back here whenever I'm craving Thai food. Next time I'll have to try one of their curries as well. read more
I seen and saved this place that I found on Yelp. I wasn't thinking of giving it a try until later until I was going for sushi next door and realized hey that's the Thai place I just saved! So I immediately wanted to try. Located in a large plaza with plenty of parking. Service was straight to the point. As mentioned by many others' reviews, there's 2 ladies working. The older lady who looks to be Thai mixed with Chinese who's very straightforward and seems grumpy but I think that's how she is. There's another younger woman who's much younger and more personable and friendlier. I ordered takeout and the food came out in a reasonable time. I ordered beef spicy noodles and yum beef salad. The nicer lady took my order and asked me for spice levels for both items 1-10. Me not thinking it was going to be spicy like that got an 8 for the salad and 10 for the noodles. The lady was surprised and I assured her I'm Lao and can handle the spice lmaooo man I underestimated their spiciness thinking it wasn't going to be that spicy like other places. And nowhere in these reviews mentioned their spice levels are no joke so let me be the first to tell you lol don't get me wrong it's good spice the way I like it but boy was it spicy!!! My son couldn't eat it but I enjoyed it and it was kicking my butt too lol but I loved it! The flavorings were there for both items. The salad was very flavorful and juicy. The noodles were spicy and flavorful and not bland. Loved it! read more
Second visit to Chan Dara was just as yummy as the first time! We enjoyed a sampler, which mostly filled us up before our entrees arrived. Service and ambiance are as lovely as the food. I'll continue coming back for more authentic Thai food from Chan Dara. read more
2 months ago
Chan Dara Thai Food is one of the best restaurants I've visited recently. I'm a vegetarian, and the Panang vegetable curry was absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent too. Highly recommend read more
1 year ago
I ordered my food takeout via phone and after I ordered, they told me the time for pick up and hungup on me, so I had to call back to get the total. Definitely understand (and love) when a business is busy, but there's no need to rush an order that was 2 dishes and hang up. My food is ready when I get there and I pay upon arrival. Small spot inside with a few tables taken by small groups of people (no outside seating). I ordered 4 veggie spring rolls and a chicken pad thai for $26. Average pricing I guess nowadays but thought that was a little expensive. Spring rolls were super yummy and the peanut sauce was great, wish they were bigger containers but I definitely should've ordered more knowing I love to dip. Chicken pad Thai was kind of dry, not very saucy and lacked flavor. read more
Came hungry with a group of 8 golfers after a round at the Welks exec course. We got seated immediately at 6:30 pm with no reservation which was awesome. Our waitress was very friendly and funny. I ordered the pad Thai beef mild. The food came out quickly and was delicious. The noodles were sweet, tangy, and umami although the beef could have been a bit more tender. Word of caution: dress warm if you get cold easily! The AC was strong when we came. Overall this is a solid Thai spot in north San Diego. read more
What a gem in Escondido! I usually come here to order the green curry. The star dish! They have one of the best green curries in San Diego. The curry egg noodle was also delicious. It's in between a dry and wet dish. I don't really like their pan fried noodles here as it tasted good but there are not enough noodles ratio to meat/veggies and the noodles are stuck together. I like pan fried noodles at charm Thai Rancho Bernardo. Typically, I also order Tom kha soup, fried rice or spicy pan fried noodle, fried fish w sweet and sour sauce, shrimp salad. Shrimp salad leans on the spicier side so go low on the scale. They are super fast for take out, wait 15-20 min. They do not have beer here. read more
1 year ago
Went there for dinner on Saturday night. Have plenty of parking looks like a ghost town, food didn't take that long but waiter just took the order and drop off the food and disappeared, should have checked the water and after drop off the food do we need anything, or how is the food? Food was better than the service, except the egg roll not sure they buy it or make it need the check on the salt. We both felt little too salty. read more
30 days ago
8 months ago
5 months ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
My girlfriend and I came here for dinner on a Tuesday evening. It was not busy and we were immediately seated at a booth. I ordered the chicken and string beans (spicy lvl 7 out of 10) and my friend ordered the see-eyew noodles (0 spice). We both enjoyed our dishes. I didn't feel like lvl 7 spice was that spicy but I also like very spicy food. Service was okay. read more
1 year ago
The food was delicious. We got there at a great time because once we ordered, it got super packed with people. I ordered the See eyew noodles. Your spice can range from 1-10. Im not a spicy person so I got zero. I would come back again and eat here. I want try the thai tea with boba for sure and some of the desserts. I cant remember what my friend ordered but she liked it. read more
5 months ago
Hands down best thai in San Diego! I have been coming to Chan Dara regularly for almost 10 years and it's only gotten better over time. You really can't go wrong with any menu items, but definitely recommend their pad thai, massaman curry (if you like peanuts), fresh spring rolls, and their thai tea boba. I typically order takeout, which is usually pretty quick, but the dine-in experience is also pleasant. It's locally owned and the family who runs it is friendly and attentive. Interior is nicely decorated and there is plentiful parking. Definitely a must visit if you're in North County San Diego and craving thai. read more
2 months ago
Quiet little thai restaurant with amazing staff! Our waiter was so sweet and definitely went above and beyond to make my kids happy today. My picky daughter didn't really want to eat her food, and he came to offer her a cookie if she ate her food first. And she happily gobbled up some of her food afterwards! Definitely a super great guy, wish I caught his name. We ordered their tum yum, pad thai, pad see ewe, and khao gra pow. Everything was flavored well and portions were good for the price. We were sharing the dishes with the family, so I was glad the waiter offered to put the spices on the side for us to add it ourselves. I also got a thai tea with a free refill! The tea was strong and not diluted. read more
I've been here a few times and decided to write a review now. The food here is consistently good. Dine-in experience is always good too. I'm a fan of the Angel wings, the Thai tea with boba, the yellow curry, and their rad nah. The gravy is perfectly made. I've also done take out orders of the broccoli, chicken satay, and the red curry, and I've been very happy with everything I ordered from here. A little slice of comfort of Thai food in north county. I'm all for it. read more
3 years ago
We came on a Friday night, for an early dinner. We ordered the sampler appetizer - which could be a persons meal. But we wanted to try everything, and we did!!! The fresh spring rolls are among the best in San Diego County, if not the best all around. The crispy spring rolls, same story. Thru fried tempura vegetables were the perfect blend of fried and cooked perfectly. The chicken satay, two pieces - Yum! I had TallGirl and AdventurousAunt report back on the shrimp (due to my allergy), they both gave thumbs up! For entries, I'm a solid heat level 2, as was TallGirl and AdventurousAunt. We felt that was spiced perfectly for us. With that huge sampler, none of us finished our meals, not for lack of trying. We had Pad Thai, Spicy Noodles and Gai Kua. All were cooked as expected and to our exact liking. I do travel with a service dog, who sees the undersides of a good amount of tables. The under sides of these tables are nice and clean and he didn't have any unexpected snacks. Which is a complete pass in my book. We did have opportunity to hear a completely rude, annoying and mean customer during our visit. During which the staff member, was nothing but kind and professional. She handled the rudeness without flinching. And she went to help other customers and that interaction didn't impact other customers at all. I'd also like to say, in the times we have been here, we have never had rude or surly service from anyone. I'd also like to note that this is a family business, and not every culture communicates in the same way. So, if you are expecting direct eye contact, that may be considered rude in other cultures. And not everyone has English as their first language, as such their speech patterns may be "short" or not as you may expect. The food here, be it take out or dine in is flipping amazing!! Stop here. Leave your preconceived notions and prejudice outside. read more
Great services and delicious foods Pro: - delicious beef salads (little salty) - good pad see ew & pad thai - 1 free thai tea ( good!!) - great services. Servers are very nice and helpful! - spacious free parking spaces Cons: - No alcohol ( no big deal) read more
7 months ago
First of all, don't let the outside discourage you. They are located in a pretty run down and empty shopping complex. It looks like the only open shop. We came here around noon on a Saturday. Upon arrival we were greeted by the super friendly lady and seated immediately. The other two tables of customers seemed like they were regular customers that came on a weekly basis. We ordered a couple of basic meals such as the Tom Yom soup and Pad Thai. We have high tolerance to spicy level so we got level 8 for the soup and it was right on. Not too spicy to the extent of not being able to eat it but a great kick to kick the sickness way if you have a cold. It was nice and sour as well. All of their dishes were seasoned on the saltier side so if you are watching your salt intake maybe have some rice on the side. The chicken satay was super juicy and not salty. The peanut sauce went so well and the cucumber was sweet and crunchy. What is also great here is that you get one free refills on Thai ice coffee and Thai tea! That is unheard of. They do come with a lot of ice but with the refill it is totally worth it. Clean restaurant and great service from the staff here. We had a pleasant visit. read more
At long last!!! I have finally found an authentic Thai restaurant in San Diego that prepares ANGEL WINGS!!! YAY!!! I have searched high and low for decades... and I finally found it! And it's good. So good. Start with an Angel Wing, get Pad Thai with the spicy round of spices, wash down with a thai tea ( they have that great chewy ice). The most legit I've had in a long time! Polite and efficient service and plenty of parking. This place is a winner and worth a trip. Il be coming here now that I know it's here. You should come too and try their ANGEL WINGS!!! read more
1 year ago
Absolutely Delicious!!!! I'm saying it again.. Absolutely Delicious!!!! I stumbled across this wonderful gem and I'm blown away. I ordered the Pad Thai with chicken and the Thai fried rice with chicken Togo. The service was amazing. As soon as I entered this establishment I was greeted immediately. This establishment was so clean and the vibe so relaxing. I've had Thai food all around San Diego and other neighboring cities and nothing comes close to this place. As soon as I got home I started eating and couldn't put my fork down. To those looking for amazing food, reasonably priced and worth every penny and then some. Look no further. I will be back. read more
11 months ago
9 months ago
Page 1 of 21
More info about Chan Dara Thai Café
330 W Felicita Ave
Escondido, CA 92025
Directions
(760) 317-4455
Call Now
Visit Website
http://Chandarathaicafe.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
Chan Dara Thai Café Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Chan Dara Thai Café
Are their curries made with fish sauce or are they vegetarian?
Is their pad Thai (without egg or meat) vegan?
You can request no egg, and choose veggies or tofu rather than meat. They are very vegan/vegetarian friendly.
Is there anything that is gluten free or can be made that way?
Pad Thai and massaman curry are usually safe bets but if you ask them they will help you.. they know what gluten free is and will be happy to give you options :)
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
45 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
3 months ago
10 years ago
7 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
10 months ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
6 years ago
12 years ago
10 years ago
11 years ago
6 years ago
7 years ago
4 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
