Finest Thai

4.0 (711 reviews)

ModerateThai

Closed • 10:30 am - 9:00 pm

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Finest Thai - Thai Near Me - El Cajon, California

Finest Thai - Menu - Thai Near Me - El Cajon, California

Finest Thai - Beef 23. Pad Thai - Thai Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Finest Thai - 28. Fried Rice,52. Mixed Vegetables,16. Tom Kha Chicken Soup - Thai Near Me - El Cajon, California

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The worst thai I have ever tasted!!!! The food taste old the cilantro was old, and the looks like they microwaved it before giving it to us.

Bob W.

Stopped in for lunch the other day and was seated by a very friendly server. Ordered the Choo Chee BBQ Chicken. It came out really fast and was piping hot and very tasty. The Jasmin rice was also very good and was perfectly cooked. Enjoyed the iced tea as well. Everything about my lunch was enjoyable. The only negative would be my entree had a couple of ingredients missing based on the menu description. Disappointing but the food was delicious nonetheless. The cook should pay closer attention. I will be back to try other specialties they on their menu.

Randall B.

It's in the Target center. It doesn't look like much but.... Oh, boy.... The food is seriously good. And our server could kit have had bigger smile and as super helpful. It's a strip mall Thai place but don't judge Finest Thai only by its ordinary roots. The BBQ chicken was tender, juicy, and superb. The Larb was just as it should be with the right size lettuce cups to actually eat. Every bite was a flavor bomb and it was about $15 each including tip. A bargain. You can pay a lot more, but why. This is a good place with great food and staff. Go and enjoy.

Jocelyn B.

I always love coming here! It's one of my favorite places. I love the food here and the music they play.

We were going to go to L&L Hawaiian food but ended up coming to Finest Thai which is right next door we looked at the lunch specials & we are so glad we chose this place we came here last week & again today last week we had the Pad Thai with the meat combo of chicken, pork, & beef with peanut salad, wonton, & egg roll with sauce comes with soup which is so good & refreshing the other lunch special was spicy noodles with combo seafood today I had the spicy noodles with the meat combo and my husband had the same Pad Thai with the same meat combo & the side of Dragon Rangoon with sauce food very delicious & flavorful with just the right amount of spicy heat the service was very good & fast both meals were extremely excellent thank you for the 2 great meals we have experienced at your restaurant

Carlos R.

I'm pretty upset at what I just bought and it never comes like this. Upset hecka and just literally left from here about 10 minutes ago.

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Mikaela D.

0

3

1

10 years ago

Terrible customer service. I ordered pad woun sen with mock duck (vegetarian) to go. The food was given to me by a girl who verified my order which was great, but there was no receipt and the "to go" container wasn't labeled, which was not great. The food looked fine but as I was eating something seemed off, and then I realized that the mock duck wasn't mock, it was real meat. I brought the order back in and it was exchanged for the correct order but the gentleman in charge did not apologize, even after I explained to him I'm vegetarian for religious reasons and I had just eaten meat because of their mistake. He remained apathetic and said "You have the right food now, it's ok." Won't be back. read more

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Joey Y.

164

11

0

9 years ago

I ordered shrimp yellow curry with rice, paid that little extra for shrimp. it arrived with like 2-3 tiny shrimps. I honestly wouldn't care if you charge extra for decent amount of shrimp. I might as well just ordered veg curry! read more

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Monica S.

0

2

0

12 years ago

I will never eat at this place again. I ordered food to go. When I got back to work and opened my soup, there was a fly right on top. Very disappointing and disgusting. read more

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Sam B.

3

6

1

10 years ago

Never disappointed in this spot. Our go to spot for dine in and they deliver for those lazy nights! Highly recommend panang curry, mixed vegetable, cashew nut and spicy noodle dishes. read more

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Alora S.

Elite 19

360

43

19

10 years ago

Finest Thai was very good. I have a gluten allergy and they were so helpful checking with the kitchen to make sure there were dishes I could enjoy! The food was well prepared and very yummy! My only critique is that their boba wasn't as good as other tea places, but they aren't a tea place. They are a wonderful Thai place! read more

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L D.

32

27

1

9 years ago

We ordered through the eat24 app. They forgot all of our rice that is suppose to come with the curry dishes. The yellow curry was bland. The crab Rangoons had no flavor and the teaspoon of sauce they gave us was terrible. My co-workers red curry was bland as hell and she ordered extra spicy. I will keep ordering from Thai Time on Johnson. read more

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Andrew R.

Elite 18

151

159

70

11 years ago

Always great food, polite staff and an over all pleasant experience. I can say having been to Thailand multiple times this place is the closest to getting the authentic taste. I recommend this place to anyone who enjoys good Thai food and highly recommend the chicken pad Thai and the skewers. read more

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Abby K.

214

186

3

11 years ago

The best freaking Thai food I've had. Fast service, extensive menu. Hubs gets their curry or Thom Guy (SP?) soup. I usually get something not too spicy. It's always delicious! read more

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Natalie H.

12

23

7

10 years ago

I ordered on eat 24 and wow. All the food was so good! I highly recommend the yellow curry and finest fried rice. The tempura calamari is delish too. read more

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Cameron W.

2

33

73

12 years ago

Best Thai I've had in San Diego, oh yeah! Ill be coming back again and again :) Good deal, super tasty, and wonderful service! I like the red curry with chicken best and the coconut ice cream is always very good. Authentic Thai from what I understand. The flavor and consistency of the curry is always great. read more

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Vanna S.

11

23

7

11 years ago

I absolutely love this place. Their shop is small, but the food is amazing! Some of it reminds me of my mother's cooking, which what I desperately miss. Their spicy noodle with shrimp is an absolute favorite! Try this place, you won't regret it!!! read more

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Michelle H.

2

28

10

10 years ago

I can't believe how amazing everything was!!! I had the chicken red curry, chicken yellow curry, chicken pad Thai, chicken fried rice, garlic beef!!! Everything had amazing flavor! They also delivered the delivery driver was so nice and the food was still so hot and fresh! Will definitely be ordering again read more

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Savannah N.

171

9

4

7 years ago

Ordered takeout from here the other day...oh my gosh it was so good! Our new Thai place for sure. The pad Thai was phenomenal I love how much you could taste the cilantro. I got the yellow curry which was pretty good. The orange chicken was decent but not quite like your typical orange chicken. My fiancé got the pho and he enjoyed it very much. Food was packaged so that you could set it up when you get home which was great so that the breading or greens didn't get soggy. They were very quick and very friendly which I really appreciated. We'll be back soon! read more

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Bre'Jai-irene C.

166

1

0

10 years ago

I just had a baby so I can't leave the house as often as I would like. The place I normally order Thai from stopped delivering so I decided to give this place a try and I am more than satisfied with the food. I got the yellow curry with chicken which was AMAZING! I also ordered BBQ pork fried rice, house salad and Thai iced tea. All were super delicious. This is definitely my new favorite Thai restaurant! read more

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J. K.

0

84

2

10 years ago

Went there tonight for pickup first time, ordered: Pad Thai w/beef, Finest Thai Fried Rice,Choo Chee BBQ Chicken, Mixed Vegetable Entree w/ chicken. All dishes were excellent, will be back to try different ones in near future. Very nice people too! read more

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Sophie S.

236

23

22

10 years ago

Great place! Friendly people and relaxing atmosphere. My grandma and I had a great time

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Moriah M.

92

12

1

7 years ago

Finest Thai is literally my favorite place to eat in all of El Cajon. The food is always delicious, the staff is super friendly and remembers my husband and I every time we come in. Also, the boba tea is DELICIOUS and the large is huge! 15/10 best place!! Try the Crab Fried Rice or the Jalapeno Beef! You won't be disappointed! read more

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Jimmy B.

2

176

39

10 years ago

I was surprised by this nice little Thai place in El cajon. Food was on point and service was great. Very attentive staff.

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Jenny L.

2

23

22

11 years ago

One red and one yellow A best we have eaten in San Diego. Love the fact that you can set your heat level - always a pleasant surprise:D

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Yusef H.

2

50

105

11 years ago

We ordered delivery. They were fast and the food was piping hot. The yellow Curry was amazing. The Pad Thai was OK, just not what I normally expected. It actually seemed like it may be more authentic than the places I normally go to, just not what I was expecting. They normally put basil in it, which this did not have. I think that is what it was missing along with finer than I am used to noodles. I would recommend them to others. Just try the curry. read more

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Alicia V.

Elite 25

7

96

133

11 years ago

One word: yummy! I go here whenever I'm craving Thai food because it is the best I have tasted yet. 10/10 would highly recommend the BBQ pork fried rice! Also I love their Thai tea with boba! Great place, great service! read more

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Jasmine L.

125

24

12

11 years ago

Delicious pad Thai!! Service was great too! I placed a large takeout order, and they even took it out to my car for me lol

Business owner information

Zac C.

We're always happy to help, Jasmine! Glad to hear you enjoyed your…

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caitlyn k.

1

25

17

10 years ago

This is our go to Thai place in El Cajon. The food is consistently good. We usually get a noodle dish and a curry dish like spicy noodle and panang curry. The amount of food is perfect. They also deliver!! read more

Business owner information

Zac C.

Caitlyn, it sounds like we're hitting all the marks for you, and…

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Christine D.

18

31

4

10 years ago

Didn't live up to my expectations after reading all the reviews on here. I ordered Tom yum which had nothing but old nasty smelling mushrooms in it and fresh spring rolls which were mainly stuffed with iceberg lettuce. Not good! read more

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Grant S.

0

11

0

9 years ago

Awesome food and always on point with their delivery! Try their Pad Thai in Thai iced tea!

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Megan F.

0

9

1

7 years ago

Great curry! Massaman and yellow are personal favorites. The spicy noodles = amazing. Their spicy level isn't always consistent, the only reason I know that is because we order food from here so often. Love their takeout but also a great dining in experience. Always clean and great service! read more

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Jessie V.

0

8

0

9 years ago

I just ordered food and received in in under an hour. Their Finest chicken soup is AMAZING. The ginger is an amazing touch for someone who is getting over a cold like I am. Their Thai tea is also delicious and the spring rolls are spectacular. Everything was wrapped and delivered with care. I have nothing bad to say! read more

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Jamie B.

38

6

4

10 years ago

Everything was very delicious. We ordered spring rolls, papaya salad, green curry and pad thai! AWESOME!

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Giovanna F.

66

1

0

10 years ago

Chicken Pad Thai and Thai tea are the best in El Cajon. Clean and great customer service. Ordering through the app is very convenient! Always welcomed with a smile when I come in. read more

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Courtney G.

65

12

1

10 years ago

We drive down from Alpine to visit Finest Thai. They're lunch specials are reasonably priced and fantastic. Curries are flavorful and really tasty. It's become our regular Thai spot. read more

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Moe J.

0

24

6

10 years ago

I ordered my food off of Eat24.com. My food was delivered promptly. The delivery driver shook my door knob instead of knocking or ringing the doorbell to get my attention. He made me think he was going to open my screen door. Than he didn't have any change. All he had was $4 so I was forced to tip him $2, PKUS I GOT NO SOY SAUCE IN MY BAG. "You have to request it in your order." I thought that was an automatic! Ok. Than I open my food and my orange chicken didn't have any sauce on it. It was on the side, so I called the restaurant and they put me on hold immediately. When a lady returns to the phone she explains that the chicken would be soggy if they put the sauce on the chicken before it left the store. The pad Thai was okay. I think I'll stick to Kip's! Thank you! read more

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Gina M.

2

53

49

10 years ago

Probably the best pad Thai chicken noodles I've had. Can pick a level from 0-10. Go for their lunch specials that's the best deal. Their appetizers are a little pricey, but overall service and food quality and quantity. read more

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Raquel S.

135

11

4

14 years ago

Eaitress was awesome! My husbands first time havn thao food and she took her time to help him make his choice. Food was tasty..thai iced coffee was strong n yummy ..coconut ice cream delicious :) We'll b back :) read more

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Icon r.

13

18

13

10 years ago

Really good Thai food. Best in East county. When I moved to lakeside from north park I couldn't find a good Thai spot then I found this gem.

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Andrew B.

5

7

2

9 years ago

Food was hot and tasted alright, but they did not include utensils. When I called to complain they said they usually only include utensils at request unless delivering to a motel--where I currently reside. Long story short I was able to find a utensil and spare the delivery driver a pointless drive, but it a curious policy to not just automatically include utensils considering we are paying a delivery charge. read more

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Kaylee M.

163

4

0

9 years ago

Delicious Thai Food! I love the pad Thai and my husband loves the pad see ew! We order to go and to eat there. Great customer service! Generous portion sizes as well, I always have left overs for later. read more

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Erika C.

0

4

2

9 years ago

First time trying this place out. So far, everyone is friendly, inviting and the service is good.

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Brittany G.

175

8

0

10 years ago

This spot has never disappointed with my Thai and Curry cravings! The food is always fresh and tasty! Such a great Thai spot for east county. read more

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Brianna F.

47

21

3

10 years ago

First time, was good. Liked the resteraunt. Can't wait to eat here again.

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Tabatha A.

0

10

0

9 years ago

I really like this place. Found it on yelp.I'm kinda picky but I've never had a bad meal here. Portions are generous for the price. Finest Thai chicken soup was delicious. Love the spicy noodles and the basil chicken W rice. One recommendation I have is if you don't like heat(spicy)food then get a level 1 or 2. I personally get a 10 but I love heat. read more

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Page 14 of 18

354 Broadway
El Cajon, CA 92021
Bostonia
Directions
(619) 588-2271
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://finestthaica.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Finest Thai open?

Finest Thai opens at 10:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Finest Thai opens at 11:30 AM on Saturday.Finest Thai opens at 11:00 AM on Sunday.

What time does Finest Thai close?

Finest Thai closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Finest Thai closes at 8:30 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Fri 10:30 AM - 9:00 PMSat 11:30 AM - 9:00 PMSun 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Finest Thai take credit cards?

Yes, Finest Thai takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Finest Thai have catering options?

Yes, Finest Thai does have catering options.

Does Finest Thai have a happy hour?

No, Finest Thai does not have a happy hour.

Does Finest Thai serve alcohol?

No, Finest Thai does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Finest Thai allow dogs?

Yes, Finest Thai allows dogs.

Does Finest Thai have TVs?

No, Finest Thai does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Finest Thai have bike parking?

No, Finest Thai does not have bike parking.

Does Finest Thai have parking?

Yes, Finest Thai has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Finest Thai wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Finest Thai is wheelchair accessible.

Does Finest Thai have free WiFi?

No, Finest Thai does not have free WiFi.

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Explore benefits

Thai Time

4.2(760 reviews)

0.8 mi

•$$

We found our new go to Thai spot! Moving to a new area means more than finding the right home and…read moreschool. Finding the best Thai, pizza, burgers, & ice cream are essential!! We tried something new this time and though I forgot the name, it was 26A & delicious! I absolutely LOVE the extra touches here!!! Slices of lemon in the water & fresh flowers are small, yet beautiful little love notes to the customers that tell us we matter!! The restaurant is small, yet inviting and beautifully decorated. The artwork and woodwork are clear signs the owner(s) want to share a bit of their culture with us. The service comes with a smile, even when I ask for no bell peppers. We recommend you come hungry and with people willing to share, so you get to taste more dishes!!!

My go to Thai spot for the past few years! Ever since I…read morefirst tried Thai Time a few years back, no other Thai spot compares. The food is consistently delicious, the staff provides great customer service, and the prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is very inviting with great decor. You can't beat the quality and consistency here, combined with lovely customer service....Easily my favorite hidden gem.

Photos

Inside

Thus is marriage thanks Thai time

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Thai Iced tea with Boba

Busy B Thai Cafe

4.4(337 reviews)

0.7 mi•Cajon Heights

•$$

Overall great place to eat! Next time I will most likely order to go. The waiter didn't notice us…read moreenter for the first 10 minutes but our food came out quickly once we ordered. The veggie dumplings were a great appetizer and the chicken pad Thai was great. There's plenty of parking nearby and the inside is decorated well.

Spicy basil is my favorite here. Spices, rice, chicken, all amazing. It's pretty good considering…read moreits location.

Photos

Collage of pictures taken.

Pad Woon Sen with BBQ Pork

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Inside - seating

Leela Thai Cuisine

4.1(403 reviews)

2.6 mi

•$$

Ordered the panang curry and the drunken noodles both were amazing and had good flavor. But the…read morecurry was definitely the high point of the meal.

I previously visited more than 3 months ago. I don't recall what I got but I remember liking it…read more This time around I ordered a spicey fried rice with mock duck, level 5 spice (out of 10). I wasn't impressed. It wasn't bad, but it lacked flavor and spiciness. We did get the fish cake appetizer, those were good with the sauce or dip it comes with. The place has nice decor and the service is good. I'd recommend this based off my first visit, but now I have mixed feelings. I wouldn't automatically pass on it. I will still probably give it another try and get something different.

Photos

Hump Day dinner at Leela's Thai Cuisine.

Delicious tofu fresh spring roll

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Wednesday dinner

Grandpa Tao Kitchen

Great to have Vietnamese cuisine out here. Me and the fam stopped by on our way to lake Jennings…read more The owner was very kind and sweet. She was super helpful. We ordered the pho dac biet which is their house special and some banh mi. It was authentic, although I wish they had pâté on it. The pho broth was clean and yummy it had shrimp along with some meat. I'd recommend it since it's their house special!

Restaurant was very hot inside. They don't use a/c in the middle of summer. No napkins. Silver ware…read moreand chopsticks are in a container at the end of table. Seemed unsanitary as they looked dirty like they were used and put back. Tables weren't cleaned. Drinks come in very small cups. My daughter enjoyed her vegetable pho. I did not enjoy the tofu and noodles I ordered. I thought the noodles were large not skinny and the tofu tasted and felt like wet scrambled eggs. Wanted crispy tofu but it is very soggy and unflavored. Vegetables were soggy and overcooked. I didn't eat my food and told the lady at the register it was not what was expected and I didn't want it. She did not care or attempt to offer something else. I paid and threw away the food. Waste of money.

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P5. Combination Special Pho

Grandpa Tao Kitchen

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Fried chicken wing appetizer

Faidang Thai Restaurant

4.3(728 reviews)

3.1 mi

•$$

For years, I was an occasional diner at Sab-E-Lee Santee, which, at six miles, wasn't the closest…read moreThai restaurant to my house, but was the closest good one. In 2024, Sab-E-Lee Santee was rebranded; it's now called "Faidang Thai Restaurant". In February 2025, Faidang was closed by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality for these infractions: Holding Temperatures - Major; Vermin - Major; Food Contact Surfaces - Minor; Equipment and Utensil Storage, Use - Out of Compliance; Floors, Walls, and Ceilings - Out of Compliance; Impoundment - Out of Compliance. Ewwww.

This place is great. Quiet and clean, nice and relaxing. The service was good and the food was…read moreawesome. Very flavorful with quality ingredients. I had the Spicy Basil Chicken and was able to order it with no spice. It was perfect for me. My husband had the Pas See Ew with Chicken spicy level 5 just enough to make him sweat a bit. My son had the Fried Rice with pork spicy level 7, he loved it. We also had the Tom Kah soup with chicken. It was so flavorful and full of chip and veggies. I could eat a trough of it! We can't wait to go back!

Photos

Miang Kum ( - $7.95), a simple, but wonderful appetizer. Photo by Kirk K.

Three Flavored Fish (Halibut - $14.95) Photo byKirk. K

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The Larb Duck($7.95) Photo by Kirk K.

Hana Sushi

Always good! Fresh sushi!!…read moreThe parking is pretty easy here since most of the businesses nearby are closed down. This has been our go to place for sushi for about 1 year.

Based on our recent visit, I'm struggling to understand how this establishment has an overall score…read moreof 4 stars. We were not greeted by an employee at the hostess stand and finally sat ourselves. It took 15 minutes for a server to greet us and ask for our drink order. Once he arrived for our drink order we put in a small food order to test out the quality of proteins. It took 40 minutes to get two hand rolls and one albacore sashimi order. The order took so long to arrive that once it did, we quickly put in a specialty roll order before trying the hand rolls. The specialty roll came out in two minutes flat, I did see a roll sitting on the sushi bar before we ordered. I believe we got someone else's roll because I asked about the long wait times. After the roll was delivered a server came over to our booth specifically to make a snarky comment, he said "you're lucky this was fast, people wait 1 hour for this on Fridays." The restaurant was clean, had a neat wall painting and the parking was free, those are the only positive experiences from our visit. The sashimi was dry as if it had been sitting out not properly stored. Hand rolls were mostly rice, the only protein is what you can see in the pic - gone in one bite of a 4 bite roll. The specialty roll was average. This was a very unpleasant experience, we will not go back and will not recommend to friends/family/yelpers. It should also be noted that we went on a Sunday afternoon and there were 3 sushi chefs behind the counter, 3 servers on the floor and 1 host. Hard to understand why the wait times were excessive and service was poor. Our server did acknowledge that the service was slow, however, he did not offer any apology, he just shrugged it off.

Photos

Sashimi Platter 30 pieces

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Thai tea

Streets Pho & Grill

4.8(209 reviews)

2.8 mi

•$$

I think they are better than Pho ca do. We'll we've gone twice now and get so wrapped up in eating…read morethat I forget to review lol. Pros: * Delicious pho; we like the rare steak * Great apps; the spring roll is fresh and the fried roll is crunchy * Friendly staff * Clean restaurant Cons: * N/A Extra: * Lots of parking * Single unisex bathroom

TLDR great local Vietnamese spot in Santee spring rolls with the Nem Nuong were solid…read more 8.1 - Soft chewy rice paper with the crispy deef fried eggroll skin in the middle along with lettuce and vermicelli noodles. Great textural contrast between the soft and chewy and the crispy eggroll skin paired very nicely with their rich nutty peanut sauce. 7.2 - The fried rice was very savory with a nice balance of sweetness from the peas however, the beef was dry. 6.8 - The shaken beef was a little disappointing because it was lacking the wok hay that I expect with shaken beef. The sauces are typical shaken beef, black pepper with a sweet soy sauce glaze along with carmelized onions. Overall, I'll definitely be back and want to try the Pho!

Photos

Inside

Spring rolls

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Classic spring rolls and passionfruit green tea with boba

China 1968

4.1(531 reviews)

0.1 mi•Bostonia

•$$

Invited here for dinner. I was skeptical from afar and was I wrong. This little spot serves up some…read moregreat food coupled with fantastic service. The Orange Chicken is a house favorite and is delicious. The Fried Rice was great and every meal was on par. Definitely a good spot to satisfy an Asian food craving.

Been living in El Cajon for a few years now and when we are in the mood for some Chinese food, we…read morealways call China 1968. Our family favorites are Beef Broccoli; we love their kung pao chicken and kung pao shrimp. We recently tried the honey walnut shrimp and man those things are addicting, in a good way of course ;) We have done a few catering orders through them and the quality and service are always great. Plenty of seating and parking if you want to swing by and have a meal with family or friends. Ambiance is great and highly recommended China 1968.

Photos

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Pho Tam & Grill

4.3(304 reviews)

1.6 mi

Tried the Grilled Pork Vermicelli for the first time, and it was delicious! Great food and service.read more

Wanted to take my fiance out to dinner and found Pho Tam on Yelp. Good reviews and close by...why…read morenot? Easy to locate and parking was sufficient. We walked in and met the funniest lady working. Not sure if she's the owner or what, but she made the experience good from the get-go. We ordered egg rolls and the Specialty Pho, and they hit the spot. Good portion of meat, noodles, and broth. The broth was savory and clean. Meat was good quality. Egg rolls hot and crunchy with a spectacular sauce. Overall, the meal with delicious and filling. The interior was nice. Not elevated like some fancy place, but more homey and welcoming. It was clean and set a chill tone. Again, I have to comment on how friendly and fun the host/owner was. She truly did make the experience so fun. I'll definitely be coming back based on how sweet she was. The excellence of the food is a bonus on top.

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Asian Kitchen

4.1(103 reviews)

2.7 mi

Awesome new Pho and Korean bbq place in Santee!…read more This isn't your regular Korean barbecue place where they have a little grill at your table. They actually grill it for and bring it out cooked. On this visit, I ordered the pho with filet mignon. My soup was delicious. The meat was tender. It was served with fresh basil, jalapeños, lime, and sprouts. This restaurant is new so they don't currently serve any alcohol, but maybe we didn't need any alcohol. Pros: New restaurant in Santee! Plant of parking Clean restrooms Friendly family owned vibes Filet mignon is served here Korean barbecue is served here Delicious pho is served here Cons: Not 1 restroom, but we will get by

Place is clean and comfortable, food and service were on par. More of an Asian fusion place.read more

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Pad won Sen seafood mix

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Orange chicken

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78 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Angie T.

0

8

14

11 years ago

A Thai gem in El Cajon City. My wife and I were lead to this special restaurant by friends' referrals. We went there on a Saturday evening around 6PM, by 8PM the place was packed. We were the second table seated. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by a young couple with friendly and inviting smiles. My first impression, it wasn't a fancy place, but we weren't expecting a 5 stars restaurant. We just need a nice/friendly atmosphere, clean, family oriented restaurant where we can enjoy quality Thai food at reasonable prices. Sure enough, after 2 hours of aromatic-authentic and delicious Thai meal, we have found our Thai gem in El Cajon. We ordered the Pad Thai noodles, Papaya Salad, Spicy beef noodles, lemongrass cashew chicken, and King's Curry. My favorites were the Pad Thai Noodles, Spicy beef noodles and Papaya salad, spicy and delicious, that's how I like my Thai food. These dishes were made with fresh ingredients and the spices used were just the right balance. The king's Curry has beef and vegetables, was a little salty to eat by itself, but perfect with white jasmine rice. The lemongrass cashew chicken was exotically tasty, also perfect with white rice. This dish has lots of chicken, which I couldn't finish, unless you're a poultry lover, which I'm not. The only downside to this restaurant is they do not serve alcohol, this is just me, others might say that's a good thing. Although they do serve "non-alcoholic beers," not the same, but I had one, just to quench my spicy taste buds. Overall, out of 5 stars, I would give my food/dining experience 4.99 stars. Next time, I'm coming back to try their seafood dishes. This restaurant also caters and delivers (limited area of course). I highly recommend this restaurant for your Thai food fixes if you can't go to Thailand. read more

Shaunda C.

12

16

6

7 years ago

I was looking for some crab fried rice and found finest Thai. I asked about their crab fried rice and their container is smaller than another place I've gotten it from but it's about $2 more than the other place that I've gotten it from. when I looked at it the crab and egg mixture was on top of the fried rice but it looks more like eggs. After I got home and tasted it it didn't taste like crab was in it. The rice was cooked well but it was not crab fried rice it was more like egg fried rice. I will never go back to this place again. read more

Beatriz P.

20

3

7

7 years ago

Finest Thai has a great Summer Promotion through September 30th. It's a limited offer through the day. Yesterday they ran out by 1pm. Try their home made Watermelon Juice during lunch through Summer. So refreshing!!! I had the Finest Thai rice which is a dinner plate so the watermelon juice was offer with my dish. Otherwise if you order a lunch special You have the option of the juice or the soup. read more

Carole J.

0

4

7

9 years ago

I've been here a couple times and every time the food is delicious, full of flavor, and the staff is super friendly. One of our friends comes weekly and I can see why. The staff is knowledgeable and wants to make sure that you enjoy what you eat. It smells so good when you walk in, you know the food is going to be just as good. I highly recommend you give it a try. read more

Chloe N.

0

39

12

9 years ago

I love their fried egg rolls and drunken noodles. This is usually what I come here for. And using the Eat 24 app makes it easy! When I come to pick up my order they're very efficient and quick. The flavor of the food is great not bland like a lot of other noodles I've tried. And the dipping sauce for the egg rolls is delish! Highly recommend! read more

Chris M.

0

1

0

9 years ago

Customer service is exceptional here, very friendly and accommodating. We place lunch orders for the office regularly and the experience is consistently above average. Clean and comfortable ambience with easy access and nearby stores add a convenience factor bonus. Will continue to be a patron here whether ordering for lunch at work or otherwise. read more

Meg G.

0

6

0

12 years ago

Yum! Finding a thai place in east county seemed impossible until my fiance and I found what seems to us to be the "finest" thai. The staff is very kind and efficient, the food was consistently good, and better then what I expected, the atmosphere was pleasent, and the cleanliness was visible. Finest Thai is my new go to! read more

Martina A.

0

6

0

9 years ago

The food was so bland! I ordered Pad Thai and it was nothing but noodles soaked in some sour sauce. Whatever chicken was in it had absolutely no flavor. The fry tofu was flavorless! The peanut sauce tasted from a bottle or days old. The service was average. We didnt get a water refill. Would not be coming back. read more

Scarlett R.

13

16

0

13 years ago

Fantastic Thai food!!!! The service was IMPECCABLE! My waitress was sooooooo nice with our party of 8. She answered all of our questions. One of my friends only eat gluten free food and is allergic to seafood. She definitely went out of her way to make sure that she will be okay. The food was fantastic. read more

Ricky B.

0

19

2

4 years ago

I had a business dinner at this restaurant, and it was the perfect setting for our meeting. The food was delicious, and the service was prompt and attentive. The staff was very accommodating and helped us with everything we needed. I highly recommend this restaurant for any business or networking event read more

Rachel L.

6

15

1

8 years ago

The BEST place for local delivery of thai and asian food in East County. Every time I order from here the food is fresh and delivered so quickly. Thank you for also providing options for non-meat eaters! I'm so impressed by this location and want to eat here in person one day. Thank you again! read more

Joshua P.

0

3

1

4 years ago

I really like this place. The food is great when they get it right but unfortunately the service tends to be rather poor and my takeout orders have often come out incorrect. Make sure you check your orders before you leave if ordering takeout. read more

Burkhardt C.

0

2

0

9 years ago

The food portion as are absolutely huge. The food taste is also just as amazing. The customer service was great as well. It was my first time coming and I'm already in love. Highly recommend the Pat Thai noodles. It was spicy but flavorful read more

Bill W.

485

11

1

14 years ago

Very fine restaurant. Food was just right and the service was outstanding! They went out of their way to make sure we got what we needed. They food cooked fresh and so hot that was almost burned my mouth ;) Will come back again. read more

Irving L.

101

3

0

9 years ago

Went there today for the first time and the customer service was exceptional! I was looking to get a meal for 1 person, and they accommodated an entree for me even though they inly sold large platters! Def will be conig back! read more

Lara C.

317

13

1

8 years ago

I love this place! It's my "GO TO" when I want Thai. The people are so sweet and the food is always amazing! And then to boot, they deliver ALL the way to Alpine when I can't come to them! I will always recommend this place read more

Samara C.

0

9

0

9 years ago

Amazing food and great service! We come here once a week to experience the spicy noodles and vegetable fried rice! Perfect mix of spice and high quality ingredients! We will continue to come back. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! read more

Lilian W.

1

7

0

9 years ago

Very good food and the price is not bad at all. It's hard to find good Thai food that's also cheap but this place is both. The garlic pepper steak is very good. Every time I eat here I'm always satisfied. read more

Mariah M.

56

8

9 years ago

Finest Thai is amazing! I've eaten here all the time for over a year. Great service and great food. They have the best curry in town. My favorite is massaman curry. I would highly recommend eating here. read more

Tiffani A.

2

7

5

7 years ago

Ordered the spicy noodles with pork and the beef potstickers and they were both AMAZING! The noodles had such a yummy flavor and I'm very satisfied! Will definitely be ordering again, thank you! read more

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Finest Thai - thai - Updated September 2026

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People who viewed Finest Thai also viewed

Busy B Thai Cafe

4.4

(337 reviews)

•$$

Overall great place to eat! Next time I will most likely order to go. The waiter didn't notice us…read moreenter for the first 10 minutes but our food came out quickly once we ordered. The veggie dumplings were a great appetizer and the chicken pad Thai was great. There's plenty of parking nearby and the inside is decorated well.

Spicy basil is my favorite here. Spices, rice, chicken, all amazing. It's pretty good considering…read moreits location.

Leela Thai Cuisine

4.1

(403 reviews)

•$$

Ordered the panang curry and the drunken noodles both were amazing and had good flavor. But the…read morecurry was definitely the high point of the meal.

I previously visited more than 3 months ago. I don't recall what I got but I remember liking it…read more This time around I ordered a spicey fried rice with mock duck, level 5 spice (out of 10). I wasn't impressed. It wasn't bad, but it lacked flavor and spiciness. We did get the fish cake appetizer, those were good with the sauce or dip it comes with. The place has nice decor and the service is good. I'd recommend this based off my first visit, but now I have mixed feelings. I wouldn't automatically pass on it. I will still probably give it another try and get something different.

Phra Ram 9

4.3

(403 reviews)

•$$

my favorite local spot-- i come in regularly every thursday or friday, sometimes on an off day--…read morebut they treat me well every time. the ladies working the front are always so kind and sweet. i love it so much i sometimes drop off christmas presents for them! aside from the service, the food is excellent and always to standard. the ingredients are amazing and fresh and i'm always happy when i can have a lunch or dinner from them. their thai tea is sweet and strong- just how i enjoy it. any meat dishes are always juicy, tasty and cooked as asked, and the spice levels are perfect. thank you guys for being my favorite restaurant in the area for the last 4+ years. see you next week!

I've ordered from here before, but usually just stick to the pad thai which, for the record, is…read moredelicious. This time I branched out and tried the Thai sausage fried rice and the fresh spring rolls for a takeout dinner, and I am so glad I did. They were absolutely right when they said my tummy would be happy. The experience started with a phone call to place my order, and the person who took it was immediately warm and friendly. When I came in to pick everything up, the ladies behind the counter were genuinely enthusiastic, not in a performative way, but in the way that people are when they're truly proud of what they're serving. They guaranteed I'd love it, and they delivered on that promise completely. It's rare to walk into a place and feel that kind of energy -- a team that's happy to be there and happy to feed you. That warmth is just as much a reason to come back as the food itself. And I will absolutely be coming back to keep working my way through the menu.

Thai Time

4.2

(760 reviews)

•$$

We found our new go to Thai spot! Moving to a new area means more than finding the right home and…read moreschool. Finding the best Thai, pizza, burgers, & ice cream are essential!! We tried something new this time and though I forgot the name, it was 26A & delicious! I absolutely LOVE the extra touches here!!! Slices of lemon in the water & fresh flowers are small, yet beautiful little love notes to the customers that tell us we matter!! The restaurant is small, yet inviting and beautifully decorated. The artwork and woodwork are clear signs the owner(s) want to share a bit of their culture with us. The service comes with a smile, even when I ask for no bell peppers. We recommend you come hungry and with people willing to share, so you get to taste more dishes!!!

My go to Thai spot for the past few years! Ever since I…read morefirst tried Thai Time a few years back, no other Thai spot compares. The food is consistently delicious, the staff provides great customer service, and the prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is very inviting with great decor. You can't beat the quality and consistency here, combined with lovely customer service....Easily my favorite hidden gem.

Tamarind Thai Restaurant

3.9

(542 reviews)

•$$

Take out was amazing. Food was delicious, they were quick. I would like to visit and dine in soon.read more

I was not impressed with this restaurant. I ordered a cup of Tom Yum soup and I felt like it tasted…read morelike dirt. The satay chicken skewers were very good, the chicken did not taste dry. It was very flavorful. Lastly, I ordered the Pad See Ew . I was disappointed the restaurant did not use traditional Chinese broccoli. I also felt like the noodles were a little stale. The service was pretty quick, the restaurant itself is pretty small inside so I wouldn't say this is a great place for multiple large parties of more than six.

Bamboo Fresh Thai Cuisine

4.0

(657 reviews)

•$$

Sorry.. only took 1 pic as we were all hungry. I bought yellow curry with tofu (I got level 1 as my…read morespice tolerance sucks), massaman curry with chicken (he got level 4, and it was a bit spicy. But it's so good!), Bamboo samplers, and mango sticky rice as a dessert. It was all so good! We got it as a togo order. My family used to come here a lot when they first open. We use to live down the street, now that we move away, we try coming to get our fave food. Service has always been excellent. The place has a good amount of seating inside with a parking lot. There's only 2 handicapped space though and a small step in front of the restaurant. We devoured our food as soon as we got home. Everything is delicious and fresh. Oh, we also got 3 thai teas and that is so delicious. I need a gallon .

Ensconced between a karate school and a salon is a fabulous Thai restaurant serving fresh and…read moredelicious food. The stuffed chicken wings, curry puffs, and hot basil vegetables (lunch special) sashayed their way onto our table in all their glory, tasting fresh and hot with each bite. The stuffed chicken wing was coated in panko, fried to a crisp without being greasy, and the filling complemented the crispy exterior. The curry puffs were beautifully wrapped and braided, filled with a delicate mixture of vegetables and curry. Lastly, the hot basil vegetables were perfectly cooked. I ordered a level 1 spice, and I could still feel the heat. The lunch special also came with white rice, a salad, a fried dumpling, and an orange. A complimentary dessert was served--gelatin, fruit, coconut milk (I think), and ice. It was a nice way to end a hot, spicy meal on a warm July day. Portions were generous, prices were reasonable, and the service was attentive and quick. Our water glasses were refilled without asking, and the bill was brought promptly. An excellent Thai restaurant in La Mesa where hospitality, delicious food, and humility meet.

Basil Thai Bistro

3.8

(449 reviews)

•$$

Consistently amazing every time. My favorite things are cream cheese wontons, and crab fried rice…read more Also the mango sticky rice. Always friendly staff. I eat here every week. Hidden gem, try it.

After 11 years, of no less than monthly patronage, last night was the last time I'll set foot in…read moreBasil Thai Bistro. 1 star is the minimum, a 2nd star because the food was good. The rest I'll think about for a really long time. I ordered 3 dinners, a soup and and order of spring rolls over the phone. I wanted a big dinner after a long week. There was some clarification on the springs rolls as they have more than 1 type, and I replied the one that comes with 4. A stupid reply as it turns out, one that will cost me my favorite Thai restaurant for life. I get there, hand over my card and I'm rung up for $103. He rang up 4 full orders of spring rolls. When I protested he blamed me for saying I wanted 4 orders of spring rolls. No regard for the logic, that 3 dinners and a soup with 4 spring roll orders made no sense. That there might of been a misunderstanding or language barrier was never brought up but there was further discussion that my order was taken incorrectly. I never raised my voice, never cursed, I expressed my disappointment, he denied the mistake out of hand. I left. Because there were other customers dining at the time listening to us, I called on my way home telling him he lost my business and he couldn't have cared less. Again didn't raise my voice, no derogatory remarks. My wife and daughter, who heard me make the order, could not believe it when I told them (after bringing home a weeks worth of Spring Rolls) what had happened. What probably would have amounted to $12-$15 in food costs for refunding the 3 extra orders (12 spring rolls), they lost a customer for life. I calculated I spent about $1050 a year there for 11 years straight. Not a lot, but steady and loyal patronage. Definitely not enough for some understanding that I wasn't trying to scam them for free spring rolls. The real talking will be done with my pocketbook. I care more than they do, now I need to find a new spot. On another note, anyone know the best way to reheat fried spring rolls?

Hug Thai Express

4.7

(584 reviews)

•$$

PHENOMENAL!! This…read morehole in the wall is so wonderful, I simply cannot put it into words! The actual space is tiny - three tables with a small check-in stand to place orders and grab take-out. Even in their small space, however, they have made it so cute and welcoming. The service is wonderful. They are accommodating and always have a smile. The pricing - 10/10. They are so fair with their pricing and really load up your plates! I was genuinely shocked when I saw how affordable it was. And the most important part - the food was absolutely delicious. Their pad see ew and drunken noodle were extraordinary. So much flavor was packed into each bite and I cannot wait to be back.

Just ordered from GrubHub and overall a pleasant experience! I appreciated the containers had…read moreventilation so the food didn't get soggy. I'm not sure if it's different ordering in person, but on the GrubHub app there was no "spice level" option, so everything was very mild which was a bummer. All dishes had plenty of protein in them; they didn't skimp on the tofu, beef, or chicken at all. Flavors were good, again, just bummed about no spice. I'd definitely like to try again and update when I do!

Lemon Grove Thai Food

4.2

(340 reviews)

•$$

Best Thai food in Lemon Grove as far as I know, I haven't eaten any other Thai places in the area,…read morestill their yellow curry is fire. Service is really good but please get some new spoons. The plastic spoons are flimsy AF. ALSO wanted to add to anybody who says they smelled alcohol at the front counter is an idiot It's clearly the hand sanitizer next to the register. Use your brain people and don't be so excited about calling somebody out instead of using common sense.

This place is delicious! Definitely recommend if you're in the east county area as one of the…read morebest/better Thai places around there. I've been there before in person a few years ago and I ordered off DoorDash today and it still holds up really well. I ordered drunken noodles with chicken spice level 7 and the spice level was perfect. You can also add requests through DoorDash if you want anything extra, I got some chili oil on the side which I did receive. There was no extra cost for choosing chicken which was great but I took off a star because they did not add much chicken. I mostly got vegetables with some chicken so if you choose chicken I would request extra if you can. Overall the flavor was great and the vegetables were tasty. Great quality. Would definitely recommend this place.

Lucky Chinese Food

3.9

(255 reviews)

•$

I thought by coming here right after they open, the food would be fresh , nice and warm,…read more unfortunately that wasn't the case today. The food was cold and I didn't enjoy it very much. You still get a large portion, but the food just isn't as good as it used to be. I recommend ordering off the menu and not the ready food because that food is not good. I have been here several times over the last year and it just isn't the way it used to be.

Food is very good. You can choose from food ready to order or cooked to order for an extra $1.00…read more Place was closed for a short while but they're open again. I got Mongolian beef spicy and chicken with vegetables. The beef dish was inundated with celery which was annoying so I just pushed them all aside. It was a bit too much in my opinion. Not a good balance of ingredients but still flavorful.

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Finest Thai - thai - Updated September 2026

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