I've tried 3 of the 4 styles of Pad Thai, all were great! It's more complex and saucy than you will find at a typical Thai restaurant. Not really a sit down place, so take it home and eat it quick! read more

Eh it's not worth the type. The first time I asked for mild spice and I think it could've been the spiciest thing I've ever eaten. Second time I accidentally got dried shrimp on mine so that sort of ruined it for me. Oh and the Thai tea was warm cause they didn't have ice and it was a hot day and iced tea sounded amazing. The inside needs some work as it's not very welcoming if you plan on eating there. read more

This location is like cursed, there's so many different things that's been here now. I know the Pad Thai Stand is from Convoy area but I don't think it'll last at this cursed location. The pad Thai concept is cool, a pad Thai from each region to try. We like the normal mainstream one so we opted for central. Their mild is pretty spicy, which I love! The place was bare minimal, not even one single table to sit. Everything is a to go order. The pad Thai was plentiful and good, the noodles were bouncey, but since it was to go, didn't like how they clumped all together. It's a good concept, and I would like maybe 2 other noodle dish variety like drunken noodles and pad see ew. Hopefully they can withstand the curse. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Central pad Thai - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Solid pad thai. We've tried the original location but were staying around this area and my husband was soo excited. Its hard to find good pad thai that does the noodles right and sauce. While the location is whatever and you wouldn't really eat here since there's no tables and it's super hot inside. We grabbed take out, think it was the OG and the Boran style. We always add dried shrimp and the sweet radish. Even my spicy loving thai husband cannot handle their heat. So we get no spice or mild. Even mild is pretty spicy lol. We're a fan! read more

The Pad Thai tasted authentic but salty. I didn't like that there were so many pieces of burnt sugar from the sauce. When I first saw them scattered all over the noodles, I was afraid to eat them. I thought they were metal pieces or charcoal from the cookware they're using. I called the restaurant to confirm that it's safe to eat and they told me it's the hardened sugar from the sauce they used. I still felt uncomfortable eating it so I proceeded to toss out each piece before taking a bite. It was not a pleasant experience. Also I saw in the photo that the Pad Thai southern style had purple cabbage added to it, but the one I received did not. I guess the food isn't consistent here. read more

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Very disappointing. Ordered food to go. I ordered the Central with shrimp and asked for mild. There was an extra charge for shrimp which was fine and we paid for it. When we got home, there was ZERO shrimp and it was spicy! The only protein was a tiny bit of egg which was burnt and inedible. See pictures. Beware and check your food before you leave. read more

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Decent spot. The noodles had a nice springy texture and the broth had a good sour kick. Just a heads up--mild is definitely still spicy. Overall pretty basic, but solid if you're in the mood for something simple and satisfying. Good for takeout. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Central (Bangkok) - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

We got the southern style with chicken! It definitely hit the spot. Lots of flavor and really big portions. There isn't a lot of seating, but service was great and the gentleman at the front was very friendly and informed us of the differences in the different menu options. Definitely a unique and very tasty addition to San Marcos! read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Southern (Chai-Ya) - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

I really wanted to like this place and was so excited to try it, but how do you decide to serve completely burnt tofu! Jet black from all sides. It's only when you don't want customers to come back. Ordered northern and southern styles, one with tofu, the other with chicken and vegetables. The tofu was burnt, and in the name of veggies, I got a couple of pieces of purple cabbage. Northern style pad thai was completely mushy. read more

The most perfect takeout spot in San Marcos. Southern pad thai is goated but everything here is delicious. The servers are also always friendly--"This bowl was made with so much love." read more

We've had Pad Thai Stand at different farmers markets before and we're so excited they have a permanent location in north county now! They're in a small strip mall plaza where Two Hands used to be, and in the evenings its sign may still say that due to its light. When we went, they had just soft opened (not sure if theyve grand opened by now), but the place was mostly set up for takeout orders vs eating in. The menu is small but mighty. We've had both the northern and southern style pad thai and like both for different reasons. I personally lean a bit more towards the northern style though. They're really friendly here and portions are great for the price. read more

Houston, we have a problem! I will be here every week. My husband and I went on Thursday and were not sure where to start. Pad Thai is pad thai, right? Well apparently not! The northern style was more nutty and curry like, the central style is your traditional pad thai, the southern style is more coconut flavor, and the boran style is classic. My husband and I tried the northern and southern style and they were amazing! So amazing that we decided to go back two days later to try all four flavors to compare. In all honesty, you cannot go wrong with any of them, and they are by far the best pad Thai I've ever had in the western hemisphere. Out of the four, I think my fave can change depending on mood, but so far I'd go #1 Central, #2 Boran, #3 Southern, #4 Northern. I also want to mention that even with two different chefs on two different days, the consistency in flavors was still there. The prices were not too bad and you get a good amount of food, so we'll definitely be back for more! Ambience was alright - it's definitely more of a grab and go spot with no real seating so not a good place to meet with friends. Service was friendly and helpful both times! Give it a try! Note: their mild is pretty spicy read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Top left - Northern style Top right - Central style Bottom left - Southern style Bottom right - Boran style - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

TLDR: THE MOST FLAVOR PACKED PAD THAI I've ever had! This is their specialty for a reason. Seriously DELICIOUS... my new FAVE and service was amazing! I get excited anytime a new Asian place opens up in San Marcos, but none of them have really satisfied that DEEP DOWN, WARM MY SOUL, ANCESTRAL CRAVING...until now. The Southern style pad thai legit hit all the spots - Savory, sweet, sour, spicy, salty, umami...every one! The fact that they offer extra goodness of dried shrimp, pickled radish, and fried garlic is KEY to the authentic, quality deliciousness. Never have I ever seen this offered and it really is what made the dish. Definitely do the Complete add-on! I got medium spicy and it was PERFECTLY spicy. The rest of the fam decided to get food from another place and were trying to steal mine bc it was THAT GOOD...I said hell to the naw to the naw naw naw :D . Kids gotta learn hard lessons in life sometimes ya know!? They've only been open for a week (soft opening), so still trying to get things in order BUT the fact they can still pull off making me this delicious meal with no issue is impressive. Price was $15 so definitely reasonable especially considering how good it is! To top it off, the guys that work here and owner are the friendliest people and so funny! Thank you for the love and care you put into such an amazing meal! I loved it and will def be back! read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Southern style with the works! Yum!! - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

I think this is great pad Thai. My credentials are that I've been to Thailand twice LOL. But seriously, I'm really into Thai food and this place does a good job. I got the central style but will try more styles another time. Inside is small, but that's okay! The food is great. Price is steep ish but they do give you great portion size. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Central style - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

Always so good. today tried the old style pad thai and loved it. Amazing flavors This place is a must try read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

Let's get to it... The Southern is my favorite so far. I've tried the Northern is also good just a more peanut flavorful. Great spot to just pick and bring home. It's not really a place to sit down and eat. The service is friendly and fast so you get your food in a timely manner. It's a must try if you love pad Thai. read more

This place is ABSOLUTELY amazing!!! I can't say it enough! I first experienced them at a market in San Diego. Then went to their location and again at the market in Oceanside (multiple times). All 3 locations absolutely delicious! Their pad Thai is hands down my favorite of all time. I'm super stoked they opened a place in San Marcos because that's the closest to me. I can't wait to go there! My mouth is already watering thinking about it. read more

Look the man knows his pad thai! He is not only eloquent in his speech but the pad thai also speaks loud! Each pad thai is delicious and has its own varying taste that the owner said you can't really get anywhere else because we are so use to the basic pad thais. Service is great and portions are amazing. Love the concept and the business. Will be here again for food and history lessons! read more

Best Pad Thai I've had in quite a while. Super fresh and very tasty. Customer service was good too. Tried the basic style because I'm a little basic but it was great. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Pad Thai. Chicken Bangkok style extra sprouts - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

Love this place! Every single pad Thai flavor is delicious. The noodles are cooked just right, not overdone and mushy. The flavors are bright and bold. The central (Bangkok) flavor is my favorite, but the others are just as good. Make sure to get it "complete" with the dried shrimp + fried garlic + salted radish! read more

The good part - the food was delicious! My friend & I ordered diff sauce and we both liked it. The needs improvement part - there is very limited seating. No tables. There is bar seating for 6 people. No drinks other than bottled water for $2. I ordered chicken with my pad thai and just like the seating, it was very minimal. Will we go back? Maybe in a few months. Hopefully they've ironed out the kinks by then. Two entrees + water cost $42 including tip. read more

So freaking good, quick, and easy. Def recommend! Large portions and simple menu. Great, friendly customer service. It's more of a "grab and go", but there is bar stool seating at counters. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Southern style - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

Very good pad Thai, some of the best in San Marcos! There is limited seating, and good for takeout.

Great food, fast service. All 4 options are solid. I called ahead and the food was hot and ready right in time.

We loved this restaurant! Best pad thai we've ever had. We got it to go and ate it in the car so hot and fresh! All employees were super nice. So glad we tried it. I recommend this restaurant! read more

I've had pad Thai's all across the country. This is the best pad Thai I've ever had. You can't go wrong here with any order. They know what they're doing. read more

Very good food and quick service! I ordered the Northern style and Southern style Pad Thai, and both were ready in 10 minutes. The dishes were delicious! I liked Southern a bit more because I've never had noodles with roasted coconut cream. Can't wait to try the other two styles. Since I prefer eating meals at home, I didn't mind that the stand is a takeout place. It would be nice if the man was friendlier and smiled. He must be stressed out running the place himself. I would definitely carry out from this establishment for lunch or dinner with friends! read more

OMG.. this is hands down the best pad Thai I've ever had. The chef was amazing, he had the best customer service. They have massive portions and the price is so inexpensive I don't know how they do it! I got chicken southern style med heat and it was full of flavor and med is definitely medium spice, I love that! The place is very clean. I paid $20 for pad Thai at Birdseye in Encinitas and it was just ok but was 1/4 of the portion at TPTS. The Pad Thai Stand is My only Thai place from now on. read more

The Pad Thai Stand - Pad Thai southern style chicken - Thai Near Me - San Marcos, California

Was very excited to have this place open. We tried the southern style and the classic style, both with chicken and shrimp. Flavor was delicious!!! The spice was on point too, we ordered medium and we were definitely needing water. Excellent flavors, does not taste like the other pad Thais you order at the other local Thai restaurants. They have good concept, they do one thing only and they do it well and it is make pad thai! We've had thai food in Bangkok and this is pretty close to the flavor profile there. Definitely recommend! If you are craving specifically pad thai, I suggest you come here. We will be back at least every other week. read more

Excited that this gem is in SM! So great. The best pad Thai I've had since visiting Thailand.

Delicious and fresh. Really nice and friendly ppl working. My rankings: 1 north; 2 central; 3 south. They were all tasty tho.

We ordered the Southern and central flavors. The flavors were great. Our issue was the website clearly states no peanuts for the Central flavor one but there were peanuts on the topping. This was ordered for my daughter who is allergic to peanuts Please follow what you advertise on your menu. read more

The food was really good, there was a lot of variety for the kinds of pad Thai you could get I was honestly surprised. The spice level was also great (I got hot, which I would typically order around a 7/8 at other Thai places and I think it had a good kick to it). The flavor was great and the portion size was really good! the service was amazing, the workers were really inviting and kind as well. The overall ambiance was great too they had classic 90's R&B playing which was a great vibe. Overall would come back and definitely recommend others try! read more

I've been visiting the San Diego location for a long time and was so excited to hear about the new San Marcos location! It's the same great quality of the old location, I highly recommend getting the southern style with chicken. Best pad thai I've ever had, I don't even bother ordering it from other places anymore because this place is so good. Indoor seating can be pretty limited, so keep that in mind. Highly recommend, you won't regret it!!! read more

I stopped in to grab something to go from The Pad Thai Stand, and I have mixed feelings about the experience. On the positive side, I really like the simplicity of the menu--just one item to choose from, and you pick your toppings. The staff was incredibly friendly, and I appreciated that these are family recipes. The food itself was good, no complaints there. However, what left me stunned was the price. There were no prices listed on the menu, so I was shocked when my order of noodles with tofu rang up at $40--to go, no drink included. For a casual strip mall restaurant in San Marcos, that's extreme. While I understand and respect the effort behind family recipes and quality food, the pricing makes it nearly impossible to be a repeat customer. In short: Good food, warm people, but the value just doesn't add up. read more

Best Pad Thai in SoCal!!!! The Northern and Southern are the unique and properly saucy (hard to find). Good protein + noodle portion, great for takeout! read more

Just grabbed some pad thai and I absolutely loved it! They are great with gluten allergies and everything was so fresh and delicious! Will be coming back asap! read more

It was tasty! Pad Thai is their specialty and they do a good job! Service was good. The guy was nice and accommodating. Check it out!

Tried The Pad Thai tonight and left excited to have a place in town to grab delicious pad Thai. I had the Northern plate and my husband had the southern plate, we couldn't decide which was better. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the options. read more

Probably the best Pad Thai I've ever had. Heck, if you are going to only make one item, it better be damn good! I typically have little faith in any business surviving the location The Pad Thai Stand now occupies, but something tells me they will do just fine. read more