Exotic Thai Bistro opens in El Centro

elchrist · Posted: 03 Mar 2006 11:12 AM Post subject: Exotic Thai Bistro opens in El Centro

Ahhh yeah, boy!

The Imperial Valley now has a restaurant serving up Thai cuisine. It's named Exotic Thai Bistro and is located in El Centro on 1461 S. 4th St. (ex-location for Fong's Chinese Restaurant). It just opened this past Monday and it's already getting real busy with diners.

I've already been there twice and it's authentic enough. Take it from someone who's had plenty of it and has actually had the real thing off the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and throughout the rest of the incredible Kingdom of Thailand.

Exotic Thai Bistro actually has eight other locations in Ventura County and has been voted as one of the best there recently.

The decor inside is very nice and artsy and the staff is quite friendly. It somewhat does feel like you are in Thailand for a second... except you don't have to squat in the toilet.

If you like your food extra spicy, make sure you let them know. Even though most dishes are already spicy, you need to let them know that you want somewhere between an 8 and 10 in spiciness because most places normally serve the dishes somewhere around 3 and 5. Spicy for most, but not for some.

I completely recommend the Tom Ka Gai (chicken coconut soup) which was as real as it gets, but make sure to ask for it spicy because it doesn't come spicy at all by default. The Yum Nua (marinated beef salad) is also pretty good here. I did think the Karee Gai (yellow curry with chicken) was a bit too sweet, but I think it might have been because it wasn't spicy at all.

The Thai iced tea was too sweet for my taste and really didn't taste that authentic. I haven't tried the Thai iced coffee. Water was good...

The prices are a bit higher than most other Thai restaurants you find in San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Approximately $1 to $2 more, but they do serve you large dishes which is usually enough for 2 or 3 people.

Give it a try if you haven't yet tried Thai food. If you need any recommendations on what to order, just ask and I (or someone else) will make some recommendations for you.

Oh, they also serve some Chinese cuisine if you happen to flake out in the end.

verbal

blackmountain74 · Bulldogs' QB Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 98

Elchrist, I'm thinking about taking the wife for her birthday, and neither one of us have ever tried Thai before. What do you recommend for the folks on training wheels?

elchrist · Posted: 04 Mar 2006 09:15 PM Post subject:

spic-ole · Posted: 05 Mar 2006 12:00 PM Post subject:

elchrist · Posted: 05 Mar 2006 01:38 PM Post subject:

elchrist · Posted: 28 Apr 2008 01:26 PM Post subject:

I hadn't been to the Thai restaurant in EC for quite a long time, but damn, they raised their prices by about 20-30%. Even Amarin in SD is not as expensive and Amarin is probably the best.

I can understand that getting the Asian/Thai ingredients requires them to hit up the San Diego Asian markets, but I think it should be cheaper for the taste you're getting. At the very least get some limes and not lemons.