Thai Boat

Review by: Miranda Cilfone & Kris Masilamani

It’s impossible to drive through San Luis Obispo County in California without passing at least one of its many Thai restaurants. Thai Boat is a locally prized one that offers quality and authentic Thai cuisine in a casual dining atmosphere. The only possible problem is that it might not be open. Thai Boat closes during summer so the owners can head back to their homeland.

We were immediately greeted by an uber friendly staff who were more than happy to point out meals tailored to our stated preferences. We ordered up front and sat inside in the medium-size, open-floor dining area. Traditional Thai decor lines the walls, while up beat music and conversations among customers fill the air. The food came very quickly.

Jungle Curry broth based with red curry paste, carrots, eggplant, and green beans is spicy and delicious. Paired with white rice soft enough to absorb the flavors of the curry, this dish hits the spot, accentuating every flavor of the ingredients.

For those those who choose noodles over rice, you can’t go wrong with Pad Thai or Garlic Noodle dishes. The Pad Thai is slightly drier than most, but still quite tasty. It comes with plenty of sprouts and peanuts so the customer can adjust the consistency of the dish as desired. We had ours with shrimp, which are large, juicy, and a perfect protein-pairing with the noodles.

Garlic noodle with tofu is a bomb of flavor and deliciousness. The flat rice noodles are soft and smothered in traditional Thai sauces and spices, tasting like it’s straight from the motherland. The sheer amount of flavor put this dish at the top of our meal. We expected a strong garlic taste but were surprised by how clean and balanced the entire dish was; we just couldn’t get enough.

Being meat lovers, chicken especially, we enjoyed the Chicken Satay. These skewers have thinner pieces of tender white meat and come with thick peanut sauce that is clearly made in-house and is downright delicious. Seasoned and cooked just right, the satay paired so well with our side of steamed vegetables.

There is definitely no question as to why Thai Boat is so popular among SLO locals. The quality of the food is out of this world and the fast and friendly service make for an inviting and fun atmosphere. Located less than two miles south of the city center, it’s a convenient walk or quick drive away from a city voted one of the happiest in the world.

What To Eat

Pad Thai

DISH
Jungle Curry

DISH
Chicken Satay

DISH
Garlic Noodle

DISH

Thai Boat Recipes

Discuss

What do you think of Thai Boat?

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