4.5 stars
Came here post Mothers Day hike yesterday specifically for some kaopoon. Most places on the way going South from Independance Trail (amazing novice hike) in Nevada City like Auburn, Arden, Elk Grove either dont have kaopoon or they all closed by 7pm on Sunday. Not sure if thats special Mothers Day hours or the regular Sunday hours. Regardless, it's a good idea to call the place you want to visit, even if its says they are open on Yelp.
Glad we found this relatively new and clean gem, that's been open since Feb 2019, about 3 months, and since 11am that morning. They are still clean and shiny, except the bathrooms which are not redone and look slightly scary. Most places closed at 7 that day, whereas Thai Mango closed at 9pm.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the happy yellow cushions, shiny goldish elephants, orange and bronze elephant table covers, black industrial hanging lamps, Thai pillows (for patrons whom need more butt-cushions on the wood bench seats), colorful sticky rice baskets (always so cute), colorful bright apron on the waitstaffs hips. This place had about 12 tables, decent for casual dates, family meals, and parties too.
Better than the place, was the very patient waitstaff. Post hike, I admittedly was demanding on my kaopoon specificities (more creamy vs spicy). With our group of 6 kids ages 6-14, we seemed to need extra napkins, water, sticky rice as the night wore on. But regardless of the mishaps, black hair in my green Thai tea which wasnt mine, she handled us with ease, submission, and desire to please. We even got free sticky rice and drinks when she seen the hair. And us Moms even got free drinks regardless for Moms day! Whoop whoop!
Now on to the food...
The GREEN TEA THAI TEA was sweet just like she said. I enjoy more bitter tea vs sweet, but she foretold me it was sweet and she was right. It tasted more cream and sugar, which is not my steez. Ended up giving it to my child, whom loves sweet anything. Glad it was free. 3.5/5 stars.
The THAI COFFEE is cut with half and half and some sweetener and was really good! It came in a Mason like jar, had a colorful blue metal pipe cleaner on it and was strong. Hubby and I both liked it. 5/5 stars.
The PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE came plentiful and was tasty. I ate a spoonful of the rice with a sliver of onion and was very pleased with the flavor. Decent portions and would be great served family style. Next time maybe I'll have it with my fave dish basil eggplant. 5/5 stars.
The STEAK SALAD which was supposed to be served rare/raw was fully cooked and Hubbs didnt appreciate that. I had a bite and the flavor was good though. Portions was a little small. 4/5 stars.
Sister had the CHICHEN LAAB salad. Didnt get a taste but the LO ate it all but didnt eat the cucumber. Not many kids eat green raw things though. She didnt complain so it must have been good. 5/5 stars.
The double brothers had the BOAT NOODLE SOUP. This was a little confusing cuz I have had a taste of this and it tasted totally different the last time I had it at a different place. Different Laos regions perhaps cook differently? I expected an amazing dish considering the waitstaff said this was their favorite dish here. The chicharon looked pretty cool, and their large portion was more like a medium from way back in the 90's pho days, but the good part was the dish was enjoyed by the little ones. Something to note, the pho broth is exactly the same as the boat noodle broth and it was slightly spicy. I wont get this dish for myself, its just not the broth I enjoy. But the two enjoyed and finished it and that matters most. 4/5 stars.
I had the KAOPOON. I specifically requested mild, and more cream. It was a decent size for the $8 tag. Some downs were it was loaded with some serial spice and I drank so much water, it was a lil difficult to enjoy. Some downs, I asked for more cream on the side to help cut the spice and she gave it sweetly. I asked for more veggies, like cabbage and beans sprouts and she didnt mind and I dont think they charged.
I also noticed there was barely any chicken in my soup which there were more. There was also tons of noodles. There wasn't any quail eggs which are actually my fave so that was a bummer. The taste though was very very good. I will fa shozy get this again and again as long as they get my mild right. 4.75/5 stars.
All in all, I really enjoyed my time and the $50 tag for my bill to feed 3 kids and 2 adults wasnt bad. I will def come back to try the basil eggplant, the currys, the duck noodle soup, try the kaopoon again, and the Laos sausage again which was actually pretty bomb. Among desserts, they have 2 different mango with sticky rice I want to try. The regular one and also a taro flavored one which sounds really really good that I havent heard of or tasted before in all my Thai food foodie adventures.
I'd say even with all the food competition in South Sac, this place is still worth a try. read more