Di Chan Thai Restaurant - And a Reverse Atkins Moment

Di Chan has been on my "list" since recommended by a friend a few months back, we live only a few minutes away, so we finally decided to pay Di Chan a visit:

On this day, the Missus and I were having what I call a "reverse-Atkins" moment. That is we were craving carbs. Obviously there's no way the Atkins Diet would work for us! As a matter of fact I often have my Reverse Atkins breakfast at work - hash browns, breakfast potatoes, and toast. As we entered the strip mall storefront I felt somewhat claustrophobic at the entrance hallway:

We were seated in the small dining area to the left of the hallway. Our next surprise (gasp) was when we opened the menu. We had last had Thai Food at Krua Thai in West Covina, and were really hard pressed to find any dish over $6.95. At Di Chan, there are no noodle or entree below $8.95; talk about a dose of San Diego reality! In need of a starch fix we ordered the Pad Thai, Spicy Basil Fried Rice with Shrimp, and for some protein a Beef Salad ($8.95):

I've got to say that this was the most beef I've ever seen in a Beef Salad. The strange thing with this was that the Beef was stir fried than tossed with the salad, thus the "salad" was extremely warm, partially cooking the cucumber and other vegetables; not quite the refreshing salad I had in mind. Also though the dressing is described as a spicy lime dressing, this salad had a bit too much fish sauce for my taste, and we even had to ask for extra lime to squeeze over the salad. The heat level though, was perfect.

The Pad Thai($9.15) was delivered next:

In contrast to the salad, the Pad Thai was much to sweet, and could've used the fish sauce used in the salad. We also added lime juice to this dish as well. The noodles were cooked to a perfect al dente, the shrimp were also cooked perfectly, the fried tofu added a nice texture, though the chicken was overcooked, dry and stringy.

The Spicy Basil  Fried Rice with Shrimp ($9.95) arrived last:

The rice was done well, though I wished they used a bit more Thai Basil in this dish. The Missus enjoyed this dish more than I did. There was a bit of the essence and carmelization of the wok in this dish, but not enough to pull it over mediocre in my book.

A few notes; Di Chan really feels alot smaller than it is, if that's possible. The service is very nice; in fact the Manager (Owner?) stopped over and started discussing Gas Prices with us. Most of the menu items are of the standard "pick your protein/pick your sauce" type.

Di-Chan Thai Restaurant
5535 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117

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Comments

[tracina]

Have you been to Saffron yet in Hillcrest? It is one of my favorite thai places in san diego, with true home style thai food-- I usually order the Drunken Noodles or any of the curry specials-- I miss it so much now that I live in LA! It's pretty cheap too!!!!

[clare eats]

food looks ok
fried rice looks nice :)

[crazysalad]

Kirk--

You're right, for noodles you wouldn't expect prices to be so high, especially outside of downtown/La Jolla/Del Mar.

Where exactly on Clairemont Mesa is this place? Is it across the street from Buga?

[Beth]

This all sounds delicious. I can totally relate to having a "Reverse Atkins" moment. Actually I think that pretty much describes my whole life!

[RONW]

I've seen some "higher prices" restaurants do well inspite of their competitors selling the same things cheaper. The net profit margin is probably only a dollar per dish in a restaurant, so tacking on a dollar more for the same menu item means the restaurant needs only half the customers and the total night's receipts to yield the equivalent profit. Restaurants make more on a soda than on a single dish. If you order an alcohol beverage, that's a premium for the restaurant.

[Kirk]

Hi Tracina - When I used to do a traveling "gig" here I went to Saffron quite often - the Take-out Chicken Saffron - I've never really thought it to be very good, though. When the Restaurant opened next door I went once and didn't think much of it. I do however enjoy Su Mei-Yu's Cookbook, and I promised Milgwimper that I'd try it again - who knows, maybe I'll love it!

Hi Clare - I think you've stated it perfectly. Anything with rice, is very, very nice! LOL!

Hi Crazysalad - It is located in the strip mall opposite Buga. There's a place there I'm going to soon, called Sipz, it's a vegetarian restaurant - it was hopping when we walked pass.

Hi Beth - The food was ok. Each dish seemed to be missing a key component, the beef salad - the sour, the Pad Thai - salty, the fried rice - Basil. And yes, ain't no way that I could totally remove rice from my diet. You have a nice site BTW!

Hi RONW - Having worked in Restaurants, you're right - the mark-up on liquid refreshment is tremendous - also there is less competition in San Diego, thus higher prices.

[Sam]

Having lived extensively in Thailand, I am really pleased with the food here.

[Kirk]

Hi Sam - Thanks for visiting and commenting. Having not lived extensively in Thailand, nor traveled there, I can truly say I thought the food here was okay, as compared to many Thai Restaurants I've eaten in LA, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, Honolulu, San Francisco, etc. Of course I've heard similar comments of Ex-Pat Thai, or people who've traveled or lived in Thailand say the same about just about every Thai Restaurant in San Diego. So I really don't really know what to think, I just go by my preferences. I sure do wish that the "Basil Fried Rice" had more then 2 basil leaves in it.