Wednesday wanderings - Sab E Lee 2 opening in November and Thai Cafe closes

Sab E Lee 2 Coming Soon:

I dropped by and had an early lunch at Sab E Lee this past Sunday. Koby, the owner greeted me with a big smile, and told me, "I have some big news for you." Koby told me that he had found a space for a new restaurant, but wouldn't be sure until Monday. Koby then gave me his cellphone number and told me to call him. Instead, I told Koby that I'll drop by on Wednesday. So today, while I nosh'd on my Grilled Duck Larb:

Koby filled me in. So here's the scoop; the new restaurant will be called Sab E Lee 2 and is opening in Santee. The address will be:

9159 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071

Luckily for us, he is keeping the Linda Vista location of Sab E Lee open. The new restaurant will have most of the items on the current menu, but will also add some more "Americanized" Thai dishes. I dunno about that, but I'm happy that my favorites will still be on the menu. According to Koby, the Chef of the restaurant in Santee is a good friend of his that has a lot of experience and used to be a chef at a four star hotel in Bangkok. Target opening day is the first Monday in November. I'm happy for Koby, they sure have come far in a bit over a year.

A Sab E Lee story:

I thought this was pretty funny. Sab E Lee is a very tiny restaurant, and because of the closeness of tables, sometimes you can't help but hear what everyone else is saying. On this day, a woman was seated with who I believe was her young son (maybe four or five?), a smart looking blond haired young man. I give the woman credit, they were eating Papaya Salad and Grilled Pork Neck, and the young man was digging in like a trooper. Out of the blue, the little one tells the Mom, "do they eat horse-ies here?" The Mom tells him, "I don't think so.....why?" The boy points to the lettering on the windows and exclaims, "it spells, I eat hoof!"

I snorted so hard, that I could feel my Beef Salad coming out of my nose! I guess it kinda looks like "I Eat Hoof". What do you think?

Thai Cafe closes:

Unfortunately, with the current economic unrest, more restaurants are closing than opening. And for every new restaurant opening, there seem to be two or more closing. Thai Cafe on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard is the latest casualty.

RIP Thai Cafe......

Comments

[sawyer]

lol! that story is hilarious...
great to hear about sab e lee. been cravin that koi soi since that one time...

[mizducky]

Oh yeah, I went by Thai Cafe the other day and saw they were closed. I was bummed, but alas I fear it was inevitable--I never saw much of a crowd in there, and had long wondered how they managed to stay in business. Glad Sab E Lee is faring well--and that story with the kid is hysterical!

[Kirk]

Hi Sawyer - Well you've got to get back here for a visit!

Hi Mizducky - The funny thing is.... I can kinda see "I eat hoof"... ;o) I was a bit sad to see Thai Cafe close, but my last few visits have been to an empty restaurant.

[zompus]

It's too bad Kobe couldn't use Thai Cafe's space. The amount of business that he would bring in would really perk that shopping center up.

[kat]

lol funny story but eww to the salad in your nose...

[nhbilly]

Well yes please and a side of hoof please. That was hilarious, kids.

[Sandy]

I think I heard a cheer from Cathy about Sab E Lee 2 in Santee! The location is convenient; it looks like it's not far from the 52 & the 125. I'm glad that they're doing well enough to open a second restaurant.

Hilarious story about the kid; they sure can read the darndest things! Did you wait until the mom & child left before taking the photo of the window?

[Jenne]

Sab-E-Lee in the EC?? And the angels sang... :-)

I work in El Cajon so this is fabulous news!

[Kirk]

Hi Zompus - Yeah, when i mentioned that spot to Koby he had already looked at it, but it needed too much work to make it functional.

Hi Kat - And those chilies......ouch!

Hi Billy - Aren't they amazing?

Hi Sandy - Actually, I took the photo on a following visit.

Hi Jenne - I'm sure this is good news to you!

[Cathy]

Yes. Yes you did hear me cheer, Sandy. I can walk there from my home. Albeit a long walk, and uphill going back home, but still...

The "other" Thai restaurant in Santee, Oiishi, is always busy...and about the same distance from home...decisions decisions. You'd like it Jenne.

Thanks for the great news, Kirk. Thai Style was also very good you know...

[Carol]

I'm so happy for Kobe! Duck larb is sounding awfully good right now.

[Kirk]

Hi Cathy - It is great, more variety, good competition.....

Hi Carol - It hit the spot, directly, dead center!

[Denver]

I was reading this blog yesterday and saw the post of the closure of Thai Cafe. Although I've never been there, it's a bummer that another restaurant close.

So, later that afternoon, my co-worker/lunch buddy and I decide where we're going for lunch. We thought we'd stray from our "try a random Korean place on Convoy" adventure and try something different. He suggests a Thai buffet that he's been to a few months back. He doesn't remember the name of the place, but he remembers it's in Clairemont. I'm game. So when we drive up to the place, I notice the sign looks familiar. It was the Thai Cafe. D-oh!

Ah well. Since we were running short on time, we went to the Korean buffet at Arirang House instead. At least we're not tired of Korean food yet.

[Kirk]

Hi Denver - Oh man.... You know, that's one thing Thai Cafe was really good for; a quick and filling lunch.

[caninecologne]

hi kirk
that's great that kobie is opening another location for sab e lee! what a great addition to the east county. the only thing is - santee is a bit too far for us to go...

[Kirk]

Hi CC - You know, there's supposed to be a really good donut place in the same vicinity as SEL 2....so that might make things worth it???

[Peter]

Hi Kirk! I was surprised to see Thai Cafe closed. It wasn't my favorite place, but I am sad to see it go.

[Kirk]

Hi Peter - How are you guys??? I'll have to drop by soon. You know, the place was totally empty during my last few visits, so I'm not really surpised. I'm kinda sad too, as the quality wasn't too bad.

[Alice Q. Foodie]

This is indeed great news for us East County-ians. If only someone were brave enough to open a Vietnamese restaurant... unless you know something I don't? At least a bahn mi shop??

[Kirk]

Hi Alice - Cathy told me that there was a VN restaurant opening nearby, so maybe she'll fill us in.