Thai Burger Company (Clairmont)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog, written by three friends, interchangeably.  Kirk has been working a lot of extra hours this week while Ed(from Yuma) is relaxing after his interesting vacation.  Cathy is writing a short post.  

The Mister and I shop at Carnival Supermarket about once a month.  Back in February, I recalled seeing this storefront and signage and made a mental note to stop in...but things got busy. The few times since then, we had just had lunch and I kept that mental note tucked away somewhere...Finally, curiosity got the best of me...a pig as signage, the name of 'Thai Burger Company-Home of the Original Rice Burgers'.  We had to stop.     Walk in and there's the counter in front of you.  You order from the limited menu (five appetizers, four burgers and a few interesting beverage choices), pay and find a seat at one of the three tables out front.  It turns out that Thai Burger Company started as a Food Truck, originally near the Navy Exchange at the 32nd Street base.  It still is a food truck, at various farmers markets around town.  
 This was our shared meal; we had just purchased beverages at Starbucks before deciding to stop here.   The chicken pot stickers ($3.50) were wonderful, the filling of chicken and still crispy fresh cabbage was plentiful, fresh and very nice.   The skewer of calamari balls($3.50) was quite large; if we had an order of three skewers ($10), I think that would be too much food.  The balls were nice, I suppose a bit standard, and two were enough for me, especially with all the other food.  (Other skewered choices are shrimp and imitation crab).
 The classic BBQ pork rice burger ($7) was a great choice.  The 'bun' of sticky rice was not too thick.  The meat was marinated with the just the right amount of flavors and that charred grill flavor was the perfect touch. If this had been served on a plate, the amount of rice to meat was a perfect ratio.  Eating this like a burger wasn't too messy; the rice held up and there was actually more meat than 'bun'. 

Now I'm curious about the other 'burgers' available- chicken satay, curry pork and fried tofu.  Also the beverages do look interesting.  We'll be back.

Thai Burger Company  3520 Ashford Street (at Beagle) San Diego 92111 Open Mon-Fri 11-3 and 5-9 Sat/Sun 11-9 

Comments

[Sandy]

I noticed this when I was at Carnival Market recently, and made a mental note to try it. Thanks for the reminder!

[Caninecologne]

The sticky rice bun is something I would like. From your photo, it looks like it soaked up the neat juices.

[SageOlson]

I was at Benchmark Brewing at 8pm tonight, and someone I met was talking to me about this place and I’d never heard of it. I come back home and find this article posted at the same time – serendipity is quite a thing. Anyway, planning to check it out!

[Soo @ hungryones]

Wow! The rice burger and potstickers look great! Cool looking store front too.

[caninecologne]

*meat juices

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Great find.

[Cathy]

Such an odd location, right, Sandy? I know it used to be a deli (but I never stopped). It is quite good.
The BBQ pork is just right with the rice patty, cc; I read that the curry burger is wetter/sloppier to eat.
Small world, Sage! I'm glad to hear others are talking about it. Hope you've given it a try.
Both are really good, Soo. The photo of a rice burger is printed on vinyl and hanging on the building next to the door-it looks like it easy advertising for a food truck.
Unusual location, Ed. It's good that I randomly drive through neighborhoods and see places usually known to only the locals.