**** You can read a post on Zab Linda here.
In my recent post on Da Kine's reopening in La Mesa, "FOYs" Junichi/Denver/Young mentioned that the Original Sab E Lee was undergoing an ownership and name change. And then yesterday I saw this post in the Eater San Diego. I went and dropped by on the way home and indeed there was a ABC ownership change notice and a banner with a new name on it....."Zab Linda".
This was indeed a sad moment for me. Even though I thought TOSEL wasn't quite the same since Koby sold SEL, the Rancho Penasquitos location opened, and TOSEL moved to this location. Still, I have some great memories of meals from Sab-E-Lee which quickly became part of our rotation. Over the years, the menu seemed to have moved from the wonderful Issan flavors and heat, to a more standard Thai menu.
The Sab-E-Lee empire kept me as a regular customer at Thai Papaya, where the Missus absolutely loved the Som Tom Kai Khem. Sadly, Thai Papaya shut down during the pandemic, closing in 2021. And was replaced by Sushi Yorimichi.
TOSEL was originally part of our takeout rotation at the beginning of the pandemic, but after a couple of not so good takeout revisits we started going elsewhere.
Still, having been a customer back in 2008 and even getting affirmation from folks I really respected, TOSEL holds a special place in my heart. And like other places that have closed during the pandemic, it seems like the end of an era.
On an interesting note; the Eater post states:
"Called Zab Linda, the new restaurant is also serving Thai food; Runowski shared that it will keep much of Sab-E-Lee’s menu."
And a couple of folks I know have told me that the initial transition has already occurred, so perhaps Zab Linda is in a soft transition mode.
Anyway, I'll drop by in a few weeks.
And thanks for all the wonderful meals and memories Sab-E-Lee!
6925 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111
The RP location is my local and I grab food from there once every couple of weeks. It's still good, but I think that they have lost some of the Laos heat and the salted fish fried rice is missing. I still like it though.
I will try Zab Linda soon!
Posted by: Dereck | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 10:59 AM
|Worst name change ever...
I miss the old days when Kobi was there. My now wife and I were dating at the time, and I knew she was the one the first time I took her there and she was game for raw beef and papaya salad at a true legit Thai 10.
Posted by: Derek R | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 11:49 AM
I remember squeezing into the real original Sab-E-Lee in Linda Vista; it had like what, four tables? Then it was easier to trek out to Santee when Koby moved out there, then even easier when TOSEL opened in RP. So I had never been this Linda Vista location. I have to admit, I usually order the typical American Thai dishes, never branching out too far in the menu. Time to get TOSEL Thai food soon.
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 01:59 PM
Man, I miss the salted fish fried rice Dereck!
A marriage made in (spicy) heaven Derek!
Hope you get your fix soon Sandy, And yes, SEL was so tiny, five tables if I recall....but it was so good and really changed Thai restaurant food in San Diego.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 03:12 PM
Sad day. I ordered takeout last weekend and it was pretty packed. We'll see how the new owners will do
Posted by: Denver | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 04:55 PM
Definitely the end of an era. I had many great meals here, though I had noticed the slipping quality and the ongoing Americanization of the menu. Hopefully the new owners and business will do well.
Posted by: Joy | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 05:28 PM
I hope they do well Denver!
Yes, definitely seems like the end of an era Joy.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 08:46 PM
bummer, hoping the thai dishes they serve will not disappoint
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 10:42 PM
I hope so Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 01 July 2022 at 06:01 AM
Sad to see them go, though I have not eaten there in a while
Posted by: Som Tommy | Sunday, 03 July 2022 at 02:45 PM
Yes, the end of an era ST!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 04 July 2022 at 02:55 PM
Awwww, how sad to hear of this. I remember the original spot (the tiny one with blue awnings). Haven't been to this location in a few years. Always liked their Thai sausage with sticky rice.
Posted by: caninecologne | Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 05:21 PM
Yes, it's quite sad to se this CC!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 07:09 PM
I believe the original SEL was where I first met you, Cathy, and Carol. I was just a young, broke kid who didn't know anything about food at the time, but I recognized good food when I tasted it, and man did we have some good eats. Raw koi soi. If you know you know. Thanks to the mmm yoso crew for always keeping it updated on the SD eats.
Posted by: sawyer | Wednesday, 06 July 2022 at 10:56 PM
Man, those were great times Sawyer! Don't forget to ping me when you're headed back to SD!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 07 July 2022 at 07:56 AM
I drove by there Friday night and it looks like they're open and running. Should have taken pics. I would have gone in, but I just ate.
Posted by: Young | Saturday, 09 July 2022 at 07:45 AM
Hi Young - I also passed by last night and saw the new sign and it looked like they were open! Thanks for thinking of us.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 09 July 2022 at 09:30 AM