The recent warm weather has the Missus craving Thai food again. It seems that our options with regards to Thai Restaurants, whether to change in ownership or a not so great recent visit has been whittled down a bit. After a bit of probing, I found that what the Missus has really been missing is the food from Sovereign Thai, which presents its own set of issues. First off, the location is "interesting" and also presents issues with parking and also trying to get there before Padres games on off days. Over the last 3-4 months, the Missus and I have been using the trolley more; to get to places in Old Town and Little Italy for our date nights. So why not stretch it a bit and take the Blue Line to Park and Market, then walk the two blocks or so to Sovereign, right?
As we were walking to the restaurant, after having to resist a couple of "folks with issues", we walked into Sovereign which was empty.
I also realized that the Missus had never dined in at Sovereign! I wanted to say "hi" to Jumi, whom I've known since the days of Thai Papaya but she wasn't in.
We placed our order, three of our "standards" and one new dish to try.
The first item out was the Spicy Stir Fried Pork Belly ($19) an item from the "Specials" list.
The skin of the pork belly was still crisp when this was served; the flesh buttery and tender. Not very spicy though and really salty, the Thai Basil was incinerated and had lost a lot of the anise flavor.
Rice ($5) was then provided.
The rice was not fragrant and hard, like it had been sitting for a while.
The Missus and I looked at each other and wondered if coming here was a mistake.
But things were soon back on track with one the Missus's favorites, the Eggplant with Basil ($13).
While this was also slightly high on the sodium scale for us, ginger helped to cut things back. The eggplant had been cooked perfectly, first at first touch, then uber-creamy! The cilantro and Thai basil add a nice, one-two punch of sweet anise and citrusy-peppery-pungent tones to the dish.
Of course I had to get the Northern Thai Spicy Sausage ($12) which is made inhouse.
With the wonderful herbaceous tones, the "snap" of the sausage, the light filling with sneaky spice, this is my favorite version of Issan Sausage.
The Missus's favorite dish from Sovereign is the Hat Yai Fried Chicken ($23).
While it holds up quite well doing takeout and is even pretty good the next day; having it fresh to the table really highlites the wonderful moistness of the meat and the crispness of the exterior of the bird. As always, we love the fried shallots, the hint of sweetness with wonderful savory tones.
Overall, this was a nice meal. Strangely, we were the only customers in the place during our whole meal.
As for using the trolley to return....well, I think going past America Plaza might be an issue for the Missus.
I guess I'll have to drive down for takeout again in the future. Too bad, because this is by far our favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego.
Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine
1460 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Current Hours:
Mon - Tues 5pm - 9pm
Wed - Thurs 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm
Fri - Sat 12pm - 930pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm
glad it didn’t disappoint
Posted by: kat | Monday, 10 July 2023 at 09:56 PM
We were too Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 07:03 AM
$5 is pretty pricey for what looks like a large bowl of rice, especially when the quality isn't so great.
Downtown SD presents many challenges, and the trolley does make it easier than driving and parking.
Posted by: Sandy | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 08:37 AM
Yes, that rice was terrible Sandy! The trolley does make access easier.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 08:45 AM
We took the trolley to the Rady Shell this past Saturday and my partner also indicated she didn't have any desire to go back to or through American Plaza.
Posted by: Dereck | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 11:03 AM
Ok, I guess it's not just us Dereck!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 11:05 AM
I love Sovereign Thai, by far my favorite Thai in town. Their location however makes it so they are my second or third choice unless I am already in the area and have already parked.
Posted by: E.W. | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 01:35 PM
Yeah, same here E.W.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 01:52 PM
The chicken looks great but I don't like the hunt for parking.
Posted by: Soo | Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 11:27 AM
Yes, that chicken is really good Soo. I totally understand the parking issues in the area.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 11:41 AM
Good review, as always. Sad that the people surrounding the place, "with issues" and the American Plaza stop makes going there a problem That the place was empty except for you and the missus speaks volumes. You guys travel the world but the only mention of something like this is from our home town.
Posted by: alnc | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 01:09 PM
I do wish that Sovereign was in a different location ALNC. Our last experience heading to Little Tokyo was kind of like this as well.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 05:06 PM