Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Saffron Thai in San Diego

4.1 (199) 3737 India St B, San Diego, CA 92103, United States

Categories

Thai restaurant
Asian restaurant
Chicken restaurant
Restaurant
Southeast Asian restaurant

Location on the map

San Diego, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 619-574-7737
Site: http://saffronthai.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11 AM–9 PM
Friday:11 AM–9 PM
Saturday:11 AM–9 PM
Sunday:11 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.1

199 Reviews for Saffron Thai 2024:

Review №1

2023-07-26 20:31:27

This place has been around for years. So good! Theres not a lot of seats inside, but you can get your food to go. The staff is super nice. One of my favorite Thai restaurants 😋

Review №2

2023-06-21 19:47:36

Very good Drunken Noodles and Veggie roll. Quality stuff. Delicious and spicy. Perfect Thai food. Just wish I would’ve gotten a few more veggies but other than that it was good.

Review №3

2023-01-23 20:31:44

This did not taste like Thai food. I ordered the Drunken Noodles... Tasted like crushed red chili oil and a few yucky bites of funky chicken. The egg roll was ok, but the old frying oil flavor dominated the chicken eggroll.🙅 No thanks, wont go back unless they want to buy my meal for me. I wish I had stopped eating it and asked for my money back. There are more authentic Thai places cheeper than this place through out San Diego. No wonder I waited 10 years to try this place.

Review №4

2022-11-04 11:43:40

Visited Saffron on a recommendation from my San Diego host; it did not disappoint. The Thai cashew stir fry was delicious as was the Cambodian salad. Clean, fresh, friendly. Ill be back.

Review №5

2023-02-22 01:20:55

The most bland drunken noodles I’ve ever had. Was missing the umami, oyster+fish sauce that most places use. If they did, they didn’t put enough. For 15 dollars, I am very disappointed and will not come back. It’s a nice restaurant in a cool area, but like another reviewer said, tasteless noodles!

Review №6

2023-06-29 00:54:29

Ive eaten at Saffron Thai 3x now and the food started bad, and has become progressively more and more disappointing. I dont think I can recall going to a Thai place, being asked how spicy I want something, and having the spice level be measured by dried, crushed red pepper flakes. Saffron Thai feels like a bunch of non-Thai people got together and made Thai wannabe, but not very well. Nothing tastes anything like it should. I can tell you, for sure, that they get their moneys worth from Costco by dumping in literal mounds of crushed red pepper. The exact same crushed red pepper that everyone uses on pizza. Its so upsetting! Im Vietnamese, I like spicy, but I do not want to eat HANDFULS of red pepper flakes while trying to eat my Pad Thai. I should not be CRUNCHING on red pepper flakes. Use, I dont know...maybe Thai chilies???? Like a legitimate Thai restaurant? Summary: DISGUSTING food that I ended up throwing away after a few bites. I’m Asian…this was so far from Asian food I can’t believe I paid any money for it.Not only is the food awful, this place is EXPENSIVE. It *might* be worth it if it were panda express priced to begin with...with a 50% off coupon. Maybe. In a pinch. But its not.

Review №7

2023-02-13 04:53:36

Saffron came highly recommended from a family friend. Everyones food in our little party of three was quite good. Smaller dining area, but very clean. Reasonably priced. My cashew chicken was excellent.

Review №8

2023-09-18 16:10:45

I have eaten here off and on for years. The high standard continues to stay consistent. Which is why I keep coming back .Other restaurants sometimes fluctuates in their quality.Genuine taste of Quality Thai food.

Review №9

2023-01-24 15:11:00

If youre used to papaya salad, the traditional way like every other 100+ Thai places. DO NOT get theirs. I wish they would tell their customers its not really papaya salad if youre used to Thai food from any other Thai restaurant in the world. Its their version of what they think it should be, which is absolutely horrible, in my opinion.The rice was nasty and worst Ive ever had. Dry on the outside and under cooked/mushy on the inside with a weird taste/texture. Im Asian, so if theres one thing I do know, its how to make rice. It was my one job for dinner as a kid. Chunky cubes of red papaya with shredded chicken... When the food came out, I stared at it for a while, wondered what the hell they brought me, and assumed it was a mistake. Im sorry, but they need to call that something else. Call it shredded chicken with red papayas served with a side of rice or something but never call it papaya salad. Its very misleading. I spent $13 for 1 bite and immediately threw it away.The chicken pad Thai wasnt that good either, so I wont be returning.

Review №10

2023-09-02 21:33:21

I ordered through Uber Eats. Food was great. Had pad Thai and healthy fried rice. It would have been nice to have napkins and utensils for takeout but I don’t know California’s policies on that.

Review №11

2023-11-23 19:08:03

Just a very clean atmosphere with a multi-ethnic extensive menu. However, food can be very spicy and some portions were rather small for a regular eater.

Review №12

2023-08-27 18:08:49

They somehow made Thai food taste like Mexican food. Both the drunken noodles I got and the pad thai my partner got tasted kinda like an enchilada? Im not sure how to describe it, but there were a lot of spices in there that definitely werent supposed to be there. It didnt taste awful, just not like Thai food.

Review №13

2022-05-04 12:40:17

I was very underwhelmed given the reviews for the place.I tried the Thai chicken. The chicken was about the driest and most overcooked chicken I’ve ever had. The flavor was good but it created a Mohave desert in my mouth it was so dry. The chicken looked to be cut with a machete it was so hacked up. The portion size was good but just very disappointing.I was hungry and in a hurry between meetings otherwise I’d have returned it. My failure to give them the opportunity to remake is the only reason I’m giving them two stars. I couldn’t believe someone would serve this to a paying customer. I’d reserve this for the homeless at the end of the night.

Review №14

2018-09-28 05:38:30

I discovered Saffron in my early years of arriving in San Diego, back when next to the restaurant they had the free standing rotisserie spot.I have had a variety of their dishes over the years and they have never dissapointed. One of my favorites is and always has been their salad rolls with peanut sauce. Soooo good.Tonight i was craving their roasted chicken and a salad roll. Their combination plates for the chicken come with a very generous portion of jasmine rice and a thai coleslaw that is refreshing and light. It is a great value for the amount of food you receive.Im giving it four stars versus five only because the chicken was a bit dry, granted it was breast. Just a tad bit more of moisture would have been great. The peanut sauce, still delectable, but thicker than i recall.They have modernized the place in terms of paint, art, and decorations. It has a clean modern feel and the rotisserie spot is no longer, it was murged into the kitchen of the main restaurant. Where the rotisserie spot was is now a ceviche and taco restaurant. The menu looked great.Parking can be a bear as there is minimal street parking for the numerous restaurants along that street

Review №15

2022-06-03 00:54:51

The ambience was good, the vegetarian masala red curry was full of turmeric and was not authentic thai!!Noodles were amazing!!

Review №16

2017-07-25 00:25:13

Literally the most disgusting food I have ever eaten. I have never in my life asked for a refund at a restaurant but we literally took one bite and could not even stomach it. The meals tasted like cheap noodles covered in pure sugar and the salad rolls were bland and very poorly wrapped. Staff was nice but if you love actual Thai food STAY AWAY!!

Review №17

2022-10-21 01:38:02

The cicken cashew dish was nice.Slightly spicy but very tasty.Portion size is good.I will come here again

Review №18

2023-07-09 10:50:37

Food was so awful I was in shock. I recall 10+ years ago this place had won awards with how delicious their food was. Not sure what happened but the food is now AWFUL. The pad see ew had no soy sauce (just tons of oil), and the salad rolls they used to be famous for are now real rubbery and totally flavorlessDo yourself a favor and STAY AWAY

Review №19

2023-07-06 02:39:22

Im sorry, but the food is terrible. My understanding is that it was bought by the neighbors next door Karinas. Saffron Thai used to be really good! This place now needs to close and open up to something else. Maybe specialize in Mexican pizza or something. But you guys cant do Thai food. My peanut sauce shouldnt be ice cold. My red curry shouldnt look like vegetable soup with barely any soup. Its not good, close it and do something else there. Just not thai food

Review №20

2023-08-24 21:19:39

We used to come here often. Was a long time midtown resident from 2000-2021. They are famous for their chicken satay. I ordered the pad thai and it did not taste Thai. Something happened. Maybe they need to bring Su-mei back for consultation?? In any case you can get Thai food 10 mins away on Convoy.

Review №21

2019-04-20 01:49:02

Ive been meaning to add a review for a long time now but Ive always held back because I like to give restaurants an opportunity and know that they can have a bad day. But Ive repeatedly had bad days now with Saffron.Today, 4/19/19 at around 5:09pm, I decided to stop by to buy some tofu rolls and brought them home. I came to realize that the tofu is gone bad, the veggies old, and the rice sheet broke apart as I grabbed one.I believe in second chances but Ive given Saffron too many. Its not the cozy family own placed anymore.I will avoid going here going forward and just wanted to share my thoughts.

Review №22

2023-01-22 04:38:30

For years we have stopped by every time in the area to get the vegetable spring rolls…. Never again…. saturated and dripping with oil. took a couple bites and threw them out. Really disappointed

Review №23

2022-01-13 16:41:43

Decent. That’s the word that comes to mind. It always pains me to write less-than-stellar reviews, but this is just part of the job.[stares out into the distance]AtmosphereSeems fine. Clean. Lots of seating.ServiceFast and friendly.FoodI got the pad see ew and it was a little dry and lacked flavor. I ended up adding some sauce to it, which I shouldn’t have to do. The chicken salad roll was also dry. Neither foods were a good value, even after I used a promo on DoorDash.Recommend?You can probably find better Thai food around San Diego.

Review №24

2023-06-21 12:43:14

Great food at decent prices. This is one of our go to restaurants when in San Diego. The dishes are incredibly flavorful and delicious. Highly recommend!

Review №25

2023-09-27 04:28:42

Friendly service and pleasant atmosphere.Drunken noodles were okay, could have used more spice and flavor.

Review №26

2023-10-09 02:10:37

Good, fast food. Staff is friendly and restaurant is very clean. Overall, great experience.

Review №27

2023-11-07 23:24:09

The spicy noodles and the fresh spring rolls are my favorite. I have been eating at Saffron for 25 years

Review №28

2023-07-24 01:20:28

Nothing about the food was Thai like. We tried the Drunken Noodles, Basil Fried Rice, and the Dirty Fried Rice. The meat was undercooked, the flavors weren’t there.

Review №29

2022-07-21 17:52:43

Great tasty and fresh vegetarian option in the airport food court. I had the pad see ew with tofu, no egg, added carrots. Staff was friendly.

Review №30

2017-12-14 05:31:29

Heard good things about this place but it was a huge letdown. the pad see ew had garlic or onion powder sprinkled on top which was the only thing that gae it any flavor. The chicken breast meal was tasteless and dry. I have no idea why people come here.

Review №31

2023-10-10 21:43:30

Food was bland. All taste the same. And expensive !! Was like a cafeteria style

Review №32

2023-03-29 22:31:19

Any day I’m feeling under the weather, the healthful cleansing soup fixes me right up! The food here is unique, flavorful, and more nutritious than your average Thai. Make sure you try their rainy day soup!

Review №33

2023-04-17 20:11:26

Chicken was ok, but not amazing. There were two single room bathrooms and one was labelled men and the other was unisex. At least just make them both unisex because this just seems mean. Women shouldn’t always be the ones to give up our spaces. We are more than “non-men.”

Review №34

2019-03-16 16:45:58

Do you like getting a large dish of rice with a few sprinkled pieces of meat on the top for $13? If so this is the place for you. Taste was ok. Not spectacular. Was the first and last time I’ll eat here. Giving 2 starts instead of 1 bec I can’t judge on the other dishes. See photo below and judge for thyself.

Review №35

2023-11-29 23:49:30

Was expecting more, soup had no flavor, I did not eat it

Review №36

2023-01-29 03:59:36

What a pleasant surprise! I got to go on a rainy day and was able to taste their “Rainy Day Chicken Soup” (“rainy days only” as it says on their menu. Who can say no to a hot cup of chicken soup with a cooked rice added almost like an after thought. Personally, I would have like the rice to be cooked with the soup but it was still delicious and hearty filled with veggies and lots of chicken. The curry here is delicious and their Thai chicken is also flavorful! This place is an order first then take a seat type place where you’ll be given a number and they’ll bring the food to you if you dine in. Make sure you’re not too hungry if you plan to dine in, because when they’re busy they’ve got dine in and take out orders going on at the same time and you may be waiting for a little bit more that usual. There are restrooms for customers and it’s a great place to bring your family!

Review №37

2023-05-14 20:05:29

Loved the food here! The drunken fried rice was a crowd favorite! Wish we had one in every city!

Review №38

2022-02-05 22:47:18

The atmosphere was fine, really a more casual kind of fast-food sit down and eat type of restaurant. The service was nice and pretty fast. I really enjoyed the soup that I got! I don’t remember the name but the broth was DELICIOUS. Very, very good! My friends I was with enjoyed it as well. My vegan friends was able to find something on the menu to enjoy.

Review №39

2023-01-26 03:24:32

You know what... I didnt really like this place. Wierd vibe and the green curry wasnt that great. The Malaysian dish was ok but nothing special either. Also the spring rolls seemed flavorless and dry. Not a bad place but not that great either.

Review №40

2022-03-23 14:40:01

The place is nice and clean. Our orders came out incredibly fast. My Tom Yum soup was fairly tasty, but my friends yellow curry was lacking in flavor and not that good. For the price the food was a disappointment. Parking is also hard to come by.

Review №41

2023-02-20 00:42:53

Ehh it was ok, got a few different dishes and they were all fine but not worth the price. I got them medium spice which should have killed me at a traditional Thai place but it was barely spicy at all. All in all it was average at best.

Review №42

2023-06-23 02:10:12

I tried Saffron Thai at San Diego Airport, the food is not authentic Thai food, it is Thai food Mexican style, everything has cumin.

Review №43

2023-10-18 20:44:31

Still love their salad rolls with sweet chili sauce!Wish I remembered to ask for mint instead of cilantro. Trying the Kale salad for dinner, it looks delicious!

Review №44

2022-03-10 21:16:24

Went to have dinner there last Sunday. I ordered the Superfood Tofu Salad, it tasted great! I wanted some more therefore I ordered the same salad online (for pick-up) yesterday and to my disappointment it didnt taste as good as what I had for dine-in 😕 it was missing something. The dressing was put on the side which wasnt enough for the portion. The salad was just too dry. Not worth it this time for what has been paid for. 👎

Review №45

2022-08-04 18:39:44

Ive been here twice and the food is pretty good, but not the best. Service is nice though and you get your food super fast! If I have more time though Id go to another restaurant but the quick service is a big plus!

Review №46

2023-03-06 22:13:56

Service with a smile, had the beef panang curry- not too shabby!

Review №47

2022-12-23 19:54:58

He absolute best takeout rotisserie chicken in town. The chicken is always moist and tasty, even the white meat. The sauces are homemade, and the peanut sauce is the height of peanut sauces 😋

Review №48

2022-10-25 07:46:55

You dont know what you had until.its gone. Moved away from California and I have yet to experience chicken, chutney, Thai food as it is prepared here. I have tried. I miss home. The food and the views. Mission Hills is a jewel of foodie places as it was in 2014 when I left. Looking forward to this sumner when I take a foodie trip. Love San Diego!

Review №49

2017-04-12 01:43:27

OMG, A GREAT PLACE! Healthy, fabulous food, everything was phenomenal! Must eat at place.

Review №50

2020-11-11 05:28:36

I wish that I still loved this place. Since Sui Mei sold it, the quality of the food has gone down hill substantially. For the life of them, they CANNOT COOK CHICKEN. The chicken in every single dish I have had has been both tough AND flavorless. Even the dipping sauces have lost flavor. The Sweet Pepper sauce is now a lightly flavored sweet-tart, that makes Panda Express seem Michelin-star-worthy. They killed the Southern Thai curry which was a revelation of flavors not often seen together. Even the salad rolls are now flavor-light and reminiscent of a bad airplane salad. The Brain Food was one of my favorites - it had light and subtle flavor that pleasantly seasoned the kale, which can overwhelm a dish, while enhancing the sweet potato notes with spices and a little heat. Now it is pretty much a bland sweet potato-kale casserole with all the flavor of a Sprouts freezer TV dinner. I wish they had someone in their kitchen who knew what the food was supposed to taste like. Unfortunately thats not whats happened.While the former owner was a most unpleasant woman - I personally saw her scream and throw food at her staff, dress them down and humiliate them (on more than one occasion) and holler at customers who displeased her - she developed many incredibly delicious recipes. I only wish the new and very nice owners could have preserved her recipes and flavors better than they have. I used to go there despite the owner and now I only go when I forget how disappointing the food is. Alas...

Review №51

2022-01-09 23:16:39

First off, let me just say this is my first Thai food that I love, the staff friendly, place clean and most of all the food is amazing. Vietnamese noodle was the best I’ve ever eaten! So many flavors in my mouth that I can’t even express! I give this place a 10 out of 10

Review №52

2021-12-29 22:28:35

First time going today. The Tom Yum soup was perfectly seasoned, the spices went so well together. The veggie egg rolls were light and crispy, and their egg roll sauce is pretty good too. Def check this place out.

Review №53

2019-08-22 20:47:36

Not your typical Thai food restaurant. This is a quick and easy lunch spot.

Review №54

2021-05-06 02:32:20

This WAS my favorite Thai restaurant in San Diego but seems to have declined in quality under new ownership. Perhaps Im imagining it, but I think the prices are higher, the portions smaller, and the wait longer. Our food was decent but not excellent, with the exception of a side of stir-fried vegetables that seemed to be seasoned with nothing but garlic. We couldnt bring ourselves to finish it.

Review №55

2019-10-18 02:00:44

I’m no expert on Thai food, but I know when I like something, and the food did not disappoint. I ordered the shrimp and shiitake soup, it’s was good but really spicy, I’m Mexican, I like spicy, but to my taste it was too spicy. I couldn’t drink the broth. The shrimp salad rolls were good, great size. The peanut sauce was delicious, very homemade which I loved. I’m planning on tasting more dishes. The place was clean, service was good. I like the location, makes great spot for people watching!

Review №56

2018-07-15 23:30:16

5 star food, 3 star service- food is fantastic. Many gluten free items. Staff has quick access to ingredients, but seem put upon, when asked. Food is clean, fresh and with a depth of flavor not often seen in reasonably priced restaurants. Small, comfortable (casual) seating areas. Highly recommend if you are more concerned with food than friendly employees.

Review №57

2019-08-23 20:25:47

Ive been to this place 3 times now, and each time the food has been pretty bland. I guess they were better before the new management. Each chicken dish comes with a sauce of your choosing, but I feel like the chicken should have flavor regardless. After no luck with the chicken, I tried the fried rice on my last visit. It was pretty disappointing. Not much flavor, tasted more like mexican rice. The tables are always sticky.

Review №58

2019-12-28 03:43:31

We ordered takeout with one entree and three kids meals. The kids loved the food and the portion sizes for the kids meals were generous. The drunken noodles were good also. Very easy to place order on the phone and we picked it up in a little over 15 minutes around 6pm on a Thursdsy night. Quick service in a busy area!

Review №59

2018-02-19 14:35:24

I miss the homey atmosphere that Saffron used to have. Its very modern and clean now, but not nearly as unique. The food was pretty good. I had the drunken noodles at medium spice, which I enjoyed. My husband got the pad Thai, which was super yummy. Still a great place to eat at.

Review №60

2018-07-21 23:03:44

This use to be the place to go in San Diego for Thai food but no longer. Understand its under new management and/or ownership and it has gone down hill. The food was bland at best. Nothing like the flavorful dishes of years past. I gave it two stars only because of the peanut sauce which was excellent.

Review №61

2019-02-17 23:19:07

Absolutely the best place in San Diego for Thai food! We have been going here for years. The perfect place to order take out for any occasion. We have never had a bad meal here. The parking or lack thereof is our only complaint. I would suggest calling ahead for takeout. There are spots available for takeout.

Review №62

2020-07-11 22:03:48

Hands down the best Thai food Ive had in SD! Super convenient as its close to the airport. Call ahead and have a good meal ready for you! Great variety of vegan options too! Try the Mango sticky rice!

Review №63

2020-07-14 04:12:27

Great Thai food place with lots to offer. Ive been here a couple of times and it is NOT hit or miss. The chicken and sauce selection is delicious and the waiting time is never long. The staff and restaurant are clean and inviting. If you are looking for authentic Thai food, this is your place.

Review №64

2019-03-25 14:23:40

This is a restaurant that operates slightly like a fast food restaurant in how they largely leave you alone but you order and pay up front.The food is pretty fantastic and you can substitute noodles with gluten free noodles. The place is also comfortable and pretty inside.Beware that parking is scarce. I walked a half mile to get there since everything near it was totally taken at the time.

Review №65

2019-09-16 02:31:54

Seemingly a good place, helpful & friendly staff - quite busy, but under-prepared management & requisitions create lengthy and unnecessary delays. Avoid peak times, and probably fine.

Review №66

2022-01-22 22:30:33

I love their Salad Rolls. Unfortunately they fell apart, which is highly unusualWas told I had to wear a mask. The CDC has informed us we no longer have to wear masks. And secondly you are not allowed to tell people to wear a mask.

Review №67

2019-05-10 23:04:04

Used to love this place and came all the time. Its turned very commercial dont go here thinking you can modify anything to fit your needs. allergy or diet restrictions not welcome. Rude manager informed me that they cant add anything because everythings pre-packaged even if they have the ingredient in the kitchen. And dont get the spring rolls in there refrigerator they go bad fast. The good old days of quality food that was made to order here are long gone.

Review №68

2018-06-29 19:50:48

Fast and courteous service, & nice ambiance. They even have some clearly identified low carb selections.

Review №69

2020-11-25 00:27:05

Just went to saffron for the first time in a long while. What a disappointment. It tasted nothing like the saffron that I grew up with. Had the Pad Thai noodles and a shrimp spring roll. The spring roll was small, and whoever prepared it didnt know how to roll it. The Pad Thai....... Was terrible. Bad sauce, oversauced. The small amount of noodles, were mushy.From what I understand it has changed from the original owner.Really bummed out that a staple of San Diego had fallen so far.

Review №70

2017-10-11 18:30:06

Some of the best Thai food Ive had and Ive been a few times to Thailand.

Review №71

2020-10-13 09:17:13

My first order was perfect i ordered for 1 Tofu Salad roll & Cambodian salad - it was delicious perfectly seasoned and well presented how ever the container was leaking which they should look for better option on packaging giving in to the present circumstances of more take outs than ever before. 2 nd order was a waste of time and ended being annoyed because by the time the order arrived and the box was opened the tofu salad roll was no longer in the wrap it was just lettuce and tofu with carrot did not enjoy the flavor nor was it convenient to eat either they should buy a wrap that can hold the ingredients together or simply know how much stuffing it needs and not over stuff it

Review №72

2023-04-17 03:15:33

One of my goto places in the area. Food is good, albeit a bit pricier than some.

Review №73

2021-08-07 02:43:17

It was ok. All the food felt like it needed salt, especially the chicken which was also kind of dry, really no better than a grocery store rotisserie. I feel like theres much better thai in the area for the same price.

Review №74

2020-05-23 23:12:16

The Saffron is a real good Egg Roll place.My wife likes their mango sticky rice. They have only two kinds of egg rolls a vegetable and a chicken. I only have had the chicken ones for the last 30 years they are great and dont forget to dip them in that sweet viniger sauce they give you !!

Review №75

2019-03-06 04:22:09

I was very disappointed with service (very unorganized) and the food. I ordered Pad Thai and they brought something else, so the server was gonnna go ask kitchen staff what happened and inform us what was going on.However, the server dropped my plate at the kitchen and started taking orders, drinking soda or water, and helping other customers. Where is my food???A long story short, I was disappointed with the unprofessional and unorganized staff and then the food taste. It is like Fake Thai Fast food style... I tried this place twice and I will never ever go back there ever again.They don’t have proper Thai food. It doesn’t taste like Thai food at all.

Review №76

2019-07-23 02:08:35

Our first time trying this place. I ordered the Satay Chicken with grilled vegetables. The Chicken was dry and tasted reheated and vegetables soggy full of oil. My husband didnt like his Entree either and after the first bite we left and dont plan on ever coming back. It was a waste of money.

Review №77

2020-03-20 02:03:21

Not trying to smash this place when were in such difficult times but the stir fry was filled half with rice and the veggies had basically no flavor.Immediately threw some of my own sauce on them and added my own brocolli.The spring roll was ok.I may try again as I live local but I was really disappointed.

Review №78

2018-11-14 16:58:27

*UPDATE* after posting my review and contacting the restaurant the night that it had happened, I NEVER received a response of any sort. Management obviously thinks this is fine so stay far far away luckily Postmates took it seriously and refunded my the $5 delivery fee. 🙄Pretty nauseating experience. I ordered with Postmates on July 3rd. I had gotten through half of my stir-fry before I realize that there were several long black hairs in it. Ive never had such a gross experience at a restaurant. I get that stuff happens but a clump of hair in my food is just disgusting .

Review №79

2022-07-27 23:19:55

It was expensive. We tried the Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles.We had to wipe off our own table, but otherwise, it was cozy.

Review №80

2018-07-18 21:42:28

Great restaurant for either walk in take out or sitting down. The staff seems to be a picture of friendly and stand-offish, which is the only reason I left one star off.If one of my customers smile at me and give them a compliment, I dont roll my eyes at them and neither should that guy behind the counter. Rude

Review №81

2020-02-10 06:48:28

One of the best Thai food I had. Loved the service and menu options. Sticky rice with mango is yummmmm!!Service: 5Atmosphere:5Cleanliness: 5Value for money: 5Food Taste: 5Recommend: highly recommend this spot for Thai food in San Diego area.

Review №82

2013-12-11 22:24:33

I ate here the other day for lunch when I was in the area for business. I had heard really good things about Saffron so maybe I just had my expectations real high, but I wasnt too impressed with my meal. I ordered the Drunken Noodles which didnt have much flavor and were just too spicy. I asked for medium spicy and what I got were a bunch of hot noodles I could barely taste besides the spicyness. Maybe I need to try something different so I guess I would come back and try it again but my first experience was not the best.

Review №83

2014-10-27 16:43:52

Im a thai food lover, and I love that this place is just up the street from work. They have a great quick lunch time menu. They can turn around a soup or chicken dish in just a few minutes but that doesnt translate to a stale or less than flavorful taste. While parking can sometimes be tricky, even at lunch, Ive never not found a parking spot if I just drive around the block and off of India Street. The people here are always friendly, the smells and food inviting. I never mind spending my lunch here. If youre in a hurry, they do have food to go, just remember to a lot a minute or two to find parking.

Review №84

2015-12-23 04:52:12

Food is ok. Not really that good. I ordered the Tom Yam soup noodle with shrimp. The shrimp is small, the noodles are so little, the tom yam flavoring is paste left on top for you to stir. Looks so much more like a fast food chain more than a restaurant, and you cant feel either the sour or spicy taste of the tom yam. Really normal food for a premium pricing

Review №85

2018-01-14 01:23:45

This is my favorite Thai in San Diego. They have a giant menu with many traditional dishes as well as some things I have never seen elsewhere. The style and preparation feels healthier than many other Thai restaurants found in America. I cant speak to the authenticity as I have never been to Thailand, but the original owner made the new owners keep using her recipes as a stipulation of selling, which is pretty awesome.

Review №86

2019-07-20 15:11:03

Best homeade peanut sauce! Super Food Salad didnt come with a cape but I felt like a superhero after! Mango sticky rice was so good I cried while eating it. Dirty cauliflower rice with beef 🤤 I have no photos because it was gone in 60 seconds.

Review №87

2018-04-03 23:29:37

If you’re searching for really mediocre and uninteresting Thai food, you’ve found it!While the portions are large, the staff super helpful and the space itself interesting, the food is really meh.Let me sum it up this way… Saffron Thai offers generous servings of subpar Thai food in a great setting and a neighborhood with better restaurants on literally ever corner.I don’t mean to be a hater, but there’s better Thai all over San Diego.

Review №88

2016-12-23 21:36:59

I love coming here when Im looking for something healthy and filling. They use lots of local fresh produce. I love the brain good with sweet potato and kale. The noodles are always yummy but the sticky rice with mango is to die for!

Review №89

2020-07-23 04:28:54

Big Nope.I like pad see ew. And Im pretty forgiving when it comes to pad see ew. But the pad see ew here had no flavor. The beef and broccoli were cooked just fine, but the fried shallots or whatever (which doesnt belong on pad see ew anyway) could not disguise the fact that the noodles were not properly sauced.And I also got a half chicken dinner, because when 1/3 of the menu is dedicated to the roasted chicken, you give it a try, right? Mistake. The dark meat was mushy. Bad. The chicken had zero seasoning. Bad. And maybe I chose the wrong sauces, but everything that came with the dinner was overly sweet. The Cambodian salad was too sweet. The peanut sauce and chutney were way too sweet.This was a huge disappointment of a meal.

Review №90

2015-04-28 23:25:21

The food is mostly delicious (depends on taste I guess) and fresh with good ingredients. This is Thai comfort food not too westernized. Daily specials change periodically to follow the seasons and fresh ingredients.Their beef Panang is great and all the curries are to write home about.Their home made ginger and lemongrass sodas are awesome and their deserts, simple but good. Sticky rice mango and sticky rice banana.

Review №91

2019-07-23 23:48:33

I am no Thai food expert, but I am a big fan of Pad See Ew. First time I went here, thought it would be a lock for my favorite Thai place in town, but my Pad See Ew was a bit dry. Quality ingredients and tastes fine, just thought the sauce could have been a little more prominent. Will probably try other places before I circle back around to Saffron.

Review №92

2018-12-05 16:24:24

Saffron was a legendary Thai place for a long time and was dependably great. It was sold a couple years ago. Now it is sadly Thai in name only, the management isnt from Thailand and the food quality has noticeably declined. Was a 10 out of 10 would go again, now is is a will never go again for me.

Review №93

2021-07-15 02:11:32

Excellent gourmet quality food. Even if you dont like Thai food youll love the tender roasted chicken....my fave. Also Shrimp Salad Roll with peanut sauce and Drunken noodles.

Review №94

2018-01-25 00:21:06

My favorite restaurant by far in San Diego! Being a native, its hard to find good Thai anywhere else...even in Colorado. That is why I always treat my self by going to Saffron! They did change management a while back, but the cuisine is the same. One suggestion would be to check your order to make sure you have all of the sauces for the chicken Satee. I just love their pad thai and mango with sweet rice! You might try this restaurant if you are coming from the airport.

Review №95

2017-11-29 10:47:10

Ive dined at Saffron hundreds of times over the course of the last 17 years. The restaurant is under new management, and although the decor has been upgraded, the food has dropped off considerably. The ingredients are still fresh, but without the hovering presence of the former long-time owner/chef, Saffron has reverted to middle of the pack.

Review №96

2021-11-21 04:12:15

Best chicken egg rolls, best pad thai ever! We never miss the chance to stop by this place, its awesome! The staff are as awesome as the food

Review №97

2019-11-21 15:54:06

Saffron Thai never disappoints. The food is fresh & delicious & the service is excellent. Our favorite are the summer roles with shrimp. We also had excellent Pad Thai at our last visit.

Review №98

2021-12-18 15:30:51

Wow...great food. I am a harsh critic of Thai food and this was top notch. The staff was friendly and sharp. It was a joy to eat here.

Review №99

2020-07-25 00:44:25

If this place was open in Thailand, it would probably go out of business. The sauces dont taste well. Satay chicken dry and over cooked. Cuisine does not smell Thai and I have been to Thailand 5 times. Dont know who they are trying to fool.

Review №100

2018-03-19 19:04:49

Better now since it was sold recently. They converted the chicken rotisserie place next door into a ceviche takeout. Their chicken is still available and still just as good. They took away some of the daily specials which was too bad since I love their khao soi noodle dish very much.

Review №101

2021-09-29 04:45:25

So glad they are back to being open after the fire! I’ve been coming here for 20 years and still never disappoints. My 14 year old son and my 11 year old daughter rave about it.

Review №102

2021-09-23 02:22:33

Awesome food. Just make sure to check your bag for everything you ordered if you get take out. But, still awesome.

Review №103

2018-08-23 22:40:06

Great flavor, but my order and 3 other tables near me were wrong and super deleted. I order a salad wich came no problem and in a timely fashion but my husband’s plate took 25 minutes and came all wrong we didn’t say nothing because like I said we had been already there waiting for 25 minutes and we were not the only table with issues, i guess they got extremely busy and overwhelmed!

Review №104

2017-07-05 02:36:50

Excellent food. Fast service. Most of the staff are not English fluid but they work it out. Flavor is intense on their plates. Always the right temperature and prices are good.

Review №105

2018-01-29 21:10:13

I stayed away for a while, I had a bad meal. Then last week my wife and I went and it was great again! I went to day and sat for 30 min, no food people we sitting after me and eating and leaving. I ask again for my food, 10 min. Went by still nothing. I’ll try again in a year or so ☹️

Review №106

2020-02-19 04:44:16

The cashier was able to guide my selection. She knew the menu and was able to provide adequate detail of tasting. I even sampled. I will definitely be going back.

Review №107

2023-05-02 18:19:05

Clean, fast, and consistently great food. My favorite!

Review №108

2018-03-29 16:50:50

I just learned that Saffron Thai became part of the Karinas restaurant group, but Im happy to say the menu is still the same and tasty as before. The restaurant has a beautiful renovation and the small space next door is now a walk up Karinas seafood window. Saffron Thai is my go to for roasted whole chicken. Their sweet pepper sauce and Cambodian salad that comes in the combo is delicious! You cant go wrong with anything else on the menu either. Their noodles plates and soup dishes are always great too! I wish they open up a restaurant in the southern part of San Diego/ Chula Vista area. Perhaps next to the Karinas at the mall as well? 😉

Review №109

2021-05-16 03:30:13

Asked the cashier to recommend a popular dish and ended up trying the drunken noodles. Horribly dry and not well seasoned. I couldnt even finish and ended up tossing. Yikes.

Review №110

2018-11-09 01:29:07

Food is great, but this is the second time they have shorted me on my order. The problem with that is I have it as a to go order and I don’t find out till I’m home. Very frustrating, I’ve heard the restaurant next-door is very good I may start going there instead

Review №111

2021-01-26 13:24:28

It was a very tasty meal deal with very polite and focused servers my meal was ready within 5 or 10 minutes and it was a delicious Spicy Thai Cuisine the kind that I was looking for going to this Thai restaurant.

Review №112

2018-06-15 15:18:43

Even though they changed owners, they kept the ingredients and menu the same......that is amazing. Thai food can be pretty unhealthy at times but safron is a good alternative to the unhealthy Thai food. They have many healthy options.

Review №113

2018-02-06 02:54:37

I have a big feeling this isnt the original Saffron I grew up with. The chicken I just got I am pretty sure is a store bought rotisserie chicken with zero flavor. Wow. Im so sad aboit this. The sauces are nothing like they used to be.

Review №114

2020-02-01 20:51:00

Chicken never cooked the same way some times good well done some times not cooked at all no matter how you ask for it. When you get it cooked the way you asked for it it’s really really good! Hope they get consistent

Review №115

2017-08-15 03:18:53

Ive been coming to this restaurant for decades. It is definitely one of the best tasting cleanest Thai food restaurants in San Diego. They offered great prices and excellent service.

Review №116

2019-08-12 01:37:55

Never had a problem with them. Food is great customer service great. But today when i got in and opened my food there was a hair curled up on my piece of lime........im not bashing them. Im only saying what i saw

Review №117

2018-03-09 18:23:46

They have some vegetarian options but I dont think they have any vegan options. I loved the food and it was quick. we stopped in before catching a flight with about 20 minutes to spare and still didnt have to rush in.

Review №118

2017-09-30 04:49:14

I have been to many Thai restaurants earlier in Phoenix. I was visiting San Diego so after reading reviews I thought of giving it a try. But to my surprise food here was no match with what I have tried earlier in Thai restaurants. It was missing the spices that I like about Thai food. I tried Fried rice, cauliflower rice and cashew curry. But was disappointed.

Review №119

2021-09-26 14:55:35

Su mei consistently delivers over the years. The pad thai entree is exactly the same as it was 10 years ago. Thank you for updating the restrooms to wash my hands.

Review №120

2019-01-02 20:13:20

I feel like the quality and flavor has decreased last couple of times I’ve been there in the past month. Such a shame because this was one of my favorites. Most likely not returning

Review №121

2018-11-20 22:55:44

Delicious food. First visited four years ago and have been.waiting to come back here to try another dish. Had the vegetarian drunken noodles. So many vegetables and tofu. Will be back.

Review №122

2021-12-17 03:24:29

First time visit and not disappointed. The food was amazing and delicious. Great job feeding this tourist!

Review №123

2019-07-16 17:59:43

I got the chicken Pad Thai delivered and it was absolutely amazing. Very well prepared, the flavors were perfect. I will definitely be back.

Review №124

2018-09-14 19:30:01

This place was great! Delicious food using fresh ingredients. Only complaint is it is pricey for a stir fry dish.

Review №125

2017-02-14 05:39:43

I have been eating here for over 20 years and love it every time. They just remodeled and it looks great. Food is still awesome.

Review №126

2022-08-27 02:14:42

Eh. This is the third time my order has been wrong. Disappointed because it’s in the neighborhood and I recommend it a lot.

Review №127

2014-04-06 21:27:08

For many years Im a regular here, at least once a day for lunch or dinner and sometimes twice a day.Best quality of food and service, every time.Thank you Madam Su Mei Ye and to all in your team.Nader

Review №128

2021-12-17 02:00:27

Great spicy Thai food. Close to San Diego Airport. Perfect place for lunch or dinner before you fly.

Review №129

2017-07-31 21:35:49

Bit pricey but the brain food is certainly what i come for. I dunno if its just the name or overall healthy appeal the restaurant put on for their brand but its truly in the rotation for places to eat n perfect location.

Review №130

2020-08-22 04:28:38

This was the most underwhelming thai food Ive had. Egg rolls werent crunchy and tasted weird. The food was either bland or didnt taste the way its supposed to.

Review №131

2016-05-28 21:42:57

Went in today after not living in San Diego for 14 years... Expectations high as service and food was always so good when Su-Mei was present... She always was... Brought my wife and parents in law from Brazil just waiting to show them the famous saffron chicken thighs... We ordered 4 orders of two thighs and were told we could not have them because they would have to cut up 4 chickens and would be left with 8 breasts... I was shocked.. It was not like they ran out of chicken, but the order taker and the manager refused to take my order... Just saying they would not...and that was that... Not even thinking about offering an alternative or discount... The manager just turned away and started filling up a fridge... So disappointed and embarrassed, not only for me, but for Su-Mei... I will try to contact her...

Review №132

2021-01-15 19:45:52

One of my favorote restaurants for take out. They know how to do chicken! And their noodle dishes and soups are awesome flavor explosions 😋

Review №133

2019-05-25 03:59:19

Always been great food. Been going there for years after I drop friends of at the airport on my way home. Great selections and tasty.

Review №134

2020-06-09 02:38:20

Great food and service is very good.I ordered the drunken noodles with Tofu and salad shrimp tools. Portions are generous.

Review №135

2019-02-16 06:57:20

Ive been going here for over 15 years. It started with my young daughter who was a picky eater and loved Saffron food (go figure?) Delicious!!!!

Review №136

2018-07-10 02:28:36

Not so good.. I call this yuppie Thai food. Super rude casher, hippster type looking joint with average food. Dont waste your money. Also portions are tiny.

Review №137

2018-02-24 22:19:40

Love the food there! Ive tried the soups, spring rolls noodles and many other dishes. Everthing is fresh and tasty. Try thr happines stir fry, one of my favorites!

Review №138

2017-05-23 02:55:57

Delicious and healthy Thai food. Good gluten free options also. The red rice is well worth the extra $1.

Review №139

2017-06-27 16:09:01

Very unique Thai experience, Saffron puts more emphasis on health and natural foods while maintaining great taste. This is our weekly go to spot.

Review №140

2019-05-19 04:01:26

The food is great but the portions are kind of small I spent about $12 ordered noodles with chicken and the veggies and left hungry.

Review №141

2022-05-21 20:26:48

The pad thai and drunken noodles are seriously amazing. I also really love their spring rolls!

Review №142

2021-07-08 20:50:51

Not as good as I remember and more expensive. Ordered rotisserie whole chicken but was given grilled pieces. Flavor expected not there.

Review №143

2022-02-05 03:45:55

One star for the timeOne star for chicken masala curry that has no flavor at all! It’s just runny water with mushrooms and some vegetables.

Review №144

2016-11-11 01:02:20

Great staff and great quality thai shrimps.

Review №145

2019-02-16 17:08:46

Really good place for lunch. Perfectly made noodle dishes with interesting flavors. Have been coming here for years.

Review №146

2018-04-09 01:58:46

I was super excited to try this place unfortunately, the wait was long, my soup was bland, and to make matters worse I found a hair IN my soup that was definitely not my own. Wouldn’t recommend.

Review №147

2021-03-09 23:49:56

Love this place! Great quality and detail to their menu items. They even have wellness and anti-inflammatory options! Genius.

Review №148

2018-04-27 23:54:40

My food was 40 mins late, it was dry and semi cold....the cook basicly told me if I didnt want to wait to get my money! And that the reason why they were late was because they had lots of calls from uber delivery...I guess the made me less

Review №149

2018-02-08 00:48:01

Very fresh ingredients, and lots of meal & noodle options including vegetarian. Highly reccomend the Chicken Curry w red rice.

Review №150

2022-06-11 03:26:08

Good place and food was good. I just wish they have tofu sate :)

Review №151

2021-10-24 05:32:19

A San Diego classic.Eclectic pan-Asian menu. Consider picking up one of their ready to go meals for lunch

Review №152

2020-10-20 16:53:38

Always fantastic food, glad to see that they are super busy. Dinner time is a rush hour!

Review №153

2017-07-09 01:05:57

Healthy & vegetarian-friendly, tasty food with lots of options, clean & modern ambiance, and quick & friendly service. Side note, finding parking can be tricky.

Review №154

2017-06-07 23:05:46

Love this restaurant. Healthy flavorful Thai food. Quick, high quality, and casual. Nice efficient and friendly staff.

Review №155

2019-10-10 23:02:45

Thai is bomb, curry is amazing, chicken curry delicious.

Review №156

2018-02-01 00:39:06

Counter help lady was rude and impossible to understand she was leaning on the cash register chewing gum !Food is not as good as used to be and soup Bowl is about half the size it used to be, but the counter chicklet should not be allowed in the front of house .

Review №157

2021-03-12 21:51:34

Had the roasted chicken it was a day old and dry. The chicken rolls were burnt. Terrible never will go back.

Review №158

2017-03-23 13:14:01

Got the Drunken Noodles with Shrimp. It was tasty enough but not terribly filling. Their Egg Rolls are aaaaamazing!

Review №159

2018-04-06 09:29:29

Its okay. Its a bit overpriced but its a Thai joint nearby Mission hills. What are you going to do? Loved the sweet rice and mangos though.

Review №160

2021-10-08 05:11:18

Delicious food but didnt get water we ordered and had to get it ourselves

Review №161

2019-04-22 01:40:49

We come here almost weekly, love their cashew nut chicken, spicy noodle, mango w/ sticky rice and their Thai wraps.

Review №162

2020-02-28 20:59:07

Fast service but Food taste is not that good. Not a traditional Thai style in regards to taste. No one from my office team liked it.

Review №163

2022-01-09 23:14:13

So good the staff are super nice and the food is delicious. Super cute location as well

Review №164

2020-10-31 01:59:42

I called in the phone for just a fried riceThey told me 15 minThey made me wait 45 minutes and in the end i had to cancel my order because i couldn’t wait anymoreThe worst restaurant and customer service ever honestlyAll the people that came after while i was waiting had big orders and they all left before me

Review №165

2016-09-24 22:51:48

Great food. Good prices. Easy parking. The staff could be friendlier, but hey, were human!

Review №166

2022-02-03 16:06:37

Discriminated against when visiting here, and refused service. Been going for years, but thank you for making me feel that way

Review №167

2017-01-07 22:16:29

Everything is great. $3 seems like a lot for one spring roll until you actually get it and realize its the size of a small child

Review №168

2017-07-24 03:09:06

Delicious and FAST! The green curry was tasty. Also the chicken noodle dish. Super friendly service!

Review №169

2018-04-28 03:43:38

Always great food quality, prices moderate to high due to fresh produce used, friendly staff, parking nearby might be challenging sometime

Review №170

2016-11-20 21:26:49

Lived in san diego and thailand... saffron is better than the vast majority of thai food in thailand. the only US Thai restaurant i would make that claim

Review №171

2018-07-30 18:50:14

Love this place - healthy options & delicious choices. Ginger soda is a favorite. Parking can be challenging, but worth it!!

Review №172

2016-08-14 02:17:03

Excellent food as always!! We ordered Pad See Ew, salad rolls and happiness stir fry.

Review №173

2017-11-13 20:57:20

New fav restaurant. Big portions, tasty sauces and perfectly cooked foods. And not to forget the modern and colorful decor.

Review №174

2019-05-09 01:44:47

Always wonderful food. Flavorful, and often healthy choices about. A favorite stop when I am in the area.

Review №175

2021-10-21 01:38:25

Sweet pepper sauce is the bomb! Such good food! Reasonably priced too.

Review №176

2013-09-04 19:54:28

This place is consistently amazing. Great place for lunch or an easy diner. The best Thai place I have been Im San Diego.

Review №177

2012-12-24 07:02:01

Chicken lacked seasoning and flavor. Sauce provided somewhat flavor. Pre-packaged cucumber salad was watered with minimal flavoring. Never again.

Review №178

2019-01-10 22:15:38

Been here many times over the past three years and we always get great food and good service.

Review №179

2021-10-18 14:50:56

Long-time favorite since it was just the small storefront. Chicken combo, salad rolls, and fried rice are go-to items.

Review №180

2017-07-24 22:21:31

Horrible fake Thai food everything that was suppose to be spicy was super sweet. Just tasted off. I am still tasting curry from my Thai food

Review №181

2020-05-24 07:14:22

My favorite items are the chicken pad thai and the sweet mango rice. I will go back time and time again just for these two faves.

Review №182

2022-02-22 21:16:27

Not authentic, doesnt taste like Thai food. Kind of bland.

Review №183

2018-11-03 03:46:08

Ordered the shrimp pad Thai and a coke! It was delicious. Waitstaff were great, polite.

Review №184

2019-11-16 00:16:31

Good food, courteous staff, nice atmosphere. Would recommend for lunch or a quick bite!

Review №185

2021-03-30 05:09:21

It was delicious 😋!!! One of favorites Thai places in SD.!!! My wife and I would def recommend it!! 👌

Review №186

2016-12-08 23:00:21

Very disappointed. Both, the chicken and the rice were dry, and despite having wifi they refused giving the password. I do not recommend this place

Review №187

2017-03-12 20:44:40

GF DF heaven for Thai food! Our lunch was excellent. Service was friendly and very knowledgeable.

Review №188

2020-07-27 14:45:30

This place has been a family favorite for years. Great food, convenient, and very reasonably priced.

Review №189

2017-12-17 23:15:28

Very good and fresh tasting food. Best Thai I have had in San Diego.

Review №190

2018-07-09 01:20:35

Very rude customer service especially the cashier. Someone need to train her . Beware you need to ask for receipts. Un organize place . Not clean at all for a restaurant.

Review №191

2018-07-20 21:13:14

Solid yummy food at affordable prices. Highly recommend if you are in the neighborhood.

Review №192

2017-07-02 21:07:35

Food is delicious, the best Thai food Ive ever had with healthy intent but Im disappointed that they use unhealthy styrofoam containers for to go.

Review №193

2018-01-31 00:50:45

Live close to Saffron. I have never been disappointed with the food I order. Always fresh and tasty.

Review №194

2018-02-11 17:57:17

Different from anything Ive ever experienced food-wise and it was delicious!! Will definitely go back!

Review №195

2020-11-22 22:48:56

The food is great but portions are not as big as I expected.

Review №196

2017-04-01 00:01:47

Ive had pad Thai and fried rice before and many different restaurants before but nothing like thisThe rice tasted horrible and the pad Thai tasted like garlic basicallyWas not happy with this places foodI had to combine the 2 foods in order for me to even think of stomaching it down

Review №197

2017-07-26 20:36:10

Great healthy food, solid portions, reasonable prices, and nice clean atmosphere!

Review №198

2014-05-31 13:07:52

I loved to eat there. The quality is excellent. The food is very unique.

Review №199

2019-01-05 14:06:14

Fresh assortment of well priced Thai food in a nice environment. Take out no problem.