Lydia
Food: overall is good but the seasoning is not traditional Thai style and relatively on the light side. Personally I like the pad see ew to be more savory with soy sauce but theirs is lighter. The tom kha soup is sweeter than other places I tried.
Service: very warm and helpful
Ambiance: casual family house style
… moreAmir Shevat
Fresh ingredients, great teastes, original dishes and fast and friendly service. The kids loves the fresh spring rolls and my wife love the vegetarian fried rice. I had a fantastic eggplant salad that was spicy and delicious. The pad dishes were great as well! Very recommend if you are into Thai food in Santa Cruz.
… moreElija Bandersnatch
One of those friendly, slightly disorganized places that fit right into a neighborhood like a key fits right into a lock. You know, that place that sits right in the middle of those two or three go-to places that you hit every time it’s been a long day and you can’t face the kitchen. They know your name, they know what you order, they know what your level of spice is. If you say kob khun krab as you leave (if you’re a guy), they remember you for life.
I had a perfectly respectable Tom Kha with noodles that had plenty of chicken, good noodle lift, and filled me to the brim.
When I ordered regular iced tea, they brought not only a good sized glass, but a carafe for refill as well. Now… I suppose that saves them extra work, but I think it’s a stellar idea.
If you’re looking for high end Thai that pushes the envelope and makes you want to swoon, this is not that. It’s just good, solid, friendly, neighborhood Thai. The kind of place that puts down roots, sends their kids to college and becomes part of your lives.
When the yuppie, hip joints have moved on, this place will still be here slinging noodles and Thai iced tea. And I’ll bet the locals are as loyal as dogs that get to sleep on the bed.
Kob khun krab!!!
… moreShai Whalen
This place is truly underrated. We tried the fried sweet potatoes, spicy noodle, and mango sticky rice. It was wonderful that they use actual sweet potatoes instead of yams. The spicy noodle was great and the wide noodles were cooked to the perfect texture allowing them to absorb the sauce perfectly. The absolute highlight of the meal was the finale. YOU NEED THE MANGO STICKY RICE. It’s a need you need it. Perfectly balanced sweet sticky rice.
… moreThe Mailman
We like it and eat their food at least once, and sometimes twice a month. Quick and convenient with a good selection. Remember to ask for hot sauce! Where the locals eat in Santa Cruz…Peace
… moreMatt Orbach
Solid Thai food in midtown Santa Cruz. Good spicy noodles (#67, aka Pad Kee Mao) and larb. I just wish they served larger lettuce leaves so I could actually eat the larb as a wrap. Definitely worth giving Real Thai Kitchen a try if you’re in the area, though.
… moreBen D-K
Tasty food. Reasonably priced. Great service, food comes out quick! Overall I like this place a lot and would recommend it 🙂
… moreJessamy Barker
I think Real Thai Kitchen Santa Cruz may be the best Thai I’ve had since a greatly beloved childhood restaurant in the North of England. I get the strong feeling someone really cares that I love the food. Pineapple fried rice, mango with sticky rice, tofu satay and Pad See Ew all especially recommended. And they deliver via Door Dash to our area in Scotts Valley!
… morebyers
No substitutions without paying an extra $2, even on “vegan and vegetarian options available”. Can’t eat bell peppers and you want to substitute for broccoli? $2. You don’t want chicken and instead want tofu (which are considered the equivalent price)? That will be $2.
… moreSean Singh
Concerned about this place’s cleanliness and most importantly how they addressed our concerns about these issues.
I found hair in my soup and my fork had dried food stuck to it; We brought it up to waitress, all she said was “sure ok” each time instead of apologizing on their staff’s behalf. At the end, we brought it up to our 2nd waitress and the 1st waitress who initially handled our concerns got really offended and started defending herself in an unprofessional way. Food quality was below average.
… more