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Lunch at Bangkok West

I'd heard the name, Bangkok West, from my father, usually in passing, as in, "I had lunch at" or "I'm having dinner at Bangkok West." A creature of habit, when Dad finds something he likes, he sticks with it. But, as I've mentioned before, Dad's "go-to" list includes some major chains that don't necessarily appeal to the foodie in me -- I admit to devouring my share of Moons over my Hammies at Denny's, but it's a guilty pleasure, right up there with 2 a.m. drunken Jack in the Box taco quests.

But Dad was right about Long Island Mike's, and this Thai place was his alternate joint for lunch around work; when Dad met up with me after I had my car serviced in the area (Clairemont Mesa Boulevard can be a one-stop shop for errands and meals), I decided to finally give this place a try.

There are few things my father appreciates more than a good bargain. Lunch specials at Bangkok West Thai Cafe average around $10 and include, as Dad says, "everything from soup to nuts." The soup was a Tom Kah, a flavorful version with giant chunks of steamed zucchini and mushrooms. For my lunch special, I ordered Panang Curry (carrot, bell peppers, onion, fresh basil, and chicken). I asked for a 6 out of 10 in terms of spiciness, and it was perfectly in line -- a good kick, without distracting from the savory-sweet curry.

Also on the plate were a salad, spring rolls, curried fried wontons, and steamed rice. Dad was right -- I did not leave hungry. Though I was eager to try a dessert, I just didn't have any room left in my belly. Next time, perhaps I'll start with the sticky rice and mango and then move my way through some dishes with the intention of taking home a bunch of leftovers.

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I'd heard the name, Bangkok West, from my father, usually in passing, as in, "I had lunch at" or "I'm having dinner at Bangkok West." A creature of habit, when Dad finds something he likes, he sticks with it. But, as I've mentioned before, Dad's "go-to" list includes some major chains that don't necessarily appeal to the foodie in me -- I admit to devouring my share of Moons over my Hammies at Denny's, but it's a guilty pleasure, right up there with 2 a.m. drunken Jack in the Box taco quests.

But Dad was right about Long Island Mike's, and this Thai place was his alternate joint for lunch around work; when Dad met up with me after I had my car serviced in the area (Clairemont Mesa Boulevard can be a one-stop shop for errands and meals), I decided to finally give this place a try.

There are few things my father appreciates more than a good bargain. Lunch specials at Bangkok West Thai Cafe average around $10 and include, as Dad says, "everything from soup to nuts." The soup was a Tom Kah, a flavorful version with giant chunks of steamed zucchini and mushrooms. For my lunch special, I ordered Panang Curry (carrot, bell peppers, onion, fresh basil, and chicken). I asked for a 6 out of 10 in terms of spiciness, and it was perfectly in line -- a good kick, without distracting from the savory-sweet curry.

Also on the plate were a salad, spring rolls, curried fried wontons, and steamed rice. Dad was right -- I did not leave hungry. Though I was eager to try a dessert, I just didn't have any room left in my belly. Next time, perhaps I'll start with the sticky rice and mango and then move my way through some dishes with the intention of taking home a bunch of leftovers.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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