Pinto Thai Bistro

Yum! I happened to see this place on my way to UPS. I ordered the green curry with chicken and it was amazing! Highly recommend. I can’t wait to go back.

If you are looking for great customer service and some of the best Thai food in San Diego, this is your place. Having designated Plumeria as my «go-​to» Thai food place in San Diego, I was a little disappointed when my coworkers decided on this place instead. Boy, that disappointment did not last long. The food here is… Incredible. I ordered the Green Curry and didn’t regret it. My only reservation is that East Coasters like myself may be scared off by the spice, the lowest of which is a 3 for the curry. The lunch special is excellently priced, and is incredibly filling. I work extremely close to this gem and will be sure to return.
Cons: These are just barely cons, but the parking is terrible. The restaurant is also ill equipped for groups. I came with about 7 others, and the plates came 2 at a time, 5 minutes apart. That means that the first ones to get their plates were nearly finished by the time the last ones did. I was one of the first ones to get my plate, but would have been a little put off if I had to wait as long as some others. However, this is SO minor and the quality of the food you receive is worth the wait.

Driving from Arizona to orange county and decided to pull off the freeway to grab a quick bite. Found this Little gem on Unilocal and thought I would give it a try. The food here is amazing! The place is intimate and has a great ambience. The service, impeccable! The food was very tasty and extremely well priced. I had a lunch special with the soup, House salad, egg rolls, fried wonton, pad Thai and steam rice for only $ 7.99! Serious!!!
my sister had the Panang Curry and can’t stop talking about the flavor. It was bomb!
The next time I’m in the neighborhood I’m stopping again!

This place is great. The lunch menu is super cheap and the staff are always friendly. Just had lunch there for the 6^th or 7^th time. Always consistent.

Time to get someone in there old enough to control the kids maybe 10^th graders from screaming and yelling. I guess you are lucky no kids in there hearing f words yelled out. Just over the to from a few months ago. Pay them $ 10.00 hr and it goes to hell.

This is my go-​to spot for pickup. I’ve eaten here once and saw others constantly coming in for pickup orders. I guess others feel the same way about this place. Lol! Service is always friendly. Pickup orders are ready in 15 minutes and the portions are fairly big.
A typical order is Tom Kha soup, a curry, and Pad Thai. My husband and I always have leftovers. Their Tom Kha soup is like no other because of their Enoki mushrooms, which are noodle-​like. The Yellow Curry and Massaman Curry are my favorite curries. Two unusual curries that they have are the Thai Pumpkin and Pineapple. Pad Thai is always a good option, but I also recommend their Spicy Noodles. It’s flavorful and includes egg, basil, onions, and bell peppers.
I can always count on Pinto for quick, delicious food. I recommend eating their too. It’s a cute, homely restaurant with open seats.
Heads up! Their food isn’t too spicy so order a higher spice level than normal.

Excellent food and great service. Best Thai in TIerra Santa.. !!! You should try it.

Food was good but seemed really really (really) slow. We were one of two tables in restaurant + a few pickup orders. Probably 30 mins from ordering to plates. Odd for a place like this.

Love this place. It’s small but they also have a booming take out service. Good service and great friendly staff. Closed on Sundays

We stopped in to try this place on a Saturday night. It has kind of a charming ambiance for a strip mall restaurant. Sadly, we were almost the only ones who actually dined here. They seem to do a brisk business in take-​out. Like the other reviews say, the portions are generous and the food was really very good. The brown rice was about the best I’ve ever had. It was crunchy so I suspect it was fried. The music was old school and one of the proprietors was signing along, which made for a happy kind of vibe. We would definitely go back but kind of lonely without too many other diners on what should be a busy Saturday night!

One of my favorite hidden spots in Tierrasanta. They have a very small place so I usually just get the food to go. I love their yellow curry and the spring rolls.. Thai food in general is on the pricey side for me but I would say that they give you a good portion of food for their price.

Everything I’ve had here has been amazing. And the service is always great, whether it’s take out or if you dine in. I’m especially in love with their pineapple fried rice and Thai tea. It might seem like you’re paying a lot but it’s pretty good portions. I always enjoy the music inside too. Easily one of my favorite restaurants.

Satay Chicken is to die for! Love the peanut sauce. The rice is always done perfectly! This is my favorite take out place.

The staff here is super-​friendly and attentive. We love the variety on the menu and the wonderful flavor of everything we have ordered. It is a small space, yet it has a nice ambiance and welcoming feel.

I would come back here again the food was so good and the service was great. Their Tom kah was on point. It’s easy to miss this place it’s in a little plaza near round table. I had pad Thai and my friend had the chicken curry.

Updating my review from 2012.
Got takeout from here with my parents, remembering that they were pretty good several years ago.
It seems to have gone downhill in the way of food. I didn’t enjoy it and didn’t eat any of my leftovers. It lacked flavor. We got an order of Pad See Iew, Pad Thai, Panang Curry, and Pineapple Fried Rice.
Bottom line, they’re somewhere between a 2 and a 3.

This is a cute little spot. Tucked in a very small plaza so beware of parking since the spaces are really tight.
The cheesy crab wontons are an amazing start. Didn’t care much for their tom kha soup but it wasn’t bad. Completely impressed with their pad thai. I hate when the noodles in the pad thai are stuck together and they’re sticky. I absolutely hate it cus then it isn’t saucy but here it’s perfect. My friend ordered the pad see ew noodles, they weren’t bad. It could be a little more flavorful but all in all it was a great experience. Top off your lunch or dinner with their thai tea. It’s so refreshing and it isn’t soaked in creamer like most other thai restaurants.
Can’t wait to be back

I love to stop by for a Thai tea to go– huge Styrofoam-​cup full (I need to remember to bring my own mug, ew Styrofoam). Paying cash saves 5% or so. Living close my family (two adults and 2 boys under 8) love placing an order to go on nights I haven’t gotten dinner ready. The portions are very generous. We have always been happy with our orders and the times I’ve popped in for tea the staff has been very kind and pleasant.
From the menu the usual suspects for our dinners are:
Satay Chicken
Shrimp Pad Thai
Chicken Garlic & Pepper

Refreshing, friendly and good food. Delivery came within expected time, I recommend the roasted duck. Thai iced tea was perfect not too sweet and not tiny portions. Will use again.

The flavor combination of hot and sour is so… sublime that, for years, I’ve carried around this noir fantasy that I’m the character Burke in an Andrew Vachss novel (in female form — lets say Uma Thurman) who goes to the same restaurant at the same time every day at an off hour and has a bowl of hot and sour soup (you know, and gets the bad guy and saves the innocent child).
In T-​Town, the physical space at Pinto Thai Bistro is the closest match to my imaginary world. Six tables max. After dark, the walls reflect blue neon like they were painted navy. Barry Manilow sings Mandy over a PA system. There’s a faint echo of a chef singing along in the kitchen. An oversized modern chandelier hangs above a cool cubby at the front window. At lunch, Pinto Thai Bistro is packed, but the locals order takeout for dinner. On-​line ordering is available.
I order a small bowl of Tom Yum soup.
«What meat?»
Uma-​Burke would want mussels, calamari and mixed fish. «Chicken.»
“How spicy?“
Uma-​Burke would say 8. Maybe Uma-​Burke wouldn’t have to say — she comes in every day, after all. «Four.»
The flavor combination of lime, lemongrass, and chili peppers is invigorating. Enoki mushrooms accent the bowl like a pearl necklace. I would order the soup at spice level 6 next time. I am revitalized.
I want to order Pad Thai but I love Phrik Khing too much. I order Chicken Phrik King at spice-​level 4. (Uma-​Burke would order Phrik Khing with Pork at spice level 10. I think level 8 would be perfect for me for this dish). The green beans are fresh and crunchy, the chicken fresh, and the curry paste satisfying.
The unexpected gift this evening is the jasmine rice. How can I convey its excellence? I almost pass on rice and take a taste as an afterthought, thinking of rice as a side dish. The shape and subtle difference in texture — unique in a way that elevates — this jasmine rice is the centerpiece of the meal, or at least, dessert. I am right here. Right now.
Expect the usual strip mall parking for Pinto Thai Bistro. There are SUV-​accommodating spots closer to the street than the restaurant.