Saffron Thai

About the Business

Specialties

Thai food, healthy food, affordable food, quick service dining, to go, curbside delivery, Pad Thai, Grilled Chicken

History

Established in 1985.

The award-winning Saffron Thai is San Diego's first authentic Thai restaurant. Owner Su-Mei Yu opened the quaint take-out eatery on India Street's Restaurant Row in 1985, infusing spirituality with healthy cooking to develop an enticing menu of affordable and delicious dishes made using traditional Thai methods. Reasonable prices, a quick-service atmosphere, and fresh seasonal fare have made Saffron a continued favorite among San Diegans. Over the past 30 years, Saffron has been recognized as the "Best Of" Zagat and USA Today restaurant polls. San Diego Home / Garden Lifestyles Magazine has awarded numerous "Silver Fork Awards" to the restaurant and to Yu as "Restaurateur of the Year." Year after year Saffron is consistently named "Best Takeout" by San Diego Magazine readers as well. Su-Mei has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine and on numerous television programs including the Today Show, Good Morning America and Martha Stewart.

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Su-Mei Y.

Business Owner

I have lived off and on in San Diego since 1967, when I came here as a graduate student at San Diego State University in the School of Social Work. After graduation, I left to work and live in Ventura County and returned again in 1979 as an assistant professor at my alma mater and have lived here ever since.From when I was 12 years old, I dreamed of coming to study in America. I came here as a foreign student from Thailand when I was 15 to a boarding school for girls located in a small town called Midway, Ky., with the population of 150 people. After five years, I moved to California.My life in California, and especially San Diego, grounded me so I could pursue and live a life that combined my traditional Asian upbringing with an American spirit -- free and independent.Cooking became my tool for forming friendships and later my livelihood. Cooking also became an educational guide, opening my eyes to the love of history, cultures and traditions...