The nastiest food I've ever been served
Being new to Auburn, CA my fiancee and myself have been trying different restaurants in town. Tonight we tried out David's Thai Cuisine. Although it didn't look like much from outside ya never know what might be that hidden gem. The Harley sweatshirted waitress directed us to take any table "with two seats", there were no other patrons in the restaurant.

We ordered a couple of beers and noted there were no Oriental people in the kitchen. We ordered a chicken and noodle dish and a stir fried vegetarian dish with rice, one of which came with the house soup. Within a short time our soup was delivered. A salty concoction of way over-cooked cabbage in some sort of fishy broth. We began to worry. Within 5 (yes very fast) minutes our order was delivered to the table. Both dishes looked identical, in fact, they were. The chicken dish did have chicken in it, the veggie dish did have some mushrooms. Both were comprised basically of cabbage and what were obviously Top Ramen noodles and more than an abundant amount of salt. We explored...tried different pieces...looked for a bright side...and gave up.

I went to the register to pay for the food I did order. We were asked if we were satisfied to which I replied "no" and asked if they used Top Ramen noodles. The guy replied he "didn't cook there and was not sure" We were asked if we wanted the food packaged to go...Ummm...."no". I assume it was the owner who approached and ask if we did not like the food, I told him it was all just too salty and we didn't care for the food. I asked him if they used Top Ramen noodles, he muttered something about what type they were, turned and walked away. We were offered no apologies, no discount and were rang up for $30 for food I know my dog wouldn't touch. My appetite being ruined, I drove towards home. As the metallic aftertaste from the single piece of chicken and the one single noodle I ate grew in my mouth, so did my anger, mostly at myself for agreeing to pay for that swill and leaving a tip to boot.    [25 Feb 2003 22:46:29]

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Recommended Dishes: Taco Bell

     ­Ed BeDell   punkined at excite dot com

Gawdawful...This is not like any Thai you've tried
I've been a fan of Thai food for more than 15 years, and have eaten hundreds of such meals, so I can say with some confidence that this is the WORST THAI FOOD I have ever eaten. My favorite recipes were served up inedibly.

We started with a coconut-chicken-lemongrass-galanga soup (usually called Tom Kah Gai). Unfortunately, this version tasted as if it were made with undissolved wheat flour particles for thickening and vinegar for "tanginess." Uggh. The chicken bits were undercooked (though plentiful); I don't recall seeing a single mushroom.
When we sent it back as not fit for eating, the waitress told us "no refunds," "we're not responsible for your dining choices," "you order it, you pay for it," and "Please don't take it out on me in the tip." She sounded as if she'd practiced this speech before. Hmmm....
We followed with a red curry that tasted predominantly sweet (not what we think of as Thai curry) and pad thai (rice noodles with peanut sauce and shrimp), which was at least bearable.
The decor, plates, cutlery, glasses, reflected the cast-offs that a remodeled Denny's might have donated to charity ten years ago.
Poor customer service, bad decor, and "Thai food" that bears little resemblance to actual Thai food.... so bad it was surreal. We were left wondering how a place like this can possibly stay in business, since we couldn't imagine anyone coming back a second time. As for us, we wish we'd walked out.    [28 Apr 2003 12:18:10]

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Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Anonymous   

In David's Thai's defense
Now wait just a minute. It's not nearly that bad. I'm quite the Thai fan, having eaten at 15-20 Thai restaurants in the past few years. What can be said of David's Thai is that if you are in Auburn, and do not want fast food or other chain type fare, this is a fine choice. Is there better Thai? Oh yes. But the food at David's Thai is distinctive, proper, and all ingredients are fresh. Do not go in for the service, the decor, or the house soup....but the Pad Thai & curry dishes are the best you're going to get in the foothills.....    [07 Apr 2004 20:10:24]

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Recommended Dishes: Pad Thai, green curry

     ­unk   

Best in NorCal
I don't know what the other reviewers ate, but it sounds like they were in a different restaurant than the one I've frequented for years. This restaurant is different --- and authentic. If you want McDonald's Thai, and that's what you're used to, David's may not be for you. When I first ate here, I was amazed. Fantastic --- and too many dishes to choose from (the Chef/Owner is Thai, by the way and has been known to close for three weeks to travel back to Thailand). How good is this place? Good enough that I now live 70 miles away and will still make the drive when I have the chance. Everyone else is fighting for 2nd place. Best dish? Nuah Phat Pick. Get it HOT. Service ---? Great if you're friendly, watch out if you come in with an attitude or try to eat macho hot, fail, and want a refund! Ambiance? Limited. Hey, it's a strip center.    [22 Apr 2006 19:15:09]

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Recommended Dishes: Nuah Phat Pick

     ­Anonymous   

How Many David's in Thailand??
Non-authentic. Visit only if you blow a tire, are extemely cold and hungry or if you are masochistic. Better off opening your car window in the freeway and dumping out your cash.    [23 Oct 2006 18:20:13]

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     ­Anonymous   

Best Thai food around
I have been to this restaurant for 16 years. It has the best Thai food out of any I have tried. He has so much on the menu so it's hard to choose from. The staff there is really friendly and all of his meals are cooked fresh.    [24 Oct 2006 00:53:19]

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     ­Anonymous   kissy1420 at yahoo dot com

Great Food, Bad Service, Bad atmosphere
The food is very good. I am a big fan of Thai food and have tries every Thai restaurant in the area. Dave's is the best tasting. However the physical restaurant is rundown and the service sucks. Therefore, I usually get take out.

FYI - Dave is full blooded Thai.    [31 May 2007 20:28:42]

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     ­Anonymous   

Having eaten at literally hundreds of Thai restaurants in my life I can say with confidence that Dave's is in the top five I have ever tried.    [26 Jan 2008 11:35:46]

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Recommended Dishes: Never had a bad one, and I have tried most of 'em. . . .

     ­Anonymous   

This Place Is as Close to Thailand as You Can Get!
I have been going to David's since the early 1990's. The food is 100% authentic. The atmosphere is not luxurious, but it is clean! The wait staff is friendly and fun. If you go to the Ma-and-Pa places in Thailand, this is pretty darn close. David the chef (who is Thai) is always there and cooks the food. Flavors are great and very authentic. We have taken friends from Thailand to David’s; they have walked away with a smile on their face and a happy stomach. We have gone to five-star Thai restaurants in San Francisco and other major cities. While these restaurant were high-end, expensive, and served exceptional/delicious/gourmet/fusion food, that is not why you would go to David’s.    [15 Feb 2008 13:04:24]

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Recommended Dishes: Catfish

     ­Albert from Elk Grove   

Amazing
The best Thai food I have ever had. David, who is Thai, is always in the kitchen if it's open. The service is not that of some five-star restaurant, where the are on their knees for you just because they want a pricey tip, but if you are friendly, they will be friendly back. I feel like I am a cultured person, and I have eaten at a huge variety of oriental restaurants. As far as Thai food goes, David's is the best. When you ask for hot, David gives it to you hot. If you can't handle the spice, stay around a 3. If you're not Thai, stay away from a 10. The food is going to be very different from that of the many Americanized Thai restaurants that are all over the place. But David's food is very authentic and very delicious.    [21 Feb 2008 23:23:44]

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Recommended Dishes: Red curry chicken, laab

     ­Chris   cjod86 at gmail dot com