Patricia Dwyer / Staff Photographer

Thai restaurants have grown in popularity through the years, but only one holds the title of first Thai restaurant established in San Diego. Founded 24 years ago, Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken was the first to begin the trend of Thai dining in San Diego. Located in Mission Hills, Saffron is family owned by Su-Mei Yu, a prominent chef and Bangkok native. “The restaurant is Su-Mei’s life,” supervisor Jose Martinez said. “She treats us like family. I’ve been working here for 14 years. Yu imports some of the spices from Thailand and uses them in the recipes.”The restaurant’s décor represents the colorful streets of Bangkok. Lining the walls of Saffron is a beautiful assortment of glass art from Dale Chihuly, the famous glass sculptor known for his work at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The restaurant also has Thai statues and vibrant paintings. Saffron’s menu contains a wide range of authentic, reasonably priced Thai cuisine. Saffron offers Tomm Yam Noodle Soup and Rad-Na-Thin Noodles, both served with the option of beef, chicken or pork. There are also a variety of chicken dishes and sauces, such as peanut, chutney and sriracha. Saffron also caters to vegetarians, offering vegetable stir-fried noodles and soup as well as dishes with shrimp or tofu. “Food is more than just food, it is tradition and culture,” said Yu. “At Saffron, we try and be as authentic as possible. My focus is health.” Not only is health important at Saffron, global warming is also emphasized. Yu encourages customers to help by bringing their own containers, utensils and baskets for tak-out. In return for helping reduce waste, 10 percent is taken off your bill. Out of all the Thai restaurants in San Diego, Saffron makes you feel at home and keeps you coming back for more. The recipes are straight from the streets of Bangkok and do not disappoint. Next time you hear the noise of your growling stomach, head to Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken.

Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken 3731 India St. San Diego, CA 92103