Fantastic boat noodle soup! Really interesting flavors, tangy, spicy, and meaty all in one! Not like anything else I’ve had in a long time. Friendly service too. I’ll be back!

Friendly & personable Staff with the best customer service I have experienced in a long time. The Red Thai Curry was creamy with the perfect spice, and the temperature was hot making it irresistibly delicious. I want to try everything on the menu.

Visiting from the RGV. Absolutely loved the place! Amazing food, great ambiance, and the service was so great. Definitely coming back. Ordered the beef Thai plate and drunken noodles, both 10/10

What an adorable little place! Both ladies were so appreciative of our visit. The food was beyond delicious!!!!!! Drunken beef noodles were sooo good but the Nam Khao was the star!! What an amazingly delicious dish!!! I highly recommend this place!! We will be back!!

Best thai red curry I’ve had in Houston 🤤 I’m a curry fanatic and have also had some pretty amazing curry in Thailand. This one is up there with those. Sooo flavorful and has a perfect spicy kick to it. It’s a small, local place and decorated nicely. I don’t eat meat but the meat in the Thai red curry can be swapped for tofu, just wanted to note that for my fellow vegan and vegetarians.

Second time here. Brought some coworkers this time. The owner is awesome. The food is second to none. I actually crave this place and food. I haven't had a single thing I didn't like. Today I split the Nam Khou and their pork egg rolls with a tea. For desert we had the mango sticky rice. OMG!!! this place is a hidden gem. I will be back again and again.

+6

I’ve been following Phojita for a while and was excited when they opened a store front! The food was great as always. I ordered the Nam Khao, papaya salad (spicy), and the Laos chicken noodle soup. With the weather getting colder, the soup really did hit the spot! The noodles are made fresh and the chicken was so soft and tasty!

I'm very pleasant to find out this new Thai restaurant. The food is very authetic. The chef told us all the recipes are from her mom's home cooking. The papaya salad was very flavorful. The boat noodle soup was fresh made in the morning. The beef jerky, and craspy rice salad were also outstanding. I would come again and try the other dishes on the menu.

All I can say is wow!!! I’ve been driving past this place for awhile now. I noticed this cute storefront about a year ago maybe??! When my friend suggested it because her friend is the owner, I was excited to go! The service is awesome! You feel like you’re amongst family. We were immediately offered the Thai Tea which is green and reminded me of my matcha. It was SO GOOD! I had the Lao Chicken Soup Pho and feel so much better than I did this morning when I woke up! My friend had the Beef Basil. I’m definitely doing that next time cause there will be a next time. Sorry to post the empty bowl but I forgot to take a picture of it when she set it on the table! The place is so little and intimate. I love how quaint it is! Definitely coming back!

This place is a hidden gem. The owner is always present and personable. Very hardworking and keeps the restaurant spec less. They have limited menu for a reason because every item on the menu is just amazing. We tried, Thai red curry, nam khao, drunken noodles, coconut mango sticky rice dessert they are all best, I bet you can’t find better than here in whole Houston.

+6

It's been a minute since I enjoyed some good Thai food. Good Thai is a hard find in my neighborhood up in The Woodlands so I ventured closer to the city for this meal. I was not disappointed with any part of my meal or the service. I asked for a spicy papaya salad and that's what they gave me. It was amazing and it made me cry a little. Tears of joy. I also had the beef and basil stir fry with two fried eggs. It came with a pungent broth that I would have enjoyed alone with a side of rice. Simple, homy and authentic. I also enjoyed some of my friends cucumber salad with noodles. Miss Suley (please forgive the spelling) wasn't just helpful and nice but she gave us some history about one of the dishes we were eating. I enjoyed my meal very much and will come again for a second helping of that papaya salad. Thank you for the meal.

It always been a delight eating here at Sao Lao. I've enjoyed every dish on the menu but have to highlight the Boat Noodle, Papaya salad (be warned their mild is spicy and their spicy is extremely spice), Lao sausage, Nam Khao and Mango Sticky Rice as a must have if this is your first time here.

Oh how we love Sao Lao. The food is incredible (!!) and the service is so kind and welcoming. Every single thing I’ve ever eaten there has been memorable. We love these folks!

My gosh! Brought my parents here for the first time and loved it. The girls there are so attentive, polite and clean! The food is fantastic, the portions are big so you might want to share which is always a plus to try different things! We also the had the green Thai tea which is a bit sweet for me but was still refreshing and satisfying. I had the red curry with chicken and my gosh it was so good, creamy, the chicken dissolved, I’ve never been a fan of egg plant and the way they prepared it was so juicy and delicious! While we were there so many people came to pick up orders! Anyway definitely try it out if you are looking for tasteful and autentique Thai food!

These guys were awesome. Food was so flavorful, we had the Thai red curry and pork belly dish. Will definitely be back. Pic is of the pork belly.

First time visitor. Ordered my standard drunken noodles with medium heat. The dish was savory and full of flavor The heat was right on target Service was quick and the interior is very cute. Can't wait to go back!

The restaurant is located in the Garden Oaks area. The protein option can be substituted on any dish. I ordered the drunken noodles with shrimp. Oh boy, was it scrumptious. I also ordered a green Thai tea. This was the best green tea I have ever had. The restaurant was small and clean with a terrific atmosphere. The owner was extremely friendly.

The Khao Piek (chicken noodle soup) is the best I ever had! The broth has so much flavor & noodles are the right consistency! We will definitely be back.

Very impressed by this place, they used to be a food truck so pivoting to table service must be hard, however they’re doing this super smoothly! The food is very good yet very mild so if you like spice make sure you tell them. They also have a chili garlic oil you can add to your food that’s delicious.

Mango sticky rice and crispy fried rice is pretty good, although I wish their crispy fried rice was more on the ‘crispy’ side! Their papaya salad is not too bad either but I wish it was spicier! Every time I ask these Thai/Laos places that I want something ‘Asian’ spicy, it always comes out being extremely mild and disappointing.

Was in the neighborhood and thought to give this cozy spot a try: I wasn’t disappointed! Ordered the Lao sausage, mushroom salad and papaya salad. The food came out fast and definitely fresh. We were treated really well, too. We’ll be back!

Every dish here at Sao Lao Thai Cafe is marvelous. But in particular, I really like this Lao Chicken noodle soup. I luv anything with a flavourful broth and this is comfort food especially perfect during in cold days. Lao Chicken noodle soup - hand made fresh rice noodles in a 8-hr slow simmered chicken broth, quail eggs, cilantro and green onions. I luv quail eggs and I think this is the 1st time I had quail eggs in a broth and I luv it. OMG! And remember to order its cold Thai tea, it's so smooth & addictive yet refreshing at the same time.

Nut allergy warning: Several dishes have nuts sprinkled on top, so make sure the staff are aware. This place is phenomenal. Eight months from their opening, Sao Lao delivers phenomenal food at reasonable prices. The famous Boat Noodles absolutely lived up to the hype (a "mix of bun bo hue, pho, and canh chua") and the Drunken Noodles were very flavorful (highly recommend a bowl of rice on the side). The boat noodles were the perfect amount of spice, flavor, meat, and noodles and the owner has spent 7 years perfecting the recipe of 40+ ingredients. It was so good, I brought my family back on the same week to try it again.

Came to Sao Lao for lunch under a friends recommendation and it did not disappoint! Friendly staff and the food was simply wonderful! Every dish was perfectly balanced with the seasoning, the spices and the savoriness. I loved the Papaya Salad as well as the Boat Noodle Soup. I also highly recommend the Thai Red Curry and the Lao Sausage with Sticky rice!

These are my favorite type of places, a gem to say the least. I have a feeling ill be back. Great papaya salad, drunken noodles and Nam khao. Beef Jerky.

First time coming here for an early dinner date. It's a small, tidy spot with very friendly staff. The food came out quickly and was delicious! Will definitely be back.

Came here as a recommendation from a coworker and it did not disappoint! I brought the rest of my team with me for a delicious dinner and we couldn’t stop talking about how delicious the food was for the entire night. I had the pork belly basil but got to taste everyone else’s dishes and all were equally as amazing. Will definitely come back in the future since they sold out of their mango sticky rice!

I recently had the pleasure for lunch at Sao Lao Thai cafe, a cozy gem that offers a fantastic blend of Lao and Thai flavors. The staff was attentive and friendly, providing excellent recommendations. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared. The portion sizes were generous.

The owners are a pleasure to talk to. Their food is fantastic. Every dish we ordered was impressive.

+1

This is a must-try spot in Houston. We stopped in for lunch on New Year's Day. It was busy but service was excellent. We shared three dishes - the boat noodle soup, mushroom laab, and Thai Pork Basil. They were out of nam khao when we visited, something I want to go back and try. Everything was delicious and full of flavor. The pork basil was probably our favorite of the three dishes, but I would order them all again. The owner shared her story about opening the business and how she designed the menu. Beginning to end this is a great experience. Highly recommend stopping here.

+6

Got take out and wish I would have dined in since everyone working up front was so friendly and helpful. Everything on the menu looks excellent but we narrowed it down to the Drunken noodle and Thai Chicken Basil. Great Thai food in Houston!

Cozy Thai eatery with unbelievably good food! The owner was fantastic!! She takes orders, waits tables, and interacts with every single patron of the restaurant. She makes some of the foods herself by hand and it shows. There are lots of unique dishes here, and it has an authenticity to it that I’ve not found with other Thai places in Houston. Oh and it’s shockingly reasonably priced for the quality you get. Will be back!

Small, simple eatery serving Laotian and Thai food that’s pretty authentic. Portions are generous and the food is served fast by friendly staff. We ordered the Nam Khao crispy fried rice seasoned with curry paste. We swapped out the pork for tofu. Really enjoyed this dish. We tried the papaya salad, something we would eat almost daily during our visits to Thailand. It was OK but there was something about the seasoning that I didn’t like. My wife enjoyed it, though. Finally, we tried the Mushroom Laab, which had a nice minty flavor. I would definitely go back to the Sai Lao Thai Cafe.

+2

Absolutely love this place! My boyfriend and I both tried the drunken noodles and the dumplings. The dumplings were good and the drunken noodles were amazing. We got our spice level at 5 (my boyfriend who is okay with spice but doesn't love spicy things, thought it was slightly spicier than he would have liked. He recommends a 3. Me on the other hand, who loves spice, didn't think it was spicy enough and would recommend a 7 at least. I got extra peppers on the side and ended up adding them all.) The owner was really nice and very personable. The restraunt itself has a cute modern black and white style to it but also feels very welcoming. I absolutely recommend this place! Even if it is not on your path, it is worth taking the deture! It has great food and great service! (There were two more dumplings than in the picture but we ate them before I took a photo)

Super excited I had the opportunity to come by to try this restaurant. It is super popular on FB. We had the chance to speak with the owner. Her story and origin of this restaurant is amazing. The food was not only good but told a story. This was food that she grew up on. Papaya salad 5/5 I typically am not a big fan of papaya salad, due to the sweetness and mildness of the salad. Here it’s a good mix. It isn’t too sweet, but very very spicy. (Thai spicy) I’m an avid crawfish eater and like my stuff burning hot, this got me addicted. Lao beef jerky and sausage 4/5 It was really tasty! I liked that they came with sticky rice. Rad Na 5/5 This was sooo tasty. The flavor was savory but not overwhelming. It’s almost so smooth tho could slurp it like soup. Nam Khao 5/5 I only had a couple bites but it was really really tasty! Had a crunch to it. I’m late to the nam khao game but will try it again. Boat Noodle Soup 4/5 I have no experience in this type of dish. It was my second time trying the boat noodle soup. A lot of people rave about this dish from here. You should definitely try it! Lao chicken noodle soup 5/5 This was so comforting. I could see myself eating this on cold days, sick days, hangovers. Let’s be real anyday. It’s light but tasty.

+4

Laid back, counter service with personable staff and delicious food. Menu changes due to chef/owner new recipes and availability of ingredients, which means you could get something delicious and new every visit. The Chicken Chicharrones were amazing. The Thai Tea was delicious. The Nam Khao and Thai Ground Pork Basil were outstanding.

Small homey thao/Laotian eatery that opened about 7 months ago. The staff is very patient and helpful with answering questions. Apparently the chef is Thai/Laotian and wanted to pay homage to her roots. The location is far from the heart of Houston, but the food is worth the drive. Got the Laotian sausage and chicken and veggie dumplings for appetizers and the chicken noodle soup, Thai basil chicken, drunken noodles, and red curry for main dishes. Everything had so much flavor and this was definitely a good serving size for 5 people. My favorite dishes were the dumplings, drunken noodles, and the red curry. The red curry was sooo good with good size chunks of eggplant and chicken. We got medium spice for everything which was a little strong, so I would get the noodles mild next time. The chicken noodle soup tastes like a hearty soup that would be perfect for cold weather or if someone was sick. The other reviews raved about the boat noodles which I would love to come back and try sometime!

+3

Absolutely delicious! We came here for the first time today and had high expectations... Well, they were exceeded. The service was wonderful, the place is really nice and the food outstanding! We had been following Pho-jita food truck for a while, and it’s great to see that their restaurant also has quite the loyal following thanks to social media. We had Thai Basil Chicken, Drunken Noodles, the very popular Boat Noodle Soup, and Coconut Mango Sticky Rice.

+3

Tried Sao Lao for the first time tonight and LOVED it! Everything we ate was absolutely delicious and the service was 10/10. The owner gave us great recommendations and made us feel right at home. We shared the Lao sausage, Nam Khao, Thai basil with beef, and drunken noodles, and it was more than enough food for 3 people. We already can’t wait to come back!

Simply one of the best dining experiences in Houston.... authentic Lao cuisine and culture with every bite. This place should be bursting with even more customers. I have nothing "bad" to say...I've been many times, have ordered several different menu items, dined in and ordered to go and the food was always excellent....no complaints at all....and the owner is a great person as well. If you're on the north side, don't hesitate, eat at Sao Lao

We got the Drunken Noodles and the Thai Lao Pho. Both were amazing and packed with flavor. We also tried the chicken wings which were full sized and delicious. The owners are so sweet and welcoming. Highly recommend giving this place a try. They are also BYOB with a $5 corking fee.

Sao-Lao Thai Café is the kind of spot that feels special the moment you step inside. It’s not flashy or overdone — instead, the space radiates a quiet charm, with simple décor, neat tables, and a welcoming energy that puts you at ease right away. There’s an intimacy here that makes it just as great for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for bringing friends to try something new. The food is where Sao-Lao truly shines. Every dish feels fresh, balanced, and layered with the kinds of flavors you only get when a kitchen cooks with heart. The spices are bold without overwhelming, the textures come together beautifully, and the portions are generous enough to leave you full but still wanting to come back. It’s a menu that celebrates authenticity while still feeling accessible. Service ties it all together. The staff greet you warmly, explain the menu with care if you need guidance, and always check in with genuine attention. You never feel rushed, only looked after. All in all, Sao-Lao Thai Café is a hidden gem in Houston — five stars for food, hospitality, and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home.

+6

Amazing place! It was 5 of us and we all left full and satisfied. For appetizers we ordered egg rolls and dumplings; yummy! Best fried rice (Nam Khao) we’ve had in Houston. My husband and I shared the Drunken noodles, so we ordered them mild, with extra peppers and hot sauce on the side for him (made him cry with joy). The girls who served were very helpful and friendly. The owner took the time to take our pictures and even pose with us. Looking forward to coming back.

My first time ordering here. I placed a call for pickup and the lady that took the order was very courteous. We ordered the chicken drunken noodles , basil beef and sticky mango rice. All of the food was delicious. We are definitely going back to try different dishes.

Haven’t had pho like this before and I love it! The Lao sausage is made in house and was very good. And the coconut sticky rice did not disappoint !! I’m looking forward to having more things from the menu!

I’ve had many Thai red curry’s from many places, and I have to say that Sao Lao is the very best. Creamy, rich, flavorful - just perfect. Additionally, the owner is the kindest person you’ll meet - such a pleasure. I ordered carry out today and forgot how lovely the restaurant was. It was lively with friends and family, sharing laughs and smiles enjoying great food & service. Will definitely be dining for more great food + my husband in the very near future. Definitely recommend giving it a try! 😊

Nice hole in the wall spot! Auntie owner there is a real spitfire, very lively and energetic! Food is good, well seasoned! Store is pretty clean in general as well!!

When I believed that Thai cuisine had reached its pinnacle, I stumbled upon yet another delightful surprise. I shall certainly revisit this establishment. I highly recommend their soups and pork skins. The flavors were exquisite, and the service was impeccable. It is a wonderful place to unwind and savor a meal with friends and family.

This place has taken over as my favorite Thai restaurant in Houston (and that's saying something given the stiff competition!). What I like about this place is that they serve up different types of cuisine vs. your typical pad thais and curries. I would highly recommend getting (in order): 1) Nam Khao; 2) Drunken Noodles; 3) Red Curry. The owners are also awesome people - loved their energy and hospitality

Food was hot fresh and sooo flavorful. Delicious, some of the best food around! The lady working the front made us feel right at home as soon as we walked in. She kept the atmosphere was warm and fun. Great service amazing food and there’s parking…10/10 recommend:)

Came in with my colleagues after they mentioned this wonderful spot. The food was amazing and the service was very friendly. Definitely will make you feel at home. The egg rolls and wings was very good. Whenever I travel to Houston , I will always show up .

Ara Pru

Love this place! The husband and wife who own it are so sweet and kind. The food is authentic, fresh, and absolutely delicious. We’ll definitely be back!

Carmen Hibbard

If you want really good food that cooked from the heart, served in a quaint little neighborhood restaurant with a welcoming dose of warm & friendly service, THIS is it! After hearing good things, We went for a weeknight dinner out & we were both blown away by everything we ate and the happy & informative service. We shared the Lao Beef Jerky appetizer that is served with sticky rice & Lao tomato sauce. What an absolutely scrumptious start! We were already won over at this point. We shared entrees trying the Red Curry with eggplant & green beans (I chose chicken) & Nam Khao. The curry was a tad less sweet than you sometimes get in restaurants, which I liked. Eggplant is not always my favorite vegetable, but this was delicious! My son even commented on how perfectly the eggplant was cooked. The Nam Khao was a massive portion of fried rice, red curry, coconut, green onions, & these tasty and crispy little gems of fermented pork. You roll portions of rice in lettuce leaves to eat it. My hungry 15yo ate maybe half before fullness defeated him but loved every bite & asked to take the rest to school for lunch the next day. We also had Thai red tea & unsweet tea that were both served in huge glasses that were bigger than your average already big tea glasses. We definitely plan to add this absolute treasure to our regular rotation of neighborhood spots. They also do BYOB. I'm already planning in my head what wine I will take to go with the truly delicious Laotian food for the next time.

+1

Absolutely blown away by Sao Lao Thai Café! I’ve driven past this spot so many times, and I’m so glad we finally stopped in. The food was phenomenal—especially the Lao sausage appetizer with sticky rice and sauce (I could eat that as a full meal). The Thai red curry with ribeye was perfectly balanced and spicy just the way I like it. They even make their own Thai chili crisp—do not leave without grabbing a jar. Souli, the owner, is incredibly warm and attentive, and the whole place has this cozy, welcoming vibe. Plus—it’s BYOB, which is such a bonus for a casual date night. My partner loved the drunken noodles, though I personally found the soy sauce flavor a bit stronger than I prefer—but that’s just my taste. We’re already planning to come back for the boat noodles. Can’t recommend this place enough—definitely one of the best Thai/Lao meals I’ve had in the area!

+2

Brett Harmeling

Where Thai and Laos come together to make some of the best dishes I’ve tasted in my life. Souli is a masterful chef and beautiful, strong spirit. You cannot go wrong with any of these fine crafted dishes! 10/10 recommend!

+6

Ithza Moreno

My mom and I walked in on a whim after a day of shopping and so glad we did. On the recommendation of the gentleman at the counter (the owner’s nephew), we ordered the boat noodle soup and Thai red curry. Both were incredible. We shared everything and were thrilled with every bite. By the time our mango sticky rice came out, we were already full but it was so good, we powered through anyway. The atmosphere is small but welcoming, the service was great, and the food is so worth it. We’ll definitely be back and you should, too!

Maria Queen

What an amazing experience! The food was delicious and the owner was the best! I had their special chicken noodle soup with qual eggs and it hit the spot post-winter storm! My sister had the chicken basil and as you can see from the picture, she loved it and finished it all. I’m so full of not id try their beef jerky, my sister said it was yummy. Definitely coming back to try the rest of their menu.

Love this place! Cozy restaurant with amazing food. I’ve tried a lot of dishes, and everything has been so good. The Nam Khao is a must try, it’s so flavorful and the crispy rice is just perfect. The red curry is a favorite as well. I also love the atmosphere, the owners are so friendly and attentive, service is great, always makes me want to come back! They also did catering for my business grand opening. They were so helpful with order, made the process smooth and easy. We ordered a ton of food, and it was on time and amazing! Everyone loved it!

Misty La

Absolutely love this place! The food is incredible and flavorful! The kind of meal you keep thinking about after you leave. What truly makes this restaurant special, though, is the owner Souli. She is welcoming, kind and genuinely made us feel like family. It’s rare to find a place where the hospitality matches the quality of food. Highly recommend and will def be back. Sao Lao Cafe deserves all the love and support! Please get the Boat Noodles you won’t be disappointed.

K Pitlik

Absolutely exquisite food, family, and atmosphere. Three thumbs up hands down. A top restaurant and experience. Quality is beyond awesome. Bursting with flavor. Go check them out you will not be disappointed.

From the moment we walked in for a quick lunch date to the time we left, everything was amazing! The customer service was top-tier, the food was absolutely delicious, and the cozy atmosphere made it even better. We will definitely be back!

Alex Y

What a gem in the neighborhood. Everything was excellent. We got the Lao jerky, nam khao, red curry, tom yum and lao sausage. The red curry was some of the best i've had in houston. The sausage was unbelievably good, I've had it in many other places and its usually on the drier side or the beef is overly processed and very dense. This sausage was beyond expectation. The owner was also incredibly friendly and nice. We will most definitely be coming back again to try other dishes. highly recommend!

Branko B

Vibe: Warm, cozy, family-run atmosphere. Very welcoming and relaxed. Service: Friendly, attentive, and genuinely kind staff. Food: Fresh, flavorful, and well balanced Thai dishes. Location & Parking: Easy to find off Shepherd just north of 610. Plenty of parking. Overall: Great spot for families, friends, or coworkers. Definitely worth coming back.

Gary D J

Probably one of the best red Thai curry I have had. I know next time I come back I'll be getting the chicken wings. The place is a little small but it's definitely worth the wait. The portions are big. I left full and satisfied.

Laddavanh So

Food is Bomb.com legit authentic laos and Thai food. Makes me miss my mom's home cooking. If you've never been its a must try whether you choose to dine in their cozy atmosphere or grab it Togo. Best part you can customize your spice level to your preference. Just a few of my favs drunken noodles, boat noodles, and never the less Lao sausage! Never go wrong with laos sausages!!!

Melodie Wilson

If I could give 10 stars, I would! This place always delivers, but this time they went above and beyond. My family was in town for just one day, and the owner stayed open late just to accommodate us — with smiles, kindness, and absolutely top-notch hospitality. The food came out piping hot and somehow tasted even better than the last amazing time we were here. Every dish was perfection. If you want leveled-up food and service that truly cares, this is the spot. Don’t sleep on this spot!

Chris Lareau

First time here today. Very nice little cafe. The soup i tried came out very hot and fresh. Plenty of meat in it. I was served by Neng who was friendly and helpful with the menu. Will certainly be back to try some of the other great dishes they have here.

saintvagito

Very good food and service. Budget friendly It’s a tiny local owned restaurant. They are kinda short staff, so it may takes a bit time for seating and cleaning. Obviously is a self-service restaurant but the server still providing service.

Not a big menu and not your typical Thai options (I’m usually a Pad Thai fan) but these Laotian noodles were delicious!! Drunken Noodle — a little spicy and might add more noodles — just me, but taste is great! My husband had never tried Pho before and loved it here. Staff was very attentive and friendly.

We had the boat noodle and it was pretty good. The broth was flavorful but not as thick as I'd like. There was plenty of meat to to enjoy till the last bite and the staff was friendly. I would definitely come back and try another dish If I'm ever in the neighborhood again.

The food was good. I think the spice in the drunken was a bit too over powering for me but that isn't to say someone else wouldn't love it. The pho has great flavor, sadly I can't say I like quail eggs 😔. The service was great and friendly. Nice ma and pa feel shop.

My experience comes with a caveat: I did not like the food I ordered. It is not the fault of the establishment, it just happens what I chose was offensive to my own taste preferences. I might try something different on the menu that might satisfy me. Ok on to the review. Place is nice and clean with a fair amount of seating. Maybe 6 plus tables. You sit down at the table, they hand you a menu and you pay at the counter. There is an infrared water and ice dispenser to the right of it. I ordered the papaya salad (11). It was of good portion and was very fresh. The papaya was shredded into thin strands and had very good fibrous chew. It drenched in fish sauce and a very spicy chili. The dish was very good, but a bit too salty with the large amount of fish sauce. The chili while very intense, actually kept me encouraged enough to finish it along with the cabbage and lettuce served to the side. I then ordered the "Thai" boat soup. I heard rave reviews about how good it is, so I eagerly anticipated while the broth was finished cooking. I took a taste of the thick broth and was immediately disappointed with what I tasted. I hated it and so did my eating companion. It had hoisin sauce as part of the soup base. I strongly dislike hoisin sauce and the soup had it in such quantity that it took me quite a bit while to finish the other items in the soup. Technically the bowl was perfect. The rice noodles were firm. There was plenty of blanched ribeye meat. The amount of meatballs were sufficient , and I enjoyed the vegetables and pork rinds in the soup. If it wasn't for my strong dislike of the broth, I would have enjoyed my meal more. Service was excellent. Next time I will have to ask a bit more about the items on the menu.

+2

While it’s not much to look at outside, the inside is homey and comfortable. We started off with hot tea. I appreciate that they gave us 3 tea bags. I wish the teapot was larger with a cap. It didn’t take long for the hot water to cool off. They also gave us jar of mostly solidified honey with a wooden honey dipper. I had to ask them to microwave the honey to melt it. I would have preferred a honey squeeze bottle. 1. Egg rolls. Nothing special here that you can get elsewhere. 2. Lao sausage: this was flavorful and tasty. 3. Boat noodle soup: This was quite tasty. Soup was tangy and full of flavors. Although I’ve had something similar before I feel that this will be a hit with locals. 4. Drunken noodles: This wasn’t bad. Flavors were there but taste is not what I’m used to for Drunken noodles. Overall I thought the food was decent. I’m always glad to see another authentic Asian restaurant give us a peek of their culture.

+2

We came during lunch. This place was really busy even though it’s a fairly small restaurant with about 8 tables. The employees were hustling the whole time to clean and turn tables. The boat noodle soup was delicious. The drunken noodles were ok. The beef wasn’t very tender and the noodles were very broken. It was hard to pick up most of that dish with chopsticks. The owner was very friendly, attentive and engaging. Will come back to try other dishes.

Came here for the boat noodles since I have seen many recommendations & good reviews about it. Overall, I like the boat noodles, it is like a mix of tomyum in beef broth. The beef is very soft. Beside that, I would recommend the green thai tea & mango sticky rice. Be careful to ask about the hot level before placing an order because most of their food is very spicy.

+3

We had Thai chicken basil, drunken noodles,Thai red curry and crispy lao fried rice Crispy lao fried rice was too lemony for me but tofu in the rice was good . Drunken noodles Thai chicken basil and Thai red curry were full of flavor. The food was different in taste from traditional Thai - maybe Laos influence. Do recommend !

Nathan Reed

Was here a couple time before and we used to love their boat noodles. I'm not sure if they had a change of chef or recipe or something but last time we stopped it was really different. Hopefully they can bring back the old flavor. We live in Pearland but love to travel here just for that

Brent Braveman

Lunch at Sao Loa Cafe Saturday at 11:30. It was good, but my experience was not great and didn’t hold up to the rave reviews I’ve read. Not bad but not fantastic. It is a smaller, cute, informal place with 8 tables, mostly 4 tops and 2 two tops. Laid back vocals were playing (Billie Elish). You order at the counter and your food is brought to you. The server was very friendly and met me with a warm welcome. I ordered Chicken Veggie Dumplings ($8) and Thai Chicken Basil ($15). I ordered Diet Coke but they were out. Total cost was $29.88 including 20% tip. There is a $5 cork fee except Monday & Wednesday. I’ve edited this paragraph of this review. I had commented that the dumplings came out ten minutes after the entree which I did not enjoy. It has been pointed out that Sao Lao is counter service so you can expect to get all your food at once. That has not been my universal experience at small restaurants even if counter service, but I’ll concede the point. However for me it’s a reason I might not return. I don’t enjoy having all my food at once. The basil chicken was very good. I recommend it. Rich flavors and served with jasmine rice and an egg prepared to your preference. I sometimes find ordering Thai and Lao food tricky on spice level. I like a little kick, but not “hot.” I ordered medium and next time I would go mild at this restaurant. I was not happy with the dumplings. Yes, I know I could have sent them back and did not. I didn’t want to wait for them again and I think when you have send something back it’s worth mentioning in a review. To my taste they were well overcooked. Quite crunchy to the point of affecting the flavors (mild burnt taste). Overall good but not up to expectations. There were two other parties there who were commenting on how great the food was and I went because of very positive online reviews, so I’ll give it another try.

+3

Matilda

Perfect food for the neighborhood it serves. Warm, cozy, and friendly service. The owner is genuine and passionate about what she's does and her origin story is just as amazing. The Loa Pho is so good and I will return to eat the curry.

Allison Kojima

My friend and I visited on a Saturday night around 6 PM. At first, we were a little worried about parking and a long wait time (especially considering the fact that there isn’t a ton of space for seating) but luckily there weren't too many people in the restaurant. As for parking, there is plenty of space in the lot so there were no issues at all. My friend and I ordered the following: Chicken Wing Drunken Noodle Boat Noodle Soup All the dishes came out within 10 minutes so we were really pleased with the service here. The chicken wings were crispy and juicy. I won’t say they’re the best wings I’ve had but they’re decent! I also enjoyed the sauce that came with it. As for the boat noodles, the broth was aromatic, savory, and delicious but temperature-wise, I wish it was hotter. It was better than lukewarm but soup/noodles dishes like this are best when the soup is piping hot (in my opinion). The noodles and ribeye steak were good but unfortunately we never got the pork balls. While ordering, we asked for the pork balls to be on the side since I’m picky but they just never showed up. As for the Drunken Noodes, there’s a good number of components that go into this dish (i.e. mushrooms, protein, kale, chillies, etc.) Some of the noodles in the dish were undercooked so the texture was a little harder than it should’ve been but the flavors are on point! Overall, I’d give this spot a 3.7/5. It's definitely on the pricier side which I’m more than happy to pay for (especially when it’s a local mom and pop shop) but I can’t say this spot blew my mind.

+1

Boat noodles good. 7/10 Lao sausage great, but the sticky rice portion I could eat in one mouth full. 9/10 1/10 Udon noodles soup was plain. 6/10 Papaya salad tasted plain and not enough flavor. 5/10 Rice and Mango was decent. 6/10 Tom Yum was very sour and lacked other flavors. 4/10 Beef Laab was plain, too watery. 4/10 Drunken noodles were not my to my likings. 5/10 Nam Khao was average, light on flavor, and no nam sausage. 6.5/10 Although service and atmosphere were good, the food was really lacking. It could be my taste buds, but I highly doubt it. Give this place a try. Calvin from FKN Delicious is too kind. He's like a Mark Wiens. I prefer Mikey Chen cause he'll tell it how it is.

+5

I ordered through uber and was very disappointed with the portion of papaya salad, it seems like I got the scraps. Nonetheless the drunken noodles and tom yum were good

Not the best Lao food. I was very disappointed as this was on my list to try for a long time. We ordered the Lao style eggrolls, $12.50 for 5 of them is overpriced but I thought it would be served with lots of veggies. They came with one lettuce leaf, some bean sprouts and shredded carrots. When I asked where the cilantro and green onions were (as described on the menu) the staff person told me they were in the eggrolls, no they weren’t. The eggrolls just had pork, carrots and maybe yellow onions. We did not finish the eggrolls, they were so porky in taste. Then the mushroom lap was way too acidic, it was all I can taste. The Nam Khao also was overpowered with lime, I love lime and it is essential part of Lao cooking but whoever was behind the kitchen the day must not have tasted the food they sent out. The Tom yum soup was okay, it was as expected sour in taste but not as overpowering as the other dishes. Overall I’m disappointed, the dishes we ordered were not as aromatic and balanced in tastes as good Lao food should be. The eggrolls are overpriced and very porky. We won’t be returning, as there are some more authentic Lao places in Houston.

Positive Vibes

I wanted to give this place 4 stars because the food was good (not amazing) but good but the portion size of noodles & chicken in the Lao Chicken Noodle Soup was an insanely small amount especially when compared to the amount of broth. There were barely a noodles and even LESS chicken. For the price $16 per bowl it was almost laughable. I realize I’m not in Thailand anymore paying ฿60 baht ($1.85 USD) for a bowl with WAY more noodles and protein than this but WOW. I’m pretty sure the prices in Laos & Thailand are comparable to one another AND I also realize I’m in the USA but this was robbery. Also the egg rolls were tiny and super expensive - double the price for the portion anywhere else in HTX - Please put more noodles and chicken for others moving forward. We were still hungry when we left. The front counter girl was precious, just so sweet and kind so for service we give 5 stars. Oh and egg rolls were bomb but WAY too expensive for what we got.

Brittany Parker

I came here with my family , we ordered at the counter. I asked the man what type of sauce is in the drunken noodles? He said it like a curry, because I never had drunken noodles before. I told him I will try it the way it comes, my fiancé paid, I went back to the table. I was served a curry dish, When he brought it out, I said this not the drunken noodles. He say this is what you paid for so I looked at the receipt and it said red curry. I was so frustrated because I didn't know what I was eating, I went there for noodles. The curry was very delicious, If I known that I would got it with chicken. I didn't eat the beef, I dont think I will come back out of principle. I never ordered red curry, drunken noodles is what I ordered I must've not had his full attention. He didn't care to correct his mistake.

I use to like this place a lot but i think they changed the cooks or the recipe. So much oil and pepper on my drunken noodle. I paid 24 for this dish. 6 dollars to add shrimp. I feel like it use to be $3. I expect more quality if I’m paying 24 dollars for a noodle dish

Portions extremely small for the price. The drunken noodles were “ok”. Cooked well and fresh but the taste was off and wasn’t seasoned well. Very disappointed that my container was barely half full and I spent $20 on one item. Like why not fill the container more?

Wow. They gave me pho with two tiny pieces of meat. I said there’s no meat and they charged me extra for it. Ended up paying $95 for tree dishes and a soup. Unbelievable. I can show photos of receipt. I will never be going back here. The flavor was good but portions of meat and price is an absolute SCAM!!!! And they know it

The main front owner acted absolutely rude. I’m not sure if it was because of my appearance but immediately dismissed me. I was patiently waiting for my turn and she kept saying she’s busy. Don’t come to this place because honestly the food is bland.

Nina waited on me. She saw i am a black man and assumed i was an doordasher. I placed an order to dine in. She made it to go. If you are black go to Esther's next door. It's black owned and the staff will appreciate your business unlike Sao Lao.