Sao Lao Thai Cafe
Thai restaurant · Independence Heights
5013 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77018
Highlights
Authentic Thai & Lao cuisine, known for flavorful boat noodles
Authentic Thai & Lao cuisine, known for flavorful boat noodles
"Whenever asked to imagine a dream meal, the nam khao from Sao Lao Thai Cafe comes to mind. The Northside spot’s nam khao arrives as a giant bowl of crispy rice, pork, and silky tripe that we all but launch into as if shot out of a cannon. It’s got this sweet, tangy, and acidic funk we cannot stop ourselves from inhaling until we’re scraping the last dregs with a lettuce leaf. Something about the bits of crunchy rice spiking the dish with ribbons of herbs and soft pork itches our lizard brain. Especially when surrounded by funky lao sausage, rich red curry, and massive mason jars of thai tea." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
"We submit this Lao chicken noodle soup as the official chicken soup for the soul, especially if your soul is a pit of cynicism and half-empty energy drinks. The soup’s rich, silky broth, squishy vermicelli noodles, and hard-boiled quail eggs are hardy, comforting, and aura-cleansing. Unlike Sao Lao’s other dishes (like the crunchy nam khao), it’s neither spicy nor funky, but it still packs a ton of flavor." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi
"This food truck turned full-service restaurant offers an exciting combination of Thai and Lao cuisines. The menu boasts spring rolls, noodle dishes, meat-filled curries, and its signature boat noodles that are known to sell out, but it doesn’t stop there. Sao Lao Thai Cafe also features off-the-menu specials often, and as a bonus, it’s BYOB." - Brianna Griff
"Everything about dining at Sao Lao Thai Cafe on the Northside feels special, from the ultra-attentive staff that treats everyone like a doting family member to the unreal-good food bursting with color and flavor. Even better, portions are massive, like wide bowls of crispy rice and pork nam khao and silken red curry with ribeye and eggplant in between funky bites of sour sausage and sticky rice. Open most of the day, Sao Lao makes a great lunch pit stop or a casual date night spot, especially for anyone who likes to BYOB." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene, julie takahashi
"Sharing is caring at Sao Lao Thai Cafe—something your visiting in-laws need to learn. The dishes at this Northside Thai restaurant are huge, like the crunchy and wonderfully funky nam khao with pork and silk tripee. And the BYOB policy is generous with only a $5 corkage fee. No matter what you order here, everyone will find something to love, like snappy sour sausage or a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup. Hopefully, they will be too busy eating to point out that you still haven’t provided them with grandchildren." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
