The Thonglor SF - Thai Restaurant

"The Thonglor is right on the border between Nob Hill and Union Square, but we love this place so much we’ll happily put it on both guides. The casual walk-in spot does Thai classics we’d like to wallpaper a Muni bus with—the pad thai is both creamy and tangy, pad gra pow is like a sucker punch of umami, and you’ll want to guzzle the velvety tom kha through a funnel. Just note that there are only a few tables, so take your goods to go or expect to wait." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"Need a last-minute dinner spot in Union Square that’s walk-in-only? All roads lead to The Thonglor. At this relaxed place, you could pull any of their Thai standards, like the fiery pad gra pow or richly spiced duck curry, out of a hat, and end up with a meal you’ll still be fixated on next week—but, really, get here to devour some of the best pad thai in the city. The only downside is there are only about eight tables in this teeny space, so you might have to drain your phone battery while you wait. But things move quickly, meaning you’ll have a steaming pile of noodles in front of you in no time. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"Steaming plates of pad thai, creamy red curry, and tofu and vegetable-packed tom kha are all ready to improve your mood at The Thonglor near Union Square. The restaurant makes incredible Thai standards in a tiny, eight-table space. Celebrate the fact that you scored a seat with their nose-clearing papaya salad, one of the spiciest in town. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

"Blink and you’d miss The Thonglor, a tiny Thai restaurant that’s well worth braving the crowds of map-wielding tourists spilling over from nearby Union Square. The casual walk-in-only spot is the poster child for impeccable Thai staples. Pad gra pow is a saucy, spicy dream. The rich curries build a complex, lingering heat. And the pad thai (stay with us) is the best rendition of the noodle standby we’ve had in the city, and will become the benchmark for every future version you eat. You might have to wait in the narrow hallway alongside other noodle enthusiasts, but things move quickly here—you’ll be face-to-face with a steaming mound of something stir-fried in no time. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

"“Have a pad thai awakening” is probably not on your Union Square bingo card. But you’ll get exactly that at The Thonglor, a tiny Thai spot just a block away from the tourists taking photos with the big heart statues. Their pad thai is saucy, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet. You’ll wake up thinking about it for months after. The same goes for everything else you’ll devour, from the velvety tom kha and richly spiced red curry to the sinus-clearing papaya salad, which leaves a burn on your lips that lingers. There are only eight tables inside this bustling, walk-in-only spot, but things move quickly—so, bingo card be damned, make any excuse to get here." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez