Patch Investigates: Capitola Village's Three Thai Restaurants

Of the five Thai restaurants in Capitola-Soquel, three of them are located in Capitola Village, all within two blocks of each other. A lot of people wonder why.

“Well, why not?” asked Mona, the spirited owner of To Thai For. “We are all very different Thai places and have unique experiences to offer our customers.”

And she's right. Thai Basil, My Thai Beach and To Thai For are indeed unique.

Small parties check out the traditional menu at Thai Basil. Larger parties enjoy My Thai Beach for its spacious seating and family-style food. The lunch crowd gets portable treats at To Thai For.

“Each of our businesses is able to experience growth because [we] want the others to do well,” said My Thai Beach Owner Pinky. “We are friends and come from the same country, so we must stick together like jasmine rice.”

Thai Basil

Interviewed: Sartika, waitress    

Time in Capitola Village: 15 years

Most popular dishes: Curries, pad Thai w/shrimp or tofu

How being blocks away from two other Thai restaurants affects business: “It does not. We are small and cannot take too many customers. Actually, if [the] restaurant gets too crowded, we send customers to My Thai Beach because they are bigger and can hold more people.”

Why people should come to Thai Basil: “Customers always come back because they know we have [the] most flavored, authentic and very good priced Thai food. We have patio seating for customers to enjoy the view when it is nice outside. Also, we have a spicy range from one to five and most customers choose either four or five, which means we have the spice they like.”              

Customer feedback: “I heard by word of mouth that Thai Basil was the place to go for Thai food and I couldn’t agree more. I get the same thing every time I go with my wife. I get the green curry with extra shrimp and she gets the chicken basil.” –Les, Aptos

My Thai Beach

Interviewed: Pinky, owner and Dear, daughter  

Time in Capitola Village: 3 years

Most popular dishes: Coconut soup with seafood, pumpkin curry with scallops

How being blocks away from two other Thai restaurants affects business: “It’s not a big deal. It’s just like having a Bank of America and Bank of the West across the street from each other. We are friendly with each other. If I run out of noodles I can go to Thai Basil and pick up some from there. It’s also different because we are on the beach so people who want that come here.”

Why people should come to My Thai Beach: “We serve family-style dishes and we have bigger space to rent out for parties. We treat you like family and the cooking comes from my heart. We always give regular customers discounts or something special on the side. Our customers love us and always return even just to say hi. We also have a new pho menu for the winter so [customers] can be warm.”

Customer feedback: "I like My Thai Beach for their food and To Thai For for their Thai tea with pearls. My favorite dish at My Thai Beach [is] the peanut chicken. It’s so full of flavor.” -Jazmine, Watsonville

To Thai For

Interviewed: Mona, owner 

Time in Capitola Village: 9 months

Most popular dishes: Fresh vegetable spring rolls, Thai iced tea/coffee, salads  

How being blocks away from two other Thai restaurants affects business: “Honestly, we are all very different Thai places and have unique experiences to offer our customers. I don’t consider To Thai For in the same category as the other two because we are like a Thai café, not a restaurant. When people come looking for certain traditional Thai dishes, I send them to Thai Basil or My Thai Beach. People come when they want fast, but healthy Thai food like wraps and salads. It’s different so we do not compete.”   

Why people should come to To Thai For: “Every weekend I wake up very early and go to the Farmers Market and pick out the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs to put in my food. I believe that all you have is your health so I buy everything that I can organic and unprocessed. My food is convenient, portable and easy to eat standing up or sitting down at the beach. We offer delicious coffee and Italian soda and free Thai-Fi. I listen to my customers' needs and I’m flexible with opening hours and dishes that I make. Most customers don’t know this, but I cater for parties and office lunches, too.”

Customer feedback: “Best Thai iced tea and coffee for that matter - hands down,” – Joanne, Capitola

“I always get Thai coffee from To Thai For on my lunch break. I go there everyday.” -Dear, Capitola 

Where is your favorite Thai food? Do you go to all three? Stick with just one? Tell us in the comments!