Are y'all freakin' kidding me?! This is one of the best Lao and Thai restaurants I have ever tried in Northern California! This one is going to be long so bare with me.A M B I A N C EIt's a huge open space that feels mostly casual but also very modern for this type of cuisine. The space is not overly decorated and there are not a lot of trinkets lying around, but you can sense the minimalist style upon walking in. Simple yet inviting, comfortable and yet not overbearing. The dining hall is a huge open space in which crowds large or small can get situated for a group or solo eating experience.F O O DAlright, this is where it gets fun. We read the Yelp reviews and were convinced this is a joint to check out while in Stockton. I have girlfriends that are Stocktonians and shared that it is a spot worth checking out given that I'm from the Bay Area, and our standards for food of all cuisines can be a bit selective. Our party of four ordered the following to share --* LAAP BEEF ($14.50)Ground beef and beef tripe, garnished with green onions and cilantro.* CRAB FRIED RICE ($17.50)Eggs, crab meat, butter, garlic, green onions, and cilantro* TOM YUM SOUP (SHRIMP) ($15.95)Hot and sour soup with lemongrass, ginger, kaffir leaves, mushrooms, pineapples, onions, tomatoes and garnished with cilantro, green onion -- served with lime wedges, Thai chilli peppers, and a side of steamed rice.* PAPAYA SALAD ($9.90)Shredded papaya, tomatoes, Thai chilli peppers, sugar, lime juice, and mixed with your style of flavor + spice [Lao, Thai, or Vegan). We chose LAO style which is described on the menu as, with fermented fish, crab, and shrimp paste with strong flavors.* SPICY LAO SAUSAGE ($13.50) Pork, Thai chili, lemongrass, shallots, onions, kaffir like leaves -- served with jeow som (dipping sauce). Contains Fish Sauce and Oyster Sauce (cannot substitute).That was the perfect spread for a party of four! Every single dish had its own distinctive flavor and represented the composition of the signature dishes extremely well. I love how the papaya salad really celebrated the Lao style of the dish and did not disappoint with the amount of spice and fermented fish sauces. My niece loved the Beef Laap and shared she was so impressed with the rice powder seasoning and the added beef tripe for extra texture. The crab fried rice was exceptional and had the right hints of crab bites along with complimenting seasoning. We could all tell the Spicy Lao sausages were made in-house by one of the Aunties in the kitchen as there was a homemade and yet traditional twist to every bite. Tom Yum soup is generally tastes almost the same at every restaurant but these guys didn't let up, and made sure the soup that is put out remains unique from local competitors -- the herbs, kaffir lime leaves, and all other additions were very prominent with every bit. We absolutely enjoyed every single bite of our lunch!S E R V I C EWe all have basic expectations of service while dining at a restaurant: courteous, professional, consistent, friendly, hospitable, etc.Let me tell y'all, this team over delivered and under promised! Every single team member assisted each other on waiting tables -- sort of like "pass the baton" style. It was a collective effort and we really felt that throughout our time dining in the restaurant. No one was territorial about which tables were covered or made guests feel uncomfortable -- they all just wanted to ensure we were well taken care of and had everything we needed. Truly impressive all around.B O N U SThis restaurant was featured on the Food Network and for good reason! They offered some Thai Tea sampling and their signature dish of NAM KAO which is described on the menu as, "Crispy flavored rice mixed with fermented pork, cilantro, green onions, peppers -- served as a lettuce wrap with mint, cilantro stalks, ginger, dried chili, peppers, peanuts, and lime." Now, that's a special treat if you have never tried and, this was one of their signature dishes featured on the Food Network!All in all, this restaurant is a whole experience. Whether you're a local resident in the great city of Stockton or simply passing through, make it a point to stop in at Green Papaya to treat yourself to some of the best Lao and Thai influenced food in the area.
Visit Restaurant Page
"Thai Me Up has excellent food! Ive only been here twice, but both visits were great. I am no expert on Thai cuisine, but I know delicious when I taste it, LOL. The restaurant was clean and the staff were nice on each visit. Thai Me Up is an easy recommendation. Give them a try!"
"Came here on a Thursday night and it was pretty chill with some groups of people. The decor of the restaurant is really nice and cute. The server was very friendly and took my order quickly. I ordered the chicken satay and the yellow curry. It took a few mins to get my order but it was worth the wait. I really like the taste of the satay as well as the amount they offer and the yellow curry was super tasty and they put in alot of meat and veggies. Overall very tasty and I'll definitely come back"
