Dining Discovery: SL Kitchen – A Taste of Thailand & Laos

SL Kitchen
1057 MacArthur Blvd

Recommended by City of San Leandro Public Works Services Manager Liz Jimenez.

In the late summer of 2021, SL Kitchen opened its doors to the community, bringing a significant menu of Thai and Lao cuisine to the Estudillo Estates neighborhood. The restaurant is located at 1057 MacArthur Boulevard south of Dutton Ave, next to the busy Starbucks.

Yelp reviewers rave about the restaurant’s variety of authentic dishes, the flavor and quality of the food, the appropriate service, and the ample seating space.

The ‘money bags’ appetizer is perhaps one of the more eclectic dishes, comprised of minced chicken, onion, and corn in an egg roll wrapper, tied up like a purse and served with a sweet and tangy sauce. Other appetizers include nam khao, Lao sausage, and satay beef or chicken.

The menu also offers four noodle dishes, six soups, and three curries (many of which can be served vegetarian), as well as several fried rice options. Spice enthusiasts may enjoy the kapoun soup, or the drunken noodles, while those with a gentler palate may want to settle on the familiar, yet delectable pad thai. Spice levels can be adjusted to your taste, from mild to spicy, though Yelp reviews indicate that medium packs quite the punch.

Lighter fare includes several salads, including both Thai and Lao versions of papaya salad. There is also a limited dessert menu, which would not be complete without the sticky mango rice, but also intrigues with its Thai roti or deep-fried Oreos a la mode.

A hidden gem nestled in along MacArthur Boulevard, SL Kitchen has caught the attention of San Leandro residents as well as those of neighboring communities, so stop by and award your taste buds with the kaleidoscope of flavors that it has to offer.

About Dining Discoveries: San Leandro’s restaurant scene is full of hidden gems, quirky hole-in-the-walls, and authentic ethnic foods. Dining Discoveries is a recurring feature on San Leandro Next designed to bring increased awareness to businesses that have been flying under the radar…and to help you find a great place to get dinner tonight.

Want to suggest a restaurant for a future post? Email slnext@sanleandro.org and tell us about it.