Thai House 530

The Meeriyagerds have been bringing the spice to the Castro since they opened ThaiHouse Express in 2004. Thai House 530’s dramatic interior—swoopy white walls with “grass”-carpeted cutouts—is more than matched by the food. The green papaya salad delivers Southeast Asian heat, not with a sledgehammer but in a wave of subtle, chile-induced pain that, as it recedes, leaves you wanting more. For pad Thai lovers, the Dungeness crab version takes it up a level: no sprouts or peanuts, but a rich mess of chunky crab, eggs, and noodles. Goes great with a pint of IPA from 21st Amendment.