charlotteann

I know what you’re thinking, “Charlotte, you should TOTALLY give up photography and get into graphic design cuz you’re sooo talented, obvi!”

But seriously, there is a multitude of take-out options in my neighborhood and I rarely take advantage of any save the pizza place down the street after a night of responsible alcohol consumption. The affectionately so-called Tendernob lies somewhere between the Tenderloin (smells like pee) and Nob Hill (smells like money) features many different cuisines, especially if you are willing to expand its borders to the upper blocks of the ‘Loin. There are Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, and Indian restaurants scattered among the dive bars and liquor stores. A few blocks up and you see more Thai, pizza, the famous Pearl’s burgers, and even an Indonesian place catering to the hotels and Academy of Art students. And me, I live here. When I’m lazy I’ll make instant ramen instead of getting take-out, but when I’m sick and the dishes are piling up and I haven’t showered in two days, I’ll spend the dough on a couple entrées if only for comfort’s sake.

Enter the Osha Thai Noodle Café on Geary St., a mere two blocks from my building. Osha is a family-owned thing, and this nearest location is apparently the original amongst the seven locations in San Francisco. It’s open until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and every time I’ve walked by on such an evening it’s packed. In fact, it usually looks busy. A fact I coupled with a recent article from 7×7: The 2010 Eat+Drink Reader’s Choice Awards to pick Osha for this maiden voyage of Take-Out Tuesday. In short, it was not so good. In length, allow me to explain using words and pictures.

Take-Out Tuesday: Osha Thai Noodle Café

I ordered the crab-fried rice and tofu pad kee mao, two standards in my book. I immediately realized after ordering the crab dish that it was a mistake, as it’s not exactly crab season and their website boasts sourcing locally and sustainably. Confirmation of this error came later as the strands and weak chunks of crab tasted like fish sauce, an ingredient applied far too liberally in this dish’s making. The pad kee mao was okay but for the fact I think it was actually pad see ew. Whatever it was, it was greasy and not what I was expecting, I had asked for “medium” spice and not only was it not that spicy, but I had to supply my own chili garlic paste to liven both dishes up. My Coke tasted like any other Coke.

Crab-fried rice

Pad kee mao or pad see ew?

The service was very kind and my food was ready by the time I made it back from my trip the pharmacy two blocks away for tissues and cold medicine. But I have to say I was expecting a bit more from Osha. I had dinner once upon a time at their location in the Mission and I remember eating something with more kick, flavor, and style than what I received today.

I feel like this - greasy, empty, and strangely orange

So that was Take-Out Tuesday numero uno! I hope you enjoyed it and that you will check back next week to see where my cravings lead me…