09/12/09

My tastebuds are not happy!

by abraz

my mother always said that if I don't have something good to say, then I should say nothing at all.... but if I listened to my mom, I would not be spending all this money at restaurants!

the thai fried rice was bland and smelled like wet dog....

the yellow curry (veggies) was ok.....

the spicy crispy salmon was disgusting - skin fest 2009 - and fatty little chunks that probably originated as frozen trader joe rejects... I can't stand low end salmon....

I believe in the notion that good thai food exists - however I have low grade, poor quality thai food more often than not, and Cholada is no exception...

• Pros: location near beach
• Cons: food quality, taste, parking

Homey Thai beach shack features home-cooked delicacies from Southeast Asia.

by Nicolas Rabinovitch

The blue wooden shack by Topanga Beach may look like nothing from the passing PCH cars, but inside it's sizzling with old-school Thai food. A clan of Thai chefs cooks up a storm of spicy standards from the huge selection of curries to the specialty seafood dishes not found at average Thai restaurants. The inside has a serene view of the Pacific Ocean, while the back patio offers a relaxing outdoor escape in the lush landscape of a Malibu hillside.

07/10/08

As close as you can get to the real thing...

by kiercemartin

Best thai food I've ever had in L.A. and a cool atmosphere if you're into the hole-in-the-wall, beach shack feel. By far the best pad thai, pad-see-ew, or curries you're going to find anywhere in L.A. If you want a kick try the spicy green pumpkin--Incredible, but really spicy. Pretty good service, but I've been a couple of times and been looked over or seated out of order. This is probably due to the restaurant being slighlty under-staffed, but as long as you're not too time crunched, it's no problem. The food makes it entirely worth it. If you want a true Thailand feel, ask to sit out in the back, especially if it's a nice night.

• Pros: Every single dish here is a pro

03/24/08

Best service

by love2eatallthetime

The food is great you can't deny that but there is two servers there that are just spectacular. Their names are Sai and Sophia. They always make sure you have what you need and promptly. They are great and I eat their a lot just because they take such good care of you.

• Pros: good service (Sai,Sophia) great food, ocean views
• Cons: expensive, not a lot of parking

01/14/08

best thai in LA

by foodlova5

Cholada is a very special place at the bottom of Topanga canyon on PCH in Malibu. They have all the staples of traditional thai fare but the freshness of their ingredients really stands out and they also have some unique dishes that are lighter than typical thai. I love their special scallops and their cashew chicken and of course pad thai. The Tum Yum soup is also amazing and light. It is a little restaurant with seating for no more than 25. It is rather rustic, but I think it has character. During the day you can see the ocean and they are always busy with locals in the evening. It is as inexpensive as you can get for dining in Malibu!

• Pros: food, unique setting

07/20/07

Malibu's best kept secret !

by malibumike

Here's the deal from a local who eats there way to much......

There are crowds on the weekends and you can expect a long wait if you show up at the busiest hours of the night. Go early or go late and you'll get a table quick. The place is packed because the food is so darn good! Don't let the building fool you as you've probably driven by it many times and thought the old shack was ready to fall down. The place is funky but it's really more charming than anything.

The food is outrageously good. I've seen the owner making every sauce and curry by hand and all the herbs, veggies, and ingredients and hand selected by him each day. Try these dishes- Ganum Jeep dumplings, beef or squid salad, tom kah soup, any curry, drunken noodles, prik king, and sweet sticky rice for dessert.

There is a back area for outdoor seating and it's a great place to have a party and bring your own cake.

There's not a Thai restaurant within 100 miles that even comes close to being this good. Go now!

• Pros: Awesome food and funky cool atmosphere
• Cons: Can get busy on weekends

07/14/07

Good food , bad service

by dailypaul

I am a Thai person who was really looking forward to this place since my Farang friends recommended the place. The food and sitting was good but one thing that was not quite acceptable was the service. They have a really good seafood dish which taste different from Thai town , fresher , possible from the benefit of being closed to the ocean. I brought about a group of 14 and booked our dining table at 7.30pm well advanced in the morning. One we were there, they let people sit on our table and we ended up waiting for one hour and fifteen minutes. I had to talk to the waitress many times before we got the table, eventhough I booked the table! They were not that helpful and people bailed out since they were very bad at getting people in. I think the food was good but to go through this hassle , I don't think it is worth it. There are many other thai restaurant in town that taste as good or better!

• Pros: Seafood dish is good
• Cons: Service is bad. too long waiting time for the table (Eventhough we had reservation!)

10/20/06

Fabulous Food

by pohaha

Love the food. It is really good. My favorite is the Tom YongGoog(sp?) Great lemongrass/coconut milk soup.

Bad thing is they need more parking. well actually I guess its comparable to the inside seating. Its a very tiny place. Yummy!

09/19/06

Cooks & Waiters Mess with your food

by fannymartinez

My friends and I went to eat at this restaurant. We ordered and I asked for NO Hot peppers. The waitress comes out with our orders 40 minutes later and mine had hot peppers. I quickly told the waitress and she took my plate away. 20 minutes later she brings me what seems to be a new plate of food. I dig into the middle of my meal instead of starting from the edge. Immediately tasting the HOT HOT HOT peppers the cook or waitress hid/disguised on my plate. They assumed I would not notice till the end of the meal. My mouth was on fire. On purpose they put extremely hot peppers in my meal and had an attitude with me afterwards. I went balistic on them!!! and we all left hungry and unhappy.

• Cons: Cooks & Waiters Mess with your Food

07/24/06

Love this place!!

by justine90290

I love this restaurant. Food is clean,light spicy and authentic. Outdoor seating. Charming but not glamorous. Great for lunch.

Spicy Seafood Bonanza is amazing as are the Cholada Wraps.

• Pros: Great food, service and old schoo beach vibe.
• Cons: none really....