Yamo

Yamo is my new favorite whole-in-the-wall for great food at dirt cheap prices. I love all Southeast Asian food, and was thrilled to hear of an alternative to Burma Superstar. Yes, Yamo Thai Kitchen is now actually a Burmese restaurant. Well, Yamo lived up to the hype. It's a tiny family run joint, with the mom cooking up the food and the daughter working the cashier. No tables- you sit at the bar up front or order take out. And the food! Average price is under $6. I highly recommend the samusas which are at steal at $3.50 for half a dozen. Filled with potatoes and just the right amount of spice, and perfect when dipped into the chili pepper/fish sauce. The other dish I tried was the house noodles, which were simply flour noodles stir fried with garlic and chicken. I really haven't had a noodle dish this good since I was in Asia and it had just the right amount of flavor and oil. Can't wait to go back for the tea leaf salad, fish chowder, and fresh coconut juice. more

I LOVE Yamo. (Not sure why it's "Thai Kitchen" -- I thought it was Burmese?) Anyhoo, you walk in to this 300sf, long, skinny place and you've got all you need: 8 stools at a bar that's 2 feet away from the kitchen where they're prepping the goodness. It's a family run place, and when I went in there tonight, I enjoyed talking w/some of the kids. They were hanging out, playing cards, and helping prep. Prices are cheap ($5.25 for amazing tea or mango salad), $3.25 for spring rolls, and $5.25 for main dishes like Yamo noodles (yum), chicken coconut soup, and all kinds of other goodness. No beer, so have a drink beforehand or better yet get a fresh coconut milk. I give them 3 months before they break their lease and move to bigger digs. It's that good. A cheaper, closer (if you live near the Mission), and just about as good version of Burmese Superstar. more