I wanted to start this review with a witty anecdote comparing Osha Thai Noodles to its federal counterpart OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but there's just no comparison between a federal bureacracy put in place to protect workers while on the job and an affordable place to get a mid-drinking dinner.
Osha noodles is smack dab in the middle of the TenderNob at Geary and Leavenworth, right next to Rye and near the Indian and Pakistani restaurant corridor on Jones. Getting there around 8:15, prime dinner time, there was a line - but the turnover was so fast that we were sitting by 8:30 and eating by 8:45.
The food ranged from average to better-than-average. The Thai Iced Tea was very nice, and considering it was the size of two normal Thai Iced Teas from most other restaurants, it was a real bargain. Sate pork ($5.95 for 4) was fine if not extremely memorable but the fried wontons were outstanding ($5.95 for 12) - evoking memories of fried wontons on the East Coast. The main courses were in the $6.95 range, and my Spicy Laht Nah - spicy chicken and flat noodles with broccoli, peppers and straw mushrooms was very good ans satisfying. The best part? For two iced teas, two appetizers and two main courses, we only spent $31!
Osha isn't a destination restaurant by any means - but it's a fantastic place to go when you're in the neighborhood looking for an affordable, fast meal.
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