Merced Restaurant Guide

As the oldest child in his family, Sam Malaythong took up Thai cooking at a young age. In 1972 Sam pursued the American dream by moving to Los Angeles, California. Sam learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business while teaching the art of Thai cooking. Foreseeing the potential and growth of Merced, Sam moved his family here in 1990 to open Star Garden. Star Garden found success in Merced, and was praised in reviews by the New York Times, Merced Sun-Star, and Sunset Magazine. In 2005 Sam reopened Star Garden as Sam Café. Sam's mastery of Pacific Rim flavors include delicious Thai, traditional Chinese flavor, Laotian herbs, Vietnamese soups, Malaysian curry and Cambodian spicy-sour. Enjoy!