Franks BBQ & Chinese Cuisine
23841 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Lake Forests culinary landscape has been graced with a true treasure — Franks BBQ & Chinese Cuisine. For those in search of authentic Chinese-style BBQ, look no further. This establishment stands out not for its steam table selections, which one might initially gravitate towards in a typical Chinese restaurant, but for its exceptional BBQ offerings.The BBQ Duck, Chicken, and Pork are the stars of the show here. Each dish is masterfully prepared, boasting flavors and textures that can only come from traditional cooking methods honed over generations. The Duck is succulent and rich, its skin perfectly crisped to a delightful finish. The Chicken is tender and juicy, infused with a subtle blend of spices that sings of authenticity. As for the Pork, its a revelation — beautifully glazed, with just the right balance of sweetness and smokiness, its a dish that beckons for repeated visits.I find myself drawn back to Franks BBQ & Chinese Cuisine as often as possible. Its a testament to the quality of their food and the unique niche they fill in the local dining scene. For anyone tired of the usual fare and looking for something genuinely special, this is the place.While the steam table options are available and provide a comforting familiarity, I urge you to dive into their BBQ selections. Its here that Franks truly shines, offering a culinary experience thats not only delicious but also imbued with the rich, aromatic essence of Chinese BBQ tradition.In conclusion, Franks BBQ & Chinese Cuisine is a must-visit for both aficionados and newcomers to Chinese BBQ. Its standout dishes elevate the casual dining experience to something truly memorable, making it a shining beacon for those in pursuit of culinary excellence in Lake Forest.
4.2
Din Ho Chinese Cuisine
21741 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Great Chinese food in Lake Forest try Din Ho. When you first walk in you will notice the simple old, in good condition, furniture. The walls are decorated with artwork craved in to wood. Right of the bat, I feel like home. The host/ waitress that seats you is a sweet older lady. She is not dressed in a fancy Chinese dress and no pandas or cartoons anywhere. This place reminds me of visiting my grandparents restaurant when I was a little kid, back in Oakland. I miss those days...I was seated quickly and was instantly given a tea cup with tea pot and a glass of ice water. Thats good service. I would only add chopsticks to the table to make it true Chinese, but this is Lake Forest not Chinatown. Shortly after, a server brings crunchy strings (not sure what they are called) and 3 dipping sauces. The lunch menu is awesome everything is between 5 to 7 dollars. The restaurant is like it is filled with the daily regulars. After taking my order the server yells out the orders in the back in CHINESE!! Holey crap?! Yes in Chinese not English and not Spanish like most so-called Chinese restaurants.I ordered the sweet and sour pork and it came with hot n sour soup, a small salad, egg roll, and won ton. Good stuff! The food will not win any awards, but it is simply Chinese food made correctly. Nothing fancy, Cantonese style meaning not too spicy not to salty, cooked just right. If you are on a budget for lunch, swing by here. Dont rush to a local burger joint. This place will get you in and out fast. You call always get take out if you are in a hurry. The hostess lady noticed that my lunch was $5.50 and not $6.25 so she changed the bill after I already paid with my credit card. Thats great customer service and attention to detail. Recommended because sometimes you need some variety if you work in Lake Forest.
4.2
New Shanghai Restaurant
20562 Regency Ln # K, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
This place is supposed to be among the top 10 Chinese restaurants in Lake forest. In my opinion it is in the top 10 worst Chinese restaurants anywhere. My fried rice was Stone Cold and I picked it up very very soon after I ordered. The ingredients did not seem to be fresh and the shrimp and beef and chicken were minimal. The the soup I ordered was mediocre at best. I would drive much further for much better food. Sorry but thats my opinion.
4.4
Panda Express
23572 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
The fact of the matter is that here in SoCal, Panda is as good or better than most sit-down Chinese restaurants. There are those few spots that are exception, like in downtown LA Chinatown, but otherwise Panda is very good, consistent, and inexpensive.
4
Sheung Shui Fish & Rice Noodles Lake Forest Loc...
20651 Lake Forest Dr STE A-102, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
This restaurant is pretty clever and unique for a Chinese restaurant! Their menu has a bit of everything but I especially like their beef tongue and (numbing) spicy intestines ? Thses dishes are very good to pair up with rice.They also have rice noodle ramen and bento box meals with a Japanese twist. I ordered the uni rice soup and bf has a make-your-own rice ramen. That uni soup was an unique experience for me so I ordered the intestine dish to go. Tbh I would go back for their spicey dishes next time again.
4.1
Mr Wok
22421 El Toro Rd G, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
June 2017: First time at this restaurant. The food was totally disgusting. Purchased almond chicken which was a little disappointing but worse was the almond chicken as the almonds were totally old and stale, I had to spit out all of what I tried to eat. It tasted rancid, stale just couldnt swallow this at all!! Then even worst was the vegetable roll which was dripping or oozing with oil... such unhealthy food. I couldnt eat any of it. I had also purchased a serving of the fried rice for my kids but there was just too much oil / grease in it, I or they couldnt eat a spoon of it. I ate the steamed vegetable but started feeling so sick while consuming the almond chicken. In 2 or three minutes I started getting severe headache and pounding of my heart, then I knew that I was poisoned by MSG from the food. The quality of their food is really bad, very disappointing. not many options and not tasty ones exist either. I Truly regret spending my $20 there for family lunch. Ill never again repeat this mistake. I should have kept my money with me Id have been be much better off purchasing a bottle of cold water.Next time Ill continue on to Panda express, you stand a higher chance to be pleased or satisfied. Mr. Woks food is quite disappointing in general except the orange chicken is not too bad but too much fat rather than chicken. Way too much grease, lacking flavour and containing MSG to damage ones health.
4.2
Asia Buffet
23552 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
When I first moved here 6 years ago, I stopped at Asia Buffett and WAS NOT impressed. Not many choices and the food seemed to be old as it sat in the hot trays.A friend told me recently that I should give it a second chance. OK. I dont know if they went under new ownership or they brought in a new chef, but it was 100% better. No, its not gonna be up to the standards of a 5 star Chinese restaurant, but for a buffet, I was impressed.My son and I went on a weekend. They have an extended menu on the weekends that includes boiled crab legs and duck. Their sushi bar was extensive and had many choices. I could just snarf down their Asian BBQ pork ribs, an appetizer, for an entire meal. Both my son and I love their General Zaos chicken as our favorite dish. There is so much to chose from we couldnt try them all in one trip.In conclusion, this place isnt a gourmet Asian restaurant. Its a buffet. But now, not a bad Asian buffet at all.
4
Sunny Dumpling House
24602 Raymond Way H, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Now if you’re coming here thinking it’s going to be a boujee dumpling spot made for the Gram, you will be shook. This is how I think of a Chinese restaurant. No beer, no booze, disposable plates, plastic cups, and delicious food.You order online and there are no servers. It’s pretty bare bones but they are doing this to turn over the tables. But the prices are cheap and it has some of the best dumplings I’ve had. I would go out of my way to come back but I wouldn’t wait in a line. Hint, go early, you’ll be at the front of the line at the open.
4.6
Diho Siam
23600 Rockfield Blvd #2l, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I used to come to Diho Siam pretty often when I used to live in Lake Forest considering that the Thai food they have here is pretty good and priced reasonably well. Even though we now live in Irvine, my girlfriend and I decided we wanted Thai food for dinner last night and came here after a Costco run. Im usually a big fan of Pad Thai when coming to any Thai cuisine, but decided to change it up and try out other things on the menu.Thai Iced Tea (3/5): Nothing too special here really... if anything its like any other Thai Iced Tea Ive ever had before. I think $3.00 for one of these is a tad bit pricey, considering I make just as good of a one at home with the tea leaves and some condensed milk.Spicy Meat Salad (4/5): My first time trying this dish out. Surprisingly it came out to be pretty delicious and the meat is cooked and seasoned well. The only thing that got me a little bit disappointed was that I was expecting literally a salad with just meat and no veggies and the portion was smaller than I would like. However, it is a salad and cant say that Im surprised you get enough to just satisfy your hunger pains until the entree comes out.Green Jungle Curry (4/5): Decided to get this with just the scallops instead of the seafood combo. Not sure if I regretted my decision or indifferent, but I was worried that the amount of scallops given in the seafood combo would consists of only a couple of them. The overall taste and quality of the curry though was pretty spot on to what youd expect from any Thai restaurant. Although the scallop route as a protein wasnt too bad, I think Ill opt for the beef next time for any other curry I try here.
4.3
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
16163 Lake Forest Dr Suite K, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
I was very disappointed that none of their noodle dishes are vegetarian because of their use of chicken and other animal stock. Such an easy change that really wouldnt effect the flavor, while making so many more of their dishes accessible to people who do not consume meat. I know Ive gotten Pick Up Stix before, and there was no mention of the animal stock used in the noodles. I thought they were vegetarian. I feel like back then I was unkindly tricked. If I wouldve known back then, I would have ordered different or gone somewhere else.Though I was disappointed with the vegetarian options and will not be purchasing from Pick Up Stix again until they change their ingredient list, the person who helped me went out of his way to make sure what dishes were suitable for vegetarians. He didnt guess. He pulled out an ingredient list and looked at it carefully. I very much appreciate the effort. I made sure to tip him.
4.1