I'll be honest, fast casual anything doesn't exactly scream "culinary experience," so I walked in with pretty modest expectations. Turns out, was I wrong, and I am so happy about it. Let's talk about the beef kebab plate. Flavorful doesn't even cover it. This thing had no business being this good at a fast casual price point. But wait, it gets better. It came with hummus AND a fresh salad AND a side of fresh baked in-house bread. I had to do a double take. You can also order the bread on its own as a standalone item, which is a genuinely unique touch. I cant name one other casual place that bakes their own bread. Show up Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and you can take advantage of their buy one get one 50% special too. I haven't tried their sandwiches yet but I highly reccommend the plates, and given how fresh everything was, I'm already planning my return visit! read more

Calf and Chick is a fantastic cafe/restaurant to enjoy a nice relaxing meal or great place to meet with friends. The interior is warmly decorated and the sound absorbing panels on the wall help to limit the noise. Orders are placed at the counter and the cashier was friendly and helpful with menu explanations. I went with the avo toast and added beef bacon on one and an egg on the other. Both toppings were a nice added bit of flavor and texture and would recommend the combo. You get a thick piece of bread which I wish they had toasted. Excellent coffee and other drinks. read more

Calf & Chick - AVO ZAATAR TOAST - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Huge fan of Mediterranean food and glad I got to try this place out!! Interestingly enough, they also serve breakfast but the star of the show in my opinion is the beef kabob!!! Seriously the best beef kabob I've had ever. Incredibly flavorful and couldn't get enough. Also really liked the tawook wrap (make sure you get an extra side of garlic sauce with this). They also bake their own bread fresh daily!! Tried the garlic chicken sub and the bread was amazing. Greek salad was a classic and served as a hugeeee portion. I wouldn't necessarily recommend their breakfast, but the rest of the dishes I tried were worth ordering again. If you get the chance to try their orchid ice cream- DO IT. You won't regret it. Service was fantastic and the decor was creative + thoughtful. I will be back! read more

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Came to Calf and Chick in Lake Forest with a big group right after church and this was actually my pick from Yelp, so I was hoping it would hit. The guy at the front was great and put us onto something not even on the menu called the Half and Half Plate, and that ended up being the move. This thing was a fat full plate. It came with a Lamb Kebab, Chicken, a big scoop of Garlic Sauce, Hummus with Pita, a large portion of Rice, and a Salad. Just a ton of food and honestly really good. The Chicken was extremely moist with great seasoning, and the Lamb was super tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. I only had a few bites of it but it was very, very solid. For the price and portion size, it was definitely worth it. Everyone else had a pretty good experience too. Some people got the Garlic Chicken Sub and said it was very yummy. Someone else got the Sunrise Sandwich and said the scrambled eggs were really good and wouldn't change anything. Another person got the Roast Beef Sandwich and said it was okay, the beef was a little dry and the sandwich could have been warmer, but still not bad overall. For me, if I am looking for a solid Mediterranean spot with a big, filling meal, I would definitely come back here for the Half and Half Plate. Great value, great portions, and really good service especially handling a group of around 12 people without any issues. read more

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The food is good. And the bread is delicious! The reason I knocked down a star is because the portions are small for what you pay. Hardly any chicken, mostly rice and salad with just a few pieces of chicken. When my plate came I couldn't believe that was all the chicken in a regular plate, hardly any protein. The ambiance is cute. The decorations are cute and modern. The service is good. They're a nice staff and everything is clean. The protein portions are just small for the price. read more

Stopped by Calf & Chicken for a late lunch with my family and WOW - I was absolutely blown away! This is truly a hidden gem of OC, and I'm honestly surprised it hasn't been more crowded given the incredible value and quality. REVIEW OF FOOD (Yes, we ordered a lot - and it was ALL amazing!): Spicy Chicken Panini - Mouthwatering! Tender, juicy chicken with house-made spicy dressing and melted mozzarella. I dream about this sandwich. Tawook & Beef Skewer Plates - Incredibly tender meat with HUGE portions - definitely share! The beef was my favorite, but both were amazing. Avocado Zaatar Toast - Best avocado toast I've ever had. The Zaatar seasoning is chef's kiss, especially with the house-made sourdough! Berry Crepe - Light, airy, perfect balance of sweet with fresh berries and cream. OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: - Family-owned business with halal food (you can taste the love and care in every dish) - Impeccable service (quick, friendly, and efficient) - INSANE value for your money (aka generous portions that put other restaurants to shame) - Clean, spacious atmosphere (perfect for families, groups, or a casual date) - House-baked sourdough bread! - Everything we ordered was excellent - not a single miss! BOTTOM LINE: Skip the crowded, overpriced brunch spots and support this incredible local business. You won't regret it! read more

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This place is definitely a must try if you are a fan of Mediterranean food and like to support family owned businesses. Located on Lake Forest Road in a good sized shopping center so there is plenty of parking and lots of choices if you have folks in your group who want different things. I highly recommend trying this place as the service is great, it's very clean inside and the food is delicious. You order at the counter and they bring your order to your table. Nice variety of tables or booths to choose from. read more

Calf & Chick - ORIGINAL CHICKEN PLATE - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Fresh food, quick service and nicely decorated and clean restaurant. I like that the eggs they use are fresh cracked and all the bread served is made in house. read more

Calf & Chick - Crepe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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My husband was off today and wanted to try something new for lunch. We have been really loving Mediterranean food lately so decided to try Calf & Chick. The first thing we noticed is the place is very clean, including the restrooms. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is cheerful. We both ordered the beef kabob bowl. The order came out fairly quick. I asked if cumin is used as a seasoning because I do not like it, and was told they use 7 Spices seasoning. I have used if before at home so I was ok with that. The kabob was seasoned nice, the rice, hummus, and other add-ins were fine but nothing great. I didnt taste any of the lemon vinaigrette I requested on my bowl at all. I was too lazy to get up and ask for it. I also would've liked a piece of bread or pita with my bowl but I guess it doesn't automatically come with it and I was too lazy to get up and ask for some. My husband didn't really like his meal and only ate about half of it. The breakfast items look great but I just don't think we will be coming back. There are too many other places that we know we already like. read more

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Authentic, nicely presented dishes in a clean, bright setting. Everything felt fresh and welcoming. Definitely recommend it and look forward to coming back. read more

Calf & Chick - BEEF KABOB PLATE - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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A wonderful family owned business, they have two locations and thankfully, we have one right here in Lake Forest. The owners have a Middle Eastern background too. Which would explain why the food tastes authentic, to me. Family members wanted the beef kebab plate and the garlic chicken sub today. First thing upon entering, you'll notice the place is very clean, bright and airy. In addition, I was very impressed that they make their own bread here and one could look in the store window and watch. The prices are surprisingly affordable. At Calf & Chick It smells delicious and it tastes superb . The meat was flavorful, and moist! The hummus was great, I just wish I requested extra olive oil ! read more

Calf & Chick - I can totally envision my whole family sitting here! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I was looking for something a little different and Calf & Chick was nearby. Upon entering the store, it was extremely clean and bright. Love the simplistic design, and the restaurant is definitely bigger than it looks! I ordered online, which was simple enough. Getting to the restaurant, I had to wait a little after the expected time for pickup, but I had no problem with that. The gentleman and lady at the counter were very pleasant! I got a kebab plate as well as a kibbeh. The kibbeh was really interesting, and I thought it was real tasty. Kinda like a fried dumpling. The kebab plate was decent too! It wasn't my favorite thing, but the toum and hummus certainly helped with the flavor. Garlic, garbanzo beans, and lemon could never fail me. The rice was a little under seasoned, and the kebabs were tasty, but a tad dry. Still, a great meal, especially again, because of the toum and hummus. Easy eating, I'd say! Step out of your comfort zone at a place like this. I think you owe it to yourself. read more

After reading many positive reviews, I decided to pick up lunch from a Calf & Chick on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was clean inside and the service was friendly and wait time was reasonable. I ordered 2 Bowls to-go, one with just chicken and the other I paid an extra $4.99 to add kabob too. Before ordering, I'd asked about the portion size for the extra kabob and was told it was 1 full skewer, so it seemed fair. When I arrived home with the bowls I found that a couple pieces of my chicken breast were undercooked...totally gross and straight into the trash. The other bowl with extra meat definitely didn't have 1 full skewer of kabob on it. The meat was cut up into small pieces, but it seemed more like 1/2 of an average sized skewer. That was pretty disappointing and not worth an extra $4.99. Overall, the food was just OK, nothing fantastic. I probably wouldn't eat here again. read more

Have ordered from here a few times and each time has been delicious and fresh . Their food is halal and the place is family owned Recommend trying it out Will definitely be back read more

A nicely decorated place for all the Mediterranean food lovers. Not sure if jt falls under the category of fast food since my food took exactly about 2 minutes to get to me but pretty quick either way. Their menu is straight forward as they have some good sandwich options and some plates which comes with vermicelli rice, hummus and garlic sauce. I had ordered the Tawouk Plate which is marinated chicken grilled with all those sides and toast. I was more shocked with how fast the food was plated and brought to me. Granted it was only myself there at the time at the restaurant. The flavor of the chicken was good and so was the hummus and garlic sauce. The freshness of the chicken was not there as I'm guessing the food is either par cooked or kept in warmers so my chicken was not very hot inside and was a little hard and dry. The same with the rice as it had lost the stickiness and the chewiness I've usually had with vermicelli rice. Hoping it was just a little hiccup for my order but hopefully they can get those little details right with some many Mediterranean spots in the area. The place has very nice seating area inside with good ambiance. read more

Calf & Chick - TAWOUK PLATE - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Calf & Chick Bakery Café This little gem is tucked away in the most unassuming spot--right between a Wendy's drive-thru and an ordinary plaza. I was simply in the mood for something comforting: a hot sandwich and a coffee as the evening cooled down and the night started to settle in. The usual nearby options are predictable--Jersey Mike's, Ralph's, even a small bagel shop that's usually my go-to. But this time, something different caught my eye: Calf & Chick Bakery Café. And wow... what a find. The moment you walk in, the space feels warm, cozy, and genuinely welcoming--one of those places that makes you want to slow down for a moment. I ordered the Garlic Chicken Sub combo and opted out of the soda for an amazing latte instead. Best decision. The sandwich was packed with flavor, perfectly hot, and incredibly comforting. What made it even better? They bake their own bread in-house--and you can absolutely taste the difference. They even sell fresh loaves, and trust me... they're amazing. The latte paired perfectly--smooth, rich, and exactly what I needed as the evening chilled. This place is a true hidden gem, located in Serrano Plaza at 21781 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest If you're anywhere nearby and craving something warm, satisfying, and made with care, don't overlook this spot. People should definitely know about it. Highly recommended. read more

Calf & Chick - Store layout - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Love the owners. They are great. Love the bread. It's awesome. The atmosphere is beautiful. The food is great. Service can be better.

Low key restaurant. Probably 10 tables but lots of room between them. Very clean. Staff, especially the woman who takes the order is very friendly. Food is very good and fresh. Pretty reasonablely priced. The sell loaves of the sourdough bread they use for the sandwiches. Pretty sure they are baked in the store. DELICIOUS! Highly recommend. Note, it's a little hard to find. It is located right next to Wendy's. read more

My boyfriend and I just returned from Greece and were craving Mediterranean dishes, so we read reviews of this place and decided to give it a try. We both ordered the beef kebab plates, and we're glad we did. The flavors were exactly what we were looking for, and I was pleasantly surprised that this casual spot could serve food of high quality at a reasonable price. The service was friendly, and the cashier was very welcoming. We'll definitely be back to try other dishes. Highly recommended. read more

The food was SO good! Get the garlic fries... they were incredible. I didn't get a chance to try any of the bakery items, but it all looked delicious. Everything we got was flavorful, fresh, and the portions were large. I will definitely come back again next time we're in Lake Forest. read more

I was in a rush after a massage and saw this place in the same plaza so decided to pick up something quick. It's a casual, fast food looking type spot but very clean and seems they make fresh food. The quality was a surprise. I normally don't like bread but their spread was so good, I ate it all. The hummus was quite good too. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal and would go back next time I'm in the area. read more

Calf & Chick - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Cheap and delicious with a side of excellent service. Easy to park, lots of choices and a yummy lunch bowl with their house chicken, rice, salad and sauces. read more

Calf & Chick - Chicken bowl. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

If you eat halal this is the place for you they have really good chicken wraps and meat wraps as well and really good dessert and crêpes as well. Lily who work there is so nice and the service is so good. Their garlic chicken sandwich is my go to. read more

The food is amazing. They bake their sour dough bread in-house. I took a freshly baked loaf with me home and shared it with my neighbors. Everyone loved it! Needless to say it didn't last long. The service is impecable. They welcome you with a smile. And cater to your needs. I like the garlic chicken sandwich, double pressed with extra garlic!!! The cappuccino I prefer it with one shot and extra extra hot the only thing is I wish they had ceramic cups as I am environmentally conscious and prefer not to use plastics The place is always clean. A testament to the owners and staff The freshly baked muffins: loved the blueberry. It turned out the zucchini one has nuts so if you are allergic or can't eat nuts like me, then avoid it. They have a big screen TV in the back and that's why we decided to have our chamber event there for the presentation. Everyone loved the food and the staff was very hospitable. No pictures this time other than the breakfast I had the next day. Otherwise I was halfway through the food before I realized I need to take pictures read more

Calf & Chick - Classic breakfast with a side of Labneh! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Hands down my favorite lunch spot. I go here so often but I only have 2 photos because I find myself halfway done with the meal before I even realize. Favorites have to be the roast beef, garlic chicken, and grilled beef subs in no particular order. Ingredients always taste fresh and I've never been disappointed with any order. Absolutely love the novelty of making their own bread on-site, especially the baguette, great texture for sandwiches. Restaurant is always impeccably clean too, never seen a dirty table. Employees are all awesome. To have a halal spot serve these kind of sandwiches is just too good. Super innovative recipes that are inspired by Arabic flavors. And for it to remain this consistent since I first tried it months ago is even more impressive. I really have nothing negative to say. Maybe the only thing is I wish the Kibbeh was bigger read more

Calf & Chick - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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What an absolutely great meal. We got the iftar meal and it was delicious. The chicken and beef skewers were delicious. The lentil soup was great with some crushed pepper on top! The rice was on point and the hummus tasted home made. Don't forget the sambouseks. Oh man. They are like empanadas filled with cheese. Jasmine rice pudding was also great. It's such a great deal at $75. I forgot to take pictures because all of us loved it! read more

Food was good, a little over price on items that I think could be a little less but understood and still good food. Service was quick and efficient. Nice clean space, the booth tables a little small but we made it work! read more

Today was my first time at Calf & Chick and it definitely will not be my last. I had the spicy chicken panini and my wife had the falafel wrap. Both were outstanding. The prices are reasonable, the restaurant is spotless, and the employees are friendly and knowledgeable. If you're hungry for mediterranean food you can't go wrong by going to Calf & Chick. read more

Food Tawook chicken wrap - An excellent flavor bomb containing garlic sauce, fries, pickles, and grilled chicken. On the acidic side but I like that. 4.7/5 Service 4/5 Atmosphere 4/5 read more

Calf & Chick - Tawook wrap. Get this. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The chicken wrap is really good. The chicken panini needs a little more sauce, but with mustard or spicy sauce, it's really good. Next time I'll try the spicy chicken sandwich. Place is very clean too. Great service. read more

great food. friendly service. the place is spotless and great to work remote for a couple of hours.

Had a the breakfast egg and cheese sandwich. It was good, but forgettable. Not sure what else could be done to add some flair, but it could use something. The real problem is with your sourdough. It looks amazing with the loaves in the window, but the taste is lackluster. We got some sourdough toast, and though the texture was nice, airy, and chewy, there was zero sour flavor. It just tasted like maybe a fancy white bread. This definitely needs improvement, as there's no really good sourdough in the area, and if you were to make it especially sour, it would be a rare gem. read more

First time visiting this new restaurant. I loved the booth seating and cute decor. My tawook chicken plate was delicious and moist. My husbandʻs chicken breast plate was also good. The salad was fresh and the garlic sauce was good. There was also a large scoop of hummus on our plates as well as a few small pieces of bread. The lentil soup was disappointing, though. It arrived lukewarm and a bit bland. It also didn't look very appetizing; it was blended smooth had no color or garnish. We really enjoyed our chicken and salad, though, so we ordered 2 chicken bowls and the beef kabob wrap to take home to our boys. Unfortunately, the wrap we got was not the kabob but the beef roll which was a bit spicy. I wanted to the beef kabob, so I was disappointed with this mistake which may have happened because the cashier was learning and had to ask for help several times as I was placing each of our two separate orders. Anyway, giving this place some grace with 5 stars as they are new and still needing to work out some kinks. Their desserts look good and so did their breakfast menu. We'll be going back tomorrow to have lunch with a friend. I'll be ordering the chicken tawook plate again and maybe try their tiramisu. read more

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Had Chicken Garlic wraps on a Tuesday and was totally unimpressed. Basically nothing on them. Few pieces of chicken, and very scant vegetables, so scant I can't even remember what they were. Like eating just a tortilla. I ate here weeks previously and had decent wrap, so is it an employee who couldn't bother to make decent wraps since one of them free, or has the quality gone down since opening? read more

Amazing portions! My tawook chicken plate lasted me for 3 meals so I got moneys worth. I'm not always a fan of chicken skewer meat because it can be dry, I've never had such a juicy tawook chicken. The amount of rice and meat is generous! The garlic sauce is amazing and the hummus is smooth and creamy. The salad is fresh. The bread is flavorful and baked/toasted to a crisp! Definitely Going to take photos next time. I hope this establishment stays here in the long run because this is a very quiet plaza, with little parking. I hope the hype for this place grows, as they do breakfast/brunch as well! It's hard to find halal food around here, as some of my friends eat halal and I like to have options for when they visit. We need more healthier options in lake forest! read more

5 Stars - A Hidden Gem in Lake Forest! I eat at Calf and Chick at least three nights a week, and it's easily one of the best spots in town. The food is fresh, flavorful, and packed with quality ingredients--perfect for anyone who wants a delicious and satisfying meal without breaking the bank. The beef kebab plate is my go-to. For just $17, you get two large, juicy kebabs, plenty of rice, a fresh salad, hummus, a few pieces of homemade sourdough bread, and an incredibly tasty garlic dip. It's a ton of good calories, which I appreciate. Their spicy beef roll and falafel are also must-tries--tasty, flavorful, and well-seasoned. I recently gave their all-day breakfast a shot, and I'm glad I did. The banana and Nutella crepe was fantastic, and the breakfast combo was an absolute steal at just $10. It was my first time trying beef bacon, and now I'm hooked--it's just as good, if not better, than the traditional kind. One of the things that sets Calf and Chick apart is their homemade sourdough bread, which they use for their sandwiches. You can taste the difference in every bite. Beyond the food, the service is always top-notch. The manager and staff are incredibly accommodating and make you feel welcome every time. Lake Forest is lucky to have a healthy, high-quality restaurant like this! Highly recommend checking it out! read more

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I saw the reviews and decided to give Calf and Chick a try. It's a nice little spot in the same center as Ralph's and CVS. It's across from Bagel and Brew and next to the Wendy's. I went into a bit of detail because I drove by it the first time. Look to the left as you walk in and you'll get to see the baker at work. You order from the counter and the food is brought to your table. They have several nice tables to choose from. I ordered the Tawook plate. It's two skewers of chicken breast. It came with a salad and vermicelli rice. The chicken was seasoned well and tasty. The rice was really good too. The salad had radishes and chopped cucumber in it. All on all it was a good choice and a place I will come back to. I should also note the staff were welcoming and very nice. Give it a try if you are in the area. read more

Calf & Chick - Tawook plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Service was quick and restrooms were clean. Parking was easy at a shopping center. You order your food as soon as you walk in. While looking for a place to sit, I noticed the tables and chairs in the dining area had food crumbs. Then I noticed dishes were piled up on top of the trash bin with an unusual amount of uneaten food left on the plates. While eating our food, we discovered that the bottom half of our salad was rotten. We lost our appetite and stopped eating. The chicken didn't taste fresh either because it was bland and dry. The entrees come with a side of sauces, but the consistency was a bit watery and lacking flavor. All this could explain why there was so much uneaten food left by other customers. We were very disappointed and will not be returning. read more

The food here is good, but it's just not worth the effort. Here is what I have experienced multiple times... You show up and just watch as there is no sense of organization. No one knows what the other is doing. The cashier is constantly talking with the cooks because they are not sure what is what. Everything is slow and labored ALWAYS. Tonight, I showed up AFTER my online order was supposed to be done. I then stood around and waited an additional 20 minutes to pick it up as I watched all the chaos and lack of communication. I get that things get busy, but then don't give me a time my order will be ready and make me stand around another 20 minutes. I know what you're thinking "Probably a big, involved order!" Nope, a single order of avocado toast. It shouldn't take 40 minutes for avocado toast. Like I said, not worth the effort; I'm done. read more

New spot. Food was great. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. I ordered the omelette definitely will be back ! read more

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