It has been a long time since we last went to Fire Bowl and I didn't know why. After tonight, I remember the reason. The foods taste awful. We ordered pineapple fried rice and fried rice with tariyeki sauce. Calling them Asian foods is an insult. They tasted so generic. I couldn't even tell what I was tasting. Pineapple fried rice didn't taste pineapple. It felt more like rice mixed with soy sauce. read more

I love Fire Bowl, but I took off a star because a couple times I have not received the extra chicken I ordered in my meal. Other than that, it is very good. Staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean. read more

I'm ok with Fire Bowl. I am most ok with the location as the 3 times I have been there it's because we are running somewhat late for a movie at the Arbor and it is our only somewhat fast food choice and involves the same parking lot. The food, it's ok; the beer, cold, in bottles and a decent selection. The design your own bowls are generous in size and could be split with your movie pal, especially if you want room for milk duds or popcorn. We'll go again, when we're running late. read more

A solid find. I like to think of it as Which Wich (for those of you who are familiar) for Asian fusion cuisine. You first pick your meat which is either shrimp, chicken, beef, or veggie/tofu I believe. Veggie mix comes next followed by your choice of a variety of sauces which range from mild to spicy. They are all fairly flavorful, so be adventurous. Noodles are the last addition; vermicelli, rice, lo mein; you name it. Be sure to help yourself to fortune cookies and a wide range of condiments. You can also grab your own to go box and believe me, you'll have to. The portions are generous. I'd say this a perfect stop for a quick high quality lunch. Enjoy! read more

Terrible restaurant, bad food quality, no cheap or expensive, but for what you get is expensive. Will never come back. read more

Fire Bowl Cafe - Bad food - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Everyone I know hates on this place besides me and the fiance, and I don't know why. I know it's not authentic, well, anything, but it's tasty. You go eat your disgusting burgers or chicken or tacos at chain fast food which I cannot stomach, and I'll have my firebowl. Seriously, I know a guy who won't eat here, but will eat Chick Fil-a, Taco Bell, and Wally Burger. WTF? To me, it's miles better than Pleh Wei or Wiki Wak. I'm not here because I want "Asian", I'm here because I want some grilled chicken, noodles, veggies, and hot sauce, and I don't want to make it myself. I always get the stir fry my way (how can you not love something you can customize yourself!!) with chicken or shrimp, spring mix, rice vermicelli, and I've tried the fire sauce, garlic sauce, and thai sauce. I prefer the chicken (the shrimp isn't that great, but definitely edible), the veggies are great but they said they would charge me THREE dollars for extra veggies and less noodles when I asked (which I promptly declined), and the noodles, well, are noodle-y. All the sauces I've had have been tasty, but definitely needed a good dose of the hot chili sauce on the condiment stand (even the 3 pepper ones that are supposed to be the spiciest). Their eggrolls are tasty, their green tea is delicious (but suuuuuper caffeinated, which is probably a good thing for most people, but it made me like a kid after eating their way through a candy store - buzzbuzzbuzz), their fortune cookies aren't the worst I've had. All in all, great place to grab a quick lunch. I've heard horror stories about the owner lady chewing out her employees publicly, but I haven't witnessed it myself. Everyone has always been super nice, but I would probably subtract a star if I ever got horrid service. If they would suck it up and give me half the noodles and extra veggies, they'd get a star back. Since it's at least a monthly stop on the lunchtime rotation, and even one I actually quite look forward to, so 4 stars it is. read more

So Friday after 4pm I went and had the Thai Seafood Soup. Its got the coconut broth and rice noodles and shrimps and scallops and yummy yummy goodness...... I always manage to smuggle out a box of fortune cookies and a couple extra sets of chopsticks. if they didn't want you to, they wouldn't put them next to each other. They would hand you one per meal. read more

I'm giving them 4 stars because i normally hate mainstream chinese-esque food, but my wife likes it. I had the Pad Thai sans shrimp and i loved it. I proceeded to gorge myself on the entire bowl. I could go for another bowl right now read more

Love this place! I've tried many dishes and they never disappoint. Fast service and the prices are just right. Gives Pei Wei a run for the money. Definitely recommend this place! read more

The beef was a bit off, the vegetables not fresh, the sauce was overwhelming. Everything seemed to have come prepackaged and merely reheated to be served. read more

One of these days I'm going to try something other than the Pad Thai but its so good here, I'm scared Ill disappoint myself if I don't indulge in my favorite. I like how clean they keep the restaurant as well and I have always received great service. read more

My wife and I went to Firebowl a couple of weeks ago. We were impressed. Already a fan of Pei Wei, Firebowl gives a very similar feel but a different taste. This location was very clean and the staff was courteous and efficient. We will be return to Firebowl and have already recommended it to man. read more

First time here today for lunch and it was disappointed. I had the lomein noodles with chicken and spring veg mix. Food - The good It was piping hot - even after driving with it for 10 mins. The sauce was initially very tasty. Food - The bad It was goopy - MSG covered. It made me a little sickly after eating 1/2 of it The chicken was like rubber - seamed to have either been defrosted too quickly or cooked first before being wok-fried. Had a strange coating on it that I thought was breeding to start with but wasn't. two lonely snap-peas made me sad - I ordered that veg mix cos I love snap-pea - :( Service Mediocre - the guy barely looked up and didn't break a smile. He mumbled a few things that I had to ask him to repeat twice, seamed like he was hungover or stoned not sure which. ---- so all in all not very good. I recommend driving 10 mins down to Anderson Lane and going to Zen -- I've had basically the exact same thing from them and it's so much better. read more

Pains me to write a 1-star review for this place. The food is actually pretty good, and I like the fact that there is customization options. However, every time I have eaten here I have gotten indigestion/diarrhea. Not fun lol. It was not only me, as my friend also got it when we went together. No food is worth that. read more

I feel especially compelled to share my love for Fire Bowl in light of all the anti-chain snobbery and just plain whininess this place unfairly receives. It wasn't authentic like the fish-head soup your Chinese grandmama used to make? Oh, the sorrow -- I hope she knew how much you loved her... You saw a roach on the patio? Near some trees?? In Austin??? I hope you took a photo, 'cause what are the odds! Seriously, I've found Fire Bowl Cafe to be solid, reliable place to get a tasty, healthy, filling lunch quickly for just under $10. It's "Asian fusion", which means a blend of Chinese, Thai, etc. targeted at the American palate. (Authenticity doesn't even figure into it!) There's the build-your-own stir fry for the choosy eater, or set of classic-inspired dishes (General Tso, Pad Thai, etc.) if you don't like to make a lot of decisions. The hottest dishes really only get to medium level, but there's the usual assortment of chili sauces to crank up the heat. Even when the place is packed, your food is brought to you within 5 minutes, and always comes piping hot, with the bell peppers cooked perfectly al dente. The decor inside is modern and tastefully lit, or you can sit outside on the cozy patio. Unlike a lot of places in town, the tables are always bussed instantly, so you never have to sit near an empty, messy table (dodging scavenging grackles if you're outside). As for comparisons, Fire Bowl is pretty similar to Pei Wei, the waiter-free version of PF Chang's, though it's more focused on stir fries (and dishes that come in a Bowl). It's way better than fast food Asian like Panda Express, for just a dollar or two more. And it serves Coke, beer, wine, and various other bottled beverages, rather than just lame Pepsi. read more

Good food and prices. Vegan and gluten free options. *This is an edit* Called to place a to-go order today. Asked the lady taking my order what was in the springs rolls because I have food allergies. She says "I don't know, a lot of veggies" Are you serious? Highly unprofessional. I was sort of in shock that someone could be that much of a jackass at their job. I am going to make a complaint with their corporate office. Food allergies are no joke, or at least to me they aren't. read more

Really disappointing lunch. You get tons of rice and a tiny portion of meat for $9. So I guess a great place to come if you are carb loading but not the place to eat if you want a reasonable portion of protein. read more

I have been a regular at this place for some time now. It's now time to do my due diligence. Very, very good food here. Not PF Changs quality but very much up there. Very compatible to Pei Wei though. I wish they had the Mongolian beef, that would be a great addition. Overall a very good place to eat and eat fast!. read more

Very mediocre asian food, only went for a quick bite before a movie. My friend did not like her coconut soup or pad thai, she didn't finish either. Place was clean and service was friendly. read more

I'd recommend Firebowl over Pei Wei any day! First off, the eggrolls here are awesome! Perfectly fried and served with delicious sweet and sour sauce. Their Lo Mein is also really good! Definitely try it with shrimp and teriyaki sauce...MMM! They also have the best fortune cookies I've ever had, unfortunately the fortunes are quite lame. Oh well! 5 stars for Firebowl! It's tasty! read more

Just had the worst experience here, which NEVER happens. It takes just one person taking your order to ruin your experience. Not only did he have an attitude about inputting in my order- so basic that it was a bowl with rice and chicken, that after I demanded for someone else to take my order, he was still having diarrhea of the mouth and could not shit up, even when his mgr told him to stop. As I walked away after placing my order, yes I still ate there, I could hear him complaining about how he was trying to be nice to me but somehow it was my fault?? I'm disappointed that he is allowed to be behind a register at a place where the staff here have always been so friendly and efficient. It is people like him that give retail and food places a bad wrap. Myself working in retail would hate to be his coworker if that's how he believes ppl should be treated. read more

Fire Bowl cafe is a fast food Asian fusion cafe. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating good for a small group: family gatherings, casual dining with friends, etc. The inside layout is very neat and orderly. You enter and veer to one side to see the menu and place your order. The menu consists of soup, salad, customized stir fry, and noodle and rice bowls. I usually like to get the customized stir fry with the option of chicken and spring veggie mix with flat rice chow fun noodles and Hunan Black Bean sauce. If you don't know what flat rice chow fun noodles are, don't worry. In the ordering area, there are pictures of the different types. After you place your order and pay, the cashier gives you a number that you place on your table so that a "waiter" can bring you your order. I say "waiter" because although Fire Bowl is a self- serve, someone comes and brings you your food and asks how you are doing. When you actually enter the seating area, you will immediately see a drink stand with complimentary fortune cookies, lemons, napkins, and straws. Like I mentioned earlier, Fire Bowl near the Arboretum has a very organized and strategic layout. At the very end of your meal, you can also critique the whole experience by filling out a review card conveniently laid in the middle of the table. I would highly recommend coming here if you like Americanized Asian food. read more

I have never had such delicious crab rangoon's in my life (and I'm quite the critic!) delicious coconut curry, and unbelievably fast. A must try in the limited service restaurant category! read more

Popular lunch spot for Dell folks in Round Rock.. I like the Singapore vermicelli the best, steamed pot stickers as an appetiser. Prices are OK, food is OK, atmosphere is OK. To sum up.. OK.. If it wasn't near Dell I probably wouldn't eat there much, but it beats fast food. read more

Fire Bowl far surpasses Pei Wei, its arch-rival. Fire Bowl has fresher ingredients, yummier sauces, and custom-created dishes. The best part is the create your own, with several sauces, veggies and meats to choose from over rice or noodles. My personal fave is chicken with broccoli and cashews with Szechuan Garlic sauce over brown rice - it never disappoints! Servings are a fairly good size and they have little take out boxes for the leftovers. Prices are great and service is fast. Lots of seating indoors and out. Fortune cookies are plentiful. read more

yuck -- will not go back, would NOT recommend if you are looking for real Asian, guess ya gottta go to a real Asian place read more

I love this place. It's always nice to be able to stir fry your own way. Great to grab your food to go...

Great food and very tasty. Love the Pad Thai and Veggie Egg Rolls. Employees are always friendly and the orders are always quick for both dine in and take out. read more

I'm here for lunch a couple times a month, get there just after 11, never a line, food is always fresh and hot. No complaints about the food, but the wait staff could be a little friendlier, and I'm always afraid to put down my fork because the bussers are always hovering around waiting to take your bowl. read more

2 cups of Tom Kha soup & 3 pork egg rolls. Tasty, cheap, filling, fresh, fast. 2 can do this meal for under $13. Nuff said. There's plenty of other decent pricier stuff on the menu but you'll get good bang for the buck with this combo. Nice interior. Casual. Four tops & half booths. Austin Chronicles at the door. Plenty of parking. Walking distance to Arbor Theater. Friendly staffers deserve a good tip esp considering the value. Cue up. Order at counter. Get a number. Self serve fountain drinks. Maine Root sodas & bottled beer in the cooler you hit before you order. Good selection of condiments by the soda fountain. Dump a lot of chili oil & dash of soy sauce in that Tom Kah. Stir well. Enjoy! Good for take out too. Never screwed up a to go order. read more

FIre bowl is a nice Asian influenced meal at a fair price. If Pei Wei was closer to my apartment I'd probably go there instead, but Fire bowl is a satisfying alternative. I generally can get in and out fairly quickly and I've never had a bad experience with customer service. I typically go for the "build a bowl" deal with Chicken, szechwan garlic sauce, spring veggie mix and low mien noodles. It's always consistent and very tasty. Just the right amount of spice. read more

I usually have a positive experience at Fire Bowl Cafe, but the last time we were there our food took forever to get to our table. It wasn't as hot as it normally is as it sat on the pass through window. I have grown to expect better from this place :( read more

I ordered the spicy coconut soup and the crab rangoons. Both were mediocre and I doubt I will return. Despite the decent food, service was fast while being busy on a Wednesday night. read more

This is my favorite restaurant of all time. I go there at least once a week. The sauces are superlative, and I love that you can get brown rice along with your tofu and vegetables. The food is sooooo flavorful, and the employees are always helpful and friendly. read more

Very good food and very good service! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin! I recommend this to anyone with a hungry stomach!

5 stars to the kitchen team. 0 stars to the front line employees. Not only did they forget to submit my order to the kitchen, but they also gave me someone else's order. Not to mention they were very rude throughout all of this and did not seem to care at all about their extreme mess up. They forgot to submit part of our order the previous visit as well. They're lucky the kitchen team holds it together enough with good food. read more

I suppose I'm lucky Firebowl is always crowded during lunch time, otherwise I would spend quite a bit of $ going there everyday! Stir Fry is definitely the way to go here, most other dishes are very much average. They serve a very good hot & sour soup. If you don't order a soda you can get the meal under $10, which isn't too much of a sacrifice as the diet coke syrup is way too sweet here. read more

For some reason, my friends cannot seem to get enough of this place. Maybe I'm just not ordering the right things, but everything I've tried has tasted like it came out of a box and was heated in the microwave. As for the "stir fry" option, it all just comes out like ramen noodles with some veggies and chicken thrown in. Maybe I'm a snob, but every time I'm forced to go to this place, I always feel like I should have just stayed home and saved myself $8-$10. read more

Came here for lunch and ordered the Orange Chicken with steamed white rice. It was over priced and not even as good as Panda Express! Maybe I will give it another chance and get a beef dish next time. read more

It's a chain Asian restaurant. I've been there twice and my meal was good, especially considering the price. The place isn't going to knock your socks off, but it's decent and fast. read more