I've heard about this restaurant and been wanting to come here for years was so completely disappointed with the food the service and the choices. I can get better food in the mall than here panda express has better food than this place.They essentially have no soft drinks to serve. When ordering beverages they only had craft cola no other options, so we went to the liquor store next-door to grab a couple and got scolded by the manager Matt telling us he would let it slide tonight but next time you can't bring outside drinks . well don't worry, Matt we won't be back.. and also the waitress brought us the wrong tables food as well. The top of all the food the service was horrible. The ambience is very nice. Well that they get one star read more

My girlfriend and I stopped in on Saturday night, and we were underwhelmed. The service was friendly but slow they forgot our drinks and the condiments we requested. The hot mustard came in packets, and there was nothing "hot" about it. My girlfriend returned the Mongolian beef she ordered. The Kung Pao chicken I had was just okay, and it didn't even include peanuts. I'm giving them two stars because the staff are friendly but inattentive. Needless to say, we won't be going back. It seems they cater to a younger crowd that hasn't yet experienced quality food. . read more

This place serves delicious American Chinese fare! I was able to make a reservation so there was minimal wait time. The interior decorations are quite fun. Service was friendly and attentive. Since I was by myself I ended up getting just the dan dan noodles and Shanghai bok choy which were more than enough for one person. Would love to come back and try more dishes! read more

Fortunate Son - DAN DAN NOODLE - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Fortunate Son used to be our go-to for great vibes and good food BUT taking the dan dan noodles off the menu really changed things. I would not say the menu now is worth the 2+ hour wait without a reservation. The dan dan was the star of the show and the noodles that they "replaced" them with lack the complexity and flavor. read more

I'm not a huge fan of Chinese food but I would order here again. We took the food next door to polite provisions to eat there and were pleasantly surprised. The crab Rangoon and the general tso's chicken were awesome. I liked the beef and broccoli a lot but it was just a little too soupy Definitely loved the chicken dishes though read more

Fortunate Son - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Some folks are born made to wave the flag. Hoo, they're red, white and blue. And when the band plays "Hail to the chief." Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord. It ain't me, it ain't meI ain't no senator's son, son. It ain't me, it ain't me. I ain't no furtunate one. But I was fortunate to stumble into this place thanks to my awesome friend that surprised me by taking me here. I know a lot about restaurants and when we first passed by it we noticed it was packed. That is usually a good sign that the place is good. There is no parking. You have to find parking on the streets or pay to park in some shady alleyway about 100 meters in the back of the location. I don't mind walking so we parked a few blocks back. We arrived, gave our name, and was told it would be about an hour and a half wait time. While we waited, the restaurant speakers were playing some 70s funk and disco and I really digged the vibe. We actually spent about an hour waiting and were seated. There is outdoor and indoor seating. Since it was cold, we were seated inside and the place looked very pleasing. The lighting, the colours, and the fireplace that was there was oh so inviting. Food menu was simple and prices were reasonable. They actually have paper menus outside while you wait to get an idea of what to order. I got the dan dan noodles and spring rolls while my friend got lo mein, honey walnut shrimp, and orange chicken. Everything tasted good and service was very friendly. The only complaint I would have about this place is that the tables inside were too small for the amount of food that we ordered. Overall this place is amazing and will definitely be back. Not sure when, but it won't be off the table. Yes, pun intended. *Fortunate Son by CCR intensifies* read more

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The food was actually quite good. Some of the best Chinese food in San Diego if not the best! We got 9 different dishes to try a variety to give a proper recommendation and 8 of 9 were amazing. The Broccoli Beef was the worst dish of the bunch. The shrimp was amazing as were the dumplings. Make sure you keep the sauce they come on for all the other dishes! The service was equally as good! We sat on the patio and not inside where the ambiance is quite impressive. Do yourself a favor, get there early, be ready to wait 20-60 minutes for a table. Outside is always quicker as most want to sit inside for the ambiance. But make sure you go here at least once if not many times after that. read more

Fortunate Son - Entrance - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Well hello Chinese new year!! I had to have my lucky noodles before the night ended and it was a little late BUT we found this place not too far from home and said heck yes, let's give it a try. We sat on the front patio; don't worry they had outside heaters to keep us warm in this cold evening. It's a smaller restaurant and was packed!! The service was very friendly and quick. The food was delicious as well. These first timers here will be back. read more

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the food here is SO BAD. specifically the fried rice do not get that omg i am so serious it tastes like microwaveable fried rice from a bag and it was SO goopy. also i didn't see a single asian worker in that establishment so it checks out no offense. and all the chicken was like 80% breading 20% actual chicken so that sucked. the mami(?) noodles and walnut shrimp were good but there are far better spots if you're hungry for chinese. ambiance was nice though i'll admit its a pretty spot. read more

Fortunate Son - ambiance - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

We have been here twice, right when it opened and late night on a Friday. Only difference was that late night we waited 2 hours to be seated. Customer service was amazing both times and both our waitresses were extremely friendly. We personally preferred coming during the day time as it's less crowded. They have music playing at the perfect volume and nothing but great songs. During the night time it's pretty dark inside so it can be a little hard to see, but it sets the perfect ambiance for a date night. As for the food everything we have ordered has tasted perfectly. The portions are meant to be shared which is great because you get to try more items off the menu. Both times we have spent between $70-100 which is beyond reasonable considering everything we ordered. We will definitely be coming back. read more

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Decent food, but it's basically just an Instagram spot. Not disappointed, but prob wouldn't come back. No Asians working here. Don't come if you're against cultural appropriation! read more

The Yelp reviews are solid - and the ambience looked amazing, so on a little anniversary hiatus the wife and I decided to try this place out. The neighborhood is unassuming - but this place will have a wait. Paid parking around back helped as the streets are crowded. We were immediately pleased with the inventive ambience inside - cozy and strongly Asian themed decor - plants and hanging lanterns literally obscure the ceiling view and create an awesome environment. We were seated by the large stone statue that houses a fireplace and ordered. The menu is small, which usually means they are good at what they do . We ordered Orange Chicken (tangy-citrus focus and less sweet than many), General Tsos cauliflower ( mildly spicy , crispy fried with a bold sweet and soy sauce), crab puffs (heavenly with the perfect rich crab and cream cheese flavored filling), and lo mein noodles (mild dish, definite "wok hey" flavor infused - I recommend to ask for soy sauce to make it pop). The portions are huge! It was enough for 4 people! No wonder the carry out game there is so strong! You could feed a family for the price of a couple people, and for the portion/price ratio you can't go wrong. I must also say the aromas from the kitchen were teasing me even after I was well stuffed with food. Service was prompt and friendly - we felt comfortable even in the small environment. It wont be "intimate and private" but it is cozy and the space is shareable. Definitely still a good spot All around 5 Stars - this place differentiates itself! Keep up the good work Fortunate Son! read more

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Ordered a ton of takeout to share with a group and everything really hit the spot. They get so busy, I think we waited around 40 minutes for our food - and dining in was definitely a no-go without a long wait. They don't take reservations so I would recommend getting there early to join the waitlist if you have a larger party. I heard them quoting a couple hour wait for parties of two. I did peek and see how "Instagrammable" the restaurant is decorated. However, none of that matters to me for Chinese food and their food was very suitable for takeout to me. Definitely Americanized Chinese cuisine but I think they do it well. Since we did have to drive with everything lidded, the fried dishes were not as crispy but by no means did they get soggy. My favorites were the honey walnut shrimp and kung pao chicken. read more

Fortunate Son - Our takeout spread - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Sad to see this place fall from grace. Our past takeout experiences have been awesome. We decided to come in-person to sit down and enjoy the full experience. Service was mid at best. Crab Rangoons were basically empty tortilla chips, and our beef was way overcooked. Sucks because CH places are supposed to be high quality and therefore are more expensive than the typical place. But as of recent, all CH places are becoming over saturated and trendy. Lafayette is now treated like a bar, people coming inside with sweatpants and baseball hats. Morning Glory has broken bar stools and worse food than usual, despite a 2 hour waiting line. I miss the old CH vibes !!!! Don't come here if you want good and authentic food... read more

It's good but there are many places that put it to shame on convoy. I ordered take out because the dining room was full, with a 35 minute wait definitely not worth the wait also overpriced for Asian comfort food. read more

I really enjoyed the ambience and decoration of this restaurant. I unfortunately did not get many pics of the food. However it was yummy. The egg drop soup was really delicious. The green beans, very yummy. I was not a fan of the beef broccoli, just a preference. The noodles and fried rice were very good. I would recommend splitting amongst people as the portion is very generous. We went a Thursday and was a pretty long wait (30 mins) however the service was fast and efficient. The tables are very small for the size of the plates that's given, felt as if there's no eating room. read more

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Long wait and text system is not very accurate (had to ask in person if table was ready) but service and food was amazing! It's a go to if you want to have a date or enjoy a good backdrop for pics too! I would recommend to have a drink next door while waiting for your table. read more

Back again and without disappointment. The chefs are still feelin' themselves back there tossing in all sorts of intense flavors but I ain't mad at 'em :) This time my friend had the sweet and sour soup which she decided to water down. She also said the ginger lemonade was overwhelming. I was satisfied with my order since I've pretty much mastered the menu and decided that the honey walnut shrimp with the sautéed cabbage are my go-tos. I decided to stick with water--boring, I know. But after all is said and done, we had plans to go next door anyway so I chose to save my thirst for a fizzy lifter. read more

Fortunate Son - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was here on business and my client ate here the night before, and recommended it. He was from LA and was extremely happy with his discovery. So I decided check it out the following night. I went out of the way to find this place as we wee downtown at the bay but it was worth it. It is super hip and it was very crowded. When we drove up, there was a long line which almost caused us to change our mind. However, we decided to park. Parking is behind the building. They told us it would be 45 minutes to get our table but we were surprised that we were side in about 15 to 20 minutes , the place has awesome decorations and is an explosion of creative details once you go inside. Every corner of the room is filled with design elements and fantastic colors. We couldn't stop looking around. My son ordered the hot and sour soup. He thought it was one of the best he has ever had. I ordered the orange chicken and it was more than I could eat. Rice was sticky and the orange chicken was sweet, crispy, and not too spicy. Scallions were freshly cut and I was surprised not to find large chili peppers like I normally see back home. Which I appreciated. My son ordered the lo mein noodles and it was larger than my orange chicken plate. The broth was smoky and had a deep flavor to it. It was better than what you would normally find. We didn't have any cocktails, and the drink options were a little limited. They had a few bottles of a local short brew sodas. He had the classic which tasted like a coke and a Pepsi had a baby. If you're looking for a great spot to eat and want some thing, that is a mash up of a little old and some new thinking you would love this. Tables are small, so a smaller group should be considered. I loved it. read more

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This is a very popular restaurant in North Park, so prepared to wait (I suggest coming a little earlier to wait). We ordered the Orange Chicken (), Lo Mein (), and the Fried Rice (). The service was great!!! The speaker right above our table was super loud, BUT it was a super fun Disco playlist, so we were groovin'. 10/10 I would recommend! read more

Fortunate Son - Inside- this is the front corner table. Loud speaker right above us - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a vibe coming in here! It's super small so a line tends to build up over time (I would recommend going on a weekday right when they open). It's just street parking so it is a little difficult when busy, but it's near a residential area so you'll be able to park within walking distance. We loved it so much the first time we went that we went a 2nd time within a month! We always get the shrimp and park dumplings (sauce is a little spicy if you're sensitive), the dan dan noodles (more meat than noodles ratio), the and the cucumber salad. The first time we tried the egg rolls and the crab rangoons and they were amazing, but don't really stick out from other places. So the next time we tried the szechuan hot chicken wings and thought they were good and were slightly spicy but not as hot as you would think when you hear szechuan! We love this menu because they all come in family size servings (so try to order accordingly) and it's a small menu but you can tell the quality of each dish gets all the love it deserves. I don't doubt the other items are amazing and am looking forward to the next time we go! read more

Fortunate Son - Cucumber salad, Dan dan noodles, Szechuan hot chicken wings, Shrimp and pork dumplings - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Been putting this review off for a bit, but it has to be written... Parking, you're looking at a block away at best. Short walk. Lines? Yes. Absolutely ridiculously long wait times, so they say. We showed up at 6p and was asked to wait 2hrs and 30min. If we chose to be seated outside, the wait could be a hour. We weren't sure, decided to walk around to check out other dinner options. Came back, a different server signed us up onto the wait list and said there's a seat available right now outside. Wow, we went from 1hr to right now in less than 5min. That's some really real expedited service... We've asked for our wait times a few times before this outing and it was always at 2.5hrs regardless. No visible line or anything... Keep in mind, no reservations taken. We ordered the SzeChuan Green Beans, Hot and Sour soup, Dan Dan noodle, General Tso's chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and a side of rice. Where do I even start?? Hot and Sour soup. Not hot and not sour. Ask for a side of white pepper to bring out the hot taste. Normally if its not sour, I'd recommend asking for vinegar but the soup is already very salty. The whole thing kinda went out the door for me on this. The green beans were boiled then heavily drenched in black bean sauce and garlic. Missing the wok taste. Dan Dan noodle was made with SchChuan chili oil, as opposed to the Taiwanese based style. This dish was probably best of the lot we ordered tonight. General Tso chicken was basically orange chicken in disguise, with a bit of chili. But was it good? I can see how it could be good for some but I wasn't a fan. Shrimp and Walnut? It missed the depth creamy flavor. The walnuts were crushed and sprinkled. It definitely made me wish how traditional places made it. Deep creamy flavor with bold walnuts. The white rice. Really Francisco, the rice as well?! Yes, the rice. DRY! Either an uneven balance of white rice a d water or they kept it in the ricecooker for way too darn long... Ok...why are there people lined up for hours for this place. Maybe some people like the taste this restaurant has to offer. Maybe its the overly the top decor. Not sure, but I'm not about it. Try or not to try? I'd say only try this place if there is no wait time. But given how they quote you your wait time, its 2.5hrs wait time all the time... read more

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such a cute & vibey place. Definitely had to set a reservation a few weeks in advance, during the week. It's family sized servings so we got a few things to try. They have limited veggie/ vegan options but enough to have a meal. Their tofu is good, super crispy with a good crunch and well seasoned. My favorite was probably the fried rice! Great serving size as well. The menu is small but it does make it easier to choose food & not feel overwhelmed with too many options. read more

I loved everything about this place! We did have to wait, but it was so worth it. The ambiance was so wonderful, I loved these hanging flowers and lamps! The food was good. Good bang for your buck. Service was attentive and very friendly, our server was fantastic. I wish I had gotten her name. read more

Fortunate Son - Great ambiance! - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Experienced Fortunate Son from the Polite Provisions side, as it's the food option for the bar. Overall, it's not bad - prices are alright considering the ambiance, and they capture the vibe of Chinese restaurants pretty well. Portions are kind of small, but that could be expected, given the type of bar/dining experience. When I came over a weekend with friends, we ordered a few dishes that set the tone well, until our order of the orange chicken came out. The orange chicken was cold. We almost hesitated to say something because it was nearing last call for the kitchen, and didn't want to make a fuss, but it was a bit too much to ignore. The waitress took the plate and said they'll heat it up. She handed it to another employee, who we saw was still roaming with the plate for another minute or so because they seemed confused. We were confused too! Didn't know how it could end up cold while the other dishes were hot and ready. In the end, it was heated and brought back to us. It was a strange experience all around. read more

Fortunate son is soooo good. Their food is definitely Americanized Chinese food, but it is delicious. I'm from the Bay Area and the food in Chinatown hits different. My favorite item at Fortunate Son is the honey walnut shrimp. The shrimp are jumbo sized pieces, cooked perfectly tender and the crunch from the walnuts is the cherry on top. I wish our order had more sauce, but it's okay. Just a personal preference. All of their food is flavorful, especially their dumplings. It has the right amount of spice and cilantro to pair with it. Soooo soo good! I wish I had pictures of the inside of the restaurant . It is decorated to make your experience a great one. Service is quick! I ordered my food 15 minutes before picking it up & it was hot and ready by the time I got there. Highly recommend this place, especially if you're craving honey walnut shrimp. Writing this review makes me excited to eat there again lol. Happy eating y'all! read more

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Very Underwhelming. The service was friendly, ambience was absolutely gorgeous, especially at night, but the food was subpar. hot and sour soup was very tasty. vinegary and robust. 8.5/10 crab rangoons were crispy and the filling was good but there wasn't much of it. sauce was delicious though 6.4/10 lo mein- couldn't get past 1 bite of it. very weird smokey burnt flavor and the noodles were very mushy 1/10 egg rolls- crispy and lots of filling but bland 5/10 general tso chicken- very crispy despite being a lot of sauce. I would have liked it a bit more spicy and it kind of just tasted like orange chicken but still good 8.1/10 steamed rice- somehow crispy on one side and not very fluffy 4/10 $74 total and huge portions but I don't know if I would come back honestly read more

Can't believe I'm writing this but the food was not great today. We first came in March and everything was delicious so for our visit this time we made a reservation and were so excited! We ordered a lot planning to take leftovers home but today everything was so salty to the point of discomfort. At first, I thought it was me but my husband and daughter shared the same. The service is always incredible so we didn't say anything and just took the L but if the recipe has changed please change it back. read more

been hearing bout this place for some time now so we tried it and we went on a Friday. Luckily we're able to get a seated coz they get real busy. So ambiance with the ceiling filled with lanterns & plants gives this playful vibe. It's like walking into a room & it's upside down. The arrangement of the room was bench sitting with small round tables. For a party of 2 temper expectations when your order coz table can fit bout 3 dishes worth plus your drinks & some lamp. Food was ok, nothing to brag about. Had the Wonton noodle which was salty, Orange chicken (meh) it's ok, fried rice ok. Not a fan of Dan Dan noodles but loved their shrimp dumplings. Didn't get to try the beef broccoli & Gen Tso chicken but contemplating on coming back. Overall I didn't like much of the food & the sitting. read more

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The food is amazing!! Service is amazing!! I highly recommend you reserve for this place and not walk in! The ambiance is amazing!!! read more

I was skeptical if the food was actually good or it was just the decor. Both was 10/10. We ordered the cauliflower, orange chicken, dan dan noodles, fried rice with shrimp, cucumber salad, and honey walnut shrimp. 100% would order all this again. We were all so full and satisfied. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Can't wait to go back! read more

I've always seen this place packed and was lucky enough to come when there was no wait time! The interior is beautiful and I love the ambiance. It's a little bit dark inside but it feels cozy and intimate. As for the service, it definitely could've been better. Our server was nice but he did not check up on us at all when the food arrived and we really wanted a refill on water. For food we ordered the chow mein, green beans, cucumber salad, fried rice, and broccoli beef. My personal favorite was the chow mein and cucumber salad, which were really flavorful! The string beans have a sour taste from the vinegar but wasn't too bad. The fried rice was good but a little wet, when friend rice should be dry. As someone who's Chinese, the food is definitely catered towards American people, but it isn't too far from being authentic. Overall I enjoyed it! read more

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Great ambiance, cool decor! There was a little wait, but we just walked over to the bar on the corner until our table was ready. Service was decent, not very fast but not too slow either. Food was good really liked that's it's family style, however they ran out of the noodles which was a bummer, so we had to settle for fried rice. King Pao Chicken was a little too salty for my taste. Overall for the money, I think it's a decent option if you are looking for Asian food! Would be willing to give this place another shots! read more

Fortunate Son - Fried rice and orange chicken - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Solid mix of ambiance, service, and Chinese food catered to American tastes. Seems like there is always at least an hour wait for a table on a Fri or Sat night, but that's easily overcome by three drinking establishments within a block of the restaurant. Throw your name on the wait list and go have a drink or two. Happy eating! read more

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Fortunate son is a great restaurant for Chinese food and is a must try for anyone who enjoys good food and an amazing ambience. read more

Fortunate Son - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is sooooo good. We ordered takeout and I was in shock how fresh and flavorful the food was. The Dan Dan noodles are a MUSTTTT also the general tso and dumplings were all 10/10. Food was ready so fast !! Can't wait to come back and sit in the cute restaurant. read more

We got excellent chow mein and honey walnut shrimp for takeout. It was good enough for a return visit. The hype has settled down, and I would consider a sit down dinner. read more

I was there 20 minutes before opening time, waiting outside for them to open. When they opened, I ordered takeout and offered to wait inside because it was cold outside. They told me I couldn't wait inside because they had reserved tables and the lounge was empty. It would take 15 minutes to pick up and they rudely refused my request to wait inside. I ordered fried rice and orange chicken. My chicken was boned but I'm not giving this low score for the boned chicken but for the poor hospitality. read more

Fortunate Son - Boned ORANGE CHICKEN - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a cute atmosphere inside! Wait was very long and we got seated outside but then moved inside when it started raining on us. They seemed understaffed and busy with take out but were managing. We got the orange chicken, chicken wings, and Dan Dan noodles. Orange chicken was our favorite. Chicken wings were a dry rub which was a little too much and spicy for my liking. The noodles were good and different than what I was expecting. I would be interested in trying the lo mein and other dishes when I come back! read more

Fortunate Son - Orange chicken - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here for dinner on my anniversary with my Husband. This place is in Normal Heights in San Diego. It's a small little place with an amazing little vibe. Decorated with a 70s meets China vibe, there are beautiful fake flowers coming from the top, as well as gorgeous lanterns. So at night time the ambience is just fantastic. This place has a long wait, no matter what day it seems. But we put our name on the list and went next door to have a drink at Polite provisions so it wasn't too bad! Both are owned by consortium holdings, which I've noticed every single one of their properties has the BEST vibes. The service is friendly but could take a little bit, not really sure why but it wasn't too bad. Since we had drinks at polite provisions we stuck with water while we are. For the food we decided to share some things. We went with the Dan Dan Noodles, the Walnut Shrimp and the Green Beans; everything was perfect to be shared, the portions were great for the price. So affordable which is a nice change when eating at a place with this kind of look. Most of the time they're over priced, but not here! The Dan Dan noodles were definitely hotter than o expected but holy moly were they DELICIOUS! So much flavor and the noodles were the perfect texture! The Walnut Shrimp, which is one of my husbands favorite dishes usually, was fantastic. The portion was big, the shrimp were big and delicious. Perfectly crispy with an amazing sauce and plenty of walnut for an added texture change as well. My husband said they're some of the best he's ever had before. The Green Beans had so much flavor, only drawback was that they had a little too much sauce for my liking near the end of eating them. However, that was a minuscule complaint because the flavor was FANTASTIC! A nice spicy and some what sweet flavor profile, crunchy peanuts and cashews. I could eat these everyday if I had to. Can't forget to mention, I was obsessed with the little plate set up and the to-go boxes! read more

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