Overall great experience!…read more Food - everything was cooked well. Loved the char on the prawns with our garlic noodles. The bone soup was rich and love that they refill your broth for you! Garlic wings were perfectly crispy. For the calamari ask for the green sauce instead, they were good just really tiny. Lomo saltado was my favorite. The beef was so perfectly cooked and not chewy. Great flavors! Service - our server was so nice! She was great with the kids and also very attentive. Knew exactly when to bring more broth and more lychee lemonade refills. We sat out in the enclosed patio area for first available and it was sooooo hot. Definitely need some sort of air flow in there. Parking - large busy free parking lot

Such a great experience here!! My boyfriend and I visited while we were in town and we were…read moredefinitely impressed. Ambiance: pretty loud on a Saturday but we were also next to a large group celebrating a birthday. The aesthetic was cute and clean. Service: Oanh was our waitress and her, along with all other staff, were super nice and helpful. definitely felt like a team effort of workers and it showed Food: YUM!!! We liked everything! - garlic chicken wings: 8/10- paired well with the sauce, though I think it would also taste really good with a side of white rice. Very garlicky and tasty! - crab congee: 9/10- tasted very buttery once mixed, very Vietnamese fusion but I really enjoyed it and my boyfriend (who grew up eating congee) said this might be the best congee he's ever had! It is very unique in terms of flavor in my opinion - ribeye garlic noodles: 8/10 meat was cooked well and it was a solid dish! - lychee lemonade: 10/10 so worth it!! It is free refills and super refreshing. If you like lychee you'll like this drink! Would recommend. Overall we had such a great experience and can't wait to come back!

We loved our server Chase!!!! Always friendly, helpful and quick with service. We're always lucky…read moreenough to sit in his section! Cheers till the next time!!!

Food was great, wait was long but worrh it. Had the beef bone pho and the broth was amazing....read more

Well. Online ordering via Toast is super easy, but it feels and looks like they changed the way…read morethey make their fresh shrimp and pork spring rolls. Each roll feels lighter and visibly has less ingredients. My wife usually only eats two, but today she ate all 4 in her order. Other than this, the service was fine. Pickup was fine.

A little loud. I…read morelike their pork rolls and shrimp paste rolls. Banh Xeo and bun cha gio. Pretty popular, open 40+ years ago. I like Brodard Chateau better 2 miles away. Quieter and parking is good.

Delicious bowls of pho with consistently well-balanced broth and generous portions of tender meat…read more They also offer a side bowl of oxtail at an incredible price, which makes this spot feel even more special and worth the visit. When I arrived with my family, there was already a lineup and a waitlist board hanging by the door. I recommend stopping by to add your name before searching for parking so you can save yourself some waiting time. A huge recommendation if you're looking for a satisfying bowl of pho in Westminster!

Phở 79 is a true Orange County institution that has been serving the community for years, and it's…read moreeasy to see why there is almost always a line out the door. Be prepared: this place is incredibly popular, especially during peak hours. Parking can definitely be challenging because of how busy it is. The last time I visited on a Monday, the lot was completely full, and I ended up parking on the street. The restaurant is also primarily cash only, so come prepared. They open early, making it a perfect breakfast spot for an early bowl of pho. The pho broth is exactly what I want when I'm craving comfort food--clean, flavorful, and incredibly soothing. However, the star of the meal for me was the chả giò. Wow. Although they arrived after our pho, they came out at the perfect temperature. I was hesitant to take a bite right away because freshly fried food usually burns my mouth, but these were just right. Crispy, airy, savory, and absolutely delicious. Paired with their fish sauce, it was perfection. I enjoyed the egg rolls so much that next time I'm definitely ordering the egg roll vermicelli bowl. Service was friendly and prompt despite how busy it was, and it's clear the staff works hard to keep things moving. One thing I love is seeing all of the awards and accolades displayed on the walls. Phở 79 received the prestigious James Beard America's Classics Award, and it's easy to understand why after one meal here. This restaurant is truly an Orange County icon. The restaurant will soon be moving to a new location, as signs throughout the restaurant announce the upcoming move. While I'll miss the original spot, I'm excited for the new space--hopefully with more parking! Some places are worth the wait, and Phở 79 is absolutely one of them.

There's a reason why Oc & Lau has two locations! Solid spot for family style Vietnamese dining…read more Parking is in a big plaza shared with many other businesses, but we've never had too much trouble finding a spot. Service was good for how busy they are! What we got: - Crab fried rice - delicious and so buttery - Steamed clams - not my choice but it was a good choice for others in our party - House special lobster - a must, especially if celebrating - Seafood platter for Thai hotpot w/ vermicelli noodles - my family always likes a good Thai hotpot - Mung bean pudding dessert - not too sweet, and I believe this is complimentary Everything tasted really good, 10/10 no notes. The menu is HUGE and I'd want to come here again with a big group just to order different plates.

We had initially passed Oc & Lau Restaurant a few months back when we were getting dessert nearby…read more We were definitely intrigued by the amount of people waiting outside and could see through the window all the food on the table. After a quick look at the menu, we knew this was someplace we would enjoy. We were in town on a Sunday evening and knew we wanted to check it out. With the two locations, we got on the Yelp waitlist knowing they were both nearby each other. (Our mistake was not getting on the waitlist earlier, so we did have a wait a good while.). We had perused other Yelper reviews and had a list in mind of what we wanted. Definitely take the time to look at the menu beforehand because it is long and extensive. Right off the bat, out of razor clams! Bummer. Nonetheless, we still got a bunch of things. * Grilled King Scallop with Fish Eggs $27 - Nicely cooked. 4/5 * Grilled Escargot with Garlic Butter & Peppercorn $16 - Yum! 5/5 * Mango Squid Salad $14 - This was noted in so many reviews, and it did not disappoint. We ended up getting a second order! 5/5 * Crabs & Shrimp Fried Rice $17 - I was not a fan. It was just fried rice, nothing special. It lacked seasoning and definitely needed the accompanying sauce. 3/5 * Deep Fried Smelt Fish $15 - Another winner! I haven't seen smelt fish this large before and it was so good, we got a second order. 5/5 * Coconut Swirly Escargot with Basil Leaves $14 - This came in a pot with such a delicious sauce. I would have loved some noodles or something to eat all that sauce up with. 5/5 * Spicy Seasoned Grilled Shrimp $17 - This shrimp were a good size and did not disappoint. 4/5 * Escargot with Tamarind $15 - Our least favorite of the escargots we ordered. It wasn't bad, just okay. 3/5 * Complimentary dessert - I have no idea what was in this che beyond coconut cream and rice, but it was pretty good. I probably would have ordered it. Service was okay. Because they are so busy, they definitely do try to rush you out. We were still eating and someone came and brought dessert to our table. Mind you, we were literally still putting food in our mouths and I looked at the waitress perplexed. We told her we were still eating and going to order more, so she took the dessert away. There's definitely this anxiousness about the staff to turn over the tables, which I get with the long lines. But I think they could have addressed it a bit differently by simply asking instead of assuming.

Lately I've been exploring Vietnamese food and when I looked at Nguyen's Kitchen's menu, I was…read moreintrigued by some of their menu items, so I decided to go check them out. I was meeting my foodie friend there at 12:30. The parking lot has limited space, which made it an extra challenge to park. Thankfully I only had to circle the block once to come back and snag a spot. (Meanwhile, my friend got there before me and was already enjoying an appetizer). Orders are placed at the counter and they call your number once your food is ready. The dining room consists of mostly booth seating with one "communal" table, and counter seating with 5ish chairs. There are also a handful of tables set outside. I've really been enjoying banh mi and their Bulgogi beef sandwich sounded great. I also happen to have a thing for popcorn chicken, so I got an order of that to round out my lunch. Oh, and based on the rave reviews I've read about their peach & lychee green tea, I ordered one of those as well. Let me just say, lunch was very satisfying! The sandwich was generously filled the fresh ingredients and the meat to veggie ratio was perfect. I'm not sure what the green sauce was that they finished the sammie off with but it was SO tasty!! I requested the popcorn chicken with medium heat and it was just spicy enough to leave my tongue tingling slightly. My friend saved an egg roll for me and it was also really good. (The tea by the way was very refreshing.) Now, this was my first time here but I never saw anyone come out to check the dining room or wipe down the tables after the lunch rush. This was especially concerning to me because they had a guy doing work on the windows who put his feet/ shoes on the tables right under said windows. Ewww. But aside from the parking challenge and the table hygiene/cleanliness, our visit was quite enjoyable and the food was very good. We would definitely return, but we'll have to plan around the lunch rush!

I was really looking forward to trying the crawfish pasta, and the portion was generous with plenty…read moreof crawfish and sausage. The presentation was nice, but unfortunately, the sauce was way too salty for my taste. I usually eat less salt, so the saltiness really overpowered the other flavors and made it difficult to enjoy the dish. Overall, it had potential, but I think the sauce could use a lot less salt to let the crawfish and other ingredients shine.

First of all the service was above and beyond. Our waiters and servers were very polite and…read morerespectful. We came for a birthday celebration for my wife. We came in semi-formal attire. The atmosphere was formal, but other people at the restaurant were wearing everything from casual to formal. The food was cooked well and everyone was pleased with their meals. I was personally expecting a little bit more seasoning in my Clay-pot seafood medley. But it was still very fresh and good..

Great service and atmosphere. Food was delicious and very authentic…read more Service was to the point. Food was excellent, no complaints it was at proper temperature spice level was good and it was delicious. The beef was so tender and soft it was melting in my mouth. Unbelievable this is a jewel of a restaurant for Vietnamese food. Ice coffee with condensed milk was great I enjoyed the coffee too. Overall I enjoyed and would visit again. Highly recommended if you enjoy Vietnamese food!

Garlic and Chives had incredble service. They were very patient with us, because of our…read moreindecisiveness. I mean there was so many great options. We ended up taking their recommendation and getting the Pomelo Salad. My friend got the Grilled Pork Vermicelli and I got the Fried Chili Lemongrass Salmon with Crispy Rice. Pomelo Salad, was hands down the fan favorite, just an excellent combination of flavors. My salmon was good too. I would probably prefer regular steamed rice next visit. Overall, great restaurant. Side note: Please replace your bathroom door handle, the locking mechanism is very SUS. Maybe add a deadbolt? [shrug]

Wanting to eat garlic noodles, while in Orange County, takes me to Garlic & Chives…read more It was 30 mins before closing time and we were welcomed warmly. What interesting is the table set up, it was covered with paper for ease to clean. I ordered garlic noodles with prawn, as in the menu, and learnt that the protein can be changed to anything they have (chicken, beef or pork). It is a 10/10, very tasty and the garlic tasted perfect, not too much yet still quite dominant. The lady who served also a sweetheart. I would definitely come back to try their other delicious food.

Pho 45 is my go-to pho spot, especially when I'm feeling sick and craving something comforting. We…read morealways get the pho with well-done brisket. The broth is clear, flavorful, and not greasy, unlike some other places where the soup can appear oily or have a strong smell. I usually call in my order, and it's always ready when I arrive. Parking is generally ample, but be careful pulling in and out since it's on a busy street. Definitely my go-to for pho!

Wrapped up a nice weekend with a much needed beefy bowl at Pho 45 to offset a weekend of chicken…read moredishes. All chicken. All weekend. Story for another time. It was a good meal, friendly staff, classic Little Saigon energy but also a reminder that Orange County pho is still playing catch up with San Jose. The restaurant was busy in that typical pho joint way with a line outside, a packed dining room, steaming bowls, and the whole strip-mall-Vietnamese-restaurant setup that feels like home for me. Service was excellent and very friendly. To my surprise, I was offered the thick noodles as an option. Has this gone mainstream now? My expectations shot through the roof and I eagerly anticipated the ho-fun style noodles in delicious and meaty broth. Wide. Chewy. Lizzo thick! What showed up was the Ozempic version of Lizzo. Still a decent bowl, broth was good, meat was plentiful, but the noodles need to go back to loving themselves or something. Girlfriend, meanwhile, lived her truth: ordered the bland/safe pho. The well cooked thin slices, no tendons, no tripe, and as forgettable as another chicken meal. She refused the hoisin like it personally insulted her. Classic SoCal gal whose idea of fine dining still starts at a taco truck. Or with chicken. What matters is she was happy and I was proud she ate something other than chicken. Salty plum drink was the sleeper hit. It was tart, salty, not that overly sweet version that tastes like fast tracking to diabetes. That one I would order again without hesitation. Would I come back if I was already in Garden Grove? Yeah. This place saved me from a weekend of chicken and taco trucks. I owe them some loyalty. Would I drive past actual San Jose Vietnamese spots for it? Absolutely not. OC tried. San Jose still has the belt.

Another great meal. Got the bun 35 noodle dish with sautéed beef tofu egg roll bean sprouts…read morescallions peanuts, and vegan fish sauce. Very clean and light. The chicken lemongrass was very flavorful with a side of black rice and house salad. For dessert, we began with the chocolate chilled cake. It was amazing so good. We got a second that was called the scotch on the rocks chilled as well both excellent. Recommend this place for a delicious, clean meal.

Au Lac is the cream of the crop, the teets, if you will, of vegan Thai cuisine. All of the flavors…read moreand none of the fish sauce. But you do smell it, that stench of delicious fermented vinegar and sweet, warm aroma of southeast exoticism. The food comes out fast and hot. The tea is steeped properly and the longer it sat, the more flavor there was, the sooner it goes. I can't wait to return and make my way down all the menu items preferably 3 times over before the restaurant knows my name.