Al Palace Chinese - Costa Mesa

The restaurant is fairly typical and budget-friendly, with a somewhat cheerful atmosphere, but the food is quite greasy and reminiscent of the 1970s American Chinese takeout style. It’s great for nostalgia and reminiscing about a youthful, carefree time, but when it comes to food quality, it's lacking. The service also feels like a blast from the past!

I ordered wonton soup, pan-fried noodles, soft noodles, and orange chicken to go. Unfortunately, everything was lackluster in flavor. The rice was burnt, and even the fortune cookies were stale and old. The only item that had any taste was the BBQ sauce in the noodles.

I ordered the Kung Pao chicken lunch special to take away. Prices seem to be higher than in the past, which aligns with current inflation trends. However, based on my experience, I can’t really recommend this restaurant. The service was almost too fast; I barely had time to sit down after placing my order when they handed me my food. While I wouldn't normally mind quick service, it felt like the quality suffered due to such a fast turnaround. I’d have to agree with some of the other reviewers that the flavor was quite lacking for Chinese food. Considering the pricing isn't very competitive and the taste didn't fully satisfy, I can only rate this place a 3 out of 5.

This is our favorite place to dine in. The service is the best in town, and the food is served quickly with generous portions.

I absolutely love this place! As someone from NYC, finding a great Chinese restaurant can be challenging, but this one has fantastic food. The staff is incredibly friendly, which enhances the experience even more. I highly recommend you give it a try; you won’t regret it. I visit at least three times a week!