Turtlelady

We recently discovered this chain, and we’re glad we did. I was looking for a Chinese-y place and it was right here in our “own backyard”.
We especially appreciate the fact they can use several levels of spices and added heat—we like ours mild .

Try the Thai iced tea if you enjoy a very sweet version. It is made with tea and condensed (sweet) milk. Like a dessert in a cup.

We especially like the chicken and shrimp dishes, and we heartily recommend the wor wonton soup. A friend loves their curried dishes. You can order on-line, by phone or, as I do, walk-in. Ambiance is missing and place is small, but it is fine for quick lunches and to-go.

My husband and I have been eating at this restaurant for about 20 years! We like to go Saturday nights for early dinners, 5:00 -ish. That way there’s never a wait for a table. Prices were recently raised a bit, but most full dinners are under $8.50. Full bar, inside and outside eating. Take out is fast and virtually the same food as on the regular menu. I especially like their chiles rellenos. They will substitute beans for rice and make special suggestions. Isidro is a nice waiter, actually the staff is all very nice and competent.
There is a sign up stating that they don’t want take out meals to be eaten on the premises.

Great family place, also a meeting place for the college crowd.
Old fashioned, not fancy, booths and tables, compact but not too noisy to hear conversations.
Try it, you’ll like it. Not greasy, and there’s something for everyone.

There are 2 --no, make it 3--Sam Woo’s. The one on Culver in Irvine has a “fast food” BBQ attached .

Sam Woo’s also has another restaurant in Irvine on Walnut and Jeffrey.
This review is for the Culver Seafood version. I ate there twice in December. One was a private party in the back room. I believe there were 4 round tables of 8 people. There apparently is a $350 minimum order to book the room.
The food was absolutely delectible. Served family style and presented on a turn table, lazy susan, I have never had such unusual and tasty Chinese selections. I really can’t tell you for the most part what I ate, I tried everything. The orange chicken was the best I have ever had —not doughy and sickeningly sweet as most places are apt to serve.
I was a guest at the restaurant and didn’t pay, so I am not sure of the prices, but I think someone admitted it was $35 per person, no alcohol.

We did have English speaking Asian servers who were well trained and personable .
The second visit was with some lady friends during the week, All elderly women, except for 2 of us, we all are also Caucasion. I mention this only because this restaurant is THE meeting place for many Asian men at lunch.

. The wait staff was excellent, they even gave the 7 of us separate checks! The food, selected by us individually with the wait staff’s help, was served family style. The waiter patiently explained ingredients and levels of hotness.

We had 7 entrees plus rice and cookies with tea. The bill came to a little over $10 per person. There was a lazy susan again which made life simpler for us .
We had 7 different dishes, some were touted as good by the staff. I don’t think anything was mediocre.
Several in the group went back during the holiday season when they had visiting relatives to feed.
I highly recommend any of their duck dishes, but the shrimp ones were special too.

We stayed over 2 hours, eating and chatting and no one glared at us.