AL Palace Chinese Restaurant, Costa Mesa

love it, been coming here over 20 years, still drive all the way down there from Tustin hills .

I was turned on to Al Palace when I worked in the area several years ago and now that I am back in the area have been a few times. The food, as always is excellent and their egg rolls are the best I have had outside of the street vendors in china town (L.A.). The service is friendly and the food is great for a good price. I would, and have recommended Al Palace to everyone I know. My only suggestion is to get their early whether for lunch or dinner as the place gets packed really fast.

I cannot believe the reviews here for Al Palace. This has to be one of the worst Chinese restaurants I have ever been to (twice, just in case it was a bad night). I will give you that the food was very hot, but that's about it. Food is way over battered (take one shrimp, split down the middle and batter several times to make them look really BIG, then fry as two shrimps!) and they have no clue what Orange Chicken is or tastes like! I tried 5 different dishes and all had the same brown sauce over them with few different ingredients and a different name. I asked the manager about the food I received and he informed me this is how it’s always prepared and was quite upset and offended when I returned his food. He took my plates to the kitchen and threw them with a loud crash and came back to yell at me to say that they serve 90 plates of that a day! I feel they are ripping off 90 people a day then. I went here based on several recommendations, now I feel as if so many people are used to eating flavorless fast food that all a place has to do is serve it to them hot and, BAM! Great food! I would consider myself a foodie and have had Chinese from all over the U.S. and so far the best Chinese in the OC by far is on Balboa Island at a place called Shanghai Pine Garden. It's owned by the same family that owns the China Garden Dim Sum in Irvine, the best Dim Sum in the OC! Compare the two and post your own review. Here is what I would recommend to everyone, do yourself a favor and skip Al Palace.

LOVE IT!!! At first i was not a fan of Chinese food, then i tried this!! WOW!! You can eat there or order ahead and by the time i get home, the food is STILL hot!!! It's like when i go to Panda Express, and the food is cold. You get a lot for the little you pay. DEFINITE MUST GO!!

Good, cheap and a lot of food but not the best quality. I have been going there for 10 years.

I have been going to Al Palace on and off for years, mostly for lunch. At times I am convinced that it is the most efficient restaurant in the world, especially during the height of rush hour. Jimmy, Ann and Andy are like old friends. Their eggrolls are large and crunchy unlike every other Chinese restaurant in the U.S. Most popular item is their Wor Won Ton Noodle Soup (yes, Won Ton and Noodles), and any number of their lunch specials. My absolute favorite is Shrimp with Lobster Sauce especially with chili oil mixed in to taste.Always more food than I should eat, but I absolutely love this place.

I have to say that i eat at this place at least once a week and have never experienced anything horrible from their food. If you are looking for a P.F. Changs, this is not it, but if you are looking for authentic chinese food and quick like, this is your place! I hope you enjoy it as much as i do!

I'm incredibly disappointed! We got take out there tonight based on the good reviews. Maybe the lunch crowd gets fresher, better food. Our dinner was awful. Super greasy, including the vegetables. The meat was funky. We took a few bites of each item and then threw the whole dinner in the garbage. Large portions but too gross to eat! Maybe we went on a bad night. I've read reviews on other sites that were of equally bad experiences. It's cheap and greasy. If you like that, then you'll love this place. Otherwise, spend a little more money and get some decent Chinese food somewhere else!

great food, family owned place i've been going there for over ten years. My favorite is spicy shrimp and chicken gai cow. And the egg rolls and cream cheese wontons are the best!!

I agree with all the other comments. It's the best Chinese around, with the best value. I can take a date for under $15 (including tip). Unlimited hot tea without asking and you get an almond cookie with your fortune cookie at the end.