Vegan Restaurant

Fong's Restaurant & Bar

0 (0 reviews) · $$$$ · priorLake · Strict-vegan verified
Fully vegan
Directions
Editor synopsis · 0 reviews
Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.

Excerpts

I recently dined at this Chinese restaurant hoping for a comforting takeout meal, but it turned out to be one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in years. We ordered classics: sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, and chicken lo mein, expecting the usual reliable flavors that make Chinese takeout a go-to option. Instead, what arrived was a complete letdown from the moment we opened the containers. The chicken in both the sesame chicken and lo mein was disastrously dry and chewy, like it had been cooked hours earlier and left to toughen under a heat lamp. It was impossible to enjoy – every bite required excessive chewing, and the texture was more reminiscent of rubber than tender poultry. The problems didn't stop there. The beef in the beef and broccoli was utterly bland, lacking any discernible seasoning or marinade; it tasted like plain boiled meat with no depth, no umami, and certainly none of the savory richness you'd expect from a stir-fry. Worst of all was the sesame chicken "dish," which wasn't even prepared properly – the sauce came in a separate container, as if they'd forgotten to toss it with the chicken during cooking. And that sauce? It was a far cry from the thick, glossy, nutty-sweet glaze that defines good sesame chicken. This version was watery thin, like slightly flavored broth, with no sesame essence whatsoever. The only dominant note across all the dishes was an overwhelming saltiness that bordered on unpleasant, forcing me to drown everything in chili oil just to introduce some desperately needed flavor and moisture. In the end, this meal was barely edible and left us regretting the order entirely. What should have been a satisfying dinner turned into a chore, with most of it going uneaten. For a cuisine known for bold, balanced flavors and satisfying textures, this restaurant managed to miss the mark on every front. I can't recommend it to anyone looking for authentic or even decent Chinese takeout – save your money and appetite for literally anywhere else. It's rare to encounter food this poorly executed, and it’s a stark reminder of how important fundamentals like fresh ingredients, proper cooking techniques, and actual flavor development are, even in casual dining.

I recently dined at this Chinese restaurant hoping for a comforting takeout meal, but it turned out to be one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in years. We ordered classics: sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, and chicken lo mein, expecting the usual reliable flavors that make Chinese takeout a go-to option. Instead, what arrived was a complete letdown from the moment we opened the containers. The chicken in both the sesame chicken and lo mein was disastrously dry and chewy, like it had been cooked hours earlier and left to toughen under a heat lamp. It was impossible to enjoy – every bite required excessive chewing, and the texture was more reminiscent of rubber than tender poultry. The problems didn't stop there. The beef in the beef and broccoli was utterly bland, lacking any discernible seasoning or marinade; it tasted like plain boiled meat with no depth, no umami, and certainly none of the savory richness you'd expect from a stir-fry. Worst of all was the sesame chicken "dish," which wasn't even prepared properly – the sauce came in a separate container, as if they'd forgotten to toss it with the chicken during cooking. And that sauce? It was a far cry from the thick, glossy, nutty-sweet glaze that defines good sesame chicken. This version was watery thin, like slightly flavored broth, with no sesame essence whatsoever. The only dominant note across all the dishes was an overwhelming saltiness that bordered on unpleasant, forcing me to drown everything in chili oil just to introduce some desperately needed flavor and moisture. In the end, this meal was barely edible and left us regretting the order entirely. What should have been a satisfying dinner turned into a chore, with most of it going uneaten. For a cuisine known for bold, balanced flavors and satisfying textures, this restaurant managed to miss the mark on every front. I can't recommend it to anyone looking for authentic or even decent Chinese takeout – save your money and appetite for literally anywhere else. It's rare to encounter food this poorly executed, and it’s a stark reminder of how important fundamentals like fresh ingredients, proper cooking techniques, and actual flavor development are, even in casual dining.

Sharing pics of the delicious Moo Goo Gai Pan I ordered last night. Had arrived early for a meeting so I could enjoy supper with others. The staff has always been attentive, and last night I think they’re starting to recognize me. I think I’ve only been there three times. Food does not disappoint and the staff does a good job of anticipating your needs. I would suggest not ordering the same thing every time you go just so that you can get a better idea of what they have to offer. Until next time …

Sharing pics of the delicious Moo Goo Gai Pan I ordered last night. Had arrived early for a meeting so I could enjoy supper with others. The staff has always been attentive, and last night I think they’re starting to recognize me. I think I’ve only been there three times. Food does not disappoint and the staff does a good job of anticipating your needs. I would suggest not ordering the same thing every time you go just so that you can get a better idea of what they have to offer. Until next time …

I ordered Gen Tao Chicken. The sauce was perfect and vegs fresh and nicely sautéed. My only complaint was the rice was cold and the chicken texture was like it had been put thru a tenderizer machine which makes the texture different than I like it. My dinner was $18+. My husband had the stir fry shrimp and scallops with vegetables. He said was excellent. His cost $21+. So with tip our meal was like $53 for the two of us. That is generally on the high end for us. But it was a lovely place for a nice date.