I recently tried this restaurant, named "Dao Fu," in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego, California. I must say, I never would have stumbled upon this restaurant by myself, but it was highly recommended by my friends who live nearby. My daughter and I were visiting San Diego for a one-week trip because I was required to come here for work. My workdays were pretty packed, but my daughter and I also took advantage of this trip by filling our evenings with lots of fun activities. One thing we did was visit some wonderful friends who live in San Diego. My friend, John, told us that he found an amazing restaurant in San Diego a few decades ago, and he was really sad to find that it had closed down. Several years later, and more recently, he was surprised to find that this same restaurant owner reopened his restaurant in a new location, which is here on Adams Avenue in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego. He was overjoyed to find that this restaurant had reopened in a different location, and he says that this is his favorite restaurant in San Diego. After a story like that, I had to come here to experience this place for myself! We parked on Adams Avenue, and I paid the meter for a reasonable amount of time for us to enjoy our dinner together. I would imagine that parking here can be a bit congested and tricky at times, so I would just suggest that you're patient and careful with where you decide to legally park. We had a party of five for our dinner together, and it was an absolutely wonderful evening with good friends and delicious food. Our waitress was Jun, and she was friendly and professional, as well as attentive to our dinnertime needs. The owner also came out to say hello to us, and he took the time to chat with us for a few minutes during our meal. He was so incredibly nice. I always appreciate it when an owner is willing to devote some time to connect with their customers. For an appetizer, I ordered the "Japanese Pork Gyoza," which are pan fried dumplings filled with pork, fresh ginger, onion, green onion, cabbage, garlic, and soy. It was absolutely delicious, and I had to resist the temptation of eating too many of them so that our friends could enjoy some too. For my meal, I ordered the "Katsu Chicken Curry," which is chicken thigh meat battered in Panko breadcrumbs, deep fried until golden brown and crunchy. I got my meal with a half-and-half mix of white rice and brown rice. My meal was prepared perfectly, and it was incredibly delicious! My meal was concluded with some of their delicious ice cream, which satiated my post-meal sugar cravings. Our evening with friends was special and memorable, and our meals and service at Dao Fu made our evening even more pleasant and enjoyable. Thanks to the owner, our waitress, and the staff for making our evening a wonderful one. The next time I'm back in this area, I'll be sure to come here again! read more

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Everything we had was great!! Large menu so everyone can find something they like. Complimentary tofu salad is really good. Friendly welcoming staff that get to know their regulars. Gets busy but we had reservations. We are visiting from out of town but would for sure come back when we are in the area again. Recommended is the cast iron pot. read more

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I really enjoyed our food and time here. The dishes taste so wholesome, healthy, and flavorful at the same time. Service was attentive and nice. They go above & beyond by providing complimentary tofu salad at the beginning of the meal, and ice cream at the end of the meal. The spring rolls here are unique and come with sauce on top. I don't normally go for spring rolls because I feel like they all taste the same, but my friend ordered these and I'm glad I tried it because it is different from other places' and I would get these again. All the dishes our table ordered were winners. I really loved my tofu clay pot. It came sizzling and kept the perfect temp throughout and it was also good as leftovers. Small businesses like this who really care about the overall experience and provide quality food always have my support! read more

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Dao fu is a local neighborhood eatery that does a mix of different Asian cuisines. They make their own tofu and everyone gets to try it which is awesome. When you sit down they give you your menus and a tofu salad with a beet vinaigrette which is great. They have a huge vegetarian menu and offer most of the same dishes with meat. The service is friendly but frank. They are busy so the staff probably won't be hanging out and chatting with you but they are prompt and attentive. The place has been here forever and it can feel like it in places because it feels old. Everything is maintained and clean, food is great, staff is attentive. I will come back! read more

Dao Fu - Hainanese chicken rice pot. - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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A bit skeptical at first since Asian fusion usually doesn't end well, but it was actually decent. It's a small, cozy place, and there can be a wait around dinner time. We ordered the fried tofu, garlic chicken, hainan pot with swai fish, and wonton soup. There was a complimentary silken tofu salad with a beet ginger soy dressing, and complimentary ice cream at the end. The tofu is what they're known for-- made in house, silky, and so delicious. That's why the fried tofu was our fav dish of the night followed by the garlic chicken. Though do note that the sauce of the garlic chicken is on the saltier side. The wonton soup was decent (nothing special), and we did not like the Hainan pot. The rice was soaked in salty sauce and the fried swai was plain and tasted more like those frozen fish sticks. I did enjoy the dinner but I wasn't blown away by the flavors or the presentation. The tofu was our main highlight. read more

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Great service. They seat you with a free tofu salad immediately. I tried the spring roll, and the lobster ramen. The portions are decent sized. My date and shared and were full. The lobster itself is friend in a tempura batter. I think mine was a little overcooked. I would skip the lobster next time, but I would get the ramen again. read more

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We live in Normal Heights and this spot is a hidden gem. It is super cozy inside. My husband and I really like the egg rolls to start. I really like the mango chicken dish. My husband likes to get the ramen. The service is also extremely top notch. Everyone is extremely nice and accommodating. read more

Dao Fu - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place was very quick, attentive, and accurate. The restaurant was a very clean and the dim lighting was just right. Our food was delicious! All were highlights. None of these options will do you wrong. We also got complimentary ice cream that was delicious. You can expect to spend about 20-30 a person. Highly recommend!!! read more

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Dao Fu is located off Adams Ave. just north of City Heights and North Park. It serves creative fusion Asian food. Came for dinner on a weeknight with a friend at 7:00 pm and was pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately. It can get pretty crowded for groups of more than 4 but tables seemed to move quickly. Value is awesome here, they give you a free salad and tofu appetizer which are both delicious and a big pitcher of ice water so you never run out. This is the first time I've seen a restaurant give the entire pitcher by default and it is a winning move. For food I ordered: - Hainanese Cast Iron Rice Pot $18 - Buffalo Garlic Wings $15 For the Hainanese Rice Pot, I would have preferred not the thin sliced white meat but rather bone on chicken. Perhaps this is the fusion. The rice however was incredible. It had much flavor and absolutely nailed the socarrat. Wings were delicious - crispy, flavorful, juicy! You also get free ice cream to close out the meal! Service is great - very fast and the owners are so nice! read more

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Avoided this restaurant for a long time because 1) I usually don't trust jack-of-all-trades places that serve ramen, pad thai, pho, and chow mein all on the same menu and 2) a lot of wypipo eat here but WOW I was blown away a couple Fridays ago when I tried dine-in dinner for the first time. Like many others have said, the restaurant is cozy, quaint, and entirely run by one very sweet and patient lady who does it all. I overheard her chatting with a returning customer and found out that she is a mother of SIX!!! So running this restaurant, and this crazy pace of multitasking, is really just another day for her. On a Friday night at 7pm the wait was about 30 minutes. Thankfully plenty to explore while walking around to kill time on Adams Ave. You are offered a complimentary salad to start, then ice cream with fruits to end your meal. A small but nice touch that goes a long way. The salad was a tasty spring mix with a bright berry or beet vinaigrette and soft fresh tofu. Because the tofu was so good, I ordered a cold soy milk to go with my meal - perfectly sweet. We decided on the Japanese katsu curry with chicken, and the Hainanese hot pot with swai fish. You can customize spice level to your liking and choose white/brown rice, or a mix of both. Again, I had low expectations, but was seriously impressed with all dishes. The batter on the katsu chicken had a bit of a Taiwanese tea flavor to it, was extra crunchy and flavorful, and paired well with the Japanese curry and vegetables. I loved the Hainanese dish - everything stayed super hot from beginning to end and it wasn't expensive either. Looking forward to trying more on the menu. I've heard nothing but good things and can tell there are many long-time returning customers. This is a well-loved neighborhood gem for a reason. read more

This place has become one of our favorites spots to eat! Every time my wife and I visit, we are wowed at the level of service, great food and consistency! Right away they start you off with a bed of mixed greens, ginger beet dressing and homemade steamed tofu! There is a nice variety of vegetarian and vegan options so everyone is happy! I cannot help but notice that every single time a plate comes to the table, you can see the steam rolling off the plate! The food is always delicious and fresh. They also end the experience on a sweet note as a small scoop of ice cream is included. Great vibe and ambiance! I would highly recommend this place! read more

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I truly can't believe this was my first time visiting this incredible spot! A friend's recommendation brought me in for lunch, and it instantly became one of my new favorites. We were the first ones seated and were immediately greeted by a sweet lady who set the tone for the entire meal. We had the chance to speak with her and learned that she and her husband have been lovingly running this establishment for the past 16 years, a dedication that clearly shines through in the warm service and quality of the food. She started us off with a complimentary fresh tofu salad with a bright, refreshing berry vinaigrette--a fantastic start. But what really blew me away was the array of house-made items. We happily accepted a fresh cup of their in-house soy milk (a rarity to find locally!) and tried the savory tofu pudding. Having only ever had the sweet, ginger-syrup dim sum version, this savory, lunch-exclusive dish was a revelation. It was hands-down the best tofu pudding I've ever tasted and the undisputed star of the show; honestly, just a bowl of white rice and that pudding could be a whole meal. For our main course, we ordered the Hainanese Clay Pot with Swai Fish. It was wonderfully filling, deeply flavorful, and easily a 10/10. I'm already planning my next trip and taking my family. More people need to discover this gem--I'll definitely be coming back very, very soon! read more

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7/12/25 - had reservations at 5:45. Lots of options for vegan to meat eaters. Ordered eggplant and a mango chicken. Piping hot temperature wise and fantastic. Had an appetizer as well which was very good. Spice they ask from 0-10. We did 1s. 5 stars. Cash you save like 2-3%. We got robbed a few for a Credit card. They passed it on to consumer which I didn't like. 4 stars. Would have been 5 but the charged us for use of a credit card. No one uses cash anymore. Cmon. read more

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One of my favorite spots for ramen! Whether I'm dining in or grabbing takeout, it's always so good. Definitely recommend!

This place has some of the most flavorful food that I've ever tried and then when you go inside, it has such a vibe that reminds you from traditional Ramen spots in Asia. It has a community feel with writings on the wall, and the staff is always very kind. This is a good place for vegans and vegetarians as well. I go here at at least 2 to 3 times a month....Especially when it's cold. Would definitely recommend this for some delicious pho. read more

Amazing food at a great price point! Have been coming to Dao Fu since it was Dao Son on El Cajon Blvd and it's still fantastic. Service is wonderful and they have great complimentary touches like the tofu salad and ice cream. Highly recommend if you've never tried it. Charming neighborhood ambiance and friendly vibes. read more

Dao Fu deserves 10+ stars. Its hosted mainly by this sweet lady that can literally manage 7 tables all by herself. Barely any wait for the food. They may have a wait to get a table but I'm telling you it's so worth it. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, they start you off with a complimentary tofu salad drizzled with delicious beet dressing. Soo fresh. We decided to try the spring rolls, which is a must! So fresh and such quality ingredients. Then we enjoyed a tonekatsu ramen and the chicken hot rice bowl. At the end they gave us a complimentary ice cream which was to die for. I highly recommend this place. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Was in normal heights area and saw that this place was at the top of the list for restaurants! I do see why the reviews are ranking the way it is! Complimentary salad and dessert?! Wow love that! The food was flavorful! It was so yummy and visually pleasing. The soupiness of the noodles was unlike other noodle places, but as it sits in the sauce the flavors marinate more and more into the noodles, veggies, and protein! The restaurant is fairly small with only 12 tables. I like seeing the stuff written all over the walls, it's something to look at and admire while dining. Overall, place is fairly clean and quick in service. There is lots of business with orders as you can see many people coming inside to pick up orders. Normal heights is such a fun area to people watch, good location with lots of business. The server on 2/8/25 was funny and nice. He made conversation with all customers at the tables and knows the menu really well. All the food was yummy. However at the top I would say that I highly recommend trying the ramen!!! It would be the 9/10, and think if the broth was a little more deep and/or rich it would've been a home run. I would definitely come again. read more

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My local friends brought me here last night, and even though it was my first time and I had no prior knowledge of the place, it was an amazing experience. The restaurant has so much character, with dim lighting and walls covered in signatures from past diners that make you feel a real sense of community. Eric and his wife really make the restaurant what it is. They are kind, generous, and genuinely good people who care about their customers. You can see the hard work and heart they put into the food; they are so warm and it makes you feel like you're getting to know them. It's a great spot for mixed groups of vegans and meat-eaters, and I noticed a lot of older families and couples there as well--in my opinion, it would make a great date spot. The food is incredibly thoughtful in a way that feels very personal. We started with a complimentary marinated tofu salad with a unique beet sauce, and the marinated tofu itself was excellent--honestly the best I've had in a while. I was told it's actually hand-made in-house, and you can really taste that quality. They also gave us fried tofu which was a hit with my friends. Eric was even kind enough to give us extra tofu to take home, and following his recommendation, my mother used it to make a fish soup the next day that was delicious. I ordered a modified pork tonkatsu rice noodle soup, and it had a warm, nurturing quality that made me feel right at home. It's a great fusion spot, and because there is so much soul in the food, it isn't monotonous at all. Eric was so attentive that he even brought me extra broth when he noticed my noodles had soaked it all up. They even provided complimentary ice cream and a glutinous rice dish at the end. You go here because you want to feel nurtured and eat food that is good for your body and your soul, and the cherry on top is getting to support such good people. I definitely want to come back when I'm in town. read more

Excellent service and food. Love the music too. Ambience is great though the space is small. We will come back soon. Free appetizer and free desert really helped too. read more

Dao Fu - Desert - strawberry and mango ice creams - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Pleasant and tasty food - friendly staff. I felt a little underwhelmed though, I was hoping for something a little more interesting. Also, $4 for a small bottle of plastic Walmart water is very unreasonable. Ask for tap if you want water. read more

Our server was so nice and full of joy which made our experience exponentially better. They have a very diverse menu with a lot of options which can be overwhelming for someone who is decisive but great if you're in a big group and dining family style which we did. I really appreciated all the tofu options and the free tofu salad appetizer. All the food was delicious and we enjoyed the garlic chicken, Hainanese hot pot with swai, Thai stir fry with beef, fried tofu appetizer, chicken wings and lily flower dish. The wonton soup was ok, probably wouldn't order it again. They also offer complimentary ice cream for dessert. What a deal! Great spot for Chinese food with a lot of vegetarian options especially if like you mushrooms and tofu. read more

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My favorite spot for Japanese curry! This is Japanese and Vietnamese fusion restaurant. They also have a good amount of vegan and non-voptions. I always order the curry but friends who come here with me and order other dishes always like what they order too. The meals come with complimentary salad and ice cream. There is no parking lot so you have to find street parking. I come here for both lunch and dinner during the week and they are not ever too busy when I go. They are closed on Mondays. The restaurant is fairly small. It has Asian decor and you can write on the walls! I highly recommend if you're in the neighborhood. read more

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I didn't get to take a photo, but I absolutely loved this restaurant. We went for a birthday celebration with friends. The owner is so sweet. I ordered the family dish rice pot with Shrimp, spice level 7. It was perfect! It looks big, & I thought I wouldn't be able to finish the dish, however, it was so delicious till the last bite. I am excited to come back and try more things. I love that they give you an appetizer salad/tofu when you sit down. So hospitable! read more

This place is absolute fire I had a bowl of ramen for lunch one day. It's easy to miss if you're just walking on the street, and the inside is a little weird with all the writing and doodles which give it an edgy vibe. But my waitress was so sweet & the lunch prices were pretty amazing for the value. I also had a Vietnamese iced tea which was so good. Definitely filling! read more

Dao Fu - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Man this was delicious every dish was unbelievably tasty the service was quick and very friendly I felt like I was at home . I'm not too into the vegan stuff but even that was amazing the fried tofu was bomb ‍ the place is a lil small but feels cozy and very clean 10/10 this place is a gem read more

Cute small place with an amazing menu and wonderful service. Our first time, we brought a friend for his birthday. The one server in the entire restaurant was so sweet and helpful considering how busy she was. The food was so flavorful and we even got a little dessert, which is rare in our case. Will definitely go back! read more

Dao fu. You enter this cozy establishment and the first thing you notice is writing on the wall. And it's true the writings on the wall, that this place is amazing. You're greeted by a lovely waitress whose smile is a pleasant surprise. It is then you realize how much of a treat you'll be in for. For starters a complimentary salad is provided. This salad will set the standards of the rest of the dishes you will receive. We had the miso soup for our appetizer. Which was a plentiful serving for the both of us. The soup carried with chunks of dried garlic which gave it a very garlicy yummy miso soup taste. Mmm yes me so soup you so soup... very health conscious which we love. On to the next dish, Spencer ordered the pat thai. Plate was PHAT. The portion they provide are very substantial and the price is well worth it. If you're a sauce person it was drenched in a sweet savory sauce. BEWARE... order level zero spice level. Even a level one will set a small campfire on your tongue. Now Carina's dish. Drunken noodles. Plate also PHAT. Veggie roasted to perfection. Noodles brown and soft. Very savory and earthy with hints of garlic. At the end you get a sweet complimentary ice cream. The choice is yours, pineapple mango or cookies n cream. So bomb so fresh so clean. 10/10 !!! read more

This spot is a not-so-hidden gem and the food is always so yummy! The owners are especially friendly too :'). My faves: - fried tofu - katsu curry - tofu salad that they always provide each table - tonkotsu ramen (don't remember the exact name but my friends always get this and I usually take some from their bowl) Wish it wasn't as far from my house but maybe it's also a good thing or else I'd be there weekly. I'll be back! read more

Dao Fu has an extremely extensive menu of Japanese and Vietnamese food with a whole back side of the menu catered to vegan dishes is what brought my attention to dining here. My diet is temporarily vegetarian and this place exceeded my expectations with the taste of their dishes the and humorous server that brightened our mood for lunch! Their starter includes a side salad with a sweet beet dressing and some of their house organic tofu. Their tofu was warm and soft! The dressing was very sweet for me. Su Ramen (4/5): Served with a thick noodle with a soy sauce based broth. The noodles were on the softer side but still remained silky and chewy. Toppings included mock chicken, zucchini, snap peas, broccoli, carrots, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions. The mock chicken were in small bits so I did not taste much of it. The broth was more of the highlight for me! Thai Drunken Noodle (5/5): The noodles were chewy and tasted pretty authentic to a drunken noodle dish. It wasn't too sweet as they fry it with tamarind sauce and the tofu and vegetables went really well with it! This restaurant has definitely been around for a while as you can see the all the walls are plastered with Sharpie messages all over. I think it gives the restaurant more personality, however, cleanliness could be improved as our cup had lipstick stain on it. I definitely approve their vegan dishes and how extensive it is. So far it is some of the best vegan food I've tried with the most options here in San Diego. read more

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Garlic chicken 8/10 Didn't love the veggies but I was very happy with the chicken! Kasagaki champon 8/10 nicely seasoned except the chicken but the clams were delectable veggies not top tier Lily flower asparagus and oyster mushroom 7.5/10 pretty good variety and big serving size very vegan friendly menu Lobster tail 7/10 Liked the broth but the ramen is just alright nothing new but not bad and egg was a little more runny than standard ramen and the lobster shell on the lobster was challenging to eat but overall good. Service was kind even though we stayed close to closing. And it was nice lighting and in cute area! read more

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Yummy food, my whole family was happy with our meals. Big portions with reasonable prices! Pho and tofu was great!

I was looking a place to eat some Vietnamise crepe and I found this location and I'm so happy come here, the ambience it's nice and comfy, the lady as soon she saw us she welcome us and sitting us, she bring us the tofu salad and water, omg the salad it's super good and tasty, the crepe it's good, just a little salt and can be perfect, but the ramen it's so good, just the best in all my places I went before, just 10/10, service it's just perfect!! read more

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Love this place and the efficient service! Mango chicken is my favorite, their housemate tofu is so soft and flavorful. Also love the complimentary dessert! read more

Delicious! I ordered the Eggplant Tofu. The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was ideal for gathering with loved ones. I met my friends here for a quick lunch. They even serve free ice cream for dessert. Plan ahead when looking for parking, as only street parking is available. read more

Dao Fu - Interior - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Awesome food. The rice bowl, spring rolls, and tempura were excellent. Service was very prompt and knowledgeable. Food was delivered pretty quick. Ambiance was very basic, but the food more than made up for it. The kind of place you walk into and wonder if you should turn around. Don't walk out! Every bite was a carnival. read more

My friend and I came Dao Fu tonight after trying to find a place to eat. I realized I had it saved on my yelp for quite a while, and I hadn't been yet. Let me just say I'm so happy we came here. I had the Japanese Chicken Curry, while my friend had the Lobster Ramen. Both were incredible! We also received a complementary salad and ice cream. The entire restaurant was completely packed, with only one waitress for the entire place. Albeit, it was a small restaurant, but nonetheless, she was amazing and had the best recommendations and provided wonderful service. I will definitely be back and can't wait to try the rest of the menu! read more

Dao Fu - Lobster Ramen - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Checked out Dao Fu on a Friday night and the place was packed. There was only one server working the whole floor, but she was hustling and doing her best to keep up. The ambiance is dimly lit and cozy, and we didn't have too much trouble finding parking nearby. We started with a salad that came with what seemed like a beet and ginger dressing. It was tangy and bright, though I'm not a huge fan of ginger. The marinated tofu on the side was a nice surprise and really tasty. I ordered the scallop spicy ramen. The scallops were an interesting addition and worked surprisingly well, though I could've done without the tomato bits. I did enjoy the fried garlic and onion toppings. It came with all the usual ramen fixings like a marinated egg, bamboo shoots, green onion, and seaweed. To end the meal, we were served ice cream. I had the pineapple coconut with fruit syrup, and it was a great way to finish off my meal. read more

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Tofu here is so good. Appetizer is refreshing to have. We got the fried tofu Appetizer and honestly it's a great portion for the money and tasty. Nasi goreng fried rice was flavorful and had tasty textures in it. I would recommend read more

Dao Fu - Nasi Goreng - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

The cutest little quaint spot. Graffiti walls, simple. No over the top decor to distract from mediocre at best dishes. This place is such a hidden gem. Incredible food. I got the Scollop Ramen. The flavor was ALL right. What I mean by that is, entirely correct. Not at all over salted. Perfect balance. I went for lunch right before they close for their lunch. It was empty. Just one other table. My kinda dining. The chef comes over to check on everything(bless his heart). Complimentary salad and dessert. Consider me a regular. read more

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