Rice Bowl — Restaurant in Lompoc

The food is fair to mediocre and the prices are the same. But the service is terrible. I've been treated rudely enough times to not want to go back. And mind you, I'm a great tipper and seldom complain unless there's a hair in my food or something of that nature. But the old man who runs the place is very unaccommodating and doesn't appreciate returning customers I guess. The last time I went in there he wanted to charge me for the to-go containers. They were tiny and I needed several to take my food home. It wasn't the cost of the containers so much as the principle. The cost of containers should be factored into the cost of the meal. Not only that, but I ordered quite a lot. He was very gruff in his manners, pulled out the menu to show me where they charge for containers, was unwilling to assess the situation for what it was. By this time, I was a returning customer, but this was my first time dealing with him. I went in another time and sat for ten minutes without being acknowledged, so I left. There was only one other couple there. I went in one last time for lunch and wanted a bowl of soup which is available on the dinner menu. I hoped he would accommodate me with a lunch portion as the dinner portion can easily feed two or three. He would not. At one point, while looking at the lunch menu, he asked me if I was ready to order. He was standing three feet behind me and I didn't realize he was speaking to me. He said, "Hello, hello, can you hear me?" I turned around and smiled and said, "No, I'm still looking." I had come in after a long walk on a hot day and hadn't even been sitting for five minutes nor offered a beverage. I left without ordering. Why should I drop $20 on a mediocre meal if I'm going to be treated rudely in the process. No thanks. There are other much friendlier...

I met the owner who was very nice and also grandson to founder from 1946. The place is one of the last standing main street businesses still open, surviving Covid and I'm sure much more. My steak was chewy and smelled old and the owner was a gentleman about it and gave me a discount. I hate saying anything bad at all because the owner was so nice but frankly I hope the owner reads this. The China display cabinet is covered in dust. They have ol soda fountain juke boxes on every table that are out of order; why even have them if they can't be used?!? The last remodel was done in the late 60s. The owner needs to remodel and pay for some menus that aren't handwritten by a kindergarten class. It's time to remodel and have some items in the $10 to $20 range. Frankly, the waitress mentioned all portions are like 2 to 3x what a normal entree are at other restaurants. Frankly I'm not impressed. If you want to charge 5star prices, have a waitress that is energetic. Clean up a bit. Change the enthusiasm. Change the decor. This place needs an AED aka redesign/ rebranding quick before it's expected demise. A lot of history but it's time for grandson to let go of the coattails and say out with the old and in with the new. This is your fair warning. My experience would never make me want to come back AND THATS WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE HERE. NO MUSIC. NO AMBIANCE. JUST SADNESS. CHANGE FOR YOUR...

The Rice Bowl is out of this world. You walk in to a historic and fun decor, are immediately greeted by the owner who is incredibly nice, and then are treated to the best Chinese food in the county. A lot of the prices seem high until you realize that all of those prices are for a family sized portion. Also, all of those entrees can be served as a smaller portion for a lower price. As we sat down he brought us tea, which is such a welcoming gesture. I ordered the szechuan beef (extra spicy) and the fried rice and it might be the best of either that I've ever had. I've been here in Lompoc for 2 years and it's only my first time coming here, It looks like I have some lost time to make up. I'll be coming here once a week for the foreseeable future! Thanks again to the owner for giving us such a...