Rice Bowl

When i went there it was run down, and weird with non fitting decorations on the walls. Also, look at the green in the tanks…these poor fish are not being taken care of properly. The food was not appealing, but was in huge quantities. There was only one person working there, and the place was empty. The soy sauce container had a line in the bottle and dust like it had not been switched out in a while. The chicken did not look like chicken in color because it was so pink, and oddly shaped. Over fried meat, and the rice tasted stale. I never even finished eating more than three or four bites of my food, and I just left quietly and paid without saying anything.

I used to work at this place years ago when Chuck owed the place. He was so meticulous and kept the place so clean and the food was great. In looking through the pictures I am surprised at how some things are the same and yet it's not. Based on the pictures I see posted the food does not look as good and some the decor is a hot mess. I was also surprised with all the American dishes. Maybe they need to focus on the dishes that made this place great. Chucks son always worked along side of him and helped keep the restaurant so clean and organized so it's hard to understand what happened. Really sad!

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 GRANDFATHER'S LEGACY.

This iconic gem is a family owned restaurant that has been serving Lompoc for 75 years. They offer great food and service with a cool retro vibe. Rice bowl has always been the cleanest restaurant in Lompoc. They offer a variety of Chinese and American foods. It feels like a diner with "The Best Chinese food in town!"

The RICE BOWL ROCKS! The rice bowl has been a family run business since I was a kid and I’m 62. Nothing has changed and that’s what keeps it by far the best Chinese food in Santa Barbara county. The recipes are guarded as well they should be. There are a couple other places in town but they are fast food Imitations. If you haven’t been, you need to go. Portions are huge and the flavors are unparalleled!! Steve

Personally wasn't that impressed with the food. It was very greasy, which some people may like but I'm not a big fan. Definitely large portions and a bit more on the expensive side. (The paper flip through menus they have in the restaurant didn't seem to have any prices listed on them?) I'll eat what I can from the leftovers, but might be the last and only time I get food from here.