74554 Fri Oct 21 15:05:14 -0700 2005 7 2 Los Angeles Area 0 409860 There are a bunch of "happy family"s in the LA Restaurant Health database... which is the one I've read about here? (or is it a local chain?) Also, what are some of their most delicious faux-meat offerings? Thanks 'hounds! Mr. Taster ------------------- HAPPY FAMILY 450 S WESTERN AVE A 90020 LOS ANGELES HAPPY FAMILY #6 869 N WILCOX AVE 90640 MONTEBELLO HAPPY FAMILY RESTAURANT 608 N ATLANTIC BLVD 91754 MONTEREY PARK HAPPY FAMILY VEGETARIAN REST. 18425 E COLIMA RD #2FB 91748 ROWLAND HEIGHTS NEW HAPPY FAMILY VEGETARIAN RS 8632 E VALLEY BLVD E 91770 ROSEMEAD Fri Oct 21 15:05:14 -0700 2005 0 Mr. Taster 1 409869 Yes, it's a chain, though I don't think the one in L.A. is part of the family. The Montebello location serves a lot of non vegetarian tourist food. Fri Oct 21 15:22:31 -0700 2005 409860 0 Chandavkl 1 409870 The MP branch on Atlantic is the one I've been to, and the one Jerome has written about frequently. It's been awhile for me, so I'll let him suggest specifics. In general, I hate mock meat, but I remember theirs being pretty tasty. Also, and perhaps obviously, many nice straight-ahead vegetable preparations. Look forward to your report. Has there been a cease-fire in the Ramen Wars? Fri Oct 21 15:24:34 -0700 2005 409860 0 rabo encendido 2 409873 Haha... well, after a week straight of eating ramen for dinner, I suppose the inspiration to continue the saga left me. I can tell you that I did try the place in West LA in the little strip mall... I forget the name, but it was not to the standard of Daikokuya (noodles were cooked way to soft, which is a dealbreaker for me) Now if I could get the delicious tender, shredded pork from Ramenya in my bowl of Daikokuya I'd be a happy, happy boy. Mr. Taster Fri Oct 21 15:28:47 -0700 2005 409870 0 Mr. Taster 3 409913 before the chowhound team lays the smackdown on us for going off topic, was there a link to this ramen war/marathon? can't seem to find it. on another note, my friend's dad used to be head chef at happy family back in the day. didn't know it has made the hound 'rounds. it's always been a decent place ^^. (how's that for bringing it back on track) Fri Oct 21 17:03:45 -0700 2005 409873 0 rickmond 4 409928 There's a weird glitch when you click "view previous threads"... it takes you way back to May for some reason. My post (click on link below and ctrl-F for RAMEN WARS) was on 9/25 and 9/22 (or thereabouts). Mr. Taster Link: http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles38/losangeles38.htmlhttp://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles38/losangeles38.html Fri Oct 21 17:32:13 -0700 2005 409913 0 Mr. Taster 1 409894 Yes!!! Yes!! Yes!!!! I'm a regular at the Rowland Heights branch, well, at least once a month anyways. Love the "chicken" in curry sauce... If you love curry, this is the the thing to get, and the texture of the "chicken" is great. I get it every time I go- and then taste everyone else's dishes. Also love the hand rolls, it has that fresh sea taste without the seafood (also has some mayo in it I think in case there is vegans reading this). Anything with the "shrimp" in it is great as well, I love those things, almost better than regular shrimp. FYI, I am not a vegetarian, and neither is my hubby, we just love the food. Every time I go I watch the other tables (dishes served family-style, restaurant is always packed with a 99% asian customer base) and see new things to try- their menu is huge. They also sell a fried bread and you can ask for the (I think- when I asked the waitress what it was she said milk) condensed milk to eat with it. I watched another gringa like me devour some with it last time so I'll get it next time. They serve orange slices as dessert... something I'd like to see in more restaurants. Fri Oct 21 16:20:13 -0700 2005 409860 0 wendy8869 1 409895 I only know the Monterey branch as well, and back when I was a hardcore veggie, this place was a god-send. It's an all-you-can-eat set-up, and the menu reads like a "normal" chinese buffet - "Curry fish, House Orange Chicken, Sweet and sour pork", etc., and they use all manner of fake meats, from wheat gluten to soy and beyond. Most dishes I had were good, and some were amazingly close to their meaty cousins. Lots of fun regardless, and there ain't no way you're leaving hungry . . . :) pk Fri Oct 21 16:21:18 -0700 2005 409860 0 PoetKitty