Orange County Register

My family has this weird thing about patronizing the same restaurant repeatedly for nearly every family celebration.

At first it was Lone Star Steakhouse, but the family’s latest obsession is Ma’s Islamic Chinese Restaurant, a place that we’ve been to over and over again in the past two years.

My family also likes to celebrate holidays early to avoid the crowds, which is how we ended up at Ma’s to celebrate Father’s Day with my awesome dad on the Thursday before the actual holiday.

Turns out, we weren’t the only ones.

Whether other people were there for early Dad’s Day or not, the place was packed; some tables had upwards of 15 people at them. No matter, as Ma’s staff is prompt with the service and quick with the food.

As a quick aside, the Islamic portion of the restaurant’s name comes from the fact that the food is Halal (think of it like Kosher). If you’re Muslim, and follow the guidelines of eating Halal, then it means something. If you’re not, then it doesn’t mean anything. Either way, the food tastes just the same.

When it comes to Chinese food, there’s a menu item I had always wanted but never tried: Moo-Shu. I’ve been told to think of it like a Chinese burrito, and yeah, that’s pretty much what it is.

I settled on Moo-Shu with chicken ($9.95). The dish tastes like chicken chow mein, but without the noodles, and was packed with chicken, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots and mushrooms, all in a light, soy-based sauce. The tortillas used are freshly made from flour.

Our server came up to the table, and armed with two spoons spread some hoisin sauce on the tortilla, dropped down chicken and then wrapped the thing up. I was amazed and told him that he must be a Moo-Shu expert, to which he responded: “I’m Mexican. We know how to do this.”

Knows how to make good Moo-Shu, and a sense of humor. I like waiters like this guy.

The meal was light and tasty, but Moo-Shu’s not really for me. The tortilla got in the way, really. I just pulled out the filling and ate it that way.

We also ordered chicken-and-cream corn soup ($8.95 for a family size). When I was little, mom always used to make this soup when I was sick.

And sorry mom, but Ma’s version is heartier than what you used to make. There’s a ton of chicken in the peppery soup, the corn was sweeter and plentiful, and it’s served at the perfect sipping temperature right off the bat - no need to wait.

Also, be sure to grab some of the thin sesame bread with green onion, or the green onion pie. I love the thin bread, with green onion inside of it. For $9.95 you get an enormous serving.

The bread is fresh and nutty, with the right amount of onion flavor in each bite. I used the leftovers to scoop up deviled eggs at home and was in heaven.

Ma’s is good for dinner, but I think an even better deal is at lunch, when they have 58 items on special for $6.50-$7.95. Each special comes with soup, an egg roll, steamed rice and your entree, and is available daily from 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m. As a parting tip, Ma’s is one of those places that closes after lunch and then reopens for dinner. Call before you go or else you may be sorry when you get there.

Ma’s Islamic Chinese Restaurant
601 E. Orangethorpe Ave.
Anaheim
714-446-9553

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P.S.: Happy Father’s Day Dad! Love you buddy!

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