Fortune Cookie

Fortune Cookie, situated at 1698 7th Street in Oakland, California, is a Chinese restaurant that focuses on providing flavorful and generously portioned meals for customers via takeout and delivery. As a local establishment within the Chinese Restaurant category, Fortune Cookie has garnered positive feedback, particularly regarding the quantity and quality of its food, as well as its friendly service and reasonable prices.

While the restaurant is described as a "bare bones, basic Chinese food place," this straightforward approach seems to resonate well with its clientele. One long-time customer, whose husband is a regular, consistently praises the more than generous portions offered at Fortune Cookie. This is a significant draw for those looking for substantial meals that provide good value for money. Additionally, this customer notes that their husband experiences no indigestion after eating the food, suggesting a level of care in the preparation and ingredient selection.

A significant operational change to note is that Fortune Cookie no longer offers dine-in service. It now exclusively operates for delivery or carry out. This shift in service model emphasizes efficiency and catering to customers who prefer to enjoy their meals at home or on the go. Despite the lack of an indoor dining area, the positive aspects of the food and service continue to shine through in customer reviews.

The staff at Fortune Cookie are consistently described as super friendly. This warm and welcoming demeanor contributes positively to the overall customer experience, even in a takeout and delivery setting. Friendly service can make a significant difference, ensuring that customers feel valued and appreciated when picking up their orders or interacting with delivery personnel.

One of the standout features of Fortune Cookie is its reasonable prices. In a competitive food market, offering good quality food at an affordable price point is a key advantage. Customers have explicitly mentioned the value they receive, especially in comparison to other dining options in the Oakland area.

A recent customer shared a particularly enthusiastic experience, highlighting the enticing aroma of the food even before arriving home. Despite an initial apprehension based on the exterior appearance of the location ("outside the place doesn't look that great"), the reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, reinforcing the adage of not judging a book by its cover. This suggests that while the restaurant may prioritize its food and service over elaborate aesthetics, the quality of its offerings speaks for itself.

The reviewer also noted a change in their menu structure, mentioning that they no longer have a steam tray but instead offer rice plates. These rice plates provide a choice of steamed rice (white rice), fried rice, or chow mein, with the option to add meat to the chow mein for an extra dollar. This customizable approach allows customers to tailor their meals to their preferences and budget.

Fortune Cookie offers a variety of different items to choose from for their rice plates. When seeking a recommendation, the reviewer was advised to try the orange chicken and Mongolian beef. Opting for the orange chicken, the customer was thoroughly satisfied, describing it as not being overly saturated with orange flavor but still having a noticeable fresh orange sauce. Although it was described as spicy, it was not excessively so for this particular reviewer. The batter was praised for being "super crispy and crunchy" with a light and appropriate amount of sauce, and a generous amount of meat relative to the batter.

The chow mein also received positive feedback, noted for its fresh vegetables, including bean sprouts, green onions, white onions, and cabbage. It was also highlighted for not being overcooked and for being flavorful. Overall, this customer rated their experience an impressive 8.5 out of 10 and expressed a definite intention to return, even contemplating ordering the Mongolian beef on the same trip.

The reviewer further emphasized the value, stating that the total for their meal was $10 and the wait time was no more than 10 minutes for hot, fresh, and flavorful food. They strongly recommend Fortune Cookie to those in the area or even those willing to travel for "cheap but good tasting nice quality food." They even considered it "definitely one of the better places in Oakland."

It is worth noting that the reviewer mentioned the regular menu is "kind of expensive", suggesting that the rice plates might be the more budget-friendly and frequently praised options. However, they also added that if one can afford it, the regular menu might also be worth exploring. As a bonus, Fortune Cookie offers a ginger ale for $1.50, providing an affordable beverage option.

In summary, Fortune Cookie in Oakland is a Chinese restaurant that excels in providing generous portions of tasty food at reasonable prices, primarily for takeout and delivery. The friendly service and quick preparation times are consistently appreciated by customers. Highly recommended dishes include the orange chicken and, based on a recommendation, the Mongolian beef. While the dine-in option is no longer available and the exterior might be unassuming, the quality and value of the food, particularly the rice plates, make Fortune Cookie a worthwhile choice for local users seeking a satisfying Chinese meal to enjoy at home.