During Celebrate UCI my friend and I visited California Teriyaki Grill, a relatively new addition to University Town Center. It is a small restaurant with only about eight closely packed tables; however, one can easily order take out and just eat outdoors, where there is plentiful seating. All food is packaged in take-out containers.
Being a fast food/take out place, California Teriyaki Grill's prices are quite reasonable (especially for University Town Center), and what makes it really different from the competition are two aspects: condiments and its teriyaki sauce. Green onions, jalepenos, and a variety of sauces are available as toppings, and the teriyaki sauce is made in house. Unlike teriyaki sauces from some teriyaki outlets, California Teriyaki Grill's teriyaki sauce is not saccharine, but rather somewhat savory and fruity. In addition, the proteins and veggies on the menu only get a light squiggle of sauce, allowing for greater customization with condiments.
Being a fast food/take out place, California Teriyaki Grill's prices are quite reasonable (especially for University Town Center), and what makes it really different from the competition are two aspects: condiments and its teriyaki sauce. Green onions, jalepenos, and a variety of sauces are available as toppings, and the teriyaki sauce is made in house. Unlike teriyaki sauces from some teriyaki outlets, California Teriyaki Grill's teriyaki sauce is not saccharine, but rather somewhat savory and fruity. In addition, the proteins and veggies on the menu only get a light squiggle of sauce, allowing for greater customization with condiments.
Generous servings of steamed vegetables, fluffy short grain rice, and chopped chicken came in the Chicken Veggie Plate. I ended up adding slightly more teriyaki sauce and a liberal sprinkling of green onions to the dish to add brightness and additional flavor, but my companion felt the amount of teriyaki sauce was just right. Whereas some places give out exceeding flavorful or overcooked vegetables, California Teriyaki Grill offers simplicity in steamed vegetables--they are crisp and not seasoned at all, again allowing for the customer to flavor their food to their own liking.
Simple, refreshing food at a reasonable price. Sometimes, that is all that you need from a meal, and California Teriyaki Grill certainly fits that bill.
Simple, refreshing food at a reasonable price. Sometimes, that is all that you need from a meal, and California Teriyaki Grill certainly fits that bill.
4213 Campus Dr. #P-166D
Irvine, CA 92612
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