MONGOLIAN BBQ

This may be more of a philanthropic effort than a true restaurant review. If you grew up in south orange county, I'm sure you're familiar with the history behind the Laguna Hills Mall and the Mission Viejo Mall. During the Late 90s, the Mission Viejo Mall transformed from a ghost town into "the beautiful shops at Mission Viejo", while the  Laguna Hills Mall, still resembles something something straight out of the 70s. In the past few years, El Toro Rd EAST, and the city of Lake Forest has just undergone a huge revamp. Tucked back in a shopping center behind Fudrucker's, next door to Office Depot and Smart and Final is one of MY childhood favorite's Geghis Khan's Mongolian BBQ. They've been there for over twenty years, and are definitely struggling to keep up with the increasing rent prices due to all of the new development. However, they just did sign a 10-year lease and will be around until 2017. This place has been a favorite in my family for years; it's a small-time business, the owners are REAL people, they'll remember you if you're there frequently enough. Please go check it out, it's very special to me, and I promise you'll love the experience and the food.

Genghis Khan Monglian BBQ
 Have you ever been to a Mongolian BBQ in the mall? First of all, this is SO much better! Second of all, there are no noodles here, forget that. Let me walk you through what Mongolian BBQ is like at Genghis Khan. Personally, I think that it's the most fun to go with a large group, and sit in a big corner booth, (there are a few). The BBQ menu is fairly self explanatory ( see image below, copyright... thanks to someone from Yelp) There are choices A-F. All come with various sides, all include rice and pocket biscuits. Some include soup of the day, which is usually Hot and Sour (best I've had, egg drop is pretty good too!). Some include different combinations of Cream Cheese Crab Wontons, Tempura Shrimp and Mini Egg Rolls. One letter is a veggie option and one is chicken, also an all you can eat option. All others are self-serve Beef, Lamb, or Pork. Soup is served first with crispy noodles.

The BBQ bar is self serve, whenever you're ready. First, bowls, next frozen meat shavings, (chicken option is actually brought to the table steamed bc of salmonella scare) topped with lots of veggies (options usually include: green bell peppers, celery, chinese parsley, water chestnuts, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, bean sprouts, and  tomatoes). Next there are a 3 formulas of sauce mixtures spicy, medium and mild to follow, combining a variety of sauces to be poured over the stir-fry like mixture. The bowl then gets passed through a tiny window to a BBQ chef, who mans a VERY hot circular grill (he's been there since I was in elementary school!) He whips up the mixture, and with the flip of a stick, piles it all into a new, clean, bowl.

Back at the table, side dishes are waiting. Most people like to rip open the top, and fill their pocket-like biscuits (they aren't biscuit-y for anyone who hasn't had them... more like a very thin tortilla or pita bread) with the BBQ mixture and eat like a sandwich. This place is absolutely delicious, you must try it if you haven't. I'll admit, the decor is dated! Cute Koi-like fountain in front. But the food is to die for. They also have a great chinese food menu, if that's what you're in the mood for. (This is great for take-out in my opinion)

Let us know what you think!

Here is a couple of external reviews:
YELP!
SPORQ
23615 El Toro RdSte PLake Forest, CA 92630(949) 951-8296