Bright Star

Bland!

My husband and I are both long-time vegans and have stopped here on occasion in a pinch because it's close to where we live.

Firstly, the place is dingy, and very uninspiring. The miso soup is very good, but let's be honest - how hard is it to make miso soup? My husband has ordered the orange chicken - it wasn't good - very gloppy sauce and the faux meat had a weird taste. I've ordered their curry, soups, and stir fry veggies and they are lacking. The rice is very oily, which is a huge turnoff, and the food has little or no flavor.

Like, I said - good in a pinch, better than having to go to subway for a salad.

They have a very wide variety of options in their menu which makes it exciting every time, sometimes the might take a little longer to cook the food because they prepare each dish so keep that in mind; nevertheless, everything is delicious, affordable and healthy! LOVE this place, their food and the staff.

Updated from previous review on 2017-03-14

We stopped in about 2pm on a Sunday and were lucky enough to have perfect timing because as soon as we were seated 3 large parties and quite a few smaller groups came in- the place was packed! Really great food and great prices! Super friendly staff. If we're in the area again we will for sure be returning.

The place it's very small to wait 1 hour . So I wait because the food it's AMAIZING , BUTT the lady and the guy was really bad service she never smile and always they look like they are ungry so I ask something and she don't put me any attention , so the service always is bad but the food excelent, I will like to go one day and feel are very welcome there

I love this place so much that I probably eat here twice in a slow week. The food is amazing at great prices. The lunch specials come with enough food to satisfy the biggest hunger. It's a close running but I'd put Bright Star as one of my top restaurants in Rancho Cucamonga, possibly SoCal.

Saw this place on Happycow and stopped in for a meal this week. Here's my Bright Star thai restaurant review.

On a Saturday afternoon this place was packed. Diners had to wait just for a table, cuz the 2 wait staff was too busy to even clean up the tables. It's not that they are ignoring customers, it's that they are overwhelmed. I think owner should hire an extra helper on the weekends.

Anyways it appeared to me that the diners are regulars who come for the lunch special deals. The orange chicken and fried foods (fried chicken, fried shrimp, french fries) seem to be the popular orders.

We shared the spicy mint noodle (very good), papaya salad (good), and steamed dumplings (a bit watery and hollow).

I realized that the noodles tasted good because Thai chefs are in the kitchen -- unlike other thai veg places where they employ non-thai cooks.

I would definitely return again and order other dishes to try.

With an extensive all-vegan menu, clean fresh-made food and great lunch specials, this eatery should not be missed!
It holds about 50 patrons, and 2 minutes after opening there were 6 diners; it quickly almost filled up over the next 45 minutes I was there.
There is ample variety in their long menu, and PLENTY to satisfy all types of eaters.
Service was swift and no nonsense, food is prepared in an open kitchen, and everything was tasty...especially with the hot sauces offered that I added.
I had a big inexpensive lunch, awesome.

I walked into this restaurant and there were not any seats available. I'm traveling from out of town and I'm staying over at the Double Tree hotel, 3 miles away from this establishment. I went on to order carry out to drive my meal back to my hotel room since nothing was available. Something came available as two parties left. A family then came in was seated while I was told neither seat was available. I canceled my order and while waiting for my refund, the cashier was spending her time looking for the Thai tea that I ordered, she sat it down behind her. She was more worried about me taking a $2 drink that actually serving me as a customer. A vegan customer. It's hard enough to be vegan while traveling and then to have a restaurant to refuse to sit you like it's 1960 Alabama is heartbreaking. I'm so distraught.

I love this place! Everything is so good you can't go wrong with the menu! I just wish I lived closer to this place!

It is always busy, and there's only about 7 or 8 tables. The location is just so small and crammed, and the waiters make you feel bad for standing in their way when there is nowhere else to sit/stand.

Aside from the inconvenience of hours and space, the food is great. The soy orange chicken and spicy chow mean are incredible, and the dinner special comes with a nice amount of food. Their house salad dressing makes the side salad very enjoyable.

I crave this food all the time but going there is such a hassle! This is 5-star food, but minus a star.

Just a heads up... They don't deliver. Feel free to call and confirm. I just asked 2 minutes ago.

On my way to try it out now. :)

Excellent spot .. High carbers can get oil free sweet and sour and steamed rice, fresh spring rolls rock... I was a bad hclf vegan and had fried springrolls too

Bright Star is a vegan café style Thai/Chinese restaurant. As long as you are not looking for a Michelin stared restaurant, you should not be disappointed. Food is always consistent and well prepared. All of the classics are on the menu, this is a main stay for my self and my non-veggie/vegan friends and family. The best recommendation I can make is I am a repeat customer who brings others here.

I've been going here since it opened. I usually just order a few of the appetizers because I'm simple. I'm happy I don't have to drive 30+ miles to get good vegan food anymore.
Updated from previous review on Wednesday November 23, 2011
Everything seemed to have changed there. I couldn't even eat my dish. It had the looks and smell of a can of alpo dog food. I tried dumping the chili sauce on it, soy sauce, even salt and pepper. And I would think as a server or chef, you would be concerned when your customers don't eat but a couple bites of the dish. Nope, just I paid my bill and left. I don't think I'll ever be going back here. Sucks to not want to support a vegan establishment. But I can't allow that to cloud my judgement. I later went to bakers drive thru and was more than satisfied.
Updated from previous review on Saturday August 11, 2012
Went back here again and it was good again.

I liked the food here, but it seemed more Chinese than Thai. I ordered the Pad See Ew and it was good, but I can't say it reminded me of Thai food. The Thai iced tea was good. The prices are reasonable. They have a lunch special and a dinner special. If you are in the area, drop by, but in my humble opinion, it's not worth a special trip.

They have WiFi, but the waiter told me it was only for the owner. If that's the case, why not name the network anything other than "Bright Star Wifi"? Not very customer friendly.

My boyfriend and I went to this restaurant for the first time and we were so pleasantly surprised to find how yummy it was! My boyfriend is a new vegan eater and it was awesome to see his face when he took a bite of his "broccoli beef" and smiled with satisfaction.
I had yellow curry with tofu. And it was delish.
Great job guys.

Updated from previous review on Tuesday November 11, 2014

You know that feeling... You walk into a new restaurant hungry-skeptical about the menu, knowing so many things could go wrong; you sit down and take your chances.
Well….for me and a friend the First bite and it was a flavor revelation. Really, the salad was fresh, crisp with excellent dressing. The 'way too small' bowl of dinner Miso is very delicate. You must savor every spoonful. Dinner Special Brown rice is wonderfully seasoned, the orange chick'n would satisfy any non-vegan. Service is friendly, and fast even when the place is busy. So go. Relax and enjoy. Oh, a word of caution: Tempura veggies and Spring Rolls come to your table very crisp and HOT. Don't burn your mouth!
Have returned at least four times, and always consistently good food, and service.
Updated from previous review on Saturday November 15, 2014

Tasty Thai food, good menu, good service, and ample parking. The lunch and dinner specials are very good value. The green curry is excellent, and I love vegan Thai tea.