I’m going to preface this review by saying, I’m usually only going to post about restaurants and, in general anything, that I like. I battle everyday to see the world with a more positive outlook, and so I would rather focus my time and energy adding a little more light into the world. Restaurants have Yelp to bring them down a notch or 10! That being said, I am also an honest person, and when asked, I will def give my true and 100% opinion, or when asked to review things I was sent for that purpose, will name the good and bad. I’m not a paid critic, I worked in the restaurant industry over a decade, and I’m a vegan who likes to eat and run.

Now! Let’s get started on Bright Star in Rancho Cucamonga, California! The first time I came to this restaurant was 2012, roughly five years ago! I was living in San Francisco, and flying into the Ontario airport to hang out with my pregnant sister in Temecula. She was carrying my niece Audrey, her first child, so it was last time we’d hang out as sisters with no babies. Saying it was a last hurrah doesn’t sound right, but more like things were about to drastically change! And for the better! She had researched a few vegan spots we could check out, and upon looking at the different menus, I decided Bright Star was right up my alley!

My absolute favorite item – the orange chick’n!!!!

I had the orange chicken dinner special, which also comes with salad, a spring roll, rice and miso soup. Vegan miso soup! I absolutely loved it. I still order the same thing to this day (I have tried other menu options and while delicious, my favorite is their orange chicken.) I forget what my sister had, but knowing her I’m guessing it was Pad Thai or Chow Mein! My sister is not vegan or vegetarian, but she likes veg food, as long as it’s not too “out there” and reminiscent of the foods she already enjoys. (Upon further inspection, I have actually written a review of Bright Star before, back in 2014! My sister did get the Pad Thai and you can read about our dining experience here!)

Bright Star Spring Rolls!

Chow Mein with shrimp!

I’ve been back a handful of times over the years, always with a positive experience. Now that I live in the Inland Empire, I am only about 15 minutes away from Bright Star! Mike and I have gone back many, many a time! My only complaint, which isn’t really a complaint at all, is that it gets busy and the wait times for seating and food can be a little long. But that’s on days typical to long waits in restaurants, like Thursday – Sunday nights! Good for them for being so busy! I prefer to go earlier in the day, when it’s less crowded and I can order off the lunch menu (11am – 3:30pm) because it is a little bit cheaper! Bright Star is very moderately priced, but who doesn’t love a discount? The lunch menu and the dinner menu are the same – they are smaller portioned a la carte items that come with rice, a fried delicacy (spring roll or dumpling), salad and miso soup! For example you can get Pad Thai, Kung Pao, assorted vegetable dishes, curries…the list goes on and on (well, at least 20 options long!).

You know the Orange Chik’n is good when you both order it, so you don’t have to share!

I love Bright Star, I love their portion sizes, friendly service and delicious food! It is truly a blessing to live so close now, haha! (I’m serious.)

Bright Star is located at 9819 Foothill Blvd Unit F, in Rancho Cucamonga. You can reach them by phone at 909-980-9797. They do not serve beer or wine, but do have a variety of teas, coffee, soda and kombucha.