Big Bowl

Thanks to homemade dishes of freshly roasted peanuts, fiery blistered chiles and made-to-order sauces, this place is defying its chain status. In addition to Chinese specialties such as Mongolian beef and scallop and shrimp Thai curries, Big Bowl offers Niman Ranch pork in the fried rice, and local produce in its stir-fry bar. With the focus on authentic flavors, it's no wonder that even the ginger ale is made from scratch.