Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in?

Make a reservation—seriously. The spot fills up fast and the dining room is tiny, so walk-ins often end up waiting outside. Book a few days ahead when you can, especially for weekends or special occasions. Even with a reservation, expect a short wait, but it's way better than the alternative.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is available on Adams Ave and the surrounding North Park blocks, though it can be tight during peak dinner hours. Arrive early or grab a spot a block or two away—it's North Park, so the walk is fine.

What should I order first?

Start with the cucumber salad and crab rangoons, then go for the General Tso's chicken—it's a standout. The lo mein, beef and broccoli, and green beans round out a solid shared meal. Food comes family-style, so portions are big and meant for sharing.

How long is the wait usually?

Even with a reservation, expect 15-30 minutes depending on how slammed they are. During peak dinner times (Friday-Saturday), waits can stretch longer. The space is small, so the kitchen naturally moves at a certain pace—patience is part of the deal here.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, they have vegetarian dishes available. Ask your server about modifications to any stir-fry or noodle dish to keep it meat-free, and the cucumber salad is a solid vegan-friendly starter.

They have outdoor seating, so dogs are likely okay on the patio—call ahead to confirm, but North Park spots are usually dog-friendly on their outdoor areas.

Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?

Yeah, it works. The vibe is casual but thoughtful, the food is solid, and there's enough going on (good beer and wine list, family-style sharing) to make it feel like you're doing something right. Just plan ahead with a reservation and manage your expectations on wait times.

Fortunate Son Chinese — Chinese in North Park, San Diego

“Fortunate Son does American-Chinese with actual technique—wok heat that chars, sauces that balance sweet-salty-spice, portions sized for sharing instead of styrofoam regret.”

While Kin Len commits to Bangkok street-cart funk and Olympic serves forty-year phyllo traditions, Fortunate Son occupies different territory: the Chinese-American canon executed with care that most takeout joints abandoned decades ago. General Tso's here tastes like someone actually tended the wok—crisp batter, bright citrus heat, broccoli that stayed green. The lo mein comes properly tossed, not sauced into mush. Crab rangoons arrive as they should: molten centers, greaseless shells. This is the food you grew up ordering from menus with too many photos, except cooked by people who remember why those dishes worked before they became punchlines.

The space runs small and loud—reservations are mandatory, waits happen anyway, and once seated you're close enough to hear your neighbor's order. The patio offers relief when weather cooperates. Service moves with efficiency born from necessity: family-style portions mean coordinating plates, and the kitchen doesn't rush. That hour-plus wait some reviewers mention? Real, especially on holidays. Come prepared for North Park's version of dim sum timing: you're here for the meal, not a quick turnaround.

What keeps regulars returning isn't novelty—it's consistency in a neighborhood where restaurants chase trends like 30th Street chases murals. The cucumber salad balances the heavier mains. Green beans arrive with enough garlic to matter. Beef and broccoli stretches across multiple meals without tasting like leftovers by round two. Vegetarian options exist beyond token gestures. The cocktail program runs better than expected for a spot that could coast on nostalgia alone.

Park on side streets off Adams—metered spots vanish by dinner. Make reservations a week out for weekends, further for special occasions. Order one dish per person plus a shared starter, adjust based on your table's appetite. The restaurant fills because it delivers what Yelp's algorithm can't predict: Chinese-American food cooked like it actually matters, served in a neighborhood that notices the difference.