PB Oriental

While The Fishery operates a fish market and Rocky's stays locked into tavern burgers, PB Oriental plays a different role in the neighborhood ecosystem: it's the practical Chinese spot that feeds people who just got off a shift, wrapped a late surf session, or need something hot that isn't a taco at 9pm on a Friday. The menu isn't trying to do regional Sichuan or hand-pulled noodles — it's the greatest hits of American-Chinese done fresh and fast, with enough vegetarian options that groups don't have to negotiate.

The **Kung Pao chicken** gets consistent mentions for actually delivering heat, and the **garlic edamame** works as a shareable starter that doesn't feel like filler. **Orange chicken** and **lo mein** land exactly where they should — familiar, comforting, executed cleanly. The **cream cheese wontons** do what they're supposed to, which is more than you can say for half the takeout counters between here and the boardwalk. Fair warning: the **Mongolian beef** skews heavy on onions, and the fried rice costs extra if you want it upgraded from plain white.

Service runs efficient — orders move quickly even during the Friday night rush, and the staff keeps things friendly without slowing down the line. Seating inside is limited, so most people grab and go or call ahead. This isn't a date-night spot or a place you linger over cocktails; it's the practical answer to "what's open, what's fast, and what won't disappoint" when you're too tired to make decisions. Parking on Garnet is the usual game of circling until someone leaves, but the turnaround time is quick enough that it rarely becomes a problem.

It fills the gap between post-surf hunger and the late-night bar food circuit — a reliable, no-frills Chinese counter that doesn't try to be anything other than what PB needs when the usual spots are packed or closed.