A fire caused Mandarin House to shutter in summer 2019, but the 44-year-old San Diego Chinese restaurant has reopened for takeout in La Jolla with full service set to return in the imminent future.
After a kitchen fire caused extensive damage to Mandarin House on August 6, 2019, the decades-old restaurant was forced to close anticipating only a few month downtime. The building has since undergone a long rebuilding process and is now able to operate for take-out while the interior remodel is receiving finishing touches. Full service should return soon, but in the meantime, patrons can order for curbside pickup from the dinner menu during afternoon and evening hours. Delivery is also back during dinner service.
Mandarin House is owned by Nelson Law, whose family has been operating the eatery since 1977. Law's late father, Tat "John" Law and his partner Wai "Bill" Man worked their way up from dish washers to head chefs in Hong Kong before opening their first restaurant in San Diego. Mandarin House was the first of many restaurants for the two longtime friends and cooks. Law and Man ended up opening two more San Diego locations of their Szechuan-style Mandarin House in San Diego, as well as two more in Mexico City, all which have since closed.
Mandarin House is currently open for takeout daily from 11:30am to 2pm and 4-8:30pm at 6765 La Jolla Boulevard in La Jolla. For more information, visit mandarinhouselj.com.
