On Luck Food To Go

Not the same owner or food. Shame on these new folks on capitalizing on the namesake and popularity of the old owner and his menu

This not the On Luck that has been there for years this is new owner’s & hopefully they not using the On luck name from the old school days!!! I tried their food once it’s ok… But the original On Luck was on hit no matter what u got u would’ve been happy… Still sad about the owner’s passing!!!

This was by far the best Chinese food I ever ate in my life. Nothing else here in the Bay has satisfied my appetite like On Luck. My family has been going here for over 20 years. I used to get excited when my mom would pick me up from elementary school with a snack from on luck (I am 26 now). I try to find other Chinese food places but nothing compares.
To Howard’s family, I am deeply sorry to hear about the loss of such a great man. He has definitely left a legacy in Oakland and set the bar high for food. He will be deeply missed.

With great sadness I discovered that Mr Howard had passed and the world’s greatest «Hole in the wall» was closed.
Not sad for me but sad for Me. Lee’s family, and sad that Oakland lost a great son.

To the Howard Lee Family,
I wish to offer my deepest condolences to you. It was always a pleasure to engage with Howard about the days of our youth and to talk about Oakland High and various other things in our youth. The food was always great and I especially enjoyed his Dried Fried Ribs. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around his passing. I pray that God gives you all strength and that you focus on the great times. Howard was truly a wonderful person and he made everyone happy with his charm and delicious food.
God bless you all.
Agnes Tate

I just found out today about the passing of Howard. It is a very sad day for the San Antonio neighborhood of Oakland. The On Luck restaurant has been one of the solid landmarks of this area for several decades. In one of their famous songs the Beatles said, «And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.» If this is true, Howard is one very rich man right now.
RIP Howard. You will be fondly remembered, and sorely missed.

Stunned by Carol C’s post. that Howard has passed away. saw him barely a week ago full of life, happy as a lark, no obvious problems.
drove by the eatery.
note on roll up gate says Howard passed on sunday, the 29^th.
RIP Howard,

Please make a small donation for Mr. Lee’s family so they can handle funeral arrangements during this difficult time. Thank you.

Was hoping it wasn’t true, but unfortunately it is… The owner Howard has passed, but his legacy will always live on.

I have been friends with Howard’s family for many years and while I did not know him very well personally, I am especially close with his daughter and wife.
Howard was admitted to the hospital a few days ago and passed Sunday (contrary to what some others have previously posted). The restaurant will remain closed and On Luck’s legacy will never be forgotten thanks to its loyal customers.
While some people see this place as a shady Chinese take-​out place in a sketchy neighborhood and many complain about their inconsistent hours, a plethora of fans come by religiously and consider this their holy grail hole in the wall. Even after I moved to Los Angeles, people I’ve met in LA who have been to the Bay Area speaks highly of On Luck and Howard.
In many ways, On Luck reminds me of Golden Gate Bakery where they close randomly and sometimes for long periods of time and that’s because 1. they can afford to and 2. they deserve a break.
Howard often runs a one-​man show doing all the cooking himself and his wife mans the front up to the early evening hours. They are some of the most hardworking individuals I know who aren’t about the frills and luxury of owning a restaurant, but about quality and fast serviced food. They’ve had to limit when they serve Steak Chow Fun, so that the crowd doesn’t get too large and people are waiting endlessly for their orders. They’ve had to stop answering the phone, so they can focus on making and serving food first and foremost. They’ve taken extended holiday breaks, so that they can recuperate and enjoy their life outside of the food business.
This is an incredibly difficult time for those who know and love Howard. I know the family appreciates everybody’s well wishes and respect during this sensitive time. We will all miss On Luck, but we will miss Howard the most.

My family and i Have been coming here since high school… were just utterly speechless that chef howard passed away… many prayers to his wife and family. This was an Iconic spot in the san antonio district, it will always remain in our hearts and memories. We’ll miss you…

Just recently got news that Howard the chef passed away. Still shocked by this. Been coming here since the early 90s when I was about 13, will definitely remember this place for the rest of my life, it was a big part of my childhood. No other Chinese restaurant is comparable to On Luck.
R.I.P. Chef Howard. Man… Still hoping that it’s not real…

I am shocked and saddened that Howard, the owner of On Luck Food to Go, has passed away. My family has known Howard when he had his restaurant on 9^th Street between Webster and Franklin Streets back in the days. I just saw the updated review from Alfredo M., one of my Unilocal buddies, posted today.
I am somewhat bummed right now. I will miss the beef chow fun and dried fried ribs. RIP Chef Howard.

Just found out today owner has pass away
Very sorry good man and a great cook
wishes goes to the his family and friends.

This place has been on my radar ever since I read Michael L. and Victor G.‘s reviews a few months ago but tonight was the first time I actually paid it a visit.
Now that I’ve seen what an ACTUAL «hole in the wall» looks like, I may never be able to use that term as loosely as I have ever again. The service is virtually nonexistent, in that the lone man who simultaneously gruffly takes your order (2 minutes after you attempt to call out to him through the locked screen door), cooks your food, takes your payment, and hands you your change… does all of the above with as few spoken words as possible. The neighborhood is super sketchy and well decorated with plenty of illegible graffiti. Did I mention that you never actually enter the unlabeled place at all? There is an ACTUAL hole in the wall from which you receive your food. Incidentally, ours came in a Hennessy box.
Here’s what we tried:
* SPICY MONGOLIAN BEEF [4.25/5]
Tender pieces of beef in well-​flavored (probably MSG-​heavy) seasoning. Totally the star of the evening.
* SHRIMP IN LOBSTER SAUCE [3.5/5]
Good flavors. Shrimp was not overcooked.
* DRIED FRIED RIBS [4/​5]
This was a suuuuuper unhealthy dish. I can’t imagine how many calories came from the batter and oil. Still, a tasty dish and maybe even a fun finger food served with too little sweet and sour sauce.
* SPICY STEAK OVER RICE [1.5/5]
Maybe the guy was in such a hurry he forgot to season this dish. Or use salt. Tooooootally bland with a goopy sauce. Neither my husband nor I could eat it at all.
I wanted to get everything a la carte except for the steak dish, but unfortunately we discovered that everything was over rice. And the ratio of rice to the actual dish was completely off. SO.MUCH.RICE. When we return (which we certainly will), we’re definitely specifying that we do NOT want rice.
(My husband was the one who took our order and experienced the dismissive service, and he isn’t certain the taste of the food aside from the Mongolian beef is worth enduring that again. IMHO at any counter-​service restaurant, if the food is good, nothing else matters. Plus, the guy can’t be THAT bad if he was kind enough to make my husband’s life easier and put all our food in a box to carry.)
Take-​out only and no cards accepted so bring cash. Don’t bother calling to place your order in advance. He won’t pick up.

This place might as well be called «Hole in the Wall» because literally, it’s a hole in the wall. Since there’s already a ton of reviews, I’ll leave some quick tips:
1) If you’re looking at it and can’t find it, you probably passed it. If you see random cars just sitting there on idle or random people loitering outside, they’re getting their food sooner than you are. Oh, and you’re probably there
2) I’ve heard they don’t really pick up their phones for to go orders. Go there, order, and expect to wait 25 minutes (due to massive quantities of orders). Bring a book or eat something light during this wait.
3) Steak chow fun. Steak chow fun. Steak chow fun. Dang, was hoping it’d appear in front of me. «Secret menu» item, $ 13, and well worth the wait and the price. Best. Chow. Fun. Ever. Steak is nicely diced and tender… wow. Nice portions and it is highly recommended to just eat it right then and there after you pick it up. Don’t wait til it’s cold. Thank me later.
4) I’ve been told by the pros that the best way to reheat this for later (if you’re not able to finish) is to cook it in a wok. Don’t microwave.
4) Dried fried ribs. Also very good and popular among the pros that frequent this place. ~$ 7 for large
5) Plenty of street parking
6) How have I never been here before? It’s worth the 30+ minute drive.

HO-​LY CRAP. This place is seriously the best, most literal hole-​in-​the-​wall! Tucked away in a lightweight shady part of Oakland, the family knows how to dish out some major GAAAAINZ!
In all seriousness, if you’re not a local or you’re not with someone who knows where this place is, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll miss it. But that’s how you know it’s GREAT!
The steak over rice is literally what it sounds like. Perfectly sliced & cooked bite sized pieces of beef, drenched in this delicious, heavy sauce over fresh white jasmine rice. Loved the chopped green onions.
I will DEFINITELY be back!
*Rest in Peace Mr. Howard Lee

Pretty depressed because I moved away from the east bay and back to the peninsula and couldn’t tow this lovely hole in the wall with me. :(
This place is very well-​known to locals. At first, you may think it’s just a house on the corner, but if you look a little closer, you’ll notice the peep through order window. Non-​locals would find this area sketchy, but it really isn’t!
All the food is amazing… their chow fun, monngolian beef… it’s serious quality — much similar to a fancy Chinese restaurant but (1) cheaper (2) in my opinion, tastes much much better than those fancy restaurants.
Each meal is delectable, bursting with flavor and the spicy dishes — an explosion of spices in your mouth which can render your mouth to water uncontrollably!
This place never seems to disappoint me. If i’m ever in the area, I’ll more than glad to drop by and order some food before I leave. It’s totally necessary!
Make sure to bring cash as to my knowledge, the owner does not accept cards or checks in any shape or form!

One of Oakland’s best kept secret for hole in the wall Chinese food.
Coming here for years, there are few specials that I always order:
*Steak and rice or chow fun — The famous dish which isn’t always available. A delicious savory gravy tops onions and tender slices of steak and layed over either rice or chow fun.
*Shrimp with lobster sauce chow fun or rice — Thick, delicious gravy with minced pork and plenty of shrimp is placed over chow fun or rice and then sprinkled with green onions. Chow fun is always good, but if you expect leftovers, the rice soaks up the sauce so much better.
*Dried fried ribs (small or large) — The deep fried pork pieces are delicious and are a perfect side to share.
For most dishes, you have a spiciness option. We usually order spicy and he adds some choped peppers or japapenos in the dish. However, it’s not too spicy. The bf usually goes home and adds hot sauce to his dish.
WHAT TO KNOW:
*Cash only
*Dishes average about $ 6 – 9
*To go orders only. There is no waiting area, just a window to order out of.
*No sign so look for the green awning
*Sometimes takes longer to give your order, but that’s because it’s one guy working in a small kitchen
*Closed on Sundays and at 8pm everyday, but don’t depend on those hours. Sometimes he closes early.
*Can telephone orders in, but most of the time he’s too busy to pick up the phone

STEAK chow fun + dry fried ribs = BEST COMBO EVER!
I don’t venture out to Oakland much but when I do, On Luck is the place to go! It’s definitely not in the best part of town and when you walk up to the window, you may be weird out by the iron gate surrounding its window, but don’t be fooled by its façade. Behind that window is a super chilled couple, nice and friendly cooking up some delicious Chinese food. You want to talk about «wok hay» and ghetto fabulous… this place got it all! The wife usually takes the orders while the husband is cooking away in the back. Keep in mind that their space is tiny, they are literally within feet away from one another, but they have such a blast serving the community. They will often crack jokes with each other or with their regulars. It’s businesses like these that I love to support, they are truly happy doing what they are doing.
Mind you, this is for take outs only and there is usually a wait, no matter what time of the day you go but you can often find a parking space in front. Place your order and sit back in your car for a bit, it’s well worth it. The food literally speaks for itself and you know a place is solid when you have customers driving across town just to pick up their order from here.
Sometimes they are out of steak and if/​when they are, give their shrimp with lobster sauce chow fun a try, that’s pretty delicious as well.