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Lawry’s Carvery
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street
Suite 2601
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
lawrysonline.com

Ordered:
Roast Beef Dip
Barbecue Beef Brisket
Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Review:
In my opinion, Lawry’s Carvery is one of the better places to grab a quick bite at South Coast Plaza. I like it because: 1) It is close to an entrance and parking lot, 2) It enjoys a steady stream of business so the food tastes pretty fresh, and 3) It is right across from Williams Sonoma! Very convenient indeed.

The photos below are from one single visit to Lawry’s Carvery, though I have been there many times before and have had the: Prime Rib Bleu, Green Peppercorn Dip, Turkey Platter Meal, and King of Clubs sandwich. They use white meat turkey exclusively, and it gets pretty dry. Unless you plan on ordering extra gravy, a safer option might be the prime rib. I have yet to try, but it looks like the kind you get at Lawry’s The Prime Rib or Five Crowns. It is a very popular lunch item at the Carvery for those who are seeking something more substantial.

Lawry’s Carvery is a very laid back environment. You stand in line. Place your order at the register. Even if you are just ordering a beef sandwich, they give you an option of how bloody you want your meat. Then you get a number, fill your own drink cup at the machine, and grab a seat anywhere. Food never takes long to arrive because it is not cooked to order. Usually, it 5 to 10 minutes to slice, plate, and drop off.

Roast Beef Dip (Roasted Red Onions, Au Jus, French Baguette):

You get a pretty decent amount of beef in every sandwich. My only gripe is that the beef is cut quite thick (about 1/3-inch). This makes it tougher to chew than need be.

The roasted red onions here are flavored with lots of dried oregano; This gives the meat a distinct Italian flavor.

Barbecue Beef Brisket (Smoky BBQ Sauce, Crispy Onions):

The Barbecue Beef Brisket sandwich is not your typical… mainly because they don’t really do barbecue here. It consists of a good layer of beef brisket, sliced thick, topped with a really delicious smelling barbecue sauce and served on a soft onion roll. The brisket tastes an awful lot like the roast beef to me – only exception is that the roast beef is more tender in the middle. Other than the prime rib entrees, the meats here are extremely lean. This may be good for some, but may leave others wanting more.

Another thing we often get here is the Baked Macaroni and Cheese. I don’t ever order it, but the other half of TLS does. According to them, it is fair… not as good as Elements Kitchen, but not close to as bad as our experience at Fleming’s! I would have to agree. The macaroni and cheese at Lawry’s Carvery is sometimes a bit greasy, sometimes a bit grainy. But overall, it is enjoyable enough to order again (provided the mood strikes).

Baked Macaroni and Cheese:

While Lawry’s Carvery is supposed to specialize in roast beef sandwiches, it really does not satisfy my craving for them. A really good deli would do a much better job. Judging from other peoples’ plates, I think I will start ordering prime rib here. But who knows? Sometimes a quick sandwich is just what you need to keep the shopping day going.

Rating:
6+ out of 10 spoonfuls

Value:
$$