Paul's — Review by Food Network
Fountain Valley, United States — American Diner
Guy Fieri visits Paul's, a military-themed diner in Fountain Valley, California owned by former Marine Phil Martinez. The standout dish is the uniquely spiced pork steak marinated overnight in cinnamon, cilantro, and garlic that delivers unexpected Middle Eastern flavors. The restaurant's strong military culture and quality comfort food make it a must-visit spot.
What was great: The pork steak with cinnamon and cilantro marinade, the Kobe beef, chicken fried steak, home fries, and the strong military camaraderie atmosphere with Marine veteran patrons
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The signature pork steak is a revelation, cut from the shoulder and marinated overnight with a distinctive blend of cinnamon, cilantro, chopped onions, olive oil, seasoning salt, black pepper, and granulated garlic. When grilled to perfection, the juices from the marinade keep the meat incredibly moist and tender, creating an almost creamy texture. The unexpected combination of cinnamon and cilantro gives the pork an intriguing Middle Eastern flavor profile that takes a couple bites to appreciate but becomes irresistible. It's served with simple home fries that soak up the flavorful marinade. The kitchen also prepares excellent Kobe beef and receives praise for their chicken fried steak, which appears to be another customer favorite based on the mention that one regular specifically wrote about loving it.
The Experience
Paul's exudes military pride and brotherhood. Owner Phil Martinez, a Marine Corps veteran with 26 years of service, has owned the restaurant for about 5 years and maintains a strong veteran clientele. The atmosphere is welcoming to everyone, not just military personnel, but there's clearly a special energy in the dining room filled with fellow vets. The kitchen operates efficiently with Phil calling out orders and managing multiple dishes simultaneously, showing respect for timing and quality.
Value & Pricing
No specific prices are mentioned in the transcript, but the portion sizes appear generous with home fries and well-prepared proteins suggesting reasonable value for a full meal.
Notable Moments
Now, what if you're not a Marine or if you're not a sailor? Can you still come in? Oh, heck yeah. Well, I'm a veteran of this place. I love coming here.
That looks like a manhole covering flavor town. These flavors compliment it. It almost has a Middle Eastern flavor to it.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
The Verdict
Paul's is a gem for anyone seeking authentic comfort food with genuine military heritage and character. The pork steak alone is worth the visit, offering bold flavors you won't find elsewhere. While the cinnamon-cilantro combination might seem unusual, it's executed brilliantly and represents Phil's creative approach to classic diner fare. This restaurant is best for veterans seeking camaraderie, diners who appreciate adventurous flavor combinations, and anyone looking for quality comfort food prepared with care and military precision.