Orange County’s Most Exciting New Restaurant Is an Indian-Flavored Meat Bonanza

Is Fullerton’s new Khan Saab already poised to be the most interesting restaurant to open in Orange County in all of 2020? That’s big talk, but based on the menu at this modern Indian-ish restaurant, it sure could be.

Khan Saab comes to Fullerton by way of chef Imran Mookhi, who opened a different modern take on Indian food in Santa Monica, called Tumbi, back in 2018. This time around Mookhi is pulling from the larger Desi diaspora, meaning diners can expect dishes and flavors found across the already-diverse Indian food lexicon, with pulls from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond as well. What’s more, Mookhi (who previously worked at restaurants like the well-regarded Tamarind of London in Newport Beach) says that Khan Saab will be entirely halal.

The menu is a delightful mix of ideas and ingredients, from a fried butter chicken dish to steakhouse staples like a New York strip with grilled veggies, a bone-in tomahawk, rethought steak frites, and more. There’s even a pomegranate-braised brisket, as well as kabobs, curries, and a variety of sides (yes, there will be naan). In keeping with halal tradition, the bar will be entirely non-alcoholic; diners will also be told on the menu which dishes are dairy free, gluten free, nut free, vegan, or contains eggs. The opening menus are below.

Khan Saab is open now in Fullerton, keeping hours from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch daily, with dinner running from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, extending to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

• 21 Essential Vietnamese Restaurants in Orange County’s Little Saigon [ELA]