The Hot Lunch Lady

The Hot Lunch Lady
Marbella Plaza
31115 Rancho Viejo Rd, Suite 2
San Juan Capistrano, Ca 92675
Phone: 949.218.4300
Website | Map

Lunch $10 / Dinner $30

Lunch $10

Choose any Wrap
Cup of Soup
Your Choice of Drink
Fresh Gelato Made In-House

Personal Chef Dinner  $30
(Family of Four)

Please call us at (949) 218-4300 before 2pm to place your dinner order
and we will prepare a fresh dinner for you and your family to pickup at your desired pickup time.

Choose one main Entree
Whole Organic Chicken
BBQ Teriyaki Chicken
Flat Iron Steak
Baked Organic Chicken Taquitos
Vegan Bean & Vegetable Soup
Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce
Penne Pasta and Meatballs

Choose Three Sides
Mac & Cheese (kids' fav)
Brown Rice (kids' fav)
Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Corn on the Cobb & Edamame
Grilled Vegetables
Your Choice of Salad
Your Choice of Soup

Choose one Dessert
Fresh Gelato Made In-House
Super Nutritious Smoothie
Mini Spinach Brownies
Fresh Baked Cookies

Chef Niki Rafatjoo; The Hot Lunch Lady

Question: How long have you been a chef?
Answer: chef and owner of The Hot Lunch Lady for almost 5 years.

Question: How long have you been at this restaurant?
Answer:  Our location has been open for two years and before then I catered lunches for schools in Orange County (still do!) and was a party planner and caterer for private parties.

Question: Who or what inspired you to become a chef?
Answer: I use to be a school teacher and I got into cooking and nutrition because of my students and poor quality of school lunches.  As a mom and teacher it was really frustrating not to be able to find fresh, quality meals that were convenient and affordable and I am proud to say that I have been able to achieve that at my restaurant.  I use quality ingredients such as organic greens, fresh herbs, organic low-sodium turkey, homemade soups and dressings without any preservatives, no-hormone chicken and best of all our bread is made fresh each day.

Question: What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Answer: My customers.  I love making their day. I love when they tell me they were dreaming about my food last night.  I love when they leave with a smile and come back the next day. 

Question: When you’re not in the kitchen what are you doing?
Answer: I am married to a very busy guy and have two youngster, 10 year old boy and 6 year old girl and when I'm at the restaurant I am busy being a mom, driver, tutor and chef at home; oh yes... wife when time allows!

Question: What is your most popular dish?
Answer: My Turkey Wrap is what opened our doors to the public.  Before, I use to only make lunches for schools. I was experimenting with a specialty bread and gave these turkey wraps as samples to people walking by and to my surprise they came back again.  So, I decided to close the kitchen for a couple of weeks and turned the front portion of the kitchen to a mini restaurant. I use locally grown produce and organic and low-sodium animal products and we make all of our own sauces and dressings to cut back on preservative.  I believe in local and clean eating and my customers love the fact they don't have to worry about calorie count since we have portioned everything properly and only use the best ingredients.

Question: Your last meal on Earth would be??
Answer: Anything from my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, Matsuhisa! The best sushi I have ever had in my life.

Question: What's your favorite item on the Restaurant Week Menu?
Answer: Believe it or not I love the Vegan Bean and Vegetable soup.  It's got everything that is good for you and nothing else such as Kale, variety of beans, fresh tomatoes and no animal products.  It takes about 8 hours to make a batch of this soup, so when it's gone, it's gone!