With the same great owners, at 1971 San Pablo Ave., Pinole, China House may have switched houses but still serves the same marvelous Mandarin and stomach-sizzling Szechuan cuisine.

Stop in for a luncheon special served Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., paired with the soup of the day, a choice of fluffy fried rice, white steamed rice or flavorful chow mein, and a side appetizer of wonderfully crisp won tons or a vegetable egg roll.

House favorites include the Sesame Seed Chicken, chunks of tender, moist chicken breast lightly battered and fried to a golden perfection, dipped in a sticky but sweet coating and rolled in toasted sesame seeds ($5.25), and the String Bean Beef ($5.25), thinly sliced pieces of beef braised in a brown sauce and served on a bed of fresh. crisp green beans.

Feeling fishy? Those in the mood for a different catch of the day may try the Garlic, Black Bean Sauce, or Sweet and Sour-flavored Prawn dishes. Want to try something fiery, yet fabulous? Kick things up a notch with the Kung Pao Prawns or Curry Prawns (all $5.95).

Not looking for lunch and don’t know what to order? Other heavenly must-haves are the Mandarin Chicken Salad ($5.95), Hot & Sour Soup ($4.75, small), Pork Egg Foo Yung ($7.25) and the Mu-Shu Pork ($7.25, served with four Chinese Pancakes), all safe and satisfying choices.

With a pleasant wait staff and a more spacious interior, the food at China House is still blazing the taste buds, just not the pocket.