China Chef Luncheonette

We are regulars here. It’s the neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
This time, we ordered the beef with tender ginger, young chow fried rice and shrimp with honey glazed walnut. The beef with tender ginger had a nice warming spicy heat. Lots of vegetables, I noticed a lot of green bell peppers, my husband found a nice fresh chili pepper. The young chow fried rice was surprising, and good. Usually, the fried rice I see is brown. This had nice strips of chicken, red roasted pork, and shrimp, and the rice was white. this fried rice was also less greasy than its brown counterparts. The shrimp with honey walnuts was good, with nice jumbo shrimp in a sweet creamy sauce with fresh steamed broccoli. My only disappointment was the walnuts. They tasted a little off. I don’t know if it was that they were stale, or not cooked. I know this dish in other Cantonese restaurants would make the walnuts so that they were lightly candied.
Since it’s the neighborhood joint, we’ve tried a lot of the dishes. Here’s a rundown of favorites:
Beef on a stick
Hot and sour soup (had it so much, and it has so much good stuff in it, that it’s now my gold standard, seriously, other restaurants don’t make it as well.)
Beef chow fun
Fried wontons
The food can be a little oily, and their sauces overly sweet, but overall, a nice place. We love Laura and Eng, they’ve watched the kids grow up.

Called for delivery but because I didn’t feel like waiting 50 minutes I decided to pick it up. The lady on the phone was very nice. When I pulled up I was a little confused about the entrance because there are two doors, neither that looks the main entrance. Luckily I picked the right one (the door on the left). Anyway, when I got home I realized they gave me a spring roll rather than a vegetable egg roll. the food was ok. Not bad but not great. I ordered General Tso chicken which was way too doughy and not spicy at all. It was almost like they took sweet and sour chicken and drowned it in a different sauce. Disappointing. Oh well.

I have been coming here my entire life. Every birthday since I was just a little guy, this is where we went. It’s not that the food is out of this world but it’s exactly what u want and expect. They provide a wide variety and even dishes you would never expect. Want something fun? Try the Pu Pu Platter, it’s a favorite of my father and me

My family has relied on China Chef for take out as long as I can remember. We always get the quality we expect. They also have a surprisingly nice sit down vibe. I personally find their fried dumplings to be the best but the style might be different from what most people are used to. All said, we will keep coming back.

We call this place «Gentleman Chinese». Service is always quick and the dining room is real pleasant nice light from big windows with nice relaxing piano music playing. The lunch specials are typically what I get when lunching with my team from work. The service is excellent and the food is always hot and delicious. Items that have always been a hit are: pad Thai, orange chicken, general chicken. The egg roles are crispy and hot and the soups are good. They have large tables and booths to accommodate larger parties. On the table they serve the wide crispy noodles with a good duck sauce. A little more expensive than most places but the service, food quality and ambiance are worth it for the dining experience.

I’m not too sure why this is on Unilocal as China Chef Lunchonette. I think it’s just China Chef. Pretty good take out Chinese. I liked the Lo Mein and Wonton Soup. I believe we also had a Thai dish. Not the best I’ve ever had but better than a number of places.

My favorite Chinese place. It has alot of the same stuff you see in Chinese restaurants but I feel it’s cooked better than alot e.g. their hot and sour soup is the best I’ve ever had. Its a little expensive. Thr staff is very nice and friendly. The inside is very nice and clean

We ordered take out. Within minutes all the food got sort of glisteny and gelatinous. Too much cornstarch in everything. Dreadful. My husband and I found the food inedible. Worst possible example of generic Chinese takeout. Terrible!!!

My family and I come here very often. If you have a craving for American Chinese food, this is the place to come. We always tend to get chow fun, chicken or beef. We also enjoy the Kung pow and chicken with cashews. They do have Thai options on the menu, however, do no expect authentic Thai from this. Come here for old reliable comfort of Chinese food. The crab Rangoon and egg rolls are great. The family that owns the place is very friendly and sweet.
15% off coupons are frequently in the Valpacks… and the family doesn’t even need to see them from us as we come so often.

When I first moved to Lawrence I was happy to find a Chinese restaurant within walking distance that was until I tried it for the first time. I had ordered the generals chicken it was over cooked to the point I couldn’t even chew it. The egg roll was burnt beyond edibility. The fried rice was the only good part of the meal that was acceptable.
Fast forward to today, listen everyone has a bad day, maybe the chef feel asleep while cooking for me the last time. I was feeling under the weather a little wanton soup would make me feel better. I placed my complicated order of a large wonton soup and sat to wait. A couple of customers came in and picked up orders while I was waiting. 15 minutes passed they must have been working hard on the soup. A new worker asked if I placed an order I excitedly told him I did. After a brief discussion in Chinese (this soup is going to be epic) my original server asked if I ordered. I said yes I did, she asked what it was. My order was never placed!
I just left, this place is pure crap with a total lack of attention to detail and customer service. I tried this place twice only had food once and that was garbage.
Avoid this restaurant, unless you like to be disappointed.
W
Ff

After 3visits I must say there is consistency and a few high points good egg rolls terrible plastic packets of sauce very good Chix w/​eggplant. Poorly executed thai which is a shame, there aren’t any good Thai places maybe they will improve hope they look at a cookbook. Reach for star!

We’ve been going to China Chef for years, and have always found a friendly, courteous welcome, and food that is tasty and good, at a reasonable price. My wife often gets the non-​fried sorts of things, and I enjoy the classic Chinese dishes. I would give China Chef four stars, but lately the food has had an extraordinary amount of oil — if they were to cut back on the excessive amount of it, I would gladly give it a higher review.

It’s really a 3.5 star. Sometimes it’s exceptional but it’s never less than good.
Same people have run/​owned for years. My mom and I ate there alot when my brother was a baby. The waiter still asks me how is the baby? The baby is 27!

Ive been going here for 15 years also and have nothing but praise for the service and the food. We like the regular menu but the special menu is the best. My fav is the Thai Basil Chicken. Take out is always fast and they rarely (if ever) messed an order up. The dinning room is nicely decorated and waiters friendly and accommodating.