I have been ordering food to go from this place for months now and finally decided to eat and dine in. They have only one good food on their menu that made me decide to eat there besides the small tables and stench of the restaurant and it’s the fried fish or whatever it’s called. They treated me like shit and everyone that I saw taking food out. I’ve never had such a bad experience at any restaurant but this one, you can’t even ask for a cup of water($ 1.00 for a bottle). And when I asked for cups for my family to use they don’t carry any, they said it in a rude way too and just gave me a straw. We asked them if they had a suggestion box and all they said was a big NO, rolled her eyes and just walked away. The ladies in the cashier are so rude and stingy. You should not dine in the restaurant, in fact not even order from it because it’s over priced now than it use to. The only reason why I went their was for the fried fish because it was good and cheap but now it’s just expensive it’s ridiculous.
Yvonne R.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
not too bad for little hole in the wall type Quick place to eat! My menu consist of the fried rice orange chicken and the pepper salted crunchy chicken my total was about 6.50 the additional $.50 was a credit card fee that you have to pay if you don’t buy anything over $ 15 It was pretty good(it’s perfect for to go) they give me a ton of rice and each order is considered one side so any additional slides cost additional money, s my silence!
Jasmine R.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
Love their garlic chicken but their orange chicken doesn’t taste good and has very little chicken in it. I’ll stick to Panda Express for my orange chicken.
Lisa K.
Place rating: 5 El Cajon, CA
Huuuuuuge amounts of food for a good price. The flavor of the food is awesome and it fills you up. Not like a normal Chinese take out or whatever. But, definitely a good place to go to if you’re looking for cheaper Chinese food that tastes good.
Jeldhane A.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
5 stars for flavor, huge portions and Chinese craving satisfaction when you want it. What do you expect from a fast food chinese joint? Dont expect some fancy place or porcelain plates. not sure about their«cash only» policy but bring some for the tip jar. Servers are really nice and generous! ^_^
Wilson M.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
The food here is great. It’s what you would expect from a Chinese restaurant. Delicious orange chicken and broccoli beef. The reason why this is 3 stars because of the environment inside. Its hard to enjoy the food when the air around you is almost as hot as your food. Either than that, its a great place to find some low cost Chinese food.
Cyrus G.
Place rating: 4 Chula Vista, San Diego, CA
«A longstanding Chinese Fast Food restaurant, maintaining the same recipes and flavors, different from the Chinese-American norm.» Star Express, located in a plaza next to Yum Yum Donuts on East Plaza Blvd, provides Chinese food that strays away from the local fare you find in much places like the local Golden Chopsticks and Royal Mandarin just west of it’s location. Walking into the establishment, you’re greeted with the sight of tiled walls and the faces of some friendly Chinese Women who guide you alongside the trays upon trays of some surprisingly really good Chinese Fast Food, and cheap too! Cheap’s always good. Anyways, some main staples really worth considering are the«garlic» goodies, both the Garlic Chicken and the Garlic Fish. The Garlic Chicken, though plain-sounding and very boring to the ears, is made great here, and combined with the fried rice or lo mein served as sides alongside some sweet and sour sauce, it’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked in a place like this as it has great flavor surprisingly. The Garlic Fish is great as well, and for 2 – 3 strips of deep fried fish filets in whatever batter they dip it in, it’s great for the on-the-go kind of individuals who want something to munch on while on the way home for the real food. My only complaint is that prices have gone up, but it’s still manageable and cost-friendly compared to other places. Overall, I’ve been to this restaurant dozens of times from when I was a kid(When their combo entrees were only $ 2.13 a pop!), all the way up to my adult ages, and even to this day, it hasn’t disappointed me. So if you’re ever in the area, and you decide that you want some fast Chinese Food(whether early, mid, or late day), don’t overlook Star Express, be curious, and take that right turn into the Plaza from East Plaza Blvd.
C P.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
Love this place! our everyday, go-to joint for chinese fast-food. they give large portions for cheap! and the food is very flavorful. i havent tried everything but what i have, i’ve been very satisfied with and cant wait to try something new next time~! the only drawback is that maybe it could use an update to the décor… and that it’s cash-only. but the staff is very friendly, the food’s good and the price is auryyyyyte! i’ll prolly be back again sometime this week :)
Ward A.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
Came in for lunch. Cash only. Small Chinese to go place that gives generous portions. I had the orange chicken, fried rice, and fried chicken. Quiet good. Not bad if your craving Chinese and just want it to go this is the place. Pros: Cheap good tasting Chinese Food. Cons; Cash only No free soup Drink extra Overall: 3 stars
Brenda L.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
they accept credit cards now
Alexa G.
Place rating: 4 Chula Vista, CA
Me and my boyfriend love this spot! It’s the perfect place to get cheap chinese food that’s still really good! The portions are good. always enough for leftovers and the selection is pretty tasty. My favorite is the fried rice, orange chicken, and sweet and sour chicken. The area is a little ghetto and it’s a small place in a little shopping center but it’s good. Also, I recommend you pay with cash because if you pay with card it’s extra for under $ 15.
Nika R.
Place rating: 1 San Diego, CA
I used to LOVE this place. It used to be my family’s go to spot for chinese food to go, but i’ve been back since moving back home and it was a disappointment. I’ve moved on to better food, cheap: yes, good: used to be. Go else where.
AJ S.
Place rating: 1 Oceanside, CA
The food is not that great, but they give you a lot. tastes like italian food with soy sauce and red sauce on the table. I bet the cooks don’t even eat the stuff, NASTY.
Shey O.
Place rating: 5 Los Angeles, CA
I have been coming here since it was actually 99 cent chinese food and came with free soda! I love this place. Huge amounts of food for an awesome price. I LOVETHEHOT&SOURSOUP. the garlic fish, garlic chicken, mushroom chicken, noodles, fried rice, bbq chicken. All super good! This business has survived everything because it’s awesome. Worth the visit to the ATM for cash.
Chin C.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Price is now $ 1.79 per order but I still come to this place to buy garlic chicken, fried fish and hot & sour soup pro: good food, fast, nice staff con: cash only, could be messy at times but whatever
Misty M.
Place rating: 3 Elk Grove, CA
I live down the street from this place and have watched it go from 99 cents an item to it’s current 1.39 something for every item… I like this place because it’s typical fast chinese food, run by vietnamese LOL My cousin loves the garlic fish and I like getting the mushroom chicken. Overall good place for the frugal person looking to score some cheap food that fills the belly. Sometimes the parking lot is full but with determined patience you can get a good spot… It’s also right next to another bomb diggity mexican restaurant with carne asada fries that has a BIG portion.
Angela Irene D.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
Have you been Looking high & low for that«hole in the wall» chinese food? — So have I! And for long time too, thanks to me I’m sharing this place with you! Why? 1) cheap cheap cheap! 2) friendly staff, you can tell they have regulars 3) the amount of FOOD piled into this medium sized foamed to-go box 4) Grade A, now who doesn’t like that? Sanitation FTW! 5) leaving happy and oh so satisfied! (Minus one star because — CASHONLY! Eek, I hardly carry cash) Need I say more? Yeeeeeah didn’t think so! Enjoy this place, especially when you know you are craving for the orange chicken, so please prepare yourself for that food baby you are about to conceive! ;p
Robert A.
Place rating: 4 National City, CA
Me and my wife were out recently looking for chinese food when we saw this place and decided to try it. I ordred the garlic fried fish, fried rice, and orange chicken and was overall satisfied with my choices. The portions were gigantic and I was easily filled for hours! The price is right too! 2 meals plus 2 drinks came out to $ 12.00 or $ 6.00 per meal –an unbeatable bargain especially considering the amount of food they pile on your plate! In short, when your hungry, and looking to fill up on good, cheap chinese food without spending alot of money-make a trip to 5 Star Express!
Ron C.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
CHEAPCHINESEFOOD! This is the spot for ballers on a budget. If your craving edible chinese food this place is the spot. They use to be 99 cents per item but due to the economy being the way it is they had to up there prices. I moved back to the hood 2 weeks ago and didn’t feel like cooking and I remembered this spot way back when I was in Middle School amazing that this business is still here after so many years. The garlic chicken, garlic fish, bbq chicken and orange chicken are good. Chow Mein is whatever. Oh yes, this is a CASHONLY spot! Peace Unilocal Heads!
Claudia S.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
When I am in the mood for some tasty chinese food on the fly and cheap this is the place to go. They are open late and have the most awesome garlic fish! I love this place… I must be hungry cause my mouth is watering. They give you super large portions for awesome prices! You must check this place out. The people are super nice and you cant beat the value!