What's the best place for Chinese delivery in greater OP?

I've combed through this and other forums many times over in search of just one really good Chinese restaurant in or around Oak Park -- but I always come up dry. I recall that reviews were all over the place for a bunch of Chinese restaurants in the area, and nothing stood out as excellent. I'm now hankering for some good Chinese food, and I'm at a bit of a loss. I've settled on See Thru Kitchen in Berwyn in the past and found them tasty for basic dishes with chicken but cared nothing for their meat, and I'm reluctant to order from them again. So, anything I've missed? Any standouts perhaps?

Many thanks!

IMO, you'll have to find a place, and teach them what you want them to make.
Also, there's the boycott method. You might want to look into the "Ameri-Chinese" offerings at places like Bodhi Thai (Berwyn), Yum Thai (Forest Pk,) or Fine Thai in Brookfield. I have a few places I go for Chinese in the area, but I tell them exactly what I want, and how I want it. Usually, I tell them exactly what veggies I want, specify "no cornstarch" in the sauce, extra sesame oil, fresh chile, etc. Tasty House in Berwyn on Roosevelt just e of Halem is in my rotation. Further S on Ogden near Kenilworth is a Wok N Roll express that has a killer chow fun imo. Chinese food in the area is plentiful. GOOD Chinese food is nearly non-existent.

You gotta let em know you are not interested in the slop.

I like Luo's, but make sure you keep your expectations (wait for it)...low! Ho...I kill me.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=21847&p=228416&hilit=Luo%27s#p228416

They deliver. Val at Val's Halla turned me on to Luo's. She and her crew love the place.

Thank you for the suggestions....

I'm starting to accept the fact that I'll have to settle for Chinese food around here that is tolerable but nothing to write home about.

That said, I did end up ordering Bodhi (which I'd had before), and it was really excellent -- all Thai dishes, though. Again, thanks for the ideas!

I would have to agree with seebee and check out the local Thai places (Bodhi! Good food with good prices). Sometimes they have some Chinese-like dishes that can sate the need and often Chinese appetizers can be found on the menu.

Some better than (low) average options...

New Star
7444 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
(708) 453-8242

... might be the best close option.

While I have had some good chow further away at...

Golden Wok
1122 Maple Ave, La Grange Park
(708) 354-3930‎

Great egg rolls!

Other odd options...

I had some chop suey not long ago at ...

Al's Drive In
affectionately known as 'Come as you are or Eat in Your Car'
80 Madison St, Maywood
(708) 344-8660‎

Nice thick, dark and salty gravy. The owner is a stitch! You will leave with a smile on your face. Besides where else can you get Chinese, Greek, Italian, American, Mexican at one place?

For a walk on the dangerous side try the fried rice at ...

C & P Fried Rice‎
521 S Cicero Ave, Chicago
(773) 261-2800‎

Flavorful with a good amount of beef and vegetables. I stop by a few times a year.

Honorable Mention?

New Fue City
6954 W North Ave, Chicago
(773) 622-3100

Not good, not bad. Cheap. Free (not bad) egg roll with every large order and they have fast delivery.

I keep on trying David's recommendation of Luo's every couple of years and it hasn't gotten any better. No matter what Val and her cohorts say.

Panther in the Den wrote:I keep on trying David's recommendation of Luo's every couple of years and it hasn't gotten any better. No matter what Val and her cohorts say.

It was a very qualified recommendation.

You've tried the St. Paul sandwich...?

Val is one of the great eccentrics in the People's Republic of Oak Park, so take her recs cum grano salo.

Panther in the Den wrote:I would have to agree with seebee and check out the local Thai places (Bodhi! Good food with good prices). Sometimes they have some Chinese-like dishes that can sate the need and often Chinese appetizers can be found on the menu.

Some better than (low) average options...

New Star
7444 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
(708) 453-8242

... might be the best close option.

Rules of this forum prohibit me from discussing the reasons why I will never, ever eat anything from New Star again. Which is a shame, as it was my parents' go-to for years when I was growing up and still living with them.

I am completely blanking on the name of the Chinese restaurant in the strip mall on North Ave just west of Harlem, but I'd say that was the best Chinese food I've had in the Oak Park area. Recommended to me by a number of people, and when my wife and I finally stopped in it did not disappoint. Oh, Lotus Chinese Restaurant is the name of it. Worth a try.

Luo's was our go-to for pick-up orders when I was younger, and I still stop by once every 1-2 years for nostalgia's sake. My wife hasn't enjoyed it though, and refuses to get Chinese food anywhere nearby other than Lotus at this point. Chinatown is just convenient enough when a drive is acceptable to not bother with any of the other options, and we usually just push ourselves to accept Thai in place of Chinese if delivery is what we're looking for given the relative wealth of options by comparison.

Well then, Lotus is now on, well, actually it IS my shortlist of Chinese restaurants in the area.

New Star was my family's choice while I was growing up. I also have a story that shouldn't be written about here.

Found a Lotus menu:

http://www.oakparkdining.com/restaurant ... urant-menu

I found Lotus to be more than decent, good choice.

I only tried New Star once and was unimpressed. I thought it was very expensive and meh.

And, while Lotus appears to have an interesting menu, unless the portions are enormous, those prices are outrageous.

midas wrote:while Lotus appears to have an interesting menu, unless the portions are enormous, those prices are outrageous.

I had a similar thought, but in the area, you might just have to pay up for "good." I've never been to Lotus, but if it's not the standard, cornstarch laden, flavorless, canned mushroom, "bag of frozen peas and cubed carrot=vegetables," glop that most places sling out, then I'll be on board when I want to go to a place that actually takes pride in their food. By the time I'm done explaining that I want real food to most of the Chinese joints in the area, the prices are comparable - (adding peapods, fresh mushrooms, fresh chile, etc.)

This thread brings to mind my 4th post on this forum way back when...

Panther in the Den wrote:When I saw the title of this topic I though it was about the Chop Suey my Swedish Great Aunt (died at 107, bless her soul) used to make.

Some beef, cabbage, celery and soy. ... *completing the buffet* along with some BBQ ribs and the obligatory kroppkakor with butter.

Eclectic buffet to be sure. I miss my Aunt.

I am sure most of the meals discussed here is Cantonese food. Canton (Guangzhou as it locally known) being a major seaport would take some traditional Chinese dishes and tone them down or sideways for the international visitors.

It was quite a surprise when I opened my first regional Chinese cookbook and noticed most of my favorite 'Chinese' dishes missing.

*edit*

... which was on this thread which could bring some light to this conversation.

Also a good Wikipedia article.

What is the Chinese Food that you are looking for? The regional Chinese (IE: Lao Sze Chuan) or the bastardization that is called American Chinese? Items like the most popular General Tso's Chicken and Chop Suey are American inventions.

I am sure that a place that used fresh vegetables over canned would be placed higher on the list. I have visited (my families favorite)...

Moon Temple
5225 Saint Charles Rd, Berkeley
(708) 547-9470

... and was impressed with their inclusion of fresh orange in the preparation of Orange Chicken.

There are several 'typical' points that also should be included in the ranking.

While many object, the use of MSG is typical. This also brings into the discussion the saltiness of the food. In an effort to appease salt conscious Americans many of the places are cutting back (or eliminating all together) MSG and or salt in the food. Often then the food will turn out bland and tasteless.

One of my loves is Egg Foo Young and I enjoy a rich, dark and salty gravy but lately a tan bland gravy will be served. Something more is needed to offset the bland egg mixture of the Foo.

How about egg rolls lately. I remember big and plump egg rolls that used to be served (like the ones served at the Golden Wok mentioned above). The current trend is to ones about an inch in diameter with almost more wrapper than filling.

This is the nature of the true 'Chinese American Food' beast. IMHO

Panther in the Den wrote:Items like the most popular General Tso's Chicken and Chop Suey are American inventions.

According to Andrew Co in Chop Suey, it seems chop suey is actually a recognized regional dish of the Pearl River delta. Originally, it contained much offal, so some elements of this dish have undoubtedly been Americanized.

midas wrote:And, while Lotus appears to have an interesting menu, unless the portions are enormous, those prices are outrageous.

Compared to what? The prices are extremely similar to either LSC or Moon Palace in Chinatown.

ucjames wrote:

midas wrote:And, while Lotus appears to have an interesting menu, unless the portions are enormous, those prices are outrageous.

Compared to what? The prices are extremely similar to either LSC or Moon Palace in Chinatown.

Pork Egg Foo Yung
Lotus = $7
New Star = $6
New Fue City = $6

Beef Fried Rice
Lotus = $6.50
New Star = $6.45
New Fue City = $6.15
Lao Sze Chuan = $5

Orange Chicken
Lotus = $10
New Star = $7.75
New Fue City = $8.55
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Beef with Brocolli
Lotus = $9.50
New Star = $8.15
New Fue City = $8.25
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Sweet and Sour Pork
Lotus = $8
New Star = $7.35
New Fue City = $7.25
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Panther in the Den wrote:

ucjames wrote:

midas wrote:And, while Lotus appears to have an interesting menu, unless the portions are enormous, those prices are outrageous.

Compared to what? The prices are extremely similar to either LSC or Moon Palace in Chinatown.

Pork Egg Foo Yung
Lotus = $7
New Star = $6
New Fue City = $6

Beef Fried Rice
Lotus = $6.50
New Star = $6.45
New Fue City = $6.15
Lao Sze Chuan = $5

Orange Chicken
Lotus = $10
New Star = $7.75
New Fue City = $8.55
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Beef with Brocolli
Lotus = $9.50
New Star = $8.15
New Fue City = $8.25
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Sweet and Sour Pork
Lotus = $8
New Star = $7.35
New Fue City = $7.25
Lao Sze Chuan = $5.45

Every single one of those LSC prices comes from their lunch specials, which are significantly less expensive than their normal entree pricing. For example, $8.95 for the entree Sweet and Sour Pork at LSC would be the most expensive of the 4 restaurants you chose. Sweet and Sour Pork at Moon Palace is an even more expensive $10.

ucjames wrote:Every single one of those LSC prices comes from their lunch specials, which are significantly less expensive than their normal entree pricing. For example, $8.95 for the entree Sweet and Sour Pork at LSC would be the most expensive of the 4 restaurants you chose. Sweet and Sour Pork at Moon Palace is an even more expensive $10.

Doh! Sorry. That was the only menu I found online. I thought it was strange.

ucjames wrote:
Every single one of those LSC prices comes from their lunch specials, which are significantly less expensive than their normal entree pricing. For example, $8.95 for the entree Sweet and Sour Pork at LSC would be the most expensive of the 4 restaurants you chose. Sweet and Sour Pork at Moon Palace is an even more expensive $10.

That's part of the problem. I usually go to Chinese restaurants for lunch and rely heavily on lunch specials.

But even compared to non-lunch special prices, my normal place, Happy Garden has these prices:

Pork Egg Foo Yung $3.95/$5.95
Beef Fried Rice $3.95/$5.95
Orange Chicken $5.50/$8.25
Beef with Brocolli $5.25/$7.95
Sweet abd Sour Pork $4.75/$7.50


Every large item is cheaper than their single offering. And having no small sizes available is another negative regarding Lotus.

Is Lotus better? I don't know. But it won't be a cheap proposition to find out. Lunch specials and or small portions would allow me to find out without spending a lot.

midas wrote:

ucjames wrote:
Every single one of those LSC prices comes from their lunch specials, which are significantly less expensive than their normal entree pricing. For example, $8.95 for the entree Sweet and Sour Pork at LSC would be the most expensive of the 4 restaurants you chose. Sweet and Sour Pork at Moon Palace is an even more expensive $10.

That's part of the problem. I usually go to Chinese restaurants for lunch and rely heavily on lunch specials.

But even compared to non-lunch special prices, my normal place, Happy Garden has these prices:

Pork Egg Foo Yung $3.95/$5.95
Beef Fried Rice $3.95/$5.95
Orange Chicken $5.50/$8.25
Beef with Brocolli $5.25/$7.95
Sweet abd Sour Pork $4.75/$7.50


Every large item is cheaper than their single offering. And having no small sizes available is another negative regarding Lotus.

Is Lotus better? I don't know. But it won't be a cheap proposition to find out. Lunch specials and or small portions would allow me to find out without spending a lot.

I'm fairly certain they have lunch specials - there are definitely Yelp reviews referencing lunch specials - just not listed on the menu linked that didn't come from any sort of restaurant website or other current and official source...

I'm not 100% certain though, as I almost only do Chinese for dinner - periodic workday lunches are the rare exception - and thus the prices at Lotus are very much in line with other Chinese dinner spots that I enjoy.

At any rate, I'm not a huge Lotus fan - I've eaten there 3 times and enjoyed each meal, but the truth is when I feel like Chinese food I drive to Chinatown unless I'm marooned out in Arlington Heights for work. It's much too easy a drive from Oak Park for me to not go the distance. Go to Lotus, or don't, but in my experience it is the best Chinese option I have tried in the Oak Park area over 30+ years of living here.

edit: Actually here: Lunch pricing via allmenus.com. They range from $5.25-$7.25 for the lunch specials, all served with spring roll and steamed or fried rice.

Panther in the Den wrote:I would have to agree with seebee and check out the local Thai places (Bodhi! Good food with good prices). Sometimes they have some Chinese-like dishes that can sate the need and often Chinese appetizers can be found on the menu.

Other odd options...

I had some chop suey not long ago at ...

Al's Drive In
affectionately known as 'Come as you are or Eat in Your Car'
80 Madison St, Maywood
(708) 344-8660‎

Nice thick, dark and salty gravy. The owner is a stitch! You will leave with a smile on your face. Besides where else can you get Chinese, Greek, Italian, American, Mexican at one place?

All the vegetables were fresh. Even though it is a fast food shack you can see the emphasis on the Chinese portion of the menu. All the backroom cooks are Chinese and the food is cooked fresh to order.

Panther in the Den wrote:
All the vegetables were fresh. Even though it is a fast food shack you can see the emphasis on the Chinese portion of the menu. All the backroom cooks are Chinese and the food is cooked fresh to order.

I can't get over this. The place, which I believe is right across from the high school in Maywood, looks like a quick service joint and, not to be too unkind, kind of a dump. I would not have expected fresh veg. Interesting.

We had Lotus delivery last night, and it was a notch up from all of the others mentioned above, which is still not saying much. Spring rolls and pot stickers seemed homemade and not reconstituted frozen, and were cooked very well - rolls were paper-thin, crisp, and hot, pot stickers had a nice pan sear. Both were on the bland side, but they included generous tubs of duck sauce, hot mustard, vinegared soy, and quite respectable garlic chili oil.

Governor's Chicken (sometimes this is the same thing as General's, sometimes not, this time I'd say it was close) was a container of four large deboned chicken thighs instead of smaller pieces, and was well-flavored, though the chicken a bit dry. I'll ding them a few points for using baby corn. Mu shu vegetables were good, and lots of hoisin was included, but wraps were store-bought tortillas instead of mandarin pancakes, another seebee no-no.

The real standout was the Szechuan noodles in hot sesame sauce with pickled vegetables - $4.95 from the appetizer menu, the most Chinatown tasting thing we ordered. Soft noodles, intense sauce (a touch sweet), tangy preserved vegetables. Other than this, we deliberately ordered Amerinese. There may be more promise in some of the provincial items on the menu - lamb hunan style, pork with pickled vegetables, etc.

This may sound like damning with faint praise, but everything we ordered was edible. This has not been the case even at places where I like at least one dish - Luo's, Szechwan Beijing, New Star - since there is always something so bad it goes untouched.