Le Chinois Express — Restaurant in Hamilton

Wow. I'm not really sure where to start. I've heard so many good things about this place on various social media platforms but they seriously let me down. I ordered one main dish and it was a huge disappointment to say the least. I ordered the Honey Chicken and it was one of the worst chicken dishes that I've ever ordered from a Chinese restaurant or any Asian restaurant for that matter in 40+ years of ordering. As well as a bona fide food blogger I've tried many dishes and always tell the honest truth. The chicken was so heavily battered that the chicken to batter was so out of skew that it was just a dish that makes money for the establishment. I expected more and they sorely disappointed in that endeavour. Even worse was what little chicken was inside all of that batter was stringy and tough. It was actually quite strange to say the least. Lets move on to the "honey" sauce. It tasted like paint thinner and I can assure you that there was very little real honey in that sauce at all. I eat a teaspoon of local honey everyday so I know what honey tastes like and I know it's sticky nature as well. Do yourself a favour and stay far clear from the place if you don't want to waste your hard earned money. The sad part is that I've read many of their reviews before posting and sadly most of them were from people who have ordered there for many years who are now disappointed with the quality. Even sadder is the fact that they haven't even bothered to respond. That's the true sign that they don't really care and all that they want is your money. Well they will never ever get mine again. Once...

Let me start by saying that we are long time customers of this franchise, not necessarily this location, but the franchise. We started many years ago in their downtown location and have ordered from the Burlington location and the Mall Road location. For those people that like standard Americanized Chinese food, this might not suit your tastes. Their moo shoo is unique and a taste experience that my wife and I have enjoyed since the first time we had it many years ago. On our recent visit, we were greeted by a friendly staff member that was not only willing to make recommendations but offered to make a dish that wasn't on their menu. This is great customer service! All of the dishes were cooked perfectly and fresh, with just enough vegetable crunch. Meat and noodles were likewise properly prepared. We didn't have it this time but if you like a "spicy" shrimp dish order the Le Chinois shrimp. The orange beef is also spicy and tasty. I'm sure if you put a special request in they would accommodate. So far, we have never been unhappy with their quality or service. Also, it is mainly a takeout place and the atmosphere is really irrelevant at this location. In conclusion, I initially just wanted to leave a short review stating that we were pleased with the food and service but after reading some of the negative reviews I felt compelled to go into more detail regarding the excellent experience...

Ordered:

BBQ pork pan browned noodles: $14.50 Was just saucy thin noodles with a little bit of pork and a lot of vegetables. It was good but far too little noodles to call it a noodle dish! They need to change the name to vegetables with pork and saucy noodles. It tasted good, a bit smoky.

Spring rolls: $2each Decent size and the flavour was good but they were very greasy.

Le chinoise chicken: $14.50 It was probably my favourite thing, it was better than most places I've been too. Not spicy but good flavour.

Buddha's delight (mixed vegetables): $10 Good mix of a good variety of vegetables, lots of broccoli, mushrooms, water chestnuts, celery, cabbage, onion. Well cooked, better than most places.

Everyone keeps raising their prices including these guys so we rarely get take-out now. The service was good and when I asked about the prices they politely explained about rising costs. Next time I would try a different kind of noodle, and ask more questions...