House of Chen — Restaurant in Breckenridge Hills

I was sad to see this place abruptly close but completely understood after learning that the owner, Jimmy, had personal and family issues that he needed to tend to. The place was closed for several months and just recently reopened. Like many in the neighborhood, I was extremely excited. The place was now being operated by a family member but was still hoping that all the things that made House of Chen great, would still be in place. I was wrong…really wrong.

The ambiance, for what it is, is still the same. I would go as far as to say that it may be slightly better than previous. The food however, doesn’t match. It’s not the same as when Jimmy and his previous cooks/chefs were there. I gave the place a second try since reopening thinking that maybe they were just getting back on their feet and needed some time. It goes without saying that time hasn’t helped. Nothing here is authentic. The fried rice is very moist, it doesn’t even have the making of fried rice, it’s more like white rice with soy sauce.

I had the Kung Pao chicken for the second time and it wasn’t any better than the first. It look as if they were using some sort of frozen chicken nugget that they drenched in sauce and threw a handful of peanuts on top. It was not just bad, it was really bad. I really was excited with House of Chen reopened but I think if the food is to continue the current course, it would have been better if they didn’t reopen and let us live with the memory of what great food that House of Chen once produced.

A side note, the current owner/manager, which I’m told is a cousin of Jimmy, is very friendly and personable. I really wished that I could continue to patronize the business as he’s a younger gentleman and seems to have the heart of wanting the business to be successful. However, in the restaurant industry, having a good personality and a decent ambiance won’t help keep the doors open. The food here is just not good and that’s putting it as nice as I possibly can.

I’ve giving 2 stars on the strength that the current owner/manager really is a kind and...

This place use to be the best hole in the wall you could ask for .. now that the manager went back to China!! And handed this business over to the next generation!!! Ohh WOW!!! It's so bad now from charging people extra money... To stealing from the people!! If one ran the numbers all day long and see what people actually paid they would be shocked!! Because they don't add up!!! Now I went in for the last time I bought 4 egg rolls one small hot and sour soup and 3 crab rangoon because I was robbed 3 so they say 6 to a order but only got 3 they told me to bring back the food😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣what!!! I tried eating what I can because I paided 19.00 dollar's for 2.32 for 2 egg rolls and I bought 4 so another 2.32🧐 so 4.64 roughly!!! 3 crab rangoon.. for 3.72 for 3!!! did not get the 6 like it says on website!!! 🧐 So rant is done I will not be back I don't like being ripped off and with their new Indian helper!!! She is on board of ripping people off ..!! It's a shame because this place used to be one of the best around bernal agreed took over and not caring!! They went from full size box price.. what they've always used.. to plastic half the size!!! A shame!!! 🧐 If I'm wrong prove me wrong!!!! But this is what I see and this is what I experienced over the years so you tell me!!! 🧐 They think USA people are dumb we see w just pray you change your ways!!! I'm done get it right!!! Sad!!...

The reason House of Chen doesn't take credit cards is because they would have to raise prices 10-15% across the board to pay for those cards.

That being said "Its a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant that just happens to have a few tables. 97-99% of their business is carry out & delivery. While their combination plates are good deals (I can only get them with plain rice as I find the fried rice they use for it normally much too dry) my favorite items there are the: Chicken Saint Paul (how many outside of the ghetto places still have a St. Paul Sandwich?), their Hot & Sour Soup (they don't skimp, their Egg Drop is good too), their Egg Foo Young, and their Pot Stickers (lot of places cheap out and use fillers -- I've never had that experience with theirs). If you accept it for what it is you can some great take out with a mix of cheap & some high quality. Their General Tso's chicken is on the more disappointing side of things, The Asian area on Olive by 170 it is not.

Their three ingredient & happy family is good too, but if I'm going to head for those things I'm going to somewhere a little nicer. when $6.-6.50 gets me either a chicken St Paul and Hot & Soup soup --- or an order of Egg Foo Young and maybe a buck more an order of Chicken Low Mein and have...