China Star — Restaurant in Brooklyn Park

Let me start by saying that the VAST majority of Twin Cities Chinese food is repulsive. So, I've had a hard run since moving up here in 2001. The big names have gone downhill (Big Bowl, PF Chang's, LeeAnn Chin) or weren't very good to begin with. The biggest turn off has been the local Chinese - awful. Who eats this crap?

So, anyway, we've found a dish here, egg rolls there. But no consistency and very little Chinese since moving from my hometown. Ever in Winona, MN go to "The Great Hunan" - spectacular.

Today, the Mrs. is working, I've got UofM hockey and football on the TiVo - and some internet research pulled up this little gem. Some reviews imply that the sesame chicken was good, so I ordered from the Dinner Specials menu - Sesame Chicken/Pork Fried Rice/one egg roll. for pickup!

I live in Maple Grove, so hop, skip and jump. There's a GIGANTIC apartment complex across the street, gas station and behind that - a half empty, but clean looking strip mall. Another good old neighborhood probably ruined by the usual suspects. The restaurant is pretty small, maybe 5/6 tables, nothing fancy but looked pretty clean.

Looks like half the owners family is hanging out at a window table today with their kids.

Pop comes out and mumbles something to me. (Maybe he IS from MN, LOL!). I assume he's asking my name, but who knows. Comes back out in a minute with the usual three section styrofoam clam shell deal. Mumbles something about sauces, I ask if S&S came with the egg roll, he throws a couple cheap S&S packets in the plastic bag. Hmm....that's not good.

Finally, the food. No, I did NOT get S&S sauce WITH the egg roll. I've got spare at home. I often get egg rolls that are burnt in spots on the outside, not here, properly fried. The inside is the usual stuff, but not shredded. Larger pieces of cabbage rolled in the roll. Not great, but not bad - different.

The rice is a little worrisome at first. VERY dark. If you've ever had fried rice with WAAY too much soy sauce, you know what I mean. But this is pretty good and NOT greasy. Veggies and such are a little lacking but taste is good.

The sesame chicken is excellent. Slightly crispy on the outside, but still soft on the inside, just enough sauce to make you happy and a little hint of heat. Not bad at all. Could use an extra dash of veggies, but flavor is good. I've had slightly better sesame chicken, but this is pretty close, especially considering the price.

You can tell everything is homemade and care is put into it, even if it isn't the fanciest. And I'm stuffed - the Mrs. and I, could've split it and been happy.

Fried Rice 3.5/5 Egg roll 3.5/5 Sesame chicken 4.5/5 Price/value 5/5

That's pretty good.

Update, got the Schezuapn Chicken, Yikes, usual rubbery chicken. Guess they are really...

Lovely little place! There isn't much of seating but it seems like most people, like myself, take their meals to go. I usually get the General Tsao tofu and vegetable lo mien. The tofu is always a large portion but they don't seem to put enough spice for my liking. The lo mien is just fine, nothing special. Overall a nice place to get something quick and, depending on what size you get, will last you a while.

EDIT - HAIR FOUND IN FOOD. FOOD TAKEN BACK OVER THE COUNTER. Tonight, October 27th, I had order a Budhist Delight and two orders of spring rolls. Half way through my meal, I find a long black hair in my Budhist Delight. I call the restaurant to let them know of the situation, the women on the phone told me that she doesn't have black hair, her cousin has yellow hair, and none of the cooks have long hair. We went back and forth for about another minute and then she put me on hold. When she came back on the line, she told me to bring the food in and she would make me another one. I asked if she was sure that she wanted me to return the food. She said yes, because apparently no one has hair like that. I did what I was told, when I got to the restaurant and opened the togo box she fished the hair from the side of the container and saw that it was not my hair. Then she had the little girl working, take the food to the back over the counter. I let her know immediately that was a health code violation. To make a long story short, the whole situation wasn't handled ideally, several health violations were committed (and I will be letting the MN health department know), and they only refunded the Budhist delight. I will not be returning and I will...

China Star is my go-to Chinese takeout spot in the area. I can't believe I used to drive further out for Panda Express when this spot is way closer and the food is so much better.

My go-to are:

1. The Sesame Chicken Combo (comes with fried rice and your choice of 3 cream cheese wontons or 1 egg roll). Everyone knows what Sesame Chicken tastes like, and this is a darn good one. I also had their Orange Chicken, and trust me it's also really good, but something about that Sesame Chicken just hits different.

2. The Beef Lo Mein. The beef is super tender and flavorful, and the noodles have a perfect bite to them. The sauce is slightly salty and umami. This blows Panda Express' Lo Mein out the water.

3. The fried chicken. This is classic amazing Chinese fried chicken. Slightly battered, really crispy exterior, juicy and moist interior. So good.

If you're in the area and want some good American Chinese takeout food, this spot is it. They're geared towards takeout, so I don't know if you can dine in, as people usually occupy the space to wait for their...