Royal Express — Restaurant in Logan

Well, now some of the same people are there again (maybe the ownership change was in a family?). They do speak English (with a heavy accent, but they can communicate fairly well - and can talk on the phone!) Had some items yesterday which were just like it used to be - Super spicy pork (though is was only mildly spicy - I think they forgot the hot green chilies), and beef stew noodle (more of a soup). Both were excellent. I did have Szechwan spicy noodle and Ma Po Tofu a few weeks ago and both were some of the worst dishes I've ever had - gloppy cornstarch thickened sauce with peas and carrots (not typical Chinese items!). Each dish seemed to actually have the very same sauce. I make both these dishes and they are not at all like the ones they made. (My versions are based on the dishes I've had other places - theres seemed out of a packet?) It was an older Chinese gentleman who was cooking. Anyway what I had yesterday was really good! So I changed my rating.

Ownership has changed. I only liked the cook to order and not-on-the-regular-menu items really. The steam-table items and combo specials are no better than a grocery store or food court 'chinese' place. I went in and all my favorite dishes were gone - maybe? They used to be posted on the walls. The two people working could not speak English! Come one now - you need to speak English if you are restaurant and deal with the public! Especially in Logan, UT. I tried several different ways to communicate and ask for the dishes I wanted, but I do not know them by heart. So I could not even order...

I went to Royal Express for the first time a few months ago. My roommate and I went because we heard it was cheap, and a good sized portion. I pull into the parking lot, at about 8:55, not knowing that they close at 9. We enter, and quickly realize that they are soon closing. We turn around quietly and leave because we did not want to prevent them from going home too late, because common courtesy. The owner stopped us in our tracks, and told us to order. He was the nicest gentleman, and asked what we wanted, with a smile. We got our food, and nobody on staff gave us any weird looks of discontent or bad attitude. They genuinely just wanted to serve their customers with a smile. The food was great, and the price was extremely reasonable, especially for a college student. Much better than Panda Express or any other establishment of the sort here in Logan. My other roommate had a similar experience, soon after mine. Royal Express has my heart. The only legitimate rival to the Rancheritos next to auto one. The two restaurants could quite honestly be the only ones here in Logan, and I would be more than content. Thank you...

Ok, so here's the deal... Coming from a guy (me) who knows, loves, and swears by Chinese food, this place is definitely NOT 4.7 stars out of 5.0 stars, as the food is all pre-prepared, behind glass, almost buffet style, and you point and pick what you want, and it goes into a container. Nothing is made to order. So if you are looking to request low sodium, no MSG, light sauce, or whatever, this is not the place for you. On a somewhat positive note, the sesame chicken, tangerine chicken, were decent, edible quality. The lo mein noodles were a bit soggy and mushy, but still edible. This would be a good option for college kids, after they smoke a big fat joint. But 4.7 stars? I don't think so. Because the prices were so reasonable, and the food filled me up, I'll give it 3.5-4.0 stars... So it's good, just not great or outstanding. And I don't think you'll get sick eating here (hopefully not)... They do pretty big business. This is to Chinese food as Holiday Inn is to hotels. But for the prices, pretty good /...