Formosa Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Memphis

This is easily one of the best restaurants in Memphis.  Even though it has been around nearly 50 years, I am always amazed that it does not get more recognition.

At first glance the menu is fairly standard, but the food--nearly everything--is exceptional.  I have been going for decades and tried many dishes.  Even with inflation, the lunch specials remain one of the better values in town ($9.50.)  Besides the main course, you get a spring roll, chicken wing, soup, rice, and Chinese donut...it may sound fairly typical, but each of those items is much tastier than what I am served at similar restaurants.  I don't remember ever having a bad meal, and there is none of the mystery meat you get at some places.  In particular, the sesame chicken, lo mein, mu shu, beef with broccoli, hot and sour soup, and spring rolls are ALL the best I have had at any Chinese restaurant.  I have taken out-of-towners to Formosa who have been surprised that the sesame chicken is not known across the country.  It may be the most underrated dish at any Memphis restaurant, and it's truly a shame that so many Memphians ignore this place.

The dinner menu offers many things not available at lunch, and it also very reasonably priced. The service is always good also, a real luxury nowadays.  I never have to wait long at all for my food.  They have had the same two servers for a very long time, and they are very efficient and polite.

The few bad reviews absolutely baffle me.  For me, this place sets the standard for Chinese restaurants.  But I advise anyone not to judge Formosa, or any other place, based on a to-go order.  Restaurant meals not eaten immediately after preparation are usually a very poor substitute for the real deal, and this restaurant is no exception.  Sogginess (spring rolls, sesame chicken, etc) sets in very fast, and the loss of heat wreaks havoc on the flavor (microwaving usually just makes things worse.)  To truly see how good the food is, you...

Unpretentious moderately sized place at the northeast edge of a U shaped strip mall. I have been going to Formosa since at least the late 1970s (when it was at another location). Perhaps it is somewhat familiarity and also their consistency, but it rates in the top 4 of all the Chinese restaurants I have eaten at around the world ... from China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.) to San Francusco to London to Mumbai.

Their hot and sour soup is the best. Their Chinese sausage appetizer is great, especially when complemented with their thick and rich sweet sauce and/or their spicy sauce. Twice cooked pork is one of my favorites as is their Kung Po chicken. Their menu goes well beyond those, and they will make the dishes to your spice liking - hot to very mild.

The have a very good lunch menu with a choice of soup, egg roll, fried or plain rice, main, and a Chinese doughnut for $9.50. Their dinner offerings come with white rice and are a bit more (up to $21 but mostly in the $15 range). However the quantity is large enough that we often take some away for another meal.

Service is consistently good...

Really sad, my family & I’ve been eating here for 20+ years & after tonight’s experience will never go back. We knew Christmas night would be busy so we got a reservation at 7:00pm; our order wasn’t taken until 7:30pm after asking a server walking by. Around 8:40pm I decided to ask how much longer it would be before our food would come out & got a condescending answer “just a second.” Ten minutes later as the table behind us (seated 10 minutes after us) was boxing up their left overs, I decided to call it a night a pay for our tea & soup. When I asked for the ticket at the front counter, the manager asked what was wrong? So I rationally explained our situation and then she turned and communicated what I believe was our experience to another worker. Both ladies just laughed which I then irrationally question them and then got an apology. I understand mistakes happen, but not taking responsibility for their lack of professionalism is a clear sign of incompetence. So now this family will explore the Chinese Cuisine around...