China Cuisine — Restaurant in North Reading

It’s such a shame cause this place was not what it used to be years ago under the previous owner. When the previous owner was there everything was so much better. Last night my fiancé and I went for dinner for the first time in years since I went. My fiancé has never been before. Last night they were busy but not slammed. Anyways, we sat down and it took like 10 minutes for someone to come greet us with menus and water, mind you they didn’t stay to take an order for drinks, just dropped the menus and water off and left. Waited about another 10 minutes just for someone to come over and take our drink orders. 15 minutes later still no drink and no one came to take our order. Once they took our order a little bit later the food came out but still no drink so I had to remind them. The drink finally came out after the food came out. No one came back for a while to check up on us and didn’t ask if we wanted another drink or even ask how the food was. Food was good for the prices, that part hasn’t changed much. But the service was horrible. Then when we were finishing up I asked for boxes and to split the check between two cards. The server came back with one card and charged the whole amount on that card and had I not said anything they would have kept my card cause I never got mine back, my fiance did get his back. I told them that it was supposed to be split and asked where my card was. All they go was “oh we will fix that” no apologies no nothing. It’s such a shame cause if the service was 1,000 times better, we definitely would go back. I’m a pretty decent tipper but didn’t leave much at all because it really was a disgrace. I really wish the previous owner still had this place cause it would have been so...

Honestly a mid 4.

But! hear me out. I have Americanized Chinese food cravings HARD time to time. today was one of those days. I got the Garlic Beef w/ chicken fingers. I asked for extra garlic, and extra spicy. The hot and sour soup was a nice consistency, and pretty flavorful. I added more chili oil, cause i love a little more punishment.

The main, the portions is very healthy. A full plate for sure! Some of the pork fried rice was a little hard, but overall clean tasting, and the oil wasn't super gross. The beef, the sauce and veggies had that extra garlic, and taste great! Really enjoying it. BUT!!! I felt it was kind of light on the actual Beef pieces. I'm usually pretty good about pacing the rice and protein consumption to have a satisfity bite to the end, but this time around I ran out of beef pieces very quickly. The chicken fingers... mmm VERY doughy, but the batter does taste pretty good, and the oil was clean. Came out nicely golden brown, but again the breading overpowered the protein.

Seems like a local favorite, tons of locals drop by this Friday afternoon to enjoy a meal with their friends, and the place wasn't packed but popular. Under $15 for lunch, leaving hella full, good value. Oh, and easy...

What a super hidden must eat restaurant!! From the service, to the price, to the serving size to the MOST important, the FLAVOR! If you go here for lunch you literally get double your money value!!! I brought a vegetarian coworker who was weary of going which he is with most new places when looking to find something eatable. He ordered the tofu and eggplant with garlic sauce and was amazed. He literally could not stop talking about the amount of food and the delicious taste. He was able to eat lunch and take home the rest for two more meals! We ordered that, a side of rice and a lunch meal combo and it was all UNDER $20!!! If you work nearby and never noticed (The outside does not look like an open or popular restaurant) this is the best chinese food in town! I dare you to...