Shanghai Grill — Restaurant in Peoria

So gentle readers, I would be remiss for not more than mentioning “The Shanghai Grill” on W Union Hills Road and N 91ST Ave in Peoria. We first tried this restaurant several times multiple years ago and it was alright. While alright is a relative term, it is not necessarily a glowing recommendation. Through the advice of other NEXTDOOR writers, I was advised to give the new owners a try. Our first re-visit was a little over a year ago, and per my most recent bank statement, it appears we are now sending the new owners children to an Ivy League college of their choice! (Yes, the food is that good!) This is the point where I recommend my weak bladdered readers and those whose drink is now mostly ice, to empty and refill said mentioned items. If you have read any of my previous food reviews, you will know I recommend not reading any reviews rated a “1” as most of them seem to have an axe to grind; not all but 95%, as stated by their own other reviews. Remember, you can select their name and read their other reviews. Most never spoke to their server, or the restaurant manager. One should ALWAYS give the restaurant an opportunity to make things right. Also remember, your right may not always be the fair right! As for the “5” reviews, again throw out 25% of those reviews, mine included because we never had the opportunity to write as we had hoped over the years! Now onto an honest review of the “new” Shanghai Grill Restaurant. First off, we have found their menu is merely amazing and only a recommendation. They can and will do almost anything to their ingredients, spices and heat levels. Over the past year of “reconsidering” Shanghai Grill we have come to truly love this place. Their Hot and Sour soup is pungent, but not vinegary (a word I thought I just made up, but nope, it is a real word). The vegetables are fresh and on point. We have tried so many of their entrees, it is hard to choose a favorite. The six fried shrimp appetizer is delicious, (although some have criticized them for being flat). The cocktail sauce comes with a flavorful kick! I must mention the Six Crab Puffs, while crab or anything from the sea is not a favorite of mine, the creamy texture with a hint of crab drudged through a delicious maybe duck-Ish sauce left me wanting more. Next onto our favorite entrees! Feeling like taking the tastebuds out for a spin? Try the Vietnamese Sun Devil Chicken and get it SPICY! You will hate yourself the next day, but it sure is delicious and flavorful on day one! Are you one for full flavor and no spice? Try the Thai Curry Chicken and leave the pineapple in! It sounds weird but adds another level of flavor one can only experience at Shanghai Grill. Do your tastebuds want something beefy and fulfilling? (But also, afraid that any beef dish might be chewy?) Fear not, try the Mongolian Beef and you can never go wrong by adding snow peas for the added crunch! Finally, we could never decide between chicken fried rice add extra onions and snow peas, or the Chicken Lo Mein and running it through the same garden. Well, the server advised us to try the Pork, Beef and Chicken Lo Mein with extra onions and snow pea pods. Let’s just say that servers children have since been added to the college fund! So, keep in mind gentle readers, everyone has an opinion, but YOUR opinion is the most important to your gastro needs. You can only take other peoples opinions and see if they add to your dining out experience or if those blue formed together cans of “La Choy” in your bottom cupboard outrank another’s’ opinions. Yes, I paid for my meal; no, I am not a family member, and yes there might be a small upcharge for adding snow pea pods! The Shanghai Grill will continue to grace our favorite Chinese dining experience. ...

I absolutely love this neighborhood Chinese restaurant; it’s truly a hidden gem. The authentic and delicious fried rice is what keeps me coming back time and again, and it never disappoints. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling woks and fragrant spices wafting through the air. It’s a cozy spot, with a welcoming atmosphere that feels both familiar and comforting—a place where you know you’re about to enjoy a satisfying meal.

Now, let’s talk about that fried rice. It’s a classic done right, with perfectly cooked grains that are tender but still have that slight bite, giving the dish a wonderful texture. The flavors are rich and well-balanced, with a hint of smokiness from the wok that only comes from a truly authentic cooking technique. The combination of fresh vegetables, savory meats, and just the right amount of soy sauce creates a dish that’s flavorful without being overly salty. Every bite offers a mix of textures and flavors, from the crunch of the diced carrots and peas to the soft, savory morsels of chicken or pork, depending on your choice.

Beyond the fried rice, the restaurant’s menu offers a variety of traditional dishes that truly capture the essence of Chinese cuisine. Their dumplings are a must-try, handmade with delicate wrappers that encase a juicy and flavorful filling. Whether steamed or pan-fried, they are consistently delicious and pair beautifully with the house-made dipping sauce that adds a bit of tang and spice.

The stir-fried dishes, like beef with broccoli or kung pao chicken, are also a highlight, featuring tender cuts of meat cooked to perfection with crisp, fresh vegetables. The sauces are flavorful, never too thick or overpowering, and seasoned just right to bring out the best in each ingredient. The portions are generous, so you’re always sure to leave with a full stomach or a little something for later.

Another aspect that sets this restaurant apart is the service. The staff is always friendly and attentive, making you feel like a valued guest every time you walk through the door. They remember regulars and their favorite orders, which adds a personal touch that’s often missing in larger chain restaurants. It’s clear that they take pride in their food and in providing a great dining experience.

In addition to the food, the ambiance of the restaurant is charming and inviting. It’s not overly fancy, but there’s something comforting about its simplicity—the traditional Chinese décor, the warm lighting, and the soft music playing in the background. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a quiet meal alone, share a lively dinner with family, or catch up with friends over good food.

Whether you’re craving a quick bite of fried rice or a full spread of Chinese favorites, this neighborhood spot has something for everyone. It’s a go-to destination for comfort food, and it never fails to deliver that authentic taste and experience I look for in a Chinese restaurant. Every visit leaves me already...

So a friend and I decided to try a new place and went to the Shanghai Grill. The person who created us and sat us was very nice and polite and sat us in an area we requested. We ordered ice water and an unsweetened tea. We had with the water, but the iced tea had a very funny menthol taste to it that I could not describe other than just that. It was not mint tea or any type of flavored tea, but the iced tea had a very distinct menthol taste to it. I told the sever about the menthol taste and asked for a diet soda, which they happily exchanged. Then we ordered our dinners. I ordered a "chef specialty." Happy family dinner, and my friend ordered the teriyaki chicken. We both ordered an egg roll with our dinner. The egg rolls came out pretty quick, and the dinners came out right after. So.... the sauce on both dinners was still gelatinous like they took it out of a cold fridge briefly warmed it up in the microwave and served it. We both kinda looked at our meals and tried a bite, and both meals were barely even warm. Which accounted for the gelatinous sauces. We showed our server out meals and told her that neither meal was even warmed through. I have never been to a Chinese food place that microwaved their meals, and I did not watch them cook these meals so I can not definitely say that is how they were cooked but it sure seemed like they had the meals and sauces precooked and then just warmed them up in the microwave prior to service. I say that because there is a very big difference between food that has been freshly cooked food and food that has been reheated in a microwave, and this food had every indicator of not being freshly cooked. Neither time that the food came out was there tike enough for them to have freshly cooked the meals and with the veggies being limp and rubbery and the meats being soft and squishy and not in a properly cooked way I'd have to say everything was precooked and then microwaved. I know that restaurants prep cook many different things in prepping for service, but you can still tell the difference between meals that have been prepped and then cooked and something that has been cooked refrigerated and then microwaved. This food seemed to have been cooked, refrigerated, and then microwaved just prior to service. I will say that the food, once it was properly warmed, despite the microwave textures and all still had pretty good flavor but it was not good enough I would entertain going back any tike soon. I will say everyone working there was very pleasant and polite. I almost forgot. I also ordered a Pad Thai to go. It was also very odd and had a wierd red color to it, no bean sprouts, and the Tofu was oddly spongy and the whole plate did not very closely resemble any Pad Thai I have ever had and I have had a lot of...