Cate Zone Chinese Cafe — Restaurant in University City

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Absolutely Fantastic”

Service 🙋‍♂️

Dining at Cate Zone Chinese Cafe was a masterclass in hospitality. We were a party of 14, and our waitress handled our large group with grace and efficiency. She flawlessly remembered our extensive order, ensured dietary needs were met, and kept our waters topped up—crucial for enjoying the spicy dishes. She even made sure everyone had the necessary utensils, catering to both chopstick novices and pros. Her attentiveness and friendly demeanor significantly enhanced our dining experience. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Decor 🎨

The decor is a delightful blend of East meets West. The black wallpaper adorned with iconic New York City subway stops is an unexpected but charming touch in an authentic Sichuan restaurant in St. Louis. It feels like a playful nod to the bustling urban vibe of NYC, creating an intriguing and memorable atmosphere. The unique decor adds an extra layer of character to the dining experience, making it as visually engaging as the food is flavorful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Food 🍽️

Cate Zone Chinese Cafe serves up a feast that is as diverse as it is delicious. Our group ordered a variety of dishes: eggplant, hot crisp fish, Mala Tofu, crisp sautéed pork, shredded pork with dry beancurd, Chengdu spicy chicken, and more. Each dish was a symphony of flavors, expertly balanced and bursting with authenticity. My personal favorite was the crisp sautéed pork, but every dish was a hit. The quality and variety make it a standout for ethnic cuisine in St. Louis. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In Retrospect 🤔

Looking back, Cate Zone Chinese Cafe offers an exceptional dining experience with top-notch service, unique decor, and mouthwatering food. It’s a place where every dish is worth reordering, and the ambiance is as enjoyable as the meal. I wholeheartedly recommend this gem for anyone seeking a fantastic ethnic cuisine adventure.

Final Verdict: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - “Absolutely Fantastic” Catchy One-Liner: “A delightful fusion of flavors and vibes, Cate Zone Chinese Cafe is a must-visit for food lovers...

TLDR: Small place, slightly expensive, but on-point flavors. Must get "Cumin Lamb" and "Hot Crisp Fish". Come early, or the line gets crazy.

Table of 4, got 6 dishes (1 cold dish, 1 "dessert") and had leftovers. Great service, food came quickly, and nice small-restaurant ambiance.

Dishes: Clear Noodle with Special Sesame Sauce (东北大拉皮): Sesame sauce isn't quite rich enough, and the noodles are a bit too firm. Otherwise great. 6/10

Cumin Lamb w/ Cilantro (孜然羊肉): Must get. Probably one of the best dishes the restaurant has to offer. Rich in flavor and well-balances out the mutton flavor. 9/10

Braised Beef Brisket w/ Tomatoes (西红柿炖牛腩): Good beef and vegetables, comes with tomatoes, Bok Choi, and Mu'er. Good flavors and nice beef, but, personally, should be a stew, not a soup. 7/10

Hot Crisp Fish (蜀香风暴雨): Imagine Fish & Chips but with a lighter, crispier batter & flavored with Chinese chili oil. Absolute dime, not as spicy as it seems, 8/10.

Dry Fried Pork Intestine (干煸肥肠): First time I've had intestine served thoroughly fried to a crisp, and that really brings the classic dish down: Deep frying the intestine only makes it greasier & heavier, harder for the right flavors to enter the meat, and loses the texture sought after. 4/10.

Crisp Pumpkin with Egg Sauce (蛋黄焗南瓜): Nice sweet dish. Abundant. 7/10.

Definitely will come again. A must-go spot for any authentic Chinese...

I always came to this location in University City for their Malatang (mala hot pot) which is charged based on the food weight (about $15 per lb). There is a small hotpot section next to the drink fridge. Basically, you can pick whatever topping you like (veggies/noodles/proteins), add in your own bowl, give it to the lady to weight and they will cook for you. It’s always the best!!!! If you like the numbing spicy sensation - this malatang is for you. This place is quite small, so you will feel like you’re seating too close to other people but their food is amazing. You won’t be disappointed. They are always packed no matter what time of the day. There were 3 parties ahead of us when we arrived at 6pm on weekdays. I put my name down and sat outside waiting. We got a table after 30 minutes or so. Food and service here has been never failed me so I don’t mind to wait. Portions are generous to share and reasonable prices. Besides the malatang, we also ordered sweet and sour fish, and lamb skewers on the menu. Everything was tasty and food came out pretty quickly...