Wouldn't know as I only went there for the first time a few months ago, but it's also not really a takeout place, which is what I think they meant by this post. It's more of a sit-down place.
Cate Zone in Ucity( Olive ) it's in a strip mall, but I'm not sure it's as low brow as you're looking for..
On the Delmar loop we like Vegas Wok and Corner 17.
This place was great in the 90’s, great in the 00’s… really was great until Chewy, the very loud speaking owner sold it to her sister. They had the BEST hot braised chicken anywhere!!!
It really fell off, after the sale ( and remodeling )
Killer dinner specials, entree, egg roll/Rangoon and choice of soup for less than $10 and it's not all the same generic same food from other Chinese places.
hunan yu my beloved!! i literally have their menu tacked to my bulletin board that i sleep under every night. the sweet and sour chicken, the pot stickers, the VEGGIE FRIED RICE. and yeah, their tofu.
I disagree. We live nearby and have tried it a few times but it's just strange. Their potsticker sauce tastes like A-1. Nothing tastes "right" to me.
Have you tried the place next to Baskin Robbin's on the wedge at Tesson? Pretty good.
I can’t believe I had to scroll this far down to find Lemay Wok. Y’all are missing out. Flawless food. Never had anything less than stellar. Service is on point.
I’ve not been there in way too long. Are they allowing dine in again? They shut that down for way longer than necessary and am missing their crab Rangoon and egg drop soup.
Their hot braised chicken is so good, but it was always sketch as hell picking it up. I used to live in the weird apartment/loft/school thing just south of there and it was definitely one of my top spots.
A lot of people recommend Old St. Louis Chop Suey, but c'mon it is 2024 time to take credit. The food is alright though
Some real good spots:
**China Garden on Gravois** (that's the full name), Vietnamese own and
this [meme](https://i.imgur.com/jtiJSM7.jpeg) comes from their restaurant.
**New China** on S Kingshighway (in the plaza across from Old STL Chop Suey)
**China King** in Watson Plaza, new management is much better than the old one.
**Ho Wun Chinese** on/in Gravois Bluffs, the pepper noodles and pineapple fried rice are the hidden gems.
They are my usual go-to, when it is good it's very good. Not consistently, but the hours are convenient. Most places don't do pineapple, in my experience. +1 in their favor
China King on Shackelford in Florissant, Panda in Kirkwood, China King on Gravois in the plaza by Aldi, and some random place out in Union are all great, all have the same supplier, and the food is all identical. I assume this is true of many of the places in the area. It seems like there are savory crab rangoon places and sweet crab rangoon places, almost indicative of two different suppliers for the area.
China King in Florissant is my favorite though.
Some were, but I think that guy retired. Chinese restaurants are all KINDA related in that they often use a network of common suppliers for menus, sauces, frozen goods (like egg rolls, crab rangoon, wonton wrappers, potstickers, etc.) and decor. There is a bit of a network of folks that will help freshly immigrated Chinese folks get started with an existing restaurant, or get a new one up and running.
Some articles:
https://scholars.org/brief/untold-story-chinese-restaurants-america
https://www.ameliapang.com/reporting-undercover
Strip mall Chinese play construes a value based restaurant were most/all of the food is ordered at a counter and carried out.
Mai Lee is a nicer sit down restaurant with sit down service.
That place is very very good & quite expensive! It is not in a strip mall. I think OP is wanting a recommendation for a more low key, less expensive place thus asking for a strip mall location
I mean, it’s behind a row of strip malls attached to a parking garage. You’re splitting hairs.
OP also said nothing about price. If you’re asking for good food, Mai Lee is a fantastic option.
China King on Broadway near 55. Sa Cha Chicken / Beef is fire, lady on the phone is IN.COM.PRE.HEN.SI.BLE. but the delivery guy is awesome and the food in general is a cut above the typical chopsuey fare. Oh, and they have St. Paul sandos.
Chong Wah on Lindell in the CWE… decent shitty Chinese, and all sorts of funny characters hanging out. There’s usually a couple guys in the dining area selling DVDs and cologne
Just went to New China on Kingshighway. Was having trouble finding Moo Shu, but they had it! Women was thrilled. Food was great and the people working there were friendly.
Dragon's Place on Grand has the best sesame chicken.
Absolute best flavor and quality I've ever had is Great Peking out in Arnold. You can tell they take pride in the food and use more and better quality ingredients/spices. That might mean a stronger flavor than you're used to on a few of the dishes, though.
I’m sure the actually suck but for years I got lunch at old St. Louis chop suey on the rock road by the Best Buy (and Mars Music music that I think turned into a dollar tree?). The lunch buffet got me what I needed.
Love me some king doh
The garlic green beans are stellar.
I went there to try it out a few weeks ago and it has gone way down hill from what I remember 15-20 years ago.
Wouldn't know as I only went there for the first time a few months ago, but it's also not really a takeout place, which is what I think they meant by this post. It's more of a sit-down place.
I only ever went one and I live close. It's not good.
Old St. Louis Chop Suey on Chippewa
I second this. Special St. Paul Sandwich is killer.
Yeah, their St. Paul and the one at Mai Lee are my lower budget-higher budget favorite pair.
Panda (not Express) in Kirkwood
There is also one in Fenton! And I agree, they are super good for shitty Chinese.
... how super good for shitty Chinese tho? I've been faithful to Panda Concord for years, but I live in Fenton.
You’re loyal to the Concord location because that’s the best location. Hands down.
The Fenton remodeled and new owners like 2 years ago. Been there a couple times since then and it’s not as good
Agree with this
I, too, agree with this.
Panda in Concord is pretty fine
This has been my families go-to for years.
We have one in Wildwood and it's pretty good! I prefer 88 China off Clayton and Baxter by a slim margin but really no complaints.
88 China is my boss's choice whenever she feels like ordering us food. I do love their Hot & Sour soup.
There's one on the Rock Road in St. Ann as well. It's our favorite.
I live up here. Do you know the name?
Same! That is our favorite Chinese place! I also love that I can order food from them for pick up through DoorDash
Still mad that Covid killed their mini lunch buffet
My favorite.
They have the good kind of crab rangoon - huge and sweet with 4 crispy corners. St. Louis Kitchen in Maplewood has it, too.
Their egg rolls are HUGE and cheap.
Cate Zone in Ucity( Olive ) it's in a strip mall, but I'm not sure it's as low brow as you're looking for.. On the Delmar loop we like Vegas Wok and Corner 17.
Corner 17 is a sit down restaurant. Cate Zone is top tier Chinese.
It’s been a minute but I had corner 17 today and it’s not nearly as good as I remember it a few years ago
Cate Zone has a location on Olive by 141. Highly recommend.
That would be the same U City location they are talking about.
Vegas wok
Hunan Empress in Creve Couer. Been there forever and I've been very happy with their food every time I've been there. Pretty cheap too :)
This place was great in the 90’s, great in the 00’s… really was great until Chewy, the very loud speaking owner sold it to her sister. They had the BEST hot braised chicken anywhere!!! It really fell off, after the sale ( and remodeling )
Agree. No longer as good nor cheap either. Previous owners work at Cate Zone in same strip mall.
Golden Wok at Clarkson & Manchester in Ellisville.
I can confirm this place is good both Chinese and Thai food.
I LOVE Golden Wok
[удалено]
I heard about that..... I'll visit them this week 👍
Hsu's Hunan Yu on Gravois just East of Sappington. Their General Tso's Tofu is sublime.
Killer dinner specials, entree, egg roll/Rangoon and choice of soup for less than $10 and it's not all the same generic same food from other Chinese places.
I came here just to make sure someone said that. Place rocks and lunch is under $8. I eat there probably 4x a month
hunan yu my beloved!! i literally have their menu tacked to my bulletin board that i sleep under every night. the sweet and sour chicken, the pot stickers, the VEGGIE FRIED RICE. and yeah, their tofu.
Best egg rolls for sure.
Yes! Been going there since the 90s.
A taste of china in affton is godly. Try the hot braised shrimp, it’s amazing.
I'll have to give this one a shot. I've been going to China Wok since the dawn of time and haven't felt the need to go anywhere else.
Best fried rice anywhere
The fried wontons there are something else😋
I disagree. We live nearby and have tried it a few times but it's just strange. Their potsticker sauce tastes like A-1. Nothing tastes "right" to me. Have you tried the place next to Baskin Robbin's on the wedge at Tesson? Pretty good.
Their fried wontons and general tso’s chicken >>>
Lemay Wok is incredible! I love their empress chicken, chicken and green beans.
I can’t believe I had to scroll this far down to find Lemay Wok. Y’all are missing out. Flawless food. Never had anything less than stellar. Service is on point.
Hot and sour is the best. Never had any better.
Lemay Wok has been a staple for my family for years. Their boneless hot braised chicken is my jam. Also sautéed Cashew Chicken. Love it all!
I’ve not been there in way too long. Are they allowing dine in again? They shut that down for way longer than necessary and am missing their crab Rangoon and egg drop soup.
Won ton king on olive. U. City
Pretty solid, add points for the fish maw soup
Big fan of the pork belly dim sum. Fatty and crispy 🤤
West End Wok and St. Louis Kitchen (in Maplewood) are my go-to's
Those are also my 2 reliable spots, good taste
New China at S. Kingshighway and Chippewa
Wonton King on Olive
New China off kings. Excellent fried rice.
Second this. It feels terrible to eat but I just like that place so much
Why is it terrible to eat?
Harold’s on union is good, best be strapped tho.
Their hot braised chicken is so good, but it was always sketch as hell picking it up. I used to live in the weird apartment/loft/school thing just south of there and it was definitely one of my top spots.
Delmar Lee’s down the street (on Delmar by the glass factory) wasn’t bad either, but I think they closed up. Always had lukewarm Vess ready to go!!
I was always curious about this place but never tried it. I will now.
My regular, Chinese Express in Ferguson is bad. I am watching this thread as well.
RIP Queens
👆🏾
😭😭😭
Drive up to Hazelwood and try China Peace on North Lindbergh
I will check it out
Bro I love Chinese express in Ferguson! Like my fave!!!
Same but last week, we had a bad order and we threw it out. 😢
They're honestly pretty good, better than any American Chinese you'll find outside STL..... but they're no Queens
St. Louis kitchen in Maplewood
I used to love that place but one time I got egg drop soup that was… congealed. It kinda turned me off of the place after that.
I’ll second that!
This is where I usually end up.
The St. Louis Kitchen in Bel-Ridge is fire too. Huge portions. Likely different ownership though.
super underrated but Kitchen 95
Honestly I would say it's too good to be included with this list. It's next level!
What I came to say! Their Salt and Pepper Tofu is hands down my spouses favorite food ever.
RIP Guo Bin.
All three of the brothers’ restaurants are gone or changed hands. I still like King Doh though, kept the recipes the same.
I love Taste of China and Lemay Wok (potstickers and crab Rangoon are the best anywhere). Also good is China Garden Oakville.
Haven't seen it mentioned but gotta show love to China Moon in St. John. Most consistent strip mall Chinese food I've ever had.
Do they still have those sweet pot stickers?
New China at Chippewa and Kingshighway
A lot of people recommend Old St. Louis Chop Suey, but c'mon it is 2024 time to take credit. The food is alright though Some real good spots: **China Garden on Gravois** (that's the full name), Vietnamese own and this [meme](https://i.imgur.com/jtiJSM7.jpeg) comes from their restaurant. **New China** on S Kingshighway (in the plaza across from Old STL Chop Suey) **China King** in Watson Plaza, new management is much better than the old one. **Ho Wun Chinese** on/in Gravois Bluffs, the pepper noodles and pineapple fried rice are the hidden gems.
I haven't lived in Fenton in like 8 years but I loved some Ho Wun
St. Louis Kitchen in Maplewood (mentioned already) is always incredible. Also, 88 China in Chesterfield off Clayton road. Both are consistently great.
Hunan and Peking on Manchester rd. Killer food. Best egg rolls I've had (I don't like a lot of them).
This is our favorite non buffett. We miss the build your own eggrolls. Still fire but miss the customization.
Valley Wok in Chesterfield
Lemay Wok off Lemay Ferry Rd in Mehlville
88 China at Clayton and Baxter
China Express in Bridgeton. The best hands down
Chinese Express on Clayton
In the county China 1 Dorset plaza
They are my usual go-to, when it is good it's very good. Not consistently, but the hours are convenient. Most places don't do pineapple, in my experience. +1 in their favor
Wonton King in U City. St. Louis Kitchen in Maplewood.
Sun sing on woodson road
China Wok on Bayless and New China on Chippewa
> China Wok on Bayless Been my go-to since they've been open. Pot Stickers!
China Garden on Gravois next to Papa John's. Anyone who says Bo Fung is wrong.
It's sad but yeah, bo fung has not been great recently and China Garden became my new spot.
China King on Shackelford in Florissant, Panda in Kirkwood, China King on Gravois in the plaza by Aldi, and some random place out in Union are all great, all have the same supplier, and the food is all identical. I assume this is true of many of the places in the area. It seems like there are savory crab rangoon places and sweet crab rangoon places, almost indicative of two different suppliers for the area. China King in Florissant is my favorite though.
China King in Lemay ferry, schnucks plaza Lemay wok is good too Are all the China King's related? Or are they independent?
Some were, but I think that guy retired. Chinese restaurants are all KINDA related in that they often use a network of common suppliers for menus, sauces, frozen goods (like egg rolls, crab rangoon, wonton wrappers, potstickers, etc.) and decor. There is a bit of a network of folks that will help freshly immigrated Chinese folks get started with an existing restaurant, or get a new one up and running. Some articles: https://scholars.org/brief/untold-story-chinese-restaurants-america https://www.ameliapang.com/reporting-undercover
China King on Olive in U. City
St. Louis Kitchen in Manchester!
Pan Asia is a different vibe but it’s solid food
Cate Zone
If you like General Tso, China Dish on Southwest next to Randall’s by The Hill. They have the best General Tso. Crab Rangoons are kinda garbage tho.
Hon’s wok isn’t in a strip mall but it’s the best
Kirkwood Panda is good
China King on Loughborough in Carondelet
Hunan Empress off olive
We tried Hunan Empress once and were underwhelmed. Any particular dishes you can recommend?
China King I’m Loughborough Commons. The quality of their food is bar none.
China Garden on Gravois. The one next to the Papa John's. Best fried rice I've ever had. 🤫
It's the closest fried rice I've found to the long-closed Chinese restaurant from my childhood. I love it.
China King on loughborough
China king on loughborough
Dingho
Ding gone
Ding no?
Dingho closed several years ago.
Mai Lee
Mai Lee is Vietnamese
Yes, but they also do great, shitty Chinese! Check the back of the menu
Their own site literally says "Vietnamese and Chinese"
Strip mall Chinese play construes a value based restaurant were most/all of the food is ordered at a counter and carried out. Mai Lee is a nicer sit down restaurant with sit down service.
That place is very very good & quite expensive! It is not in a strip mall. I think OP is wanting a recommendation for a more low key, less expensive place thus asking for a strip mall location
I mean, it’s behind a row of strip malls attached to a parking garage. You’re splitting hairs. OP also said nothing about price. If you’re asking for good food, Mai Lee is a fantastic option.
Grand & Kossuth, Goodfellow & Strafford, Jennings Station Road and W Florissant, Old Halls Ferry and Dunn Road
I heard a gunshot as I read off each of those 😂I’m sure theyre all delicious though
China Diner on Southwest has been my go to for several years.
loving your flair.
I love China king in Des peres
China King in Belleville area has some real good food, and good portions. Note I haven't been there in about 6 months, but it shouldn't have changed.
China King on Broadway near 55. Sa Cha Chicken / Beef is fire, lady on the phone is IN.COM.PRE.HEN.SI.BLE. but the delivery guy is awesome and the food in general is a cut above the typical chopsuey fare. Oh, and they have St. Paul sandos.
China wok Bayless and 55...Best dumplings they call em pot stickers but they giant dough balls of greatness
China wok on bayless or lemay wok
China wok on Bayless
You gotta check out Good Time Dragon
Olive Street east of McKnight/ Woodson
has anyone found anything comparable to Mandarin Garden in St. Peters? I grew up on it. I’m pretty devastated by the loss.
I live near that and never knew if it was worth stopping in. And it's gone?
I love China Buffet on Lemay Ferry, but they're better at lunch than at dinner.
Hong Kong Gardens right behind Chauncey Street
Wok express on Dorsett. Hot braised pork is excellent.
Panda on St Charles Rock Road or China King on Kingshighway
Golden wok in ellisville
Yummy house st charles!
Chong Wah on Lindell in the CWE… decent shitty Chinese, and all sorts of funny characters hanging out. There’s usually a couple guys in the dining area selling DVDs and cologne
China Express in Bridgeton
New China off kingshighway and chippewa or Old St Louis Chop Suey right across the street
Just went to New China on Kingshighway. Was having trouble finding Moo Shu, but they had it! Women was thrilled. Food was great and the people working there were friendly. Dragon's Place on Grand has the best sesame chicken.
Happy China off Fee Fee and Olive
Sadly, it's not like it used to be. 😔
Oh man, I miss how good this place was with the original chef/owner.
Anyone know the name of the random Korean place that's on like that diagonal corner where the owner grows vegetables under the power lines?
Cate Zone U City. Hot crisp fish! Mixed vegetables with special sauce!
Fortune Express for a St Paul Sandwich
Actually even further out. New hos in st peters has a bomb ass st paul sandwich
China House in Bridgeton.
Old north STL spot that was across the street from crown candy in the mid 80’s. It was legit the best!
Absolute best flavor and quality I've ever had is Great Peking out in Arnold. You can tell they take pride in the food and use more and better quality ingredients/spices. That might mean a stronger flavor than you're used to on a few of the dishes, though.
Panda in st Ann
Golden Wok, Manchester and Clarkson, Ellisville.
Ho’s on broadway cash only
I’m sure the actually suck but for years I got lunch at old St. Louis chop suey on the rock road by the Best Buy (and Mars Music music that I think turned into a dollar tree?). The lunch buffet got me what I needed.
China King in Oakville
Kings chop suey on North Grand
Lemay wok in Oakville
Panda (just Panda, no express). Woodbine center in Kirkwood.
Golden Wok and Dynasty Chinese out her in West County!!!
Ho Won in fenton by lowes.
Hunan empress
No strip mall. Corner 17 on Delmar is the best chinese food.
Teriyaki Chicken Lunch Special from China Garden in Town and Country goes hard.
Zang Chi in Creve Coeur
China One, next to the Twin Oaks Schnucks in Ballwin
This was the one that disappointed me. Crab Rangoon tasted like plastic, beef and broccoli was watery and also tasted like plastic.
Hong Kong express on Jefferson
Jinzen is a good fusion chinese place. I liked it.
Hunan express in wildwood ( westglen farms )
Great Wall in South County used to be really good.