China House - Warrenville

The rice wasn't fried; it was simply topped with soy sauce. The service was surprisingly poor. Meal type: Lunch. Food rating: 1. Service rating: 2. Atmosphere rating: 2.

The restaurant has a classic layout that feels almost like a dive, and upon entering, you might hesitate about whether or not to place an order. Nevertheless, it attracts many regular customers and quickly develops a long line. I took some recommendations from the locals to discover what makes this place so popular. The portion sizes were generous, and the dishes we tried—beef and broccoli, shrimp in lobster sauce, egg rolls, and chicken fried rice—were delicious and well-prepared. The owners are actively involved in the restaurant, making it a family-run business. I'm eager to return and see if they maintain their quality.

We probably won't make this our regular spot due to the prices (and the portions weren't quite large enough to justify it, in my opinion), but since you can check out the menu and decide for yourself, I won't take away a star. We ordered General Tao's, Mongolian Beef, and Sesame Chicken (just a heads-up). The egg rolls were definitely excellent. The ingredients seemed fresh and of high quality, which is always a plus. It's the kind of Chinese food that feels good to eat. The leftovers had that classic takeout flavor that’s even better the next day. My favorite dish was the Mongolian Beef, while my husband preferred the General Tao's. The Tao's wasn't spicy, so we might ask for extra spice on our next visit, but it was flavorful nonetheless. Each dish came with vegetables and very good pork fried rice. Now, about the sesame chicken: if you're like me and enjoy the guilty pleasure of crispy, battered sesame chicken with a bit of crunch and sweetness, this isn't it. This version tastes more wholesome and pure, which is great in its own way, but it didn’t quite satisfy that nostalgic craving. Just something to keep in mind before you order! I did really enjoy the sauce on the broccoli, though.

They messes up my order and the food was only decent. Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20

The dine-in experience is mid-low, but the take-out is great, definitely my favorite Chinese place in winter. I'd drive an hour round trip for their orange chicken and egg rolls. Service: Take out Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 2 Recommended dishes: Egg Rolls, Orange Chicken Diner with Pork Fried Rice