01/31/08

One of the best Chinese restaurants around

by Showa46

This is one of my favorite places to eat. Food is always great, prices are very reasonable and chef Chu is usually in the kitchen cooking the food himself. The dinner sets give you a good variety of popular dishes. The decor needs a serious make-over, but I suppose you could call that part of the "charm". Definitely make reservations Friday - Sunday, otherwise you'll wait at least 30 minutes.

• Pros: The food
• Cons: The Decor

06/22/07

Best Chinese Food in the Bay Area!

by __bion__

I have been a customer of theirs for over 20 years and their food has always been Superb!

Their food is the standard by which other places should be judged by. The Chef "Larry" Chu, as he is casual and humble remembers people even if they aren't the heads of state or famous as all the people on his wall of famous guests shows. Where most chinese food restaurants fail in heavy oils, their food is light and fresh. If I was on a deserted island and could take one

meal with me it would be his chicken salad, pot-stickers and kung pao chicken. They make their own hot oil there and try it with the salad and pot-stickers. I highly recommend it and all the hype is more than justified by the consistent quality. Cheers for Chef Chu....!

• Pros: Incredible chinese food, Chef Chu's blend of Mandarin & Szechwan style!
• Cons: none

04/20/07

Good Prices & Great Food!

by lmor

I love this place! The food is consistently great , the service friendly and the prices when compared to other restaurants I eat out at are so reasonable. If you really want to try some authentic chinese dishes, you have got to order some of the less popular "americanized" dishes. I just went in and tried for the first time their basil chicken and its was awesome! I higly recommend reservations though.

• Pros: food is good
• Cons: busy on weekends

02/09/07

Over rated!

by baydiner

I don't understand why people have raved and talked about this restaurant for so many years! From the Moment I walked into the restaurant I was disappointed! Until recently, I was invited to Chef Chu's for lunch because my friends had never tried it either. So the"open Kitchen" was disgusting! poorly displayed food and good view of a old gloomy and rundown kitchen. Along with the rest of the restaurant, Everything was outdated and not special. The service was poor! The young waiter was unfriendly and pushy to sell more expensive items rather that from their lunch special which was even more of a disappointment. The bill came out to almost 35$ without tip for 3 people. we got ripped off. Food was not good. Very thick and .....yuck. I just don't get why people still to this day say the food is good , even yet, "the best Chinese food". Whatever Overrated! Never going back again, and they need to change their credit card system because because they'll charge you a service fee!

• Pros: none
• Cons: lots

07/22/06

My fave Chinese restaurant in the area

by bbruin

I work in the area, and have been to a number of lunch spots like this and think Chef Chu's has the best Chinese by far...

• Pros: Great food, fast service

02/18/06

Not what it used to be

by foodfiends

I used to love their food, and I found their restaurant service good. Now, the food is oily, and the take-out service unobliging. Such a shame.

• Pros: parking ok, not too noisy, good waiters
• Cons: oily food, poor takeout chef

12/07/05

Good ambience but less tasty plates

by bbzeta439

My family and I went there for our weekly dinner with our relatives who are going back to Taiwan. We heard raven reviews about the food and particularly their vegetarian dishes. The host was very friendly and service was great. But the food was less than authentic and slightly salty. Shrimp balls, Chef's recommendation was dread with breadcrubs and soaked in oil. If i want to drink oil, I might as well eat a spoon full of lard for extra flavor. Where was your vegetarian meanu? The place couldn't pay me to eat there again. It's like Benihana, Chinese food for Americans, all for show not for the flavor.

• Pros: Ambience, Service
• Cons: Salty, Unskillful cooking

11/19/05

My Thoughts

by davidmoghtader

Chef Chus has been my favorite restaurant for many years (its been open since 1970). Its a non-chain restaurant owned by a very nice family who try to make the experience of the customer a pleasant one. Theres nothing not to like about the place. The atmosphere is beautiful, the staff are friendly and cool, the food is great, and its not very expensive. They also offer cooking classes taught by the owner and executive chef, a master of Chinese food cooking, whos a fresh and entertaining guy. They also have a nice bar there. I highly recommend Chef Chus to anyone who is looking for a great Chinese restaurant experienceor who is just hungry.

• Pros: great food, nice atmosphere, good service

09/02/05

Yummy Chinese Food in the Bay Area!

by danroberts

Excellent food!!! very impressed w/the food & service. Couple of my favourite dishes: Minced Shrimp in Lettuce Cup, Tofa w/ham in black bean sauce (must try!)

• Pros: Inexpensive, Attentive

08/07/05

Best Chinese!

by abbie5505

This is the best Chinese I have had since I moved here. Starting with the service, this place makes you feel like a regular. Food was just right, I had some special requests and my waitress was more than accomodating. Will definately go back.

• Pros: Great food!, Great Service!
• Cons: Too busy