There’s nothing quite like a good meal and when it’s a good Chinese meal you can bet you will walk away satisfied. Whether you prefer the spicy fair that is known as Szechuan or something on the milder side you can certainly find it at one of the Dallas/Fort Worth area Chinese restaurants. In fact, there are just so many options in the Metroplex it’s hard to pick just 10. From Chinese restaurant staples that have been around for years to the newer and flashier options, you are sure to find an assortment of delicious choices the next time you get a hankering for Asian cuisine.
PEKING GARDEN RESTAURANT 1208 S. Bowen Road Arlington, Texas 76013 (817)274-8284 Hours: (Tue-Sun) 11 am – 2:30 pm and 5 pm to 9:30 pm This is a popular Chinese option in between Dallas and Fort Worth and the place has been serving the metroplex for over 20 years now. The management have been doing it right for so long that they understand what it means when they say “Customer Service.” Favorites for families and business folks alike are the Shrimp Tempura. However, don’t get too hung up on just seafood as the Fried Chicken is also a crowd pleaser for the “non-Chinese” food eater. The atmosphere is pleasing and not overly stuffy, but the traditional Chinese decorations remind you where you are so you can have a good time. Lots of variety on the menu so eat up and enjoy it family-style.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $7 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
JADE GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT 4800 Bryan Street Dallas, Texas 75204 (214)821-0675 Hours: (Fri-Sat) 11 am-11 pm; (Sun-Thu) 11 am-10 pm Not located in the best part of town, but the food can’t be beat both for taste and price. True, prices are bit higher than the run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurants, but you know it’s good when locals eat there on a daily basis. Whether you prefer Cantonese or Szechuan the food is cooked to order. Locals prefer the seafood hot pot and a few extra entrees on the side. As for the portions, a medium-sized hot pot with several entrees and the standard rice is enough for four adults. One specialty not to be missed is the beef flat noodles with black bean sauce.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $5 - $12
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
ROYAL CHINA 210 Preston Royal Shopping Center Dallas, Texas 75230 (214)361-1771 Hours: (Sun–Fri) 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; (Sun–Sat) 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm Opened in 1974, Royal China has been serving satisfied customers in the metroplex for 36 years. Labeled as one of Dallas’ original Chinese restaurants, the atmosphere is casual, but nice and the aquarium and flowers add to the good feelings. The overall ambiance is set to either live jazz or new age music nightly and the service can’t be outdone. Options include Hunan, Szechuan or Mandarin so there is much to choose from when looking at the menu. Each dish is proudly prepared with fresh vegetables and no MSG. Renowned chef Kai-Chi’s specials are the Buck-A-Roo Salad, General’s Chicken and Dry Stir Beef. The founder back in 1974 was a retired diplomat from Taiwan and a native of Hunan, China so for years he has been bringing the same service to his long-time customers who just keep returning.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $8 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Closed, New Year’s Eve Open
AUGUST MOON 15030 Preston Rd. Dallas, Texas 75354 (972)385-7227 Hours: (Sun–Thu) 11 am – 10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am – 10:30 pm A business casual dress code is suggested, but not mandatory and there is a kid’s menu for the young ones who love Chinese food too. The best bisque around is served here, a seafood bisque with king crab, shrimp and calamari coupled with chicken broth and egg whites. Choose between the patio and sidewalk for dining during the warmer months or eat inside. If you are on the go there is always takeout or delivery. The Kung Pao Chicken is a special not to miss with a certain rose fragrance to it that customers always comment on after trying it. The Pu Pu Tray is always a must as well since that is just part of the atmosphere. A favorite appetizer is the Oriental Pepper and Salt Calamari and the Pot Stickers. Check out the much talked about buffet table and for wine, the list is long and worth the time.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $7 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
CHEF HSU CHINESE RESTAURANT 11180 Harry Hines Blvd., #108 Dallas, Texas 75229 (972)484-0808 Hours: Buffet 11 am – 3 pm; (Mon–Sat) Noon -3 pm; (Sun) 5 – 8 pm; Dinner (Fri–Sun) 3 pm -10 pm; (Mon-Thu) 3 pm -11 pm; (Fri and Sat) 3 pm -9:30pm This is the super buffets of all super buffets with it’s all you can eat feature that have diners coming from miles around. At lunch the fresh and tasty ingredients include a choice of fresh, fried, braised, streamed or even sautéed anything “Chinese” and you get a fortune cookie to boot. The atmosphere is casual for both dinner and lunch and you can even opt for takeout if you are in a rush. Most people return because the food is so fresh and never greasy. Try using the chopsticks for this meal and order the specials, which are braised sea cucumbers, fried and braised whole fish and braised shark's fin. Not the typical Chinese fare, but always offered and well-loved by regulars.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
CHEF WOK 5940 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas 75230 (214)361-8720 Hours: (Sun–Thu) 11 am -9:30 pm; (Fri-Sat) 11 am -10 pm Lunch and dinner can be had at Chef Wok and, in addition to Chinese, there is also a choice of Vietnamese or Thai to mix up the entrée even more. Most locals consider this place an exceptional choice that is worth returning to on a weekly basis. For starters, the atmosphere, while casual, is also eye-catching. However, the food also speaks for itself and is fresh and inviting. Flavor first is the motto and since the menu has key entrees the result is always good. Another note is that some of the entrees come with a kimchi (pretty mild though) that takes a few tries to learn to like, but grows on you over time.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
FIRST CHINESE B-B-Q 111 S. Greenville Avenue Richardson, Texas 75081 (972)680-8216 Hours: Daily 11 am – 9:30 pm One thing to note before even visiting is that First Chinese B-B-Q works on a cash-only basis so no credit cards. Takeout is an option, but eat in for the real experience. Specializing in Cantonese-Vietnamese-style food you won’t get the standard egg rolls or chow mein here, but even they will tell you to go somewhere else for that. Here you will find an authentic taste that has a strong seafood bend. Popular with locals and natives, the seafood hot-pot is a must so try it. Ask about the organ meats too, another specialty. You get good food, served fresh, and you can believe it is the real thing.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $6 - $18
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Open, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
HONG KONG RESTAURANT 3522 Bluebonnet Circle Fort Worth, Texas 76109-2957 (817)924-0062 or (817)232-0966 Hours: (Sun–Thu) 11:30 am – 9 pm; (Fri–Sat) 11:30 am – 10 pm As far as old Chinese restaurants in Fort Worth go this is said to be the oldest. Established in the 70s, the good news is the owners have kept moving forward with the times. The atmosphere is retro, but not in a cheesy, unintentional way. Since Hong Kong Restaurant is located very near Texas Christian University it’s a tough crowd to feed and has to be good. On any given day you can find students, business executives and families enjoying everything from sweet and sour chicken to moo goo gai pan or chow mein. During the lunch crowd the takeout becomes crazy so service is known to be slower in the dining room. Otherwise it is perfection as the pork or beef for meat lovers or the veggie options or all flavorful choices.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $8 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
P.F. CHANG’S 18323 North Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75287 (972) 818-3336 NorthPark Center 225 NorthPark Center Dallas, TX 75225 (214) 265-8669 400 Throckmorton Ft. Worth, TX 76102 (817) 840-2450 650 Highway 114 Grapevine, TX 76051 (817) 421-6658 Hours: (Sun–Thu) 11 am – 11 pm; (Fri–Sat) 11 am - midnight This place almost feels dressier than it is upon entering. Not the typical Chinese restaurant, the food is fresh with attention to detail and the wine list is phenomenal. Found throughout the United States now, the P.F. Chang concept is all about contemporary dining – Chinese style – in a bistro-like atmosphere. What you get is harmony for all the senses from taste to sight to sound to feeling (it just feels like a place to see or be seen). Sauces are mixed right at the table and the Mandarin-style wok cooking offers such favorites as dumplings, meat, chicken, pork, seafood and t’sai. Of course the much loved noodles, rice and vegetables are not to be overlooked either. For entertainment check out the exhibition kitchen and watch everything as it is prepared with natural flavors being the norm. Don’t forget dessert either as the menu is a must - so save room.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $12 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Closed, New Year’s Eve Open
ROYAL PANDA CHINESE RESTAURANT 2142 N. Collins St. Arlington, Texas 76011 (817)860-3535 Hours: (Sun–Thu) 11:30 am – 10 pm; (Fri–Sat) 11:30 am – 10:30 pm The first thing you will notice about Royal Panda is that is emphasizes healthy food. The place has continuously been a favorite for years because of the great food and, even better, employees who always wear a smile. There are quite a few favorites on this menu, but don’t pass up the Tomato Sizzling Rice Soup. Lunch specials are cheaper, but are only served weekdays. Other rave reviews are for the Sesame Chicken and the Mongolian Beef, normal Chinese restaurant staples, however done with a twist at Royal Panda.
Estimate cost per person for dinner = $8 - $12
Holiday Schedule: New Year’s Day – Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving – Closed, Christmas Eve – Open, Christmas Day – Open, New Year’s Eve Open
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX