This is our family's favorite spot for birthdays and special occasions. I've been coming here my whole life, and it is always delicious. My favorite is when Chef Chu is there; he always comes and greets his patrons. He is also a fantastic chef, so we feel lucky when he's there to make our meal just a little more special. His family also manage the restaurant, and they are so kind and hospitable. Some of our favorites are Hunan chicken, Mongolian beef, Cashew Chicken, and the whole sea bass. read more

Had dinner at Chef Chu's with my coworkers, the service and the food were both excellent! I highly recommend coming here with a big group to taste as much of the large menu as you can. Recommend the tangerine chicken and a mai tai. Excited to try this place again in the future! read more

Chef Chu's - Mai Tai - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

Overall: not a place we would go back to. It is very pricey. And the food quality and quantity does not match the high price. They also do this strange thing with how they charge for a dish. Normally, the price listed is for a single plate of the dish and they bring the dish to the table for you to divide up. But, with Chef Chu, the price is for a dish for four people. So if you have 6 people, they charge you 1.5 times the price. They divide the dish for you and bring you out individual small plates. We were not a fan of this method. -Famous chicken salad: 3/10. Think basic lettuce and chicken with a dressing. -Steamed Chilean sea bass with ginger and green onions: 6/10. $50 for a single fillet was absurd. The taste was fine but the portion was so small. -Garlic pea sprouts: 6/10. A bit on the oily side. -Peking duck: 5/10. $80 for classic peking duck and $100 with the duck bone soup add on. Price wise it is comparable to other places. But, we found this duck to be too fatty. read more

We've been coming to Chef Chu's for years, but our recent visits have been a bit disappointing. We ordered the Chicken Salad and noticed the dressing recipe seems to have changed; it's moved from a sweet-and-sour profile to something more savory. It's still good, but I personally preferred the original version. Since we didn't pre-order the Peking Duck, we went with the Tree Smoked Duck. Unfortunately, it didn't taste fresh and felt like it had been sitting out for a while. The accompanying buns have also decreased in size, and when we asked for two more, our waiter took quite a while to bring them. They had clearly been microwaved, as the texture was tough and rubbery. On a high note, the Sichuan Village Style Clay Pot with beef was excellent and remains a highlight of the meal. read more

Chef Chu's - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

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located along el camino real on the corner of san antonio rd in los altos...two levels of dining space...probably was once a grand chinese restaurant with banquet spaces decades ago...old, but still seemed moderately busy on a saturday afternoon...walls are adorned with few celebrities and politicians which adds to the old school charm...6 adults and 1 child...browsing menu and finding quite extensive...a little of everything from whole fish and peking duck to general tso chicken and sichuan beef...took some time deciding because of the long list of choices...decided on simple hot & sour soup to start which the waiter adjusted the price to serve 7 bowls $22.43...crispy sichuan beef $23.95 and general tso chicken $22.95 for something for the child to eat...both were quite mild and leaning on the sweeter glazed side...sichuan string beans $20.95 for our vegetable dish which was again mild, but good....combination chow mein $19.95 was typical and seasoned right...wanting a whole fish and waiter immediately suggest fried with spicy sichuan garlic sauce $55.95 (large)...wasn't spicy at all, and again leaning on the sweeter side...made the mistake of ordering mostly fried with similar flavor notes...probably should have insisted on the braised whole fish as originally intended...about $234 total after tax and tip for just the right amount of food for 6 adults and 1 child....food was good at reasonable prices...portions are not too big for the dishes... read more

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I love Chef Chu's!! Went with some friends to have dinner over the holidays and it was great. We called ahead earlier during the day to make reservations. Once we got inside, we let them know we had reservations and we were seated right away. The restaurant has seating on both the first and second floors, and it was my first time being seated on the second floor. We ordered a few things: the tangerine beef, crispy noodles, hot and sour soup, and the chicken salad. Everything was so delicious and I the chicken salad was so refreshing. My friend who doesn't even like salad said it was really good. The tangerine beef was also sooo good and will be part of my usual order from now on. We wanted the chow fun too, but they were sold out which was understandable cause our reservation was an hour before they closed. Can't wait to go back again! read more

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If you want a class Chinese food experience, Chef Chu's is the final boss. PS: you're thinking of getting the Beijing Duck, you have to call ahead and reserve a table and the duck ahead of time. Rare lot parking as well. If you're waiting for a table, check out the celebrities who have been there and the Crazy Rich Asians poster by the restrooms (Chef Chu's son directed the movie). As for the food, hot and sour soup tastes exactly the way it should be: hot and sour. Some white pepper and vinegar makes it a bit more sour which can cure most hangovers. We also got the char siu bao, but if you're getting the Peking Duck, the char siu bao is a bit repetitive in terms of taste profile. As for a cold appetizer, the pickled cucumber spirals are great. Very similar to the Din Tai Fung version if you've had that. A bit more tart at Chef Chu's if that's your thing. The Beijing duck came out and was prepared in front of us which was a unique experience. In our opinion, half a bao, some duck meat, couple pieces of the crispy duck skin, some shredded scallion, and a dollop of of the hoisin-esque sweet bean sauce. The eggplant side dish was also very flavorful. It's deep fried and marinated in a garlicky sauce--great option for vegetarians. Other dishes we ordered was the sichuan-style clay pot chicken and the chow fun with beef. The clay pot chicken didn't really stand out to me in terms of unique flavor, but the chow fun was very good and was a table favorite with no leftovers. read more

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Came here on a Saturday evening and it was almost packed but was able to get seated right away(for 2). Server was very attentive and kept us updated with our food. Ordered 1 appetizer(Hot wings) and 2 entrees(Chefs special chow mein and general chicken). All were very good and flavorful. Everything tasted fresh and cooked just right. Kind of pricey compared to other Chinese restaurants but was good to try at least once. read more

Chef Chu's - Hot Dragon Wings (8) / 炸龍翼 - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

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We were greeted and seated immediately at a comfortable booth, shortly after they opened. Chef Chu's hasn't changed much over the years and has been around for so long for good reason. The beef in a clay pot was delicious and spicy. The crystal prawns in lettuce cups were excellent. The lettuce was so fresh. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

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People throw out the word institution to describe restaurants much too easily but Chef Chu fits the bill. It's been serving American palate friendly Chinese food since 1970 (!!) Ridiculously large menu. Some highlights: Prawns in lettuce cups: Chef Chu's had them before PF Chang's and these are better. Chicken and veggie version available. Salmon with spicy black bean sauce: THE signature dish (IMHO). Really good flavors and just a hint of spice. Miso sea bass: it's a little too sweet for me but nicely cooked (steamed?) Egg rolls vs pot stickers? Pot stickers are better, no debate. Hot and sour soup: they claim this is the best in town. It's definitely really good. Kung pao chicken: first place I ever tried this dish and it's better than other Americanized places that make it too sweet. General chicken: the sauce doesn't work for me. It's trying to do a sweet and sour thing but there are too many conflicting flavors Chef Chu prawns: this is prawns two ways and both work with polar opposite flavors Sichuan beef: only beef dish I like. Yu Shang pork: the ginger and garlic balance each other out nicely. Generous amounts of bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Garlic string beans: yum! Fried rice and chow mein: not my thing but guests always seem to like these. Try the wide noodle chow fun for something different Service is fine, if not a bit perfunctory. Place is huge with several rooms read more

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My thoughts: This is a traditional classic Chinese restaurant that is been around the bay area through out the up and down of the economy. And any restaurant can survive the harsh business world is A OK in my book. Plus they do serve good food and maintain a reasonable price. Here is my scoring card for this restaurant: 1) Location: ( 5 Point ) - Great location for customer to see and find. Great parking for street parking and back side with parking lot parking. 2) Decoration : (2 Point) - They still have the original decoration. Clean but not up to date. 3) Price: ( 4 point)- The price is competitive but still a little bit pricey compare to other same stars and type food they serve 4) Quality and Taste : ( 3 point)- The quality is ok, food taste is good and portions are average . 5) Type of cuisine standard : ( 4 point) - The style of Chinese food they serve is pretty close to the way it was prepare in China. Not bad! But some dishes did have slightly modify to cater the customer's need Overall it's not bad and I thinks it's great to give it a try and let me know what you think. Go foodies Total max is 25 Score 18 Stars = 72% round up to 3 stars read more

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Decent Chinese food but not overly authentic. I think the experience matches the Chinese experience but the taste might be a little off on some dishes. The food was solid but I think in the Bay Area, there are better Chinese restaurants. They have the classic dishes and they do some of them well. We liked the mapo tofu, Mongolian beef and string beans. The chow mein came out like lo mein (not sure if our waiter misheard our order?) and the fried rice was decent but nothing special. The parking lot is plenty large with spaces all around the building. They quoted us with a 30-40 minute wait but sat us within 5. Service was okay but I wouldn't recommend bringing your own wine. The $15 corkage fee seems low until you realize they don't do anything but open the bottle (aka they don't pour the wine for you) and may bring white wine glasses for red wine. Might be more worth it to try one of their cocktails? Decent experience and there are a couple dishes I'd reorder but I might try another place first. read more

Chef Chu's - Chow Mein / 名色炒麵 ? Ma Po Tofu / 麻婆豆腐 Classic Mongolian Beef / 蒙古牛肉 - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

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We've had work lunch catered by Chef Chu's before but I've never had the chance to enjoy a meal at the restaurant until recently! It was such a treat! This upscale restaurant serves all of your favorite Chinese food restaurant, all the classic dishes you would normally order and elevates them to a 10. Peking duck, needs to be ordered in advance, offered us the most delicate and juicy bites of duck, scallions, and plum sauce. The vegetables were crisp, the meat was tender, every dish was off the charts! You can't go wrong with any of the dishes you order here. The kids will enjoy it. This place is great for large groups, with banquet style seating and a private room upstairs. read more

Chef Chu's - Peking duck! - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

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Always love Chef Chu's for small or big family gathering feeling like eating at home!

I have been to chef Chu's a while ago and it's a decent spot and didn't think it was exceptional. The food was okay so I don't understand the good reviews. They get super busy, and it's on the pricy side. I have only taken it to go from here and never ate there so can't comment much on anything else besides food for to go orders and felt it was just okay. I did have high hopes given the high ratings read more

Chef CHU's! I vow anytime I'm in the Bay I'm stopping by the Chu's cause they do it up fr! The ambiance is family/celebratory vibes, the staff are amazing and always attentive and lively! Was here for Christmas linner (lunch/dinner) in 2024. Had the MuShu for the first time....delectable! You could never go wrong with Chef Chus Famous Chicken Salad! It's light, fresh and oozing with flavor. We also had the lemon chicken, the BBQ pork bun and house chow mein! All out of this world! Get here FAST! read more

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Re-affirming that this place is still an institution serving high-quality food! The restaurant is full of regulars and staffed with veterans who are quick in service and god at remembering faces. I get the kung pao chicken just about every time I come, but everything is good! Our last visit was New Year's Eve and it was packed - it was worth the wait, but next time we'll make a reservation :) read more

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I've been here twice. Food is solid but had a bad experience with server. Was with a large group, and there were many dishes. Server rushed to remove the dishes and started distributing the food to our plates even after I said no for mine. Did it multiple times. read more

Do not miss the deco. Newer restaurants cannot afford them anymore. Some of the wood carvings are probably museum grade. We seldom came. Thought to be too "Americanized" and too high-end. It was, and still is, one of the few that's higher end enough to host formal parties. Daughters teased me, "You are now also Americanized." Well, I am also better afford this place now. Order from the Special section of the menu. You can't go wrong. If you wish to have Peking Duck, you must order a day before. To us, the "shrimp taco" 蝦鬆 is a must-have. They minced shrimp and other ingredients and served on a lettuce leaf like a taco. You eat it with your hand also like-wise. It is also the only restaurant, that I know of, that offer this dish. It is still "Americanized", but that does not mean the dishes are not delicious. read more

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Came in to see if the restaurant was worth the hype and left pleasantly surprised! On a Saturday around 12:30pm, the restaurant was extremely packed. We got the last parking spot in the main lot, but there's a large lot behind that with additional parking. We were also lucky enough to snatch the last available table without having to wait. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with Jon Chu's accomplishments, which was super cute. We ordered the four seasons cold plate, black pepper steak, and chao ma mian (jjampong noodles). The four seasons cold plate is much larger than what's advertised in the photo on the menu. It came with marinated cucumbers, bamboo shoots, vegetarian goose, and pickled tomatoes. The tomatoes had a sugar plum taste, which was so unique to me - I've never had pickled tomatoes before. The cucumbers were also a hit, super refreshing with a kick of spiciness and garlic(?). The jjampong/chao ma mian was packed with more seafood and chicken than I had anticipated. The broth was on the spicier end, but really warm and flavorful. I'm a sucker for a good jjampong, and it's always a delight to see it on the menu at a Chinese restaurant. The noodles were chewy and absorbed the broth well. The black pepper steak was tender and well seasoned, with the sweeter tangy sauce contrasting the black pepper. I liked how the mushroom, string beans, and onions absorbed the flavor as well. The portions here were honestly bigger than expected, the server was very friendly and attentive, and the food was Chinese-parent approved! Their signature cocktails look fancy - would love to try next time :) read more

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Delicious Peking Duck! This place was super super busy for the holidays; will need to place order in advance Beautiful interior and full of holiday vibe! I'll be back to try their other dishes another day :) read more

Chef Chu's - Peking Duck includes sauce and sliced green onion and lotus buns ~ yum yum says Monster! Chef's kiss - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

Pros: Food isn't heavy or greasy or loaded with MSG. Cons: They have gotten too big for their britches. We had been happily going to and getting takeout from Chef Chus regularly since 2015. But the customer service has really gone down the drain. They may think that the food is the most important, but rude people answering the phone, putting you on hold and then disconnecting you or never returning your calls, is disrespectful and it will take some doing for us to return. Really sad about this because it has been one of our favorite places for a long time. read more

PEKING DUCK!!!! Decided to make a reservation for Chef Chu's after hearing about it for a while but never gone. You can call a few days in advance to make a reservation and you need to reserve the peking duck at least 1 day in advance. Showed up a bit earlier than they opened so we were wandering in the parking lot but got let in early because the waiter saw us LOL. Parking lot is limited but if you go early it should be ok and there's other shopping centers nearby. Pretty standard chinese restaurant decor with lots of movie posters/articles as the owner's son directed Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians. I think the only thing that's worth getting here is the peking duck. The duck was smokey, super juicy, skin super crispy, and deboned!!! Probably the best duck I've had in the bay. The other items were okay, not really worth the price tag. Seems like there are a lot of regulars so they get the special attention. Didn't feel like service was all the great for us. Would only come back for the peking duck! read more

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If you're looking for a neighborhood gem that consistently delivers comforting, flavorful Chinese dishes, this spot is the one. I've been coming here for years, and it has fully earned its place on my "never-fail favorites" list. I always start with the wonton soup--a must-order. The wontons have perfectly thin wrappers encasing juicy pork, and the broth is that combo of light, clear, and flavorful. Simple, soothing, absolutely delicious. The minced chicken in lettuce cups is another go-to. The filling is savory, aromatic, and packed with texture; wrapping it in crisp lettuce makes every bite pop. Truly one of the best versions around. For mains, the General Tso's chicken and pork fried rice hit all the nostalgic notes--classic, satisfying, and consistently well-executed. Pro tip: ask for their house chili oil. It's fragrant, spicy, and takes everything up a level. The basil garlic chicken clay pot is a standout: savory, aromatic, and rich without being heavy. I've also tried the beef clay pot, which has a fantastic flavor profile--deep and comforting --but the beef itself leaned a bit too chewy for my taste. Still worth a try if you prefer a firmer texture. Service here is always quick, friendly, and efficient, making it an easy choice for both dine-in and takeout. Bottom line: this is the kind of local Chinese restaurant you can rely on--comforting classics, flavorful standouts, and warm, speedy service. A neighborhood treasure. read more

Short Story: A fancy Chinese restaurant with a rich history! Long Story: I came here on a Saturday morning around 11am with a reservation. It's a small parking lot so you'll need to manage around. We were promptly seated and given menus. We already pre-ordered 2 Peking duck (one for here and one to-go). We also got a few smaller dishes such as wood ear mushrooms, wonton soup, cucumbers, etc. The service is really good and the chef will come out to have a conversation with each table. He's really friendly and will tell you all about the history of the restaurant, his family, and his connection to the famous Crazy Rich Asians movie! Verdict: I'm going back! read more

My family has been going to this restaurant for years!!!! Always great service and delicious food! My favorite is the Chinese chicken salad and beef chow fun! Super big portions! These days we've been getting our food to go and the portions are huge!!! We are eating Chinese food for days! read more

Nice Chinese restaurant with good service. The food here is pricier than other places so you're paying for the name and the experience. The BBQ pork appetizer (4/5) was good. I just wish they had this as an entree instead of a small appetizer. The garlic string beans (3.5/5) were fresh and cooked well. I prefer mine to be more peppery, more garlicky though. The fried rice (4/5) was good too, no complaints. The general chicken (3.5/5) was good but wasn't spicy at all. To me the stand outs were the Hong-Kong Style Crispy Angel Hair Noodles (4.5/5) and the Candied Pecans with Jumbo Prawns (5/5)!! You get a good amount of vegetable in the chow mein which I love. The prawns were a good size, had the perfect crunch, and had amazing flavor as well. Overall glad to have finally tried this place! read more

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Ordered take out on weeknight. It was ready on time. The ambiance in the restaurants seemed nice - lots of seating and the restaurant was quite busy. Parking is a bit of a mess. Now to the food. We had the bbq pork buns (just okay, the bun vs. meat ratio was way off, barely any meat in either of them which was a surprise given the price point), vegetarian "goose" (tofu sheets wrapped with shiitake. This was also just okay - not even close to what mom used to make - the mushrooms seemed sparse and lumped into one area vs being layered throughout. Had left overs of this, and it actually tasted better the day after), hot and sour soup (solid) and then the Hong Kong style crispy noodles which were decent and flavorful. Would give it a 3.5 if that was an option. read more

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If you want Chinese food in a fancy environment this is the place. The service is great. Great to go for special occasions or if you are hosting someone special. We went at a friends invitation for their special occasion. They had a good choice of vegetarian dishes and I stuck to the kung pan tofu and noodles. Both were extremely good and the best part is that they are shareable plates and so didn't get too full trying to finish or take out a doggie bag. Planning to go again soon as the number of vegetarian friendly Chinese restaurants are dwindling. read more

This restaurant has been there more than 55years in bay area. It has kept its reputation and is going strong. We went on a Wednesday night for dinner and it was at 80% capacity and there were multiple to go orders. We got hot and sour soup which was decent and quantity was good for a cup. The main course - Kung pao chicken and hong Kong style crispy angel hair noodles were tasty. The quantity was less for its price. We added their chilli oil as we needed a kick. Overall great experience, good Chinese food option. Service was good and restaurant is kept clean. read more

Chef Chu's - Hot and Sour Soup / 酸辣湯 - Chinese Near Me - Los Altos, California

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Chef Chu's is one of my top Chinese restaurants. When I used to work in Palo Alto, I used to always get my dinner before starting my late night job at the time. Best dish has to be the Chef Chu's Chicken Salad and their Lemon Chicken which are couple of my favorite dishes here. My son can attest that the duck is one of best he's had. Just about everything on the menu is worth trying. The friendly staff is incredible here and very responsive to all of your dining needs. read more

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Yum! The food was really tasty, though the portions were a bit on the smaller side. I came here after learning that the owner is the father of the director of Wicked! The place was super crowded on a Sunday night, so we decided to get everything to-go to avoid waiting. We tried the Hot & Sour Soup, Chef's Special Fried Rice (Bay shrimp, BBQ pork, peas, and onions), Classic Mongolian Beef, Beef Chow Fun, and Sichuan Style String Beans. Everything was delicious! The fried rice and beef chow fun were standout dishes. The inside is cool, with photos of the director and the Wicked movie cast. Loved seeing those pics! It definitely added a fun touch to the experience! read more

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Yes, the owner's son is Jon Chu, director of movies like Crazy Rich Asians and more recently Wicked. It's been a popular Chinese restaurant far before Jon's directing career though. They have a wall of pictures of celebrities/politicians who've ate here previously. Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, Jeremy Lin, The Bush family, also apparently Margaret Thatcher ate here (damn, she ate this food and still managed to destroy UK's industry? hey-ooo) I was afraid that this restaurant was going to be too westernized, but I think they do a good job of striking a balance between western and Chinese authentic taste. Most of the food was delicious, though the Mongolian Beef didn't taste that great. That's usually one of my go-tos when trying to determine a Chinese restaurant's chops. Parking can be challenging though they have additional parking at a private lot down the neighborhood road and is a mild walk to and from the restaurant. It's a 3.5 but rounded down for me, the service was kinda meh and all the seating arrangements were very tight and crammed. read more

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A staple AMERICAN Chinese restaurant in the bay. Note the emphasis on American. This place does well in term of getting food texture nicely and dishes are lightly seasoned with healthy level of oil. This is not a place for you if you want that umami flavor of Chinese cuisine. Best dish of the day is house fried rice. Each grain is well coated in flavor but doesn't feel greasy. Both "spicy" dishes (fried beef and green bean) have zero taste of the Szechuan chili read more

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I kept my expectations low, I knew it's only famous because of the relation to crazy rich Asians. My step father's favorite movie is C.R.A so he really wanted to eat here for Father's Day celebration. The good news is that the food is better than I thought, but again, I kept my bar very low. In general, this isn't good Chinese food. I don't even think it's good Americanized Chinese food, but it isn't the worst I ever had. Although they offer some dishes that are known to be more traditional, I dont think it would be fair to compare this restaurant to an authentic Chinese restaurant nor the way those traditional dishes are made, that's not the population chef chu is trying to cater to. However overall, chef chu is very much in name than it is in quality. None of the flavors stand out, everything is just mid. I also initially thought the prices were surprisingly not bad but after you see the portions you'll change your mind. Definitely one and done. If you dine here it would be for the name but I would prefer Panda Express if I wanted Americanized Chinese food. read more

Chef Chu's is not just a random restaurant. They are the parents of John Chu, the famous movie director of Wicked, In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asian. This is an Chinese Americanized cuisine with a typical Chinese family dinner style. Each table came with a suzy table . Server were great in orienting us with the menu. The salad and the soup was my personal favorite. It was original and tasty. Wintermeleon puree in the soup gave the soup extra depth. Grilled Beijing Beef was tender and not too salty. These dishes are not mind blowing Chinese food as this is Chinese American. It was still decent. Chef Chu's Famous Salad Shredded, skinless fried chicken, lettuce, carrots and cilantro, tossed in a hot mustard and sesame oil dressing. Topped with peanuts and crispy, rice noodles. Seafood Blossom Soup Fresh shrimp, scallops, crab meat, tomatoes and tofu, stewed in a rich chicken broth. Sprinkled with cilantro. With wintermelon puree Grilled Beijing Beef Sliced, tender beef, wok-seared and tossed in a Beijing-style bean sauce. Served over a bed of crisp rice noodles. Seasonal Vegetable Delight Fresh, seasonal vegetables. Choice of sauce: light seasoning, black bean, or spicy garlic. Cooked your way: stir fried or steamed. read more

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Delicious food and staff was great! Chef is AMAZING. Will definitely go back. Chef Chu came out and greeted every table. He super nice. Thank you to all the team. read more

After years of going to Chef Chu's this last time will be the last time. The food has just gotten more and more expensive, the quality has gotten worse and worse. Last night there was soggy and chewy eggrolls, potstickers that were possible, but still lack filling, and the Tangerine beef that was overcooked and had no tangerine flavor. At $3.25 a pork bun I shouldn't have to look for the pork the buns they were all bun no pork not sure they had even not even warmed the the price and reputation this was seriously a disappointing Easter night take out, read more

Posting the recent menu. Had the lettuce cup with pork as well as other items not pictured. Very busy for a MLK holiday night. read more

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Most people in this area know this restaurant from Crazy Rich Asians, and it goes more than the fame. The food is quite nice, a very Cantonese sort of vibe. It can get very crowded here and a little noisy, not entirely to my taste, but my parents enjoy this type of atmosphere so there is that. read more