Early lunch, mid week. I was the only person there (I ordered, waited for food, and ate on-site) until I was done eating when one other person arrived to pick up a to-go order. Phone rang maybe 1-2x while I was there. Mature lady (owner?) had trouble understanding my question about adding an egg roll for 50 cents to a lunch special - if it meant the egg roll replaced the fried rice or was in addition to it. After asking the question in every way I could think of with no luck, I finally just ordered figuring what will be will be. Fountain soda machine was out of order, looked like it had been that way for a while, so bought a can of soda from their cooler. My orange chicken lunch special was decent - the orange sauce was "typical", but the chicken pieces were very large, and there were about 8 of them, so a generous portion. The fried rice and egg roll were nothing special, but not awful...let's say a grade of "C". The food was acceptable, but I found no reason to position Chen's in front of any of its local competitors. Based on the overall vibe and business level, I'm not alone in my thinking. read more

My husband and I got food poisoning from eating here. I wanted to like the food but it wasn't very flavorful and then we both got sick that night. read more

Everyone wants that quick and easy Chinese take-out place that they can stop in when the cravings hit, and this place happens to be close to home, so I was excited to try it out. My one and only time stopping in was at lunch on a weekday, so it wasn't that busy, at all. There were some gentlemen there from the nearby construction crews that were waiting for their order, so I stepped up to the register, grabbed a menu and started looking for what it was I craved. Pretty immediately, a woman came out and stood there like the Soup Nazi (everyone remember Seinfeld?). I felt very rushed and so went with the first thing that came to me head for Chinese food, Orange chicken, steamed white rice...oh, and throw in some egg rolls! She asked me to point it out on the menu, to which I did. Now, remember this is noon, on a weekday, and I am all by my lonesome. She ended up giving me the Crispy Orange Chicken from the 'House Suggestion' section on their menu -- which is $13.95. Mind you, their lunch special for Crispy Orange Chicken is $6.95, plus fine print that states $.50/each extra for egg rolls. All in total, it was about $22 for lunch...for just me. The math isn't mathing for me. Not friendly and dishonest takes away the additional star I'd have ranked this place for good chicken. I feel like there could have been way better service, at minimum, to at least ask if I wanted the LUNCH combo, or confirm that I wanted a large portion of just Orange chicken for just me and maybe describe what that entails. No. You don't get that here. The pictures on their hanging menu board are wanting, as well -- some even hanging off precariously. The rest of the ambiance/decor in this place is very dive, but that would be the least of their worries if they were just friendly. I can even handle the less than stellar - or zero - communication, as well, but can we have some more pictures of menu items on the wall so we know what some of your highlights are? And can we take a picture on an iPhone? Not a 1997 QuickPix Polaroid that fell in olive oil. I actually had no idea they served Pad Thai, which is one of my favorites, until I looked at the menu after I got home -- in preparation for this review. They advertise themselves as Chinese, Japanese and Thai dine-in and take-out. This place has all the potential of thriving if they would just put in some effort for marketing and genuinely trying to assist those walking in off the street -- that in and of itself would have went a long way. Luckily, the orange chicken, as well as their rice, was very good -- the egg rolls were the worst I've ever had; very soft, not filled completely, and mystery contents. All in all, I am very curious to try them out again, for their pad Thai and some other items of interest, but to all consumers out there, you really want to make sure you know what you want prior to stopping in, which is a shame when it comes to 60%+ of your clientele that are more than likely going to stop in after grocery shopping at Lowes, or just being in the general area. read more

Although the lady was very nice, we had a huge language problem. I ordered some thing spicy and got it regular. There's no dine in really. Everything is served in a take out bag so eating in isn't very comfortable. You can tell the tables aren't cleaned after someone sits and waits. The soda machine says no take out. It was just an uncomfortable experience. The food itself was just OK. It doesn't take like SF or NY Chinese take out. The fried rice had no flavor. It was yellow rice with a few bits of roast pork. No veggies. The pepper steak had huge chunks of beef. The sauce was soupy and lacked flavor except it came on the sweet side. The egg roll was vegetable. There are so many Chinese restaurants in the area with better food and a welcoming ambiance. I don't think I'll try this place again. This is located right next door to the hwy 51 I did a review on earlier. I came here after the disappointing cheese steak. Large parking lot with ample spaces. I should have known about the food considering it was a Friday afternoon and I was the only customer while I was there. The food wasn't bad. I give it a 2.5/5 and overall experience the same. Rounded it up because it was better than a 2 stars and 3 seemed more fair. read more

Chen's Cafe - Shrimp fried rice. Doesn't have anything in it. ‍ - Japanese Near Me - Burlington, North Carolina

I had lunch at Chen's twice last week. It is. Lean and the food always seems to be freshly made to order and not just sitting and waiting for someone to come in. The ribs are really good, very tender and they also have amazing Generally Tso shrimp and chicken. They have decent prices and the food is always really good. read more

Lady was rude - hung up on me when I asked her to repeat what she said. I called back and ordered the bourbon chicken which was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen or eaten - basically drum stick meat that was soaked in soy sauce and had onions. Went right in the garbage- read more

Were excited when we came, but disappointed when we left. Was hoping maybe this would be a source for some fresh tasting Americanized Chinese fare, but little here was to our taste. This is a small place in the fairly new strip center where Lowes Food is located on University. There are a few tables, but most here seem to go for take out. The menu is broad, and rather like most such Chinese restaurants - house specialites, lunch and dinner combos, apps, and the regular entrees. Tried the Chicken Wing lunch special with Pork Fried Rice and an egg roll ($4.99), the lunch special of Kung Pao Shrimp with Fried Rice & Egg Drop Soup (also $4.99, plus 50 cents for the soup). Time out of the kitchen was a little on the slow side, over 15 minutes. The Egg Drop Soup was nice and rich, but the package of noodles served with it were stale. The Chicken Wings were overcooked, actually dark brown in color, and had none of the usual flavors associated with these items - just bland.The Egg Roll was well cooked, crispy on the outside, but almost entirely madeup of cabbage, with little flavor. The Kung Pao Shrimp was simply awful - full of all sorts of extraneous vegetables - water chestnuts, zucchini, etc - along with a few shrimp, and the whole thing smothered in a thick, dark sauce that was cloying, to say the least. There was a handful of tastless peanuts dump on top of the whole mess. Terrible version of a great dish. The Fried Rice was pretty good, once seasoned with some soy sauce and a little salt. All in all, just a bad lunch. The food here is inexpensive and well sized, but the again, it should be - but a lot of bad, inexpensive food is still bad food. read more

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The lady who takes phone orders and is at the register at times is not friendly at all. The prices have increased a great deal apparently from our current economic state. Despite that, the good is consistently good. read more

Absolutely incredible hibachi food here, it's awesome how Chinese food and some Japanese food here and it's all awesome

Best Chinese in Alamance County. Very nice people. I've tried most all the Chinese restaurants in this area and this is by far the best.

This is the best quality Chinese "fast food" around. The have all the usual dishes you would expect but also so much more. Try the Pad Thai and my favorite the Singapore noodles. You won't be disappointed. The owners are super nice and really care about the quality of their product. Give them a chance to show you! read more

I can't judge the restaurant based on the food as I never received mine. However, I will say the customer service was abysmal. I ordered lunch from this restaurant today and was told it would be ready in 10 minutes. I head over to pick my order up, which took no longer than 10 - 15 minutes. I walked in and told the lady I was there to pick up my order at which point she asked me what it was. I told her and her response was, "somebody done picked up your order." I explained that was not possible as there was no one else that would have come to get it. She again responded, "no, someone has picked up." Again I explained that was not possible and I would like to pick up my order. She went to the back to talk to the cook and came back. She yelled, " No! No! Somebody has already picked up." She refused to fix my order at which point I walked out. The only good thing is that I had not paid for the order prior to picking it up. No worries with repeat business on my part. read more

4 stars only because of the rather bleak atmosphere. Food was great! !00% better than china one up the road. So often these Chinese places smell of old oil & taste like it too. Chen's place is spotless, fresh and the people are friendly & eager to please. Consider this a take-out gem. I had (by recommendation of owner) the hibachi chicken. Wow. Really good. The sweet & sour chicken my companion had was excellent standard fare but light, crispy and cooked well. We'll be back. read more

My wife and I eat here at least once a month. Best Chinese take out in Burlington. Everything we have ordered has always tasted fresh and not overly greasy like most take out places. Service is always pleasant, and they will always apologize if you ever have to wait longer than expected. Update: it seems management has changed since I wrote this, and the food has not been quite the same. Boneless spare ribs are now chewy, and the lo mein lacks flavor now. Because of this I have taken away a star. read more

Really really really good Chinese. My gf had the General Tso's chicken and it was amazing. I had the hibachi with steak and shrimp and it too was delicious. Highly recommend!! read more

Chen's Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Burlington, North Carolina

I was craving some Shrimp Pad Thai for a reasonable price so I typed it in Yelp and Chen's Cafe popped up. Nothing much to look at, typical look of a Chinese restaurant but it seemed clean and food was ready when I arrived. I ordered wonton soup and pad Thai, random I know. Wonton soup was good and pad Thai was also very good! I have never actually had pad Thai from a traditional Thai restaurant so I'm certain there's much better pad Thai out there but for 8.95 the flavor is good! I'll be back next time in town! read more

If you are traveling on I40/I85 through Burlington and have a yen for some great Chinese food you need to try Chen's. The service is friendly, the food is great. My wife said the egg roll was the best she had, it tasted delicious, it was crispy and hot, it had not been sitting under a warming lamp. My hot sour soup was outstanding, like the egg roll it was steaming hot when served. I will not even try to spell out our main course but they were good and we had plenty to take home for lunch the next day! read more

Rat poo. In the fried rice. That's all I have to say. Before that I guess the food was good

For some reason, the ingredients these guys use seem fresher than others. I like to get the general tso's chicken and it always has really hearty white chicken. The quality feels closer to Red Bowl than the other small Chinese restaurants. I don't understand the mixed reviews nor the low traffic this place receives. It is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Elon/Burlington. I've probably been 5 times and quality has been consistent every time. read more

My go to Thai spot in town! Fresh and robust flavor at a great price! Great staff and you can tell they really took their time with the food. read more

The only thing that I would get from this restaurant is crab Rangoon because it's the only thing on the menu that is good. The lo mein was very dry and lifeless. And the spring roll was absolutely awful, it tasted very old. If you are in the mood for Chinese food I would go anywhere else but this place. read more

It was ok. They over did it with the bell peppers. My Thai Basil chicken was supposed to be hot, but as usual in the South it was weak.

As a real Chinese from China (probably the only one living in this neighbourhood), I think this Chinese restaurant is the best in Burlington area. It is way better than lots of fancy Chinese (Asian bistro) in town. I go to Chen's for lunch almost 3 days a week, Pad Thai and Singapore Rice noodle (Singapore Mefen) are the best! Basil Chicken and Pork are pretty good too. And she is a really friendly lady, not the kind of chatty friendly, she is smart and real. I'm so greatful we have this restaurant here in Burlington. read more

There soup is amazing but my sister and I ate there egg rolls and some other stuff we went home and threw up

Their pork dumplings are amazing, as is their sesame chicken! Everytime my husband and I want Chinese food, we go for Chen's. The only thing that would make this place better is if they delivered. read more

We recently moved to the area and have been in search of some good Chinese food. We ate here 2 weeks in a row and would definitely recommend to otters. They have Japanese and Thai on the menu but I'm kind of skeptical to try since it's mainly Chinese. read more

I love Chen's Cafe. One of the biggest reasons is because the chicken they use is white meat chicken. You know how sometimes you are having Chinese food, you take a bite and there some chewy-ish, unidentifiable hunk that you HOPE was chicken? Never happens at Chen's. It's my family's go-to place for Chinese food in Burlington! read more

Took my granddaughter, food was very good and hot! Been coming here for several years now. Never been disappointed, always friendly service.