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China Cafe

3.8 (59 reviews)
ModerateChinese
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CHINA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - China Cafe

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2 Item Combo Egg Foo Young Sweet and Sour Pork
Carlos S.

Definitely a hole in the wall type of restaurant - can almost miss it, but appeared to be pretty popular during the late lunch hour Food is as expected and pretty good, just one weird texture piece in my entree, but that's typical Service was quick, but with more regular dine in visits, can become friendly and welcoming

a bowl of soup and crackers

I mean I think I would have enjoyed my food a lot more if when we were ordering the lady wouldn't have kept saying are you sure that's a lot of food 3 to 4 times. For one your response should be "what else may I get you" never telling a customer they shouldn't order food because what we order supports your business and then she kept saying "to go " no we are eating here ! And then brought it to our table and said " see lots of food" so what? Did that food we order not support your business and pay some bills ? How do you expect people to want to come back when you don't even let them order what they want ? And the egg drop soup was horrible it was so thick and sticky

Honey walnut shrimp!!
David D.

Special historical location with the best homemade Chinese cuisine Buy local come often newly refreshed inside You won't be sorry!!

Combo
Michelle G.

I will say they work hard in here. The wife? Works the front and the man is in the back. Food came out quick+. Found parking on the street +. Ordered combo. Lots of food+. Unfortunately the fried rice had a burnt taste. Orange chicken was chewy. Broccoli beef was good. If you are looking for old school americanized Chinese (sometimes that is what you crave) then pop in. There are stacks of flooring in the restaurant so maybe they are remodeling? Dont let the outside scare you off.

Looking at the outside, I suspect this restaurant started out as a diner, probably in the 1950's.
Eric R.

There's nothing that I love more than an "old school" diner, located in an older, shabby part of a neglected downtown, as much of the time, you'll be enjoying a "diamond in the rough." When you find such a restaurant, especially when it serves delicious Chinese food, along with a smattering of American "comfort food," you know you've found a "keeper" of a restaurant. Such is the case with China Cafe, located in downtown Porterville, CA. By the looks of the outside of the restaurant, China Cafe started out as a diner, many years ago, and the somewhat shabby building is located in a run down part of downtown, which adds to the charm of the restaurant. As I entered the restaurant, I was immediately transported back in time to the early 1960's, as the interior is definitely "1960's diner-esque" and hasn't been updated since. Yes, you have a large counter, complete with leather-covered stools, and booths covered in leather as well. There's even an antique cash register, which I suspect isn't used, as there is a 1980's electronic cash register next to it. The window to the kitchen can be seen in the center of the photo. Yes, I love the decor! A portion of the menu, featuring lunch and dinner combination plates, family dinner, "Chef Specials," along with a small section of American, "comfort food." The other side features all of your Chinese favorites, and practically every Chinese dish you can imagine. After carefully looking over the menu, I went with the "Asia Platter," which could be described as a "sampler plate." My delicious dinner really got started with the appetizers of "Cantonese Cream Corn Soup," deep fried "Won Tons," along with a bowl of "Sweet and Sour" sauce. The Tsingtao beer certainly made a fine companion for my meal too. The menu didn't mention anything about an appetizer, so when Mi brought it out, I was pleasantly surprised. From the "Combination Plates For Lunch or Dinner" section of the menu, I ordered the "Asia Platter," which is shown, along with my bowl of "Cantonese Cream Corn Soup," which my server brought as an appetizer. The "Asia Platter" could be described as a "sampler" of the fine food that China Cafe has to offer, and makes an absolutely perfect dinner for one person, especially when you add the soup and the deep fried won ton appetizer. "Asia Platter" includes fried won ton, fried shrimp, egg roll, chicken wings, BBQ spareribs and a helping of pork fried rice. If you love fried Chinese food as much as I do, this platter is for you! Every item on this platter was fried, or in the case of the spareribs, barbecued to absolute perfection, and melted in my mouth. If the chef ever decided he wanted to switch over to southern cooking, he'd be right at home, as the deep fried, crispy battered chicken drumsticks reminded me of fried chicken you'd enjoy in Memphis, and would have made Elvis proud. With each bite, I was transported into Cantonese heaven... and a savored my amazing meal. If you love outstanding Cantonese cuisine, you'll absolutely adore the "Asia Platter" and the fine food served at China Cafe. Perhaps the dining room is a little shabby, dated, and "old school" in every way, and my server played the "duck and cover" drill every time I brought out my camera, but the food was amazing, the beer was cold, and I enjoyed an absolutely wonderful meal, and dining experience. I loved the "old school" atmosphere, as this diner reminded me in many ways of restaurants I used to visit when I was a kid. For great Cantonese cuisine, and a trip into downtown Porterville's past glory, visit China Cafe. You'll love this fine restaurant! My "camera shy" server pleasant enough, but when it came to photos, she preferred to run and hide, even after I explained to her what I was doing. Whatever... as it didn't detract from the "old school" charm, and delicious food of this fine restaurant. All in all, I give China Cafe a solid 4 stars.

Shrimp with mixed veggies (including taxes. It was $13.06)

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3 days ago

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1 year ago

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24 days ago

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1 year ago

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Photo of Tom G.
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5 months ago

This place is NOT closed. I went on 5/11/26 and it was delicious as always. The food was ready really fast and the service was amazing.

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1 year ago

Always Great food. Favorite is the honey walnut shrimp. Service is pretty fast, but they are que busy most of the time with to- go orders.

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1 year ago

Hole in the wall, but great, made to order dishes! Very affordable and friendly and efficient service.

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8 months ago

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Great flavors. Each item had its own distinct flavor. Everything is always hot and fresh . They take pride in each dish served !

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Absolute Best Chinese Food in Porterville. You have to try it. Authentic, fresh, and tasty. So happy to have found this place!

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

Food delicious, pleasant people, just not enough parking. Take out is best. Fried shrimp thee bomb and my favorite house chow mein

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

The food needs more flavor, and the soup was sticky and thick. And the gravy needed more flavor.

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3 years ago

Their food is good but they just NEVERRRRR answer the phone for take out literally never I'll call 10x & just end up going in person.

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3 years ago

Not going again ! All not regular size on some items. They forget gravy it's no flavor.

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

Best chow mein in Porterville, great prices, very hard working people the put lots of love in there food

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

We ordered through Grub Hub and the order was completely wrong and what we did get was so bad I just threw it away

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11 years ago

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Ask the Community - China Cafe

China Cafe - chinese - Updated October 2026

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