We made the China Chefs discovery while in "new to Riverton and looking for acceptable Chinese take-out" mode. It's been our go-to take-out joint for about three years now. It's in a great west 126th South location; but is somewhat invisible when you're powering through the lights on Bangerter.
I'm compelled to begin with my favorite thing about China Chefs - take out DRIVE-THROUGH PICKUP WINDOW. Considering how much I enjoy their food, this is huge. You call in your order, they give you an approximate pick up time, and you simply drive through and collect your treasures. It's positively magical. Oh, sure, you'll get the occasional moron who chooses to place an order through the take-out window, getting stuck in line, and holding up all the pick-ups behind them. It would be so great if restaurant management started asking these geniuses to pull off queue and come back in 20 minutes. But they're SO nice here, chances are that won't ever happen.
Which brings me to my second favorite thing about China Chefs - the owner/manager, and the extraordinary customer service practiced here. I've rarely experienced the genuinely friendly service like we receive at China Chefs. Regardless of how crazy-busy it is inside, at the drive-up window we have always been treated like the only customers they have. The owner/manager typically works the window, and she is fabulous. She always pauses to chat; asking how our day is going, and giving her thumbs up on what we've ordered (I think she gets a kick out of the fact that we always order "very spicy" and because of our longevity she knows exactly how to do it up right for us).
Let me take this opportunity to state that we've never eaten inside the restaurant, so I can't comment on how the wait staff service is. However, believing that an owner/manager sets a cardinal example, I would assume that it's also very good.
I realize that this is an awful lot of banter about the place before even delving into the subject of their food. However, at China Chefs, the food is also a bright star. I'm not sure what "authentic" Chinese food is supposed to taste like, so I certainly can't say this is or isn't it. But I know what tastes good, and this does! Whether it's Americanized or not, I don't really care, because it's delicious.
Having tried just about everything on the menu, we've developed a special fondness for the following entrees:
- Kung Pao/Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan style chicken (xtra spicy)
- Dragon & Phoenix (chicken and shrimp with veggies)
- Double Delight Shrimp (shrimp two ways)
- Lemon Chicken (great sauce!)
Regarding apps, they offer a very standard set with no solid stand-outs. All of them we've tried have been very good. Their house special soup is WonTon, and it is quite tasty. But I'm a big fan of their Hot & Sour - not a great deal different than I've had it elsewhere, but somehow better...? I usually get a large order of H&S soup to have in the fridge for the inevitable challenges coming in the week ahead. Soup of the Gods.
Although I've never taken advantage of it, I absolutely LOVE that they offer a Root Beer Float on their dessert menu. Not sure why, but this just endears this place further in my little pea-pickin heart.
The only disappointment for me is their lo-mein. The noodles are gluey and tasteless. Just not right.
China Chefs is open 7 days a week - this means even Sunday, Utahns! If you're looking for some very tasty Chimerican, give them a try. I'm betting you'll be satisfied. read more