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    Happy Cafe

    3.5 (64 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Open 9:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Happy Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    HAPPY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Happy Cafe

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    Delicious pork ribs. And don't forget those tasty bits!
    Robert S.

    This is REAL HUNAN FOOD! Spicy, numbing, but always delicious. Your going to wish you could bottle it and take it home. There are a few authentic Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, and this is one of them. You're going to see more locals here than casual Asian/Anime fans, because this is the real deal. The meat is delicious with a kick in the ass for spice. The pork filled fried lotus root is a welcome surprise. The spinach has a balanced amount of garlic to make it tasty. The shrimp is so good I wish they shelled it first. It's a shame to peel away those spices. The pork ribs, you better get some to go! Heat them the next day in the oven with all those tasty bits. Yeah, you'll want a jar of those tasty bits too. They are so good and make the presentation pop! There you go. I've shared a hidden gem in Chinatown that is worth the trip. If your nice I'll share some more. Enjoy a real taste of China! BTW, I was told this is a new owner.

    Beef tendon wonton noodle soup
    Sonny S.

    I came here with my friend for lunch and it's definitely a hole-in-the-wall kinda restaurant, but the prices are super affordable and portions are large compared to other restaurants in Chinatown. I went with the wonton noodle soup with beef brisket, which was delicious. I'm a big eater, but the portions were so large that I had to take my leftovers home. This is a great place to come when you're low on the dough and feeling like a starving animal. Parking can be scarce in this part of Chinatown, but there is street parking. Happy Cafe is super close to grocery stores, pharmacies and banks, so you can run a buncha errands while getting a cheap bite to eat!

    Sludge R.

    I WOULD eat here again, but...................... This is a small, nine small tables restaurant. I came here by myself, and I am not Asian, to eat in. The food was good and the price was right, but the service, maybe it could be a little better. I walk up to the counter and grab one of those throw-a-way menus. As I'm looking at it, I'm asked what I want. I say I need some more time, and the woman stands there staring at me. So I say Mongolian Beef just to get out of a somewhat awkward situation. I sit down at the table nearest the counter. Eventually, she brings my food out. The two servers passed by me over and over and over and over to check on the Asian family at the table near me, never stopping at my table once. I still left a five dollar tip on a nine dollar bill, and would eat here again.

    Kassius C.

    This place is a mess! I personally Do Not recommend this place! This is my second time dine in here after they change their style. If the first time is not bad enough for me to write this review, this is it! We waited around 10minutes to be seated, and the only reason kept us standing is that no one was going to clean the table. Ok, 10minutes aren't too bad. They only have one waitress, that's understandable. After we were seated, our order was placed normally. Then, it took us 40 minutes for the first dish to come up. In the meantime, other tables were cleaned, some other customers are seated, and even people came in after us got their dishes served. Well, Maybe it's just bad luck! Around 45 minutes after we placed our order, we have two dishes and some white rice on our table. You right! We have no spoons, no chopsticks, no nothing to eat with. Thank goodness that was the last bit of my disappointment. We then finish the dish in 10minutes and left. The dishes aren't a one star worth, I'll give the dishes 2.5stars with no bias. The dishes don't look bad, but they don't taste as good as they look! There are other places that make way better dishes that worth trying. Stop wasting your time here.

    menu:  shiitake mushroom and chicken congee for $3.50
    Linda M.

    When I returned, I was disappointed that the beef fun roll was only served during breakfast hours. However, I got two servings of my shiitake mushroom and chicken congee.

    Zoe C.

    They deserve a five star. Food is so authentic. Every course I tried here reminds me my hometown. Changde potato with pork is my fav. Dont know what they did to the potato, it tastes soooo goooood.

    Fish Fillet Noodle
    Diana G.

    I remember coming here years ago for their macaroni. My mom said to come here since it was cheap and you get a lot of food. Yes, the tables do seem a bit dirty. They seem to have a lot of deal options and I see why so many school kids come here after school for a cheap meal. Fish Fillet Noodle - My mom got this and I didn't try it. My sister said it was ok, but the noodles were a bit too chewy. She said like eating a rubberband...lol! BBQ Pork Chow Funn - This didn't look that good, but it was actually quite good. The noodles had this nice crispiness to it. Kids Meal A - This came with the macaroni and ham, fries and one chicken wing. Fries were ok, my sister said the chicken wing was crispy, but not much flavor. I tried a spoon of the macaroni and ham and remember it being better. Beef and Tomato Egg Rice - I ordered the beef and rice and it was weird when she asked did I want it sweet or salty....huh? I said sweet and she suggest to add an egg and that was a good choice. It was good, but tasted a bit too much like ginger to me. My sister and I got the iced milk tea and it was ok. Tea was pretty flavorful, but the drinks here are pre-made. Overall, not a bad place to come for cheap eats.

    shitty kung pao beef noodle!

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    2 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Very awesome food. Everything tastes good especially the ribs. I would come again next time hehexd.

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    13 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Easily the best chinese food in town. It's authentic Hunan cuisine which is spicy and savory!

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    7 years ago

    Authentic Hunan cuisine. Probably the only one in chicago right now. Space is a little small. Wish they can expand or getva bigger place

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    16 years ago

    $1.50 for a bowl of congee and bun of your choice before 11am or hot and fresh soy milk-nuff said!

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    11 years ago

    Love the chicken wings. Really Cheap. Just that it's not clean and don't have wifi. But the food tastes really good!

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    Dai Yee's Asian Kitchen - Shrimp Broccoli, Beef Tofu (hot), Egg Fried Rice

    Dai Yee's Asian Kitchen

    (224 reviews)

    North Center

    Dai Yee's Asian Kitchen is the underground emperor of late-night Chinese food in Chicago, the spot…read moreyour Uber driver, your bartender, and every chef in the city whispers about when they're truly hungry. Tucked into a no-frills corner on the South Side, Dai Yee's looks modest from the outside, but step in after 10 p.m. and it's pure magic. The room is packed with everybody--sneakerheads, nurses coming off shift, club kids, cops, and couples on first dates who somehow heard the legend. The vibe is chaotic in the best way: woks roaring, orders flying, and that unmistakable perfume of sizzling garlic, ginger, and chili filling the air. The food is straight-up stupid good. The Hong Kong-style salt & pepper smelts are crackly, spicy, and gone in 30 seconds. The beef chow fun has that elusive wok hei (breath of the wok) that most places only dream of, wide rice noodles slick with smoky char and tender flank steak. The black pepper beef tenderloin is velvet-soft, glossy, and aggressively peppery in a way that makes you order extra rice just to survive the happiness. The Singapore noodles are bright curry perfection, and the Mongolian beef is saucy, crispy-edged, and borderline addictive. Portions are straight out of the 90s--massive trays that could feed a family of four for under $15. Cash-only, BYOB, and everything comes out blazing hot in under ten minutes even when the place is slammed. The ladies running the show are legends: fast, funny, and they'll roast you (lovingly) if you can't handle the spice level you asked for. If you leave Chicago without hitting Dai Yee's at least once (preferably at 1 a.m. with a six-pack), you didn't really experience the city. This is real-deal, no-filter, soul-satisfying Chinese food that reminds you why we fall in love with restaurants in the first place. Dai Yee's isn't just a restaurant; it's a Chicago institution in the making. I'd wait in line in a blizzard for those smelts. See you at midnight.

    11/26/25 - I drove by here w/my wife today to eat lunch based on the reviews only to find that this…read moreis a pop up restaurant where you go & pick up your food & go. Dam I was disappointed we went away empty. Based on the reviews I really wanted to try this place but alas it wasn't meant to be. How do you give a rating to a restaurant you didn't eat at? Sorry I can't give you a 5 star rating but it's hard to judge on not eating your food

    Shang Noodle - Chicago - Har Gao

    Shang Noodle - Chicago

    (487 reviews)

    $$

    Near North Side

    Such a pleasant, fulfilling surprise. By chance we stopped at Shang Noodle, looked in the window…read moreand was drawn inside. Atmosphere was great; a little noisy, but in a good way. Lots of friend groups and others, enjoying their together time, incredible meals, and just sharing together. Serious stuff: Ambiance was very inviting, letting all clientele the opportunity for unfettered enjoyment. Food was flavorful, sumptuous - just delicious and more than ample. Service; quick, courteous, attentive. Waitstaff proving good information on menu items and pairing suggestions. They checked on us several time, ensuring everything was to our liking. If ever back in Chicago, I will definitely be look for Shang Noodle!

    Went here on a whim last night after reading all the glowing reviews on Yelp. Before that, I…read morechecked out a few eateries on the 4th floor of the Nordstrom building, but nothing really stood out, and honestly, none of them seemed very busy and the one restaurant Lao Sze Chuan was way too expensive, $30+ entrees were average and the place wasn't busy at all. So I decided to try Shang Noodle, which was tucked away on a side street off Grand Ave., just steps from Michigan Ave. It's across from the Nordstrom building, past Labriola's, down some steps and about a block away located on the south side of the street. As soon as I walked in, and I wasn't expecting this but the restaurant was extremely loud and nearly every seat was taken and everybody seemed to be enjoying themself, families, couples and groups. I figured that was a good sign and it signaled to me that the food was probably good! At first, the host wanted me to sit at the bar, which I politely declined because I don't usually sit at bars, also, I was there to eat, not pick up somebody! I noticed a small table open, pointed it out, and he kindly let me take it. No 'tude either! As far as my server goes, she was efficient, friendly, and very helpful with recommendations since it was my first visit and probably because I didn't look like the other customers who were more familiar with the cuisine. She suggested the pot stickers over the hot and sour soup, and the beef Chow Fun instead of chicken Chow Fun. The pot stickers were a little small, but crispy and very tasty. I also asked for some sweet and sour sauce on the side which I'm glad I did because it paired nicely with the pot stickers instead of that plain vinegar sauce they usually serve you. For my main dish, I ordered the char-grilled beef Chow Fun. The portion size was more than generous, and the char-grilled beef had a great umami flavor. A few of the rice noodles were a bit firm, likely undercooked, but overall though it was quite enjoyable. What I appreciated the most about Shang Noodle was the value. $18 for the beef Chow Fun and $9 for the pot stickers felt reasonable to me, considering it was on the dinner menu, the portion sizes were humongous and the restaurant was located on the Near North Side, which is usually quite pricey. I'll definitely be back, though next time I may try lunch instead, or go with friends of mine.

    Happy Cafe - chinese - Updated May 2026

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