Lucky Express didn't used to be my favorite Chinese restaurant in town, but it's ascended the ranks and it's potentially not only my favorite Chinese restaurant in town, but my favorite restaurant in town, period. Here's how I break it down: Taste/Price ratio: All the food is delicious and the portions are more than large enough. Where the value REALLY shines is in the lunch specials, which are accompanied with a heaping portion of rice and an included canned soft drink. The dinner portions are also a great size. Three of us ordered three entrees for 39.43. Each entree was accompanied by a generous portion of steamed rice. By the end of the night our taste buds and stomachs were stuffed--surely we'd overeaten and we still had a full tray of rice left. Atmosphere: Lucky Express is nothing fancy. But my barometer for whether a place has good atmosphere or not is, "Does the way this place is presented make me want to eat there MORE or LESS?" With Lucky Express, the answer is surely more. Anyone who has ever eaten at a small, locally-owned restaurant in China will feel fully at home here. The menu written on the wall, the smell of sesame oil heated over wok fire, the closely situated seating, the fake greenery on the white cinder block walls, Lucky Express may be dive-y, but it's the kind of dive-y that makes you want to eat here. Service: The owners are friendly and have remembered me the past several times I've walked in (and I wouldn't say I'm a frequent customer either. We probably eat here every 1.5 months). In summary: With Lucky Express you get more than you pay for. Great, authentic Chinese food, large portions, not a hint of pretentious, and friendly service. Quick note: The only inconvenience at Lucky Express is that they don't accept credit or debit card, so you'll need to bring cash--but even this only adds to the charm of the place. If you bank with Chase, you can also pay them using Chase Quikpay. When you approach the counter just let them know you'd like to pay using Quikpay and they'll show you how. read more

This place is great, good food and quick service. I asked for a special order and they made it have. Two thumbs up!

Lucky express was the first Chinese restaurant I went to in Bloomington. It is in a pretty good location since there is parking space right in front. It also includes a lot of dishes on its menu. I've tried lucky express 3 times and have had similar experiences. First of all, the order is really fast and the portion of the food is ginormous. The price of the food is pretty good so the value for each order at Lucky is high. The flavor of the food is so so though. Hence, I gave it a 2 star. I would prefer paying higher or having smaller portion for better flavor and quality of food. In addition, there aren't too many seats in the restaurant since most people order take outs. read more

Been going here for years, hands-down the best deal in town and without a doubt some of the best Szechuan food I've eaten. Choose something random off the wall and you won't be disappointed, fried fish with wular sauce, stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots, and double-cooked pork with basil are a few of my family's favorites. Cash-only. read more

Very good presentation and fast service, general tsos chicken was fantastic and their sticky rice was great. read more

Lucky Express - House General Tso's Chicken, Crab Rangoon (6 Pcs)Spring Rolls (2 Pcs)Beef with Broccoli House Style Beef Lo Mein Shrimp Fried Rice - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I understand those people whom can't suffer the American taste chinese food anymore. They fully want to search the real chinese food ! ! Yes, they are smart. Actually, chinese dishes are the most complicated and yummy food appeared in this world. The real chinese food is absolutely delicious ! In bloomington, Lucky express is a good choice for you. See the seats always occupied by a lot of overseas students whom from Asian. You will certainly know they showed us a positive answer. Clay pots here are so nice ! Especially the beef stew pot ! Strongly recommend ! Also, the Mapo tofu they made could be the best one in this town ! Try that ! I promise, you won't be disappointed by those dishes. read more

Lucky Express - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Food snobs, stay away. This place is no-nonsense, no-frills, authentic Chinese food. It is always filled with Asians, which can't be a bad sign. I LOVE this place. My husband and I are vegetarian, and we usually get the family-style tofu or kung pao tofu. Full of veggies, and the sauce is delicious. There are whole hot peppers in the kung pao tofu! Don't eat them, they are just for flavor. (TRUST ME) I've heard the crispy tofu is really good too, but I haven't tried it. I have also been dying to try the hot pots. Their small size is only $6, and the large is $8. The large is enough for two people, easy. The prices are even cheaper at lunch. I've lived in Bloomington my whole life, and this is the absolute best Chinese food I've ever had. The staff is super friendly and sweet, and there are always little kids watching Chinese game shows inside! What's not to love? Yes, it may be served on styrofoam plates with plastic forks, but I don't mind. To me, the quality of the food makes up for it. Don't forget to bring cash! read more

Lucky Express - Family style tofu, szechuan tofu, so much rice. - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Average broccoli beef. I will say the portions are enormous! Can feed a small village with their portion sizes. Decent food and a good value. read more

Never disappoints! We got take out from Lucky Express again last night and it was delicious and hot. Well priced entrees with large portions. We always get the garlic green beans and they are amazing - so fragrant and flavorful. Staff is friendly and taking good precautions during COVID. read more

My girlfriend and I decided that we wanted to order-in some Chinese tonight. We landed on Lucky Express after not being impressed by some of the other options around town. I ordered the Orange Chicken and my girlfriend ordered the General Tso's. Once we received our order, the food looked and smelled amazing. I dug in and found the Orange Chicken tasted great too! Unfortunately I did find two long black hairs in my food which was upsetting, hence the two star review. Hoping to try it again soon and have a better experience. read more

Lucky Express - Hair found in Orange Flavor Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

The cilantro fish was insane. The dumplings delish. The beef with eggplant was fine. The service was extraordinary. Really. read more

This used to be my go-to place. We ordered up dinner for five. Multiple problems. The spicy chicken was old and dry. Spicy shrimp: were there actually shrimp in there. Ok, we finally found them. Spicy eggplant, nice, but a sauce almost like bottled syrup. Then for some reason, they packed a bunch of extra rice with the order. Rice for armies. Not sure why. The beef was ok. We were shot down. It arrived quickly enough, and this was take-out. I wonder if they've lost their mojo. There's a lot of competition. Makes me want to try them. read more

This is by far the best Chinese food in Bloomington, and probably Indiana. It's authenticity makes you question why a place like this would be in Bloomington, IN. Was it by chance? Either way, townies can only be so lucky as to sample one of the 200+ items on the menu. I will always come back for the Ma Po Tofu and the lunch specials ($5 ish), but the eggplant basil and the Steamed Fish with Cilantro Soy Sauce are some of the best. I do recommend randomly picking a dish and trying what sounds good, because I thoroughly enjoy doing that through several years. read more

Lucky Express - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Great food, great lunch specials, and great people. And they don't call it Express for no reason... that food is QUICK! I love LUCKY EXPRESS!!! Did I mention the lunch special comes with a free drink? 5 Stars EVERY time! read more

Lucky Express - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Positively the WORST Chinese we've ever had. Even if I was craving Chinese I'd rather go without if they were the only choice. Horrible. Even the rice sucked. White and house. read more

I don't feel the need to write a lengthy review. The food was adequate - nothing spectacularly delicious or anything but still fine. The thing was that I got sick and so did the people that ordered with me. None of us have been back, although I am now seeing reviews that are showing a new owner, which gives me hope :) Stay tuned for my next visit! read more

We almost always get a takeout meal from Lucky when we visit Bloomington. Good food and lots of it! Be ready for leftovers from this little place. read more

The dumplings, egg rolls, and lo mein were great! Service was fast and the workers are kind

The food made me physically ill. Food poisoning was never so stringy, tough, and expensive.

Did not receive all my order and this was the first time I've eaten at this establishment. Disappointed.

Hands down the best authentic Chinese place in town. They have a huge selection - from which I've yet to find anything I didn't like. The staff was friendly and the service was quick. All dishes come with large amount of vegetables and white rice. On top of all that, everything was very reasonably priced. If you like spicy dishes, I'd recommend trying the beef with basil at least once. read more

Being a natural science major at a competitive university, such as Indiana University, can generate a ton of stress for any undergraduate student. One coping method that I discovered in reliving my anxiety/pressure is through indulging in the delightful/authentic/pleasing cuisine that is offered at Lucky Express. When craving authentic Chinese cuisine, Lucky Express is there for me and considerate of my wallet as well. This "Cash-only" establishment has served me well over these past few years and I cannot imagine a society where I do not crave its delicacies. As I do with my friends, I urge you to come in and order off the wall menu. Lucky express will satisfy all costumers that arrive with an open mind and empty stomach. Carpe Diem. Stay woke. Treat yo' self. read more

Cute little hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant with delicious food and great service. Food isn't too expensive, and the lunch special is a STEAL at under $6. Make sure you take cash and they do not accept cards! read more

Great authentic food. But I have had better in other locations. Still probably the best that the area has to offer.

Best place to eat the original CHINESE FOOD!!! Not the American version of Chinese food. Things to order (not written on their menus): - Beef Stew - Deep Fried Fish - Black Pepper Beef - Seafood Stew (Soup) - Chilli Chicken Cube "La De Ji" If you know the owners, they are so nice! BUT DON'T FORGET TO BRING CASH! It is a cash only establishment. I disagree with Evan B. I'm not an Idiot. If you know the Real Chinese food, here is the place. read more

Excluding restaurants in major cities, Lucky Express serves some of the best Chinese food I've had in the United States. Having recently returned from a trip to China, I can also confidently claim that the food at Lucky Express is better (in terms of flavor and execution) than your typical restaurant in China. The làzijī (辣子鸡) or chicken with chilies is excellent and some of the best I've had. The dumplings were better than the vast majority of those found at a typical Chinese takeout restaurant in the U.S. The wrapper of the dumplings was actually relatively thin and not the 1/4" thick wrappers you find at your typical Chinese restaurant. If you had a bad experience here, you probably ordered some Americanized Chinese food. This is a place for real Chinese food. If you're looking for Panda Express, you won't find it here. read more

From a Chinese American from California, this restaurant is probably your best bet for Chinese food in Bloomington. Be prepared for a huge selection of Szechuan dishes, which in laymen terms means spicy to flaming hot. Take out or dine-in, make sure you bring cash since it is all cash only. read more

Lucky Express - Half of the menu. - Chinese Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Shoot, how have I not written on this place?! Ok, starters, bring cash. Yes it's backward. Yes we are in the 21st century. And yes, they probably lose more money from turning away card carrying customers than they make by only accepting cash. However, at this hole in the wall Chinese restaurant and most other hole in the wall Chinese restaurants cash is king. Second thing, don't get the tray food. It's nasty. It sits there forever waiting for the next waiguoren (yes you say: "I'm not a foreigner!" Well in this place you are) to stroll in looking for some quick food. Order off the menu. This way you can get something freshly cooked. I'd recommend the spicy honey pork or the beef stew. It's incredibly fast, cheap and overall the best tasting Chinese food I've found in Bloomington. Also, it's the only food joint in Bloomington that has camouflage wallpaper. I'm not sure what that means but it's got to be good! read more

I don't know whether or not they just had a bad cooking day today, but I tried their Mapo tofu for the first time ever and it tasted like absolutely nothing. Like... no flavor whatsoever. Even salting it heavily didn't help at all. It's super unfortunate, because I was very excited to try this place out especially upon seeing the portion size. :( read more

Whether you order off the American Chinese menu or authentic Chinese menu, you're in for a treat. The American style kung pao chicken and Chan Do Chili Chicken off the Chinese menu are my go to dishes. The family that runs this place is also very sweet and always give me great service. A Bloomington must eat! read more

Strange. I came here two years ago, and it seemed like a run-of-the-mill hole in the wall Chinese place catering mostly to Americans. You know, the "Panda Express" format: General Tso's Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Fried Rice, and all that boring stuff. On a tip from a friend, I visited the place again, and low and behold, it had become something much different: Chinese-only menus, smells of fresh ginger and chilis, plates handed to you straight from the wok, huge hot-pots with baby bok choy sticking out of the broth...in short, an operation with lots of character and a hint of "authenticity" (hate using that word now, but can't help it). I need to try more things before I lay down a detailed review of the food. Suffice to say the Kung Pao was impressive - loads of dried peppers and crispy textured chicken. A few of the other dishes I've tried seem to have the same brown oily sauce, despite having different names on the menu. I'll be back to finish the review once I sample the hot pots. read more

Lucky's not much seating, lots of rice comes with the meal, lowest price n town. But it is no better then most any other Chinese rest. in town. That is if you order from the daily specials. But they have the best Chinese if you pick from the many items written on the wall. You get real china plates and silverware and the items on the wall are expertly prepared and taste great. Big difference between the two. read more

Probably the best Chinese food in Bloomington. There are many options, and none come quite close to the quality and authenticity that Lucky Express offers. A few things to note: The American favorites are delicious, but don't be afraid to try some classic Chinese dishes as well. The restaurant is very small and has limited seating. However, I have never been when there is not an open table (many people get carry out) It is CASH ONLY, and they do not deliver. Also the parking is quite difficult and limited, so be prepared. read more

Love it. Traditional Chinese food! It taste just like cooking in China. And my American friends said it is also the best Chinese restaurant they know in town. read more

The few times I was there the food was pretty good. I've not had every dish so I don't know how they are at everything on the menu, but at least you you get to watch how they prepare your dish. It's a small family restaurant and I think they try hard to put out decent food. It's not going to wow anyone but in terms of "Bloomington Chinese" it's one of the better places. *******CASH ONLY********* read more

What a hidden gem! Tucked in the corner of an old shopping center is the best food in Bloomington and some of the best Chinese food in the US. Lucky Express like so many other great restaurants only takes cash and appears a bit run down. The menu is on the wall and is in no way coherent. The dinning room is sparse. And the food is served on disposable plates. Forge through! I had a hunch the food was going to be good when after I ordered, I watched a man fire up the wok and cook my meal. Nothing pre-made hear. I had the beef in garlic sauce, spicy, sans the green peppers and the dumplings. The dumplings were the best I have had anywhere. The beef came with a huge plate of perfectly cooked rice. And to say the beef was beyond tasty would be an understatement. If you happen to be passing through in B-Town and can only eat at one place, this it. Excellent. read more

Can't read the menu, can't really understand the staff. Love the food. Bring a couple friends and share the Schezcwan (sp?) hot pot. It's like $20 and the oil will ruin any article of clothing you get it on, but it is a spicy food lovers paradise. read more

The best Chinese food! Kind of crowded at lunch/dinner but they do takeout. Super cheap food that tastes amazing, and some of the best service of any restaurant I've been to. They only take cash so come prepared! Just $10 will get you an amazing, authentic meal. read more

Lucky is by far my favorite chinese restraunt in bloomington and in general. Whith so many dishes I love just picking something new and trying it. I yet have to dislike something. read more

My favorite spot for Chinese. The taste/quality of food is average, but you really can't beat the value. One takeout box full of rice and another full of chicken for $8-11. Easily two meals for me, and I never leave anything on my plate. Cash only business, but well worth a trip. read more