I don't understand why so many people like this place when there are much better options for chinese food. The orange chicken was dry on the inside and the sauce was bland. Beef and brocolli was ok but the brocolli was very crunchy and not cooked long enough. The fried rice was dry and had few vegetables. The only thing we did like were the eggrolls. The price is cheap but I guess you get what you pay for. If you want good chinese food go somewhere else. read more

Mah's kitchen is a solid choice for Chinese food. They have a variety of lunch plates and special combos available for decent prices. I called from work to place an order, and they were happy to fax a menu over to me. I ordered their combo 5, which included pork fried rice, lo mein and sweet and sour chicken. The pork fried rice was my least favorite of the 3, but to be fair, I'm not a huge fan of pork fried rice anyway. My coworker, a self proclaimed rice aficionado, said that it was bland and rubbery. I don't hold this against Mah's, because the rice is always something that I considered to be a filler anyway. The sweet and sour chicken, while not the best I've had, was good. The chicken pieces were a good size, without being obnoxiously big. The breading was not overly crisp, nor was it soggy. The amount of sweet and sour sauce was perfect. The standout of my meal was the lo mein. I don't care about rice, but if you mess up lo mein, you're not an establishment that will get business from me in the future. Mah's knocked it out of the park. The chicken chunks in the lo mein were juicy and fresh, the flavor was excellent and the noodles were tender without being soggy or overcooked. 5 stars for the lo mein. You could do a lot worse. I paid $7.50 for my combo, and the portion sizes were enormous. I shared my lunch leftovers for dinner with my daughter. 2 adults could easily split a plate from Mah's and be satisfied. I do not know about the dine in experience, nor have I even set food inside this restaurant. We ordered over the phone, and my coworker picked up our food. The girl who took our phone order and faxed over the menu was efficient, helpful and friendly. I look forward to trying other dishes from Mah's. read more

The food here is amazing!!! The new owners are using the original recipes again, so the food tastes fantastic!!! Big portions, I always have to bring some back home in a to-go box. Their kung pao chicken is amazing!!! read more

Mah's Kitchen - Kung Pao Chicken - Chinese Near Me - El Centro, California

The best (Americanized) Chinese food I've had in El Centro/Imperial. Would definitely come here again.

Luv this place, their Chop Suey and Pepper Steak is so good. Big portions and good prices.

There is some level of concern when eating at Mah's from what I could see. Mostly in the sanitation dept., and this leaves one to wonder if there is a problem with missing pets in the area. With a few tweaks here and there it could really be a 5 star joint. It has long been a staple in EL Centro surely passed down a generation or two. With that said it really is a good place to eat at a budget. It has a small dinner feel, yet the waitresses could be a little more inventive, one is left to ponder whether one is worthy to receive a tip, or just consider it a serve yourself establishment. I really want to try the duck as the price is right and the technique to properly prepare the dish is certainly apparent from the other dishes they serve. This is one of the few places I have found that actually serves a great authentic Mongolian Beef, with thinly sliced "tender" beef that has a slight crunchy texture, this is only surpassed by the explosion of flavor your taste buds experience by the melody of green onion and fried rice noodle. I have searched 5 star-dive restaurants from Cabo to LA and beyond, believe it or not, it is hard to find this authentic dish. Most compile an array ingredients that simply don't match the look, flavor, or texture of the original dish. It's nice to know there is a spot that delivers the goods locally, served gourmet for an economic budget. Kudo's to Mah's, although there could be some improvements, I have seen far worse at so-called-high-end restaurants. Here you wont feel buyer's remorse! I can't wait to try the Duck and experience the flavor. I would recommend this place over many other expensive places. This is why it has earned a 3 rather than a 2. If they could change a few things around, I would have no problem giving them a 5 star rating! read more

Never going there again. Everything was gross! The bathroom was dirty, the walls were black! they scoop ice from a cooler and leave the scooper in it. I ordered sweet tea and it was more like something sour with sugar. The cashier handles the food after taking money. The food is gross. Yes they serve you a lot of food but mostly celery and carrots. The chicken seemed to be under cooked. I had beef and broccoli and out of 20 pieces of broccoli I had 2 pieces of beef. This is by far the worst place I've ever eaten at. Panda Express is 110Xbetter! read more

Having been a steady customer of Maw's Kitchen for a couple of decades, what I joyously viewed as a my favorite local Dive has slid past Greasy Spoon to Greasy, Greasy-Spoon status. Ambiance: The outside of the restaurant has survived the past half century with nominal maintenance. The main entrance door remains held shut with a piece of cardboard taped to the door sill. Inside, two steps to the right I noted stacks of dirty dishes overflowing the sink and counter. Next to the dishes were piles of boned leg and thigh meat equally overflowing the conjoined counter. The service area walls, shelves and cabinets are plastered with taped-up menu items and other documents in varying degrees of decomposition and age. The entire area reminds me of a third-grade art class gone wild. The dining room walls were recently refurbished with what appears to be mustard-colored paint bought at a close-out sale at the local Dollar Store. It was surely painted by the younger siblings of the interior decorators. Cleanliness: Dirty doesn't quite describe the dining room; filthy might come closer. As we ate dinner last night, the two servers sat at the counter, gossiped, texted, and telephoned. The soiled flatware and dirty napkins on the floor didn't seem to draw their attention. Perhaps the turning point in my long-standing love for my Dive was when my shirt sleeve kept sticking to the table top as I diligently wiped the accumulated grime from the various accouterments. Much like researchers tracing the age and history of trees by reviewing their growth rings, the same could be true for diners reviewing the rings of food build-up on these bottles and jars. The soy sauce bottle was so sticky with grease that when I picked it up it wouldn't let go of me. As an unconfirmed thought, the greasy atmosphere might simply be a byproduct of the third grade engineering team wiring the exhaust fan to become a recirculating fan instead. Food: Last night I swore off what I had thought and widely proclaimed the best Chinese food in El Centro; fresh Ingredients prepared fresh for each customer in copious amounts at a reasonable price. Their soups are especially delicious as is every menu item I have eaten. I want my Dive back. Would it be possible for management to simply implement a few changes to get out of the greasy, greasy-spoon pit before it and their remaining diners are buried alive? Of course, the other alternative could be Take-Out! read more

Once a business becomes mundane in upholding good standard quality in their food and service is about the time customers write a NOT SO PLEASANT review. As I walked into the restaurant I noticed extremely poor sanitation in the kitchen, a musky mildew smell, cook also opened the refrigerator door so I was able to get a quick glance at a dirty food stored refrigerator (Not Good) and cooks also seemed so careless in their cooking. Since I was not alone I stuck around with my relatives that still desired to order the Chinese food, I on the other hand decided not to order from the menu. As we sat the meal was served and out of curiosity I forked into the chicken Chop Suey, which was only bean spouts, onion and chicken...where's the carrots and celery?. As expected the Chop Suey tasted dull, unpleasant and not fresh at all. I then decided I had no desire in tasting the other entrées. Hopefully my review can be used as constructive criticism to help improve the cleanliness, food quality and service at Mah's Kitchen. read more

Mah's Kitchen - Chinese Near Me - El Centro, California

I am visiting from out of town and looking for some good Chinese food. However, once I saw that they serve shark fin soup, it was immediately decided that I will NEVER support this place because they serve shark fin soup. Im pretty sure this is illegal in California. read more

HUGE portions and good food. I usually order to-go because it isn't really an exciting environment. One lunch special can feed two people for under $10. read more

This place never changes and I hope it never will. The BBQ pork fried rice is the best I've ever had and it reminds me of childhood. I could eat here everyday. Also the ALMOND COOKIES!! read more

I went to visit my son I live in San Diego he took me to your restaurant wow I love your food very delicious.

Ni Hao mutha f*ckers. Very good food at relatively low prices for those that only have a short amount of time to eat lunch while at work. Large variety with big portions and the guys cooking it and the waitresses are cool. Can't beat it the way the economy is they provide great nourishment. read more

Best Chinese food of my life! I moved to San Diego, and still crave Mah's. The fried rice, BBQ Pork, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Pan Fried Noodles are the best ever! I promise you will not find better. Everything is good! Base it off the taste, not the look of the place. You won't regret going to Mah's!!! read more

I think the orange chicken is the best!!!!!!!!!! Best chinesse food in the valley. The only negative thing is that u will leave smelling like mahs kitchen :) read more

Ate here a couple of times. Fair to middlin chinese food of the "chop suey" variety. Nothing too great or unexpected, but clean and didn't make me sick. read more

i've eaten at mah's for decades. always loved the pork lo mein. but since they've come under new management it's been disgusting. will never go back there again. they even ruined the bbq pork. read more

I really enjoyed the dumplings. I can't speak for the rest of the menu yet.

Honey walnut shrimp, Mongolian beef, and their eggrolls are reallyyyyy good!!! But I do have to add that the place does need renovation and deep cleaning. read more

Real simple...ghetto interior great food. Portion sizes are HUGE and prices are impressive. Not quite meant for dining in, better known for take-out orders...but you'll get more food if you dine in; like a week's worth of food! Hahaha...feed a small village with one combination plate! Be warned, if you dine in, you will smell like Mah's Kitchen for at least two weeks (okay, maybe three days)! A lot of people are put off by the visibly aged kitchen but on the plus side - at least you know they aren't hiding anything! Obviously, I'm a huge fan. I even look forward to seeing to the slightly grumpy looking cholas at the counter; who are actually super nice, even though they are probably Raider fans! LoL! Take out some grub and enjoy!!!! read more

The food is really good, but I'm afraid to touch the walls, table, chairs, forks. Literally. I could of sworn I saw the walls moving. I need to go and disinfect myself in a tub of lysol. read more

Mah's Kitchen is definitely an El Centro land mark; It's been around for years and the food has always been at quality level. Most of the chinese food places in El Centro are NOT chinese food or anything close to it; it's more Mexinese than anything. Mah's is as close as it gets to anything close to chinese food. For that, I consider it to be the best chinese food place in El Centro and even one of the BEST restaurants in the city. The food is tasty, great prices, big portions, good atmosphere. I'm a fan! read more

I love this place! Great Duck! Only place I know that sells duck so good in Imperial Valley! Downside... I hate coming out of this place smelling like I went to eat Chinese food. They have an open kitchen so all the smells of what is cooking linger around and stay in my clothing and hair. I only go after work. It is a great place to get Chinese even though it does look like a tiny hole in the wall the food produced will pack your taste buds. Try the spicy mustard sauce I usually hate this stuff but they do something to it that makes me come back for more. read more

Best Chinese Food in the valley HANDS DOWN! They really work hard, and the taste shows it. Delicious!

My wife and I stopped by for a meal after visiting this place over a year. Indeed it's a hole in the wall, mom and pop restaurant but the place could use a make over and over and over. We ordered at the counter as you walk in before sitting down. I had the salt pepper chicken and my wife had the special soup. I had a Pepsi for a drink. Though I Removed It from the cooler by the entrance door, the can soda was warm. We asked the waitress for a cup of ice. She reached into the ice container where the scoop was buried proceeded to fill the cup and then dropped the scoop back into the ice. So we had a chance to taste the money that was in her hands since she didn't wash her hands after all transactions. The food was not all that great. Substandard at best. When I was partially done with my salt pepper chicken, my stomach felt like I had a shovel full of gravel. The special soup was special alright in a negative way. We will never return to that restaurant ever again. read more