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I went here once years ago and didn't have the most favorable impression, but everyone is entitled to one bad day. Sometimes I have to flex my street cred before I can get good food. I tried once again yesterday with fresh eyes and a fresh palate. Many of my associates and friends who are East Asian or have been to China say May House is clean and the food is authentic Asian cuisine. The one time I went prior, I wasn't a fan of how the food came out immediately and one of the dishes seemed kinda plain. This time I ordered Szechuan favorites of mine, hot and spicy dishes. I was worried that quick service meant the food wasn't fresh, but I watched them work in the kitchen - they're just that fast at what they do. The food was nice and the portions were large. It looked and tasted like a plate of food you'd get from someone's home, and I love that home cooked from mom's kitchen vibe. It's cash only and worth going to an ATM - no tax! I like nice round numbers and that every main dish was $10. It's small and unassuming for a no frills dining experience, though it's currently take out only due to COVID-19.
The combination hot pot was unpleasantly too thick and too salty. The consistency of the broth was almost glue like. There were canned vegetables such as mushrooms and baby corn, which made the overall dish smell. This establishment accepts cash only and there is no tax.
we are going to live in may house because it was incredible. service is amazing, portions and price were perfect and the inside is so cute. food was delicious and we are going to come here every night for the rest of our lives
Very disappointed! Rude employees and the food taste horrible. The staffs have changed so does their service. I felt insulted when the lady said to me that if I can't eat extreme spicy food, don't order any spicy food. We, people from China eat this level (extreme spicy) of spiciness. Then she told the other two old guys in the kitchen that I can't eat spicy loudly. One laughed with her, and the other guy kept staring at my boyfriend and me. We felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to leave the restaurant. When I thought the service was bad enough, so does the food. The eggplant taste like rancid oil. It tasted like oil that was used multiple times. We had to discard them because it's awful. I rarely write bad review, but I have to write it for this restaurant.
May House is a place of nostalgia for me. When I was attending ISU from 1999-2005, I ate there frequently, at least once every two weeks if not more. It was always fast, inexpensive, and delicious. It still holds true to those qualities today. May House looks fairly unsuspecting from the outside. Inside the decor is largely unchanged in the last 20 years. That being said, it doesn't really need to change. It's not a large place, but it feels comfy and quaint. They only take cash. No credit cards or Apple Pay here. This is not uncommon for old school Chinese restaurants like May House. The lack of modernisation certainly hasn't hurt them. While they do longer have my absolute favorite Chinese dish of all time, the Grilled Chicken Big Boat. There is plenty to enjoy here. The menu isn't small, and neither are the portions. Nothing requires a long wait, and everything is hot and fresh when you get it. I decided to go with one of my other favorites...Ta Chan Chicken. This is one of the items that's been on the menu, and totally unchanged, for the last 20+ years. Once you eat it, you won't have difficulty understanding why. It is delicious mix of chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers, baby corn, and onions in a savory brown sauce. I always ask for it spicy, because that's how I like my Chinese food. I also ordered some egg rolls, because why not? It arrived quickly, and it came piping hot. I sipped on some complimentary hot tea while I waited a few minutes for it to cool down. I ate my egg rolls in the interim as well. They were nice and crispy and tasted good. They aren't exceptional, but they're a solid entry nonetheless. The Ta Chan was exactly as I remembered, even though I literally hadn't eaten it in probably five years, as I am rarely in Ames these days. The veggies were well cooked but still crisp. The sauce was mildly spicy and delicious. The chicken was tender but not overcooked. Overall it was a quite satisfying meal, and under $10 for the entree and an appetizer as well. It really is great inexpensive Chinese food. May House isn't pretentious. They're not culinarily bold or game changing. They make simple, delicious, inexpensive food. Is there anything wrong with that? Certainly not! Stop into May House if you want competently made, delicious Chinese food, at an affordable price. I am sure I'll be back again before too long. I hope they'll be in Ames for another 20 years!
May House is one of my favorites. I have been here plenty of times and it has become a tradition for one of my friend groups to eat here when we're together in Ames. The price is right for all of the meals I've seen here as you definitely get the quantity that will make you leave either stuffed or with a to-go box. The quality of food is here as it takes a couple minutes to cool down before you can even take the first bite, plus the tenderness of the chicken, pork and beef that I've tasted. And lastly, the service is phenomenal as it takes about 8 minutes tops from the second your order is placed to the second your plate hits the table. I liked May House the first time I ate here and I've continued to try new dishes ever since as these three attributes I've described have been present with every visit.
THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. That being said, I didn't enjoy the first entree I had here (chicken curry). It was incredibly bland and the chicken just tasted...weird. However, I decided to give it another try due to the good aspects of my first visit (the sweet and sour sauce is the BEST I have ever had). This time I had the chicken lo mien and it was REALLY good. It was a tad oily, but I'm sure that was why it had so much flavor. It was a big portion and was not bland at all (which can be an issue with some lo mien). Be aware that their "crab" rangoon is really cheese wontons. They do NOT have any crab in them. This is typical in other restaurants (like Mongolian Buffet), but they usually label them as cheese wontons instead. I personally have no problem with fried, crispy, cream cheese filled sides, so I loved them still. For the price, it's pretty good food. I wish more rangoon came with the order (you only get 3 for $3), but overall it's really good and fast food. The free hot tea is very good as well!
**Cash Only**Not a full service restaurant and that's why the prices are great!! You refill your own water & get your own silverware. Food always comes out quick and always consistent. I've tried Hot Braised Chicken & Tofu Bao Beef, both are satisfying. Hot Braised Chicken Breaded chicken covered in slightly sweet thick sauce served with rice. Reminds me of orange chicken but better! Tofu Bao Beef Served in a sizzling hot pot with a side plate of rice topped with crumbles of beef. This dish will definitely warm you up on a cold night. Order this with a side of roasted egg to top it off-yummy!! Love coming here because it's different from the Chinese food I'm use to.
3 years ago
Best Taiwanese Place in Ames, IA. I had been frequenting this place since they were open. The owner(s) are the same as Little Taipei and Cocost which were the best Taiwanese place when I was still a poor student at Iowa State. I remember $3.17 was the price of a meal in 1994 and that kept me fed for one day. Good old days. Stopped by today on my trip to another city and to my surprise, Ah May herself was cooking the meals. read more
I went here once years ago and didn't have the most favorable impression, but everyone is entitled to one bad day. Sometimes I have to flex my street cred before I can get good food. I tried once again yesterday with fresh eyes and a fresh palate. Many of my associates and friends who are East Asian or have been to China say May House is clean and the food is authentic Asian cuisine. The one time I went prior, I wasn't a fan of how the food came out immediately and one of the dishes seemed kinda plain. This time I ordered Szechuan favorites of mine, hot and spicy dishes. I was worried that quick service meant the food wasn't fresh, but I watched them work in the kitchen - they're just that fast at what they do. The food was nice and the portions were large. It looked and tasted like a plate of food you'd get from someone's home, and I love that home cooked from mom's kitchen vibe. It's cash only and worth going to an ATM - no tax! I like nice round numbers and that every main dish was $10. It's small and unassuming for a no frills dining experience, though it's currently take out only due to COVID-19. read more
The combination hot pot was unpleasantly too thick and too salty. The consistency of the broth was almost glue like. There were canned vegetables such as mushrooms and baby corn, which made the overall dish smell. This establishment accepts cash only and there is no tax. read more
3 years ago
we are going to live in may house because it was incredible. service is amazing, portions and price were perfect and the inside is so cute. food was delicious and we are going to come here every night for the rest of our lives read more
6 years ago
Very disappointed! Rude employees and the food taste horrible. The staffs have changed so does their service. I felt insulted when the lady said to me that if I can't eat extreme spicy food, don't order any spicy food. We, people from China eat this level (extreme spicy) of spiciness. Then she told the other two old guys in the kitchen that I can't eat spicy loudly. One laughed with her, and the other guy kept staring at my boyfriend and me. We felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to leave the restaurant. When I thought the service was bad enough, so does the food. The eggplant taste like rancid oil. It tasted like oil that was used multiple times. We had to discard them because it's awful. I rarely write bad review, but I have to write it for this restaurant. read more
2 years ago
May House is a place of nostalgia for me. When I was attending ISU from 1999-2005, I ate there frequently, at least once every two weeks if not more. It was always fast, inexpensive, and delicious. It still holds true to those qualities today. May House looks fairly unsuspecting from the outside. Inside the decor is largely unchanged in the last 20 years. That being said, it doesn't really need to change. It's not a large place, but it feels comfy and quaint. They only take cash. No credit cards or Apple Pay here. This is not uncommon for old school Chinese restaurants like May House. The lack of modernisation certainly hasn't hurt them. While they do longer have my absolute favorite Chinese dish of all time, the Grilled Chicken Big Boat. There is plenty to enjoy here. The menu isn't small, and neither are the portions. Nothing requires a long wait, and everything is hot and fresh when you get it. I decided to go with one of my other favorites...Ta Chan Chicken. This is one of the items that's been on the menu, and totally unchanged, for the last 20+ years. Once you eat it, you won't have difficulty understanding why. It is delicious mix of chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers, baby corn, and onions in a savory brown sauce. I always ask for it spicy, because that's how I like my Chinese food. I also ordered some egg rolls, because why not? It arrived quickly, and it came piping hot. I sipped on some complimentary hot tea while I waited a few minutes for it to cool down. I ate my egg rolls in the interim as well. They were nice and crispy and tasted good. They aren't exceptional, but they're a solid entry nonetheless. The Ta Chan was exactly as I remembered, even though I literally hadn't eaten it in probably five years, as I am rarely in Ames these days. The veggies were well cooked but still crisp. The sauce was mildly spicy and delicious. The chicken was tender but not overcooked. Overall it was a quite satisfying meal, and under $10 for the entree and an appetizer as well. It really is great inexpensive Chinese food. May House isn't pretentious. They're not culinarily bold or game changing. They make simple, delicious, inexpensive food. Is there anything wrong with that? Certainly not! Stop into May House if you want competently made, delicious Chinese food, at an affordable price. I am sure I'll be back again before too long. I hope they'll be in Ames for another 20 years! read more
May House is one of my favorites. I have been here plenty of times and it has become a tradition for one of my friend groups to eat here when we're together in Ames. The price is right for all of the meals I've seen here as you definitely get the quantity that will make you leave either stuffed or with a to-go box. The quality of food is here as it takes a couple minutes to cool down before you can even take the first bite, plus the tenderness of the chicken, pork and beef that I've tasted. And lastly, the service is phenomenal as it takes about 8 minutes tops from the second your order is placed to the second your plate hits the table. I liked May House the first time I ate here and I've continued to try new dishes ever since as these three attributes I've described have been present with every visit. read more
3 years ago
12 years ago
THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. That being said, I didn't enjoy the first entree I had here (chicken curry). It was incredibly bland and the chicken just tasted...weird. However, I decided to give it another try due to the good aspects of my first visit (the sweet and sour sauce is the BEST I have ever had). This time I had the chicken lo mien and it was REALLY good. It was a tad oily, but I'm sure that was why it had so much flavor. It was a big portion and was not bland at all (which can be an issue with some lo mien). Be aware that their "crab" rangoon is really cheese wontons. They do NOT have any crab in them. This is typical in other restaurants (like Mongolian Buffet), but they usually label them as cheese wontons instead. I personally have no problem with fried, crispy, cream cheese filled sides, so I loved them still. For the price, it's pretty good food. I wish more rangoon came with the order (you only get 3 for $3), but overall it's really good and fast food. The free hot tea is very good as well! read more
5 years ago
12 years ago
**Cash Only**Not a full service restaurant and that's why the prices are great!! You refill your own water & get your own silverware. Food always comes out quick and always consistent. I've tried Hot Braised Chicken & Tofu Bao Beef, both are satisfying. Hot Braised Chicken Breaded chicken covered in slightly sweet thick sauce served with rice. Reminds me of orange chicken but better! Tofu Bao Beef Served in a sizzling hot pot with a side plate of rice topped with crumbles of beef. This dish will definitely warm you up on a cold night. Order this with a side of roasted egg to top it off-yummy!! Love coming here because it's different from the Chinese food I'm use to. read more
14 years ago
The food honestly pry deserved three stars but every thing else about this place drops it to a two. The service was horrific and at the counter the manager was rude and impatient. The inside was dated and tacky. I would not suggest going to eat here if you are in the ames area. read more
13 years ago
13 years ago
14 years ago
Not bad... generally pretty inexpensive so I was surprised when I came by one time to have to pay $5 for some plain rice to go. Semi self service.... go to the counter and order your food and they'll bring it out to you. Complimentary hot tea. read more
9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
Go in sat down 2 minutes later food comes out I'm a very picky water and I loved it if your looking for fast good Chinese food for about 2 bucks a person come here you won't be dissatisfied. read more
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More info about May House Cuisine
3417 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
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(515) 292-2089
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Ask the Community - May House Cuisine
Are there many items for vegetarians?
They offer a gluten/soy type meat substitute in "chicken" or "beef" flavor, and you can request this in any dish, in place of the meat. They also have tofu and vegetable dishes.
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7 reviews that are not currently recommended
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