Ahh, good old Rice King. A shell of its former glory unfortunately.
I remember back in 2011, I was getting a hair cut in Matteson. Near the cash register was a large stack of Chinese takeout menus. On the front of the menu was an advertising of a grand opening. After paying for my cut and looking further into the menu, I quickly realized how fast I had to check this place out.
Now what stood out to me from the get go about the menu was the reasonable prices AND selection they had. But i had to try them first, obviously. The first time I tried them out was in October of 2011 and I did takeout for my family. We ordered 65$ worth of food and it was worth every penny. The delivery man came swiftly but with some trouble. When he approached our front door he was struggling to hold a very large box with our entire order inside! A very large box! I don't remember exactly what I ordered but all I know was that after that initial experience, I was hooked.
As the months went by, I was a constant regular. They even knew me by name and voice when I was calling for delivery or takeout. The original crew who worked there were all polite and happy to work there. From 2011 to 2013 (half way of 2013) was the best years of Rice King. Quality and quantity (they know how to pack on the fried rice in their lunch specials) was TOP NOTCH especially for their lunch specials, and they too were also a highlight.
If someone were to ask me what my favorite place to eat was, I would say Rice King without hesitation. Heck, even at the job i was working at the time, I was raving to the patrons and my coworkers about how great the place was. It was as if it was starting to become like a religion or something because Rice King has certainly made more than several new converts to its establishment. It was THAT good.
Unfortunately, some things have to come to an end. And Rice King is one of them. Now, of course, they are obviously still open but what really set the tone down the road were a few factors.
For one, the management went through a major change. At first, one or two people left. Towards the middle of 2013 this happened. One was a cook and the other was co manager. I asked the new manger what happened to them and I was told that the co owner went back to China to get married. The other she did not know. Then after 2013 they completely had a different change in staff. I was shocked. To add to that was the slight increase in menu price and cutting corners. I will get to that next. ...
Despite the radical change in management, I went ahead to get my order. It was a beef broccoli lunch special with a slight increase in price. Upon arriving home and opening the container I was beyond disbelief. The only thing that came out my mouth was, "where's the beef???" All I saw was a huge pile of broccoli and the portion of rice they gave me was pitiful. I didn't complain but gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Two more trips here was enough for me to say I was through. I could of complained. But I didnt. Its bad enough you are skimpy with the meat portions but to cut corners with the rice portions is beyond unacceptable. The quality was mediocre at best. They definitely lost that luster that had set them apart from not just other chinese resturants but most restaurants in general. All of this is coming from a guy who has tried almost all of the Chinese establishments in the surrounding areas so I think I'm qualified to criticize :).
Soon I cut all ties with the place. The place once booming with business is now just a former shell of its past glory. Down to this day, some of my co workers and family frequent here from time to time only out of convenience and nothing else. I take a glance at what they've ordered and I soon realize and appreciate how glad I'm that I've moved on, and that I'm not really missing anything. read more