Although the location (in an alley) and decor (very 90s and outdated) are not the best, it is a great Chinese place for a quick bite to eat. I moved to Chicago a few months ago and this is the best "fast Chinese" I've had thus far. Orange chicken is delicious. Both the white rice and fried rice were good as well as the egg roll. This last time I went with a friend who ordered the spicy chicken and let me try a piece - AMAZING! Like nothing I've ever tasted before. Looking forward to going back and ordering it for a full meal this time. read more

I have loved their spicy chicken for 28 years and have passed down that love to my children. We just call it "spicy." There is no substitute! Staff is friendly, food is fresh and abundant portions. Delicious and the loop weekday crowds speak for themselves. Added bonus that you have to access it from an alley! :) read more

I am a big fan of the spicy chicken. I saw it was open again on Uber eats so I walked over to pick it up since all of the delivery service take such large cut. read more

The spicy chicken at Silk Road is so legendary that's its possible to walk in and order by speaking only the word "Spicy." "The Road" as it's known in my heart of hearts, is really the kind of place that's passed from one friend to another. You don't just wander in to this place. You need to know it's there. You need to be shown the way. And once you have, you inherit a personal duty to take others "down the Road" so to speak. I've never ordered anything but the Spicy. It's all you need. Egg rolls are great too. Go forth. Feast. read more

I cannot believe people are comparing this to megalithic chain Panda Express. Yes, Panda's orange chicken is very tasty. Silk Road's orange chicken is not quite the same. But is the quality of meat at Panda superior? No way. By contrast, Silk Road will make any of their breaded dishes with plain white meat chicken upon request. Their vegetables, which are usually plentiful, are fresh, and as others have pointed out, you can watch them being chopped every day through the kitchen window as you stand in line. The spicy chicken is indeed out of this world. Also terrific is their szechuan chicken - nice and peppery and with tons of fresh bok choy. Their lo mein is a rarely appreciated treat, and the kung pao is just as it should be. I have yet to sample a dish there I didn't like. The price is right for the loop - you will have to stoop to mcdonalds to find a substantially cheaper meal, and the portions are more than ample. read more

Silk Road has been a staple in my lunch rotation going back to my internship days in '06 when my old man would take me here to get some spicy chicken. Still amazing. read more

There are 2 dishes here that deserve 4 stars - and that's the chicken with vegetables and stir fried vegetables. Both are loaded with broccoli,mushrooms, carrots, bok choy, celery and are very tasty and pleasing to the eye. The white rice served with these entrees is good, and often, they'll make your order as you wait. You can see them making creations in giant woks, which makes it seem a little more authentic. Everything else, though, is just mediocre at best. I don't know if it's a lack of vegetables or way too much sodium, their remaining offerings are not that good. Passable, just not really good. Same for the egg roll. I'm always tempted to get the entree with egg roll and drink special and then I'm sorry I ate anything but the entree with rice. read more

Located in a dark alley. Outdated decor. Full of dudes. This is definitely not a first date kinda place, but perfect for in a lunch meet up with my work bros. Great value, heaping portions, plenty of seating, and SYS (serve yo self) water. I followed Joey Vegas and got the Spicy Chicken Orange Chicken Combo. "That's way too much food! I'll never finish this!" Hit the spot. All the spots. Loosen the belt. Nap. Drool. read more

A white collar workers' favorite. Located in an alley, but not really. FAMOUS for their spicy chicken. If there are 5 people ahead of you inline, at least three of them will be ordering the spicy chicken, but their sweet and sour is to die for as well. read more

Recently I've been on the warpath against Chinese restaurants in Chicago. I like Chinese food, but I'm failing in my quest to separate the good from the mediocre because every place I order from is identical. In service, in menu options, and in food quality. Silk Road is no exception. If you want no-frills Chinese in the Loop, SR will fit the bill. As for me, the search continues. read more

Really average Chinese food. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really good either. I had the spicy chicken, which for what I had heard about it, was disappointing with how average it was. My wife had the cashew chicken, which was also very average. I probably won't be going back, too many other places to go. read more

Take it for what it is. Dive Chinese in the loop. If you have that mindset going into the place, you will not be disappointed. Food is ready, like Panda Express buffet style. Prices are good and portions reflect generously. It's quick and has saved me from many hangovers. Seriously THE hangover spot. read more

Imagine a generic, fake Asian fast food place in a food court of an underpopulated suburban shopping mall. This place is three notches worse. Orange chicken was just deep fried diced chicken meat with some generic liquid sauces. Their hot and sour soup was terrible, with chunks of onion and a lot of ground black pepper but few other spices and ingredients that make up the flavor. I'd avoid it. I'd almost rate it 1 star. If you must go there, choose spicy chicken, as the hot sauce adds something to the flavor. They are also called Oriental Express but it's the same place. read more

Oh sweet morsels of meaty mouth gold, how I've yearned for you with the fiery passion of 1,000 burning suns...just had the spicy chicken here after 7 years... read more

Best chinese that I've found in the loop. The spicy chicken is good and the most popular, but my favorite is the beef with broccoli. Good egg rolls, fried rice, and crab rangoons. A lot of food for the price. I always go with the small order and it is still huge. read more

Pretty good-sized portions and I tend to avoid the lunch rush, so alot of times they'll cook it up fresh, right to the left of you (see through glass to the kitchen). The trick is this is a chinese spot owned by koreans, so alot of the sauces (spicy) are actually korean red sauce, not chinese flavored. I would choose 65 (down the street) over this place anyday. read more

Really good orange chicken. If you want fast quality orange chicken come here. They do that really well and it's fairly cheap for this particular area. read more

Hard to find, but worth the effort. This is the better of the two Silk Roads that I'm aware of downtown (the other is on west Jackson - about 250 West, I think). This one has a "cleaner" feel, but the Spicy Chicken tastes the same at both. Can't miss with Spicy Chicken with Shrimp Fried Rice (my favorite combo...). read more

I went to this place because coincidentally someone gave me a Silk Road tshirt. Turns out it was a VERY different organization that was later shut down due to some funny business (stopped wearing the tshirt). However, lucky for me this place was fantastic. Extremely fast. As fast as Panda Express but better quality food. Also, great decor. read more

Kung pao shrimp is great, good mix of veggies and just the right amount of spice. Spicy chicken is awesome, slight tang and a great kick. Hot and sour soup is a bit peppery, with more of an American mix of veggies, just carrots and onion. Also tofu and egg white still make this soup something I'd have again. Crab rangoon is awesome, so is the egg roll. read more

Imagine Panda Express. Now imagine it actually being everything you wanted it to be. This is Silk Road. I only get the spicy chicken and crab rangoon, but i love them both. read more

Came here after receiving several recommendations. Just didn't work for me. It may be a case of high expectations leading to disappointment. I was told by peers and reviews that for $6 you get whopping portions of great food. I had an opposite experience. It was $11 for spicy chicken special w/ eggroll and fried rice. The spicy chicken was mushy and unappealing. Other than the blast of salt, the food lacked great flavor and was bland. There was not much of it which it as I had been told. Had a left-overs feel. Say what you will about Panda Express, but they offer a consistent quality and quantity of food for a great price, and I'd pick it over here anyday. I guess if you need better Asian food, take a ride to chinatown. If anyone has any Loop recommendations though, I'm all ears. read more

The food came out hot and fast, but it was really gross. The shrimps in my Kung Pao Shrimp tasted like freezer and they were very overcooked. The vegetables were about 50% chunks of celery and onion. The sauce was salty without being flavorful. Crab Rangoons were marginally better, but not good enough to save the meal. Honestly, it was just a gross meal. This place is not worth a second chance. read more

I used to eat here regularly but my job moved west of the river. Not only was the taste not good, I've not felt very well since eating it -- 8 hours ago -- and mine was cooked mine up fresh. I tried antacids, bananas, and toast but I still feel terrible. The price is right but eat here at your own peril. read more

I only really get one thing from there and it's amazing. The spicy chicken is sooooooooo good. The portions are huge, it always ends up being my lunch and dinner (or lunch for a second day) read more

Yuck. I give it two stars because the shrimp fried rice was actually good with large, deveined shrimp. But that spicy chicken that everyone is on here raving about? Not that good. If I am going to eat something deep fried, I'd really like for it to be crispy. This was soggy and over-breaded. Panda Express is much better which isn't saying much. read more

I had forgotten about this place, but after six years away from the Loop, I have rediscovered it and fallen in love with their Spicy chicken all over again. This place is always really quick and they are very generous with their portions. Spicy chicken and steamed rice=$6.60 with tax. Fast, convenient and delicious (if probably not very healthy). The fried chicken they use is better than most fast food "Chinese" restaurants. It is better quality meat and the breading is the right amount, not a big glob of batter like they give you at other places. Go for the SPICY CHICKEN!! As others said, you will crave it. read more

The spicy chicken is a guilty pleasure--heavily sauced and deep fried chicken wings. Otherwise, the other dishes are pretty standard lower-quality Chinese-American fare, leaning towards cheaper vegetables like celery when vegetables are provided. It is also rather overpriced for what you get. Everyone behind the counter was quite nice. read more

Great place to get some chinese food at lunch if you work in the Loop. Egg rolls are good. Spicy chicken is awesome along with the shrimp fried rice. Place is pretty clean and has an eat-in area. Reasonably priced and food is much fresher tasting than Panda. read more

If you're craving something spicy and fried, get the spicy chicken here. Got it to-go, and they must have put crack in it because I knew I should have stopped eating, but I couldn't. The decor is a little sad, but it was packed when I stopped by. Didn't try anything else, but looking at the reviews, looks like this is probably the best item on the menu. read more

A lot of food for the price. It definitely works to fill that chinese craving lunch break.

As good as it gets if you are looking for something cheap and fast. Not going to complain for a quick lunch that's not fast food.

Solid food for a decent price and it beats the hell out of Panda Express. You can even order items and they'll make them fresh. There's nothing better than the spicy chicken on a cold day! read more

Spicy Chicken should be called "Crack Chicken". I've eaten there as often as twice a week when I worked downtown...still stop by to get my crack fix when I get downtown. Rumor has it that it's not "chicken" but I.DON'T.CARE if it clucks or meows...it's the BOMB! :-) read more

My favorite Chinese food in the city. Low key, not pretentious, and the spicy chicken is the best - I bring everyone here when they come to visit. read more

If you are downtown Chicago and looking for Chinese food this is your place if you can find it in-between some dark alley way. I think its better than say Panda, but if you really want decent Chinese food then hope on the red line and go down to China Town. I have yet to find a 5 star Chinese restaurant in downtown Chicago. read more

spicy chicken...... you will crave this. the location off of lasalle is better than the one off of jackson. its best to get a combo ( i usually get the spicy chicken and vegetable combo, b/c yeah i wanna be somewhat healthy. lol) the combo and a drink is like $10.. and you get a TON of food. once again, spicy chicken. read more

The spicy chicken is sooo good. Large portions for a good price. Crab rangoon for $0.75 - yes please. Silk road definitely hits the spot when you're looking for some good probably not so healthy chinese. read more

A hidden gem off Lasalle and Madison, everything is great there and on top of that they give you so much. Everytime I'm in the area its s must stop spot to go read more

I just ate here for the first time. The Orange Chicken is decent, no better and no worse than others Chinese restaurants. The fried rice is absolutely disgusting to the point I couldn't eat it. Frankly, Panda Express has better fried rice than here and that is saying something. read more