Top Chinese Restaurant in La Mesa
Chopsticks Inn Restaurant
8687 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
So, were sitting across the room from another couple. It was their first time eating here as well. I bring this up because they asked the waitress how long Chopsticks Restaurant has been in business.35 yearsSo I missed 20 years of really good Chinese food. Thats how long Ive been in La Mesa.Try the Wor Won Ton soup for starters. The stock is next-level. Pork fried rice and spicy crispy beef, excellent. Even the dim-sum sampler was as good as, and in the case of the chicken dumplings, better than what I can get at, say, Jasmine. No joke. Im not saying they ARE better, but Im not as inclined to drive to Kearney Mesa as I once was. What a find.
China Super Buffet
7984 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
I havent been to the buffet, but have ordered take out a few times. The sweet and sour chicken left a little to be desired, but everything else we have ordered has been delicious! They also have options I havent been able to find at other Chinese restaurants, that I missed from being back east. This is definitely our favorite Chinese place in the San Diego area.
Panda Express
8011 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941, United States
Steamed rice was hard as a rock. Orange chicken is soft and chewy. The fried rice was old. The string bean chicken was old as well. The whole meal was old. Had to call them. Drive back. Order again. Got the food home and it was fresh, the orange chicken was crunchy, the steamed rice fluffy but it was still off. I dont know if they got a new cook but the chow mein was Sooper greasy. Orange chicken was crunchy but gross inside the teriyaki chicken pieces tasted soggy and weird and hard inside but gross. Couldnt eat much of this. Only reason for 2 stars because I have been coming here for a while. The staff also forgot my teriyaki sauce. The staff and kitchen are off. Staff shortages. Lol ????At least they showed up to work. Not coming back.
Panda Express
5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
DREADFUL! THIS PANDA EXPRESS GAVE ME FOOD POISONING. DONT EVER GO HERE, IF YOU WANT TO EAT REAL CHINESE FOOD THEN GO TO ZION MARKET OR SOMEWHERE TRADITIONAL. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE, THEY TREAT YOU AS IF YOU ARE A DOG. THE EGGROLLS ARE DRY BUT HAVE A WET TEXTURE. THE FOOD IS WAY TOO SAUCY. NEVER GO HERE IF YOU WONT WANT TO DIE FROM FOOD POISONING. THE RESTAURANT IF COMPLETELY FILTHY. NEVER VISIT THIS RESTAURANT. THEY EVEN OVERPRICE FOR THEIR HORRIBLE FOOD!!!
Golden Bay Asian Food
3641 Avocado Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91941, United States
Golden Bay Asian Food is a newly revamped Chinese restaurant in the heart of Rancho San Diego that has quickly become a local favorite. The inviting atmosphere, paired with exceptional hospitality from the friendly owners, makes it the perfect spot for a relaxing and satisfying meal. If you need recommendations, dont hesitate to ask for Long. His expert guidance and knowledge of the menu will ensure that you have a great experience.But what really sets Golden Bay Asian Food apart is its delicious menu, which expertly blends traditional Chinese flavors with a modern twist. The Kung Pao Three Ingredients is a standout dish, featuring a tantalizing mix of beef, chicken, and shrimp tossed in a spicy and savory sauce. For something a little sweeter, the Orange Chicken is a must-try. The crispy exterior and juicy meat are perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the bold flavors of the sauce.And if youre in the mood for noodles, the House Chow Fun is an excellent choice. The stir-fried rice noodles are cooked to perfection and tossed with fresh vegetables, tender slices of meat, and a delectable savory sauce that will have you savoring every bite.Golden Bay Asian Food is a great addition to the Rancho San Diego dining. The food is consistently delicious and owners a super friendly and want to mae sure you have a great experience. If youre in the area, be sure to stop by and indulge in some of the best Chinese food around.
Wongs Golden Palace
7126 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
The oldest single owned Chinese restaurant in San Diego. Sorry Peking, that's the oldest Family owned and they closed for a few years since 1931 anyhow, a star for that alone. I'm a bit of a sucker for history and nostalgia, but Stanley the only and original owner still works here. He's in his 90's people, star for that too.It's not much to see with fading and old décor both inside and out and a parking lot that can not handle near max occupancy for either the bar or the restaurant, but they probably got grandfathered into some kind of exemption on that. I'm sure it once had charm, but it must be buried under dust, I mean come on they didn't even have music playing, it was dead silent and we could hear every conversation from every other patron, with ease. There is a strong sense of community as many people have been coming here for decades, along with the local school kids art projects for the Year of the Rooster hung on the ceiling. Tall leather booths, a display case of trinkets and ceramics for purchase separate the bar and the restaurants (along with some stairs).The menu is pretty big, separated into proteins and combination meals, but with lack of descriptions you'll be asking for clarification on many things. They go heavy on the garlic, but warn which items are by default spicy. Communicating less/more can be difficult. I was surprised they had an American menu of jalapeno poppers, hamburgers, non salt&pepper wings, none of which looked particularly appetizing. My chicken was for sure overcooked, tasted more like overdone pork chop pieces, quite square and tough, breaded, fried. I liked how the sauce was placed on the bottom and you could sauce to your liking, but frankly when I reheated it later it for sure did not taste like chicken. Fried rice was bland and dry, the egg drop soup was very good, light, but balanced. Egg roll was hefty, but all cabbage and oil, not sure how hot mustard and ketchup go with things, but we liked the cream cheese wontons. The mini flame pot for charring the skewers was a nice touch, great flavor and tender, that char for sure helped bring it over the top. Love the wonton chips. Wanting to try and few items the dinner special seemed like a great idea, but when the times showed up 10 minutes apart we quickly realized why the other table had so many left overs. I'm sure there are items worth getting a la cart, but I don't really think that the dinner special is worth it.I'm intrigued to come and check out the bar side as this supposed special makes me think of the Nutcrackers I've had back in NYC. They are heavy on the tiki drinks made popular in the 80's like the scorpions, shared bowls slings that have made a resurgence. I'm curious since the bar gets more traffic, but San Diego has stepped it's cocktail game up and most places got left behind, so could a place with this much history have kept up?On a closing note my favorite Chinese food is still in TJ, but there was a bit of a revolution in the 80's with the creation of XO sauce and anyone that hasn't picked up on that can't be on the same level as the top places. A place stuck in time.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
8025 Fletcher Pkwy, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
Nothing bad to say about Pick Up Stix only good. Their food is awesome its one of my favorite places to eat. My opinion theres not a better Chinese restaurant around then Pick Up Stix.
Beijing Express
8741 Broadway, La Mesa, CA 91941, United States
LOVE this place! Our family has been coming here for years - more than 20, is the best that I can remember! The two ladies serving are no nonsense - theyre there to get you in and out with your food - but they really are sweet on the inside. They both call my mom, Mama. They are extremely generous in their portions, which are now $2.39 each, which is STILL a bargain in comparison to any Chinese restaurant. My moms favorite is the orange chicken, my husbands is the garlic chicken, and I like the whole fried shrimp (the head is the best part!). Actually, we havent had anything we didnt like there so try everything!
Top other services in La Mesa:
Bamboo Fresh Thai Cuisine
7953 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
For the life of me, I don’t know how I could have lived in La Mesa and never knew about this restaurant before. For a first visit, I immediately knew this was a truly authentic Thai restaurant. Firstly, the service was exemplary. The staff was attentive to every party, and you never had to flag anyone down for a refill. They were friendly and hospitable. The food was prepared artfully, and most importantly, simple and deliciously filling—as I know Thai cuisine to be. They go by the 1-10 spice level, so every dish can be customized as you like, as far as spiciness goes. We had the Chinese sausage fried rice, somtom (papaya salad), potak seafood soup, and Thai tea. All were absolutely AMAZING. My absolute newest favorite restaurant in La Mesa!Affordable, and well worth every penny spent. Parking is shared with other vendors in the annex, and had no problem finding one, even at dinner time. Comfortable seating area that is good for groups, as well as couples. Warm, welcoming, and clean atmosphere. I strongly recommend this restaurant to diners!
Oodles By The Nood Bar
7436 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
Absolutely blown away by the culinary mastery at Oodles by the Nood Bar in La Mesa! This unassuming gem serves up some of the most inventive, flavorful, and expertly crafted noodle dishes Ive ever had the pleasure of devouring.From the moment I stepped in, the aromas wafting from the kitchen had my taste buds doing the happy dance. The menu is a love letter to noodle enthusiasts, with options ranging from classic comforts to bold, adventurous creations. I opted for the Hong Kong Style Noodle Soup, and let me tell you, it was a revelation. The broth was a depth charge of flavor, with just the right amount of heat to leave me breathless. The noodles were cooked to a perfect, springy texture, and the pork belly ... oh, the pork belly! Tender, juicy, and infused with the most amazing marinade. But what truly sets Oodles apart is the attention to detail and care that goes into every single dish. You can taste the love and passion in every bite, and the portion sizes are generous, to say the least. Service was top-notch, too - friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do. Save room for dessert.. cant go wrong with the Fly Me To The Moon !In short, Oodles by the Nood Bar is a must-visit destination for any food lover. Dont be fooled by the humble exterior - this place serves up truly exceptional cuisine that will leave you dreaming of noodles for days. Five stars, ten stars, a million stars - Id give it all the stars in the universe if I could!