Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant
881 S Randall Rd, Elgin, IL, 60123
Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Seafood
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Beef
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Pork
Healthy Meal suggestions for Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Seafood
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Beef
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Pork
Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
881 S Randall Rd
Elgin, IL, 60123 - Phone (847) 888-8088
- Website https://www.silverlakerestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Raul R.
I used to order from here when I lived at my parents house back in 2004 when I was in highschool. Always loved the food and service (always take out or delivery). The food was always amazing and had a better taste than those fast food asian cuisines such as panda express. So now its 2015 and I've moved back to STC and have ordered delivery from there 3 times now on their website (which is super cool by the way) and have been 100% satisfied on both service and food quality each time. Even their delivery drivers are respectful and keep customer service in mind. I could not recommend a better place than here. I wish I could give 6 stars but im sure you get my point. The only down fall (and its my fault) is its is after 10 and Im craving some amazing food! Haha looks like lunch tomorrow will be silver lake! :)
(5)Lindsay B.
This review is for delivery only, we have ordered multiple times but have never eaten in the restaurant itself. Ordering delivery from Silver Lake is easy- you can call or place your order online (which I personally love since it is so quick). Delivery has always been very speedy- typically 10 minutes faster than they state, which is really nice. They often offer discounts for ordering online as well. Portions are very generous, we can often eat Chinese food for days after ordering from here. I love their crab puffs, chicken fried rice, and sweet and sour chicken. My husband loves some of their spicier dishes (which I do not eat). We will definitely continue to order from them in the future- oh and food is always super hot when it gets to our house- a definite plus.
(4)Ben Y.
I had a sizzling garlic beef & chicken kow (sp?). I found the food to be very bland. At least the service was decent.
(2)Michele H.
This is the first chinese place we've ordered from, since moving to this area. We thought it was great. I love the online ordering, 10% discount was nice too. Food arrived hot. The spicy shrimp with cashews was my favorite. I didn't give it 5 stars because it is a little pricey. The portions were big though. Plenty of leftovers. I would definitely recommend this place to try.
(4)Joey B.
A modest and decent Chinese place to dine in Elgin. Which is worth a mention because Chinese food sucks in Elgin lol. Atmosphere: Place looks like it is always closed from the outside lol. Don't be fooled! The interior is rather pleasant actually. They carefully pick out their neat decorations, but everything including the lighting is easy on the eyes. Silverware, dishes, etc. aren't the cleanest. It bothered me. Service: Been here twice and it always feels like I am being rushed. What is the hurry! This place is never that busy anyway. The service could use better manners and have a hint of friendliness. Also felt that our drinks were rarely refilled. Food: Their price to quality ratio is a bit high in terms of Chinese food. I wouldn't consider the quality high or the portions generous. I would consider the food just slightly above average in quality. Nothing really stuck out either. Maybe I will try more items next time, but only because it is nearby work. It was an average experience. I probably won't dine here unless other people wanted to for convenience. Elgin is pretty weak sauce when it comes to the Chinese department though. So I would recommend this as a go to for most of the Elgin population until I find something better.
(3)Christine S.
Really good egg rolls Weird texture on the Mongolian Beef Really good General Tao's Chicken Fast delivery!
(3)Steever M.
I used to love this place - still pretty good egg rolls, but the last 2 times i went there I took home multiple containers of warm glop.
(2)Dave R.
I really like the Silver Lake. I truly enjoy the orange beef, not terribly authentic but very tasty. They also have a nice spicy hot and sour soup. The Chef's specialties are their better dishes.
(4)Levent T.
Went here on a Saturday night and was disappointed. They were short staffed on servers so the attentiveness was lacking considerably and they screwed up our order. Plus the shrimp was smaller than what we got in the past *and* it was slightly overcooked. The kicker was that the manager didn't seem to care. He just sat at a table with some people he knew and let the poor service take place. It will be a while before we even think about visiting again.
(2)John M.
UPDATE: 8/15/2014 After yet another dissapointting order tonight I have to lower my rating. The food I ordered had no flavor but usually is the only thing on the menu that does lately. Everything is just drowned in a brown garlic sauce of some kind, maybe some pepper thrown at it. I'm over it. Stay away, this isn't the Silver Lake you grew up with. Original: Just OK. Their food if pretty good in the appetizer department, usually consistent in quality and delivery. My issue with the restaurant is that the quality of food you get seems to depend on who's cooking that night. Sometimes I get nice, crispy chicken in my food, sometimes it's mushy, almost a reheated quality about it. Don't hate it, but I don't flock here for good food anymore. Since opening more stores, the overall quality of the Silver Lake Restaurants has been steadily falling.
(1)Nicolet K.
have to admit that the food is good, but I will never eat there again because of the terrible management. The owner/manager at this establishment does not care about the customer
(1)Cheryl I.
Just no. We have ordered from here for a while but no more. I ordered online. I was given "chicken" fried rice. The order and confirmation reported beef, what we wanted. When I opened up the "chicken" fried rice it was full of these tiny diced mushy clay colored cubes. We called to let them know there was a mistake, that's when we were told it was chicken. It was gross. They replaced the order, which was fine, except there was maybe a tablespoon of beef mixed into 2 cups of tasteless brown rice. My Kung pao shrimp had a thin sauce, 7 or 8 shrimp and lots of green pepper, even tho the description included bok choi, there wasn't any. The last order I had was general tso chicken, which was mostly breading and stringy dark meat "chicken" The crab ran goons are mostly sugar and cream cheese in a wonton wrapper, not yummy . I'm done with you Silver Lake. Your food has gone from mediocre at best to simply garbage. I can buy frozen P.F. Changs and it would be better.
(1)Zhong Y.
Went back. Ordered a Singapore Rice Noodle w/extra curry: for those not familiar, it's a dry, curry flavored noodle dish made of very thin rice noodles, like vermicelli, bits of fried egg, bbq pork, tiny shrimp, slivers of onion and green pepper. This was competently executed as if I was back in Chinatown. But $11 for a large portion, which is a plastic container about 2-4 cups size, what would normally go for $9 around here. May try other things.
(3)Amy M.
My husband and I are new to the area and have tried a couple different Chinese restaurants. This one has been the best. Great sweet and sour chicken. The sesame chicken was really great also.
(5)Ann A.
This was my favorite chinese restaurant until recently when I found Chan's garden but this is still a very close #2. The only dish I have had that I didn't like was the beef chop suey. Their fried rice is good, not greasy like some places. They have pretty good sweet and sour chicken (but if you want the best in this dish try Chan's) and general tsos (but again I'd have to say Chan's was better) . I liked the chicken lo mein and the sesame chicken was decent. We have dined in and had delivered. Dine in service is good, friendly, and quick. Delivery is pretty timely and food arrives hot. I like that if you order online you can get 10% off. The no msg thing is great. Overall a solid restaurant.
(4)Mia P.
I think not! So I ordered delivery for my business and when I opened my bag they did not leave me any utensils....and I ordered soup....how are you suppose to eat soup without a spoon? Also ordered crab rangoon, potstickers, fried rice.....there rangoons didn't have barely any crab in it and we're cold. The potstickers were greasy and just bad, the fried rice was burnt and looked old and tasted worse. I called them to let them know I did not receive any utensils to eat my soup and the girl on the phone said, "we don't give napkins or utensils to delivery customers because they normally can supply that on there own." Rude. It's a delivery, you should always supply utensils and napkins.
(1)Rick M.
In general I like the food here. I order take out frequently. But I must hope that Chef Brian reads yelp because apparently his staff is not passing along comments, or, he is ignoring them. 1) I HATE the idea that you serve a smaller portions to people who eat in your restaurant, as opposed to those who order take out. and.... I don't mean make your take out portions smaller. 2) The new chicken pad Thai is awful! I love pad Thai, and this taste nothing like any pad Thai I have had before. Want to check a good pad Thai Brian? go to White Pearl and try theirs. Authentic and awesome. 3) I have only ordered take out because I felt that the 1 long term waiter is unfriendly and arrogant. Not going to go into a lot of detail because it has been years since I ate in, but this waiter who is still their propelled me away from your restaurant. But the positive again, the food is very good, except the new pad thai which I am sure they will fix.
(3)Chuck G.
What's the first thing you do when you move to a new town? Look for good pizza and Chinese food, that's what. We haven't found the pizza yet, but Silver Lake is pretty good Chinese and is close to our home. My wife and I have done eat-in and take out and the portions are huge and the quality good. It's not the best Chinese I have ever had, but in the area it is number 1. The service for dine-in is pretty good. The food seems like it takes a long time to arrive and you can only read your Chinese horoscope so many times before you want to pull out your own teeth in boredom, but it is good and plenty to eat. Take-out is probably your best option here. Call ahead or order online and go pick it up. They did get our order wrong one time but once and a while this happens.
(3)Dona P.
I am not a huge fan of Chinese restaurants these days. I think I burned out on them a few years ago when we went to them often. But when my niece and nephew recently expressed their desire to have Chinese food when I was visiting my hometown for family business, we chose Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant on the recommendation of my mother's friend. I didn't have high expectations for Silver Lake Chinese Restaurant. It was located on a busy highway, in a strip mall, in a far-west suburb of Chicago. I anticipated large quantities of mediocre, salty, MSG laden food. I was wrong... I always order hot and sour soup in a Chinese restaurant. If it is good, I know my meal will be good, as well. If it is bad -- then I know I'm in for a mediocre meal. The best (and first) hot and sour soup I ever had was at Jimmy Tsang's in Pittsburgh in the early 1980's. I've been looking for hot and sour soup near that quality ever since. So, after ordering plum wine (I actually requested red wine but the waiter misunderstood me and brought me plum wine (which was actually delicious -- kind of like apple cider and Amaretto) I ordered hot and sour soup, spring rolls and steamed dumplings (pot stickers), knowing a full meal was too much for me. (and knowing I could taste the food ordered by others) The rest of the table ordered General Tao Chicken, orange flavored beef, orange flavored chicken, and empress chicken. At the last minute we also ordered a fried rice side. Each order was spiced according to the wishes of the orderer from mild to very hot. The waiter asked many questions in order to get the heat level right for the person ordering. My hot and sour soup was amazing. Almost as good as Jimmy Tsang's. It was a trifle too salty, but perfect in every other way. The rest of the meal was also delicious. All of the dishes were very good. We realized we'd ordered far too much food when the waiter put the first plate on our table. We all gorged ourselves and had leftovers for two days. The service was attentive (there were not very many other customers in the restaurant that night) and fun. He joked with the kids and winked at me (thinking they were my children, I think). The only complaint I have is that I ordered tea and was given a tea bag of black tea. I saw containers of green tea behind the counter, and was expecting that. I highly recommend this restaurant and will probably go back when I'm in Elgin again. It rekindled my fondness for Chinese food -- I'll have to find a good one in Bethesda.
(4)Rachel A.
iI love Silver Lake! I worked here when it first opened as a hostess and became friends with everyone. I am still friends with everybody to this day going on for 9 years. I have lived in 2 other states and I always come back to Silver Lake. Nothing has ever compared and they will have my business for a lifetime! The empress chicken is to die for as well as Mao pao spicy tofu! Leon and Cesar are amazing! The lunch is an awesome deal as well!
(5)Todd T.
Great food at a reasonable price. Service quick and friendly, not to fussy. This is a place that you go back to time and time again.
(4)Melissa L.
Summary: Things are best left simplest. (Who adds bell pepper, and green onion to orange chicken((seriously)) I won't be ordering here again. I decided to give it a second chance, and I once again was not impressed. We had ordered delivery, and gotten egg rolls, orange chicken, sweet & sour chicken, Beef with broccoli, and a house fried rice. We like to order a variety of things before we judge a place. First off, the egg rolls, the first time I tried these they were good. This time, they were incredibly salty. Secondly, the orange chicken, extremely disappointing.. Did not have a Orange flavor at all, its served with bell pepper, broccoli, and green onion in a dark sauce and tasted either burnt or like sesame oil. The sweet & Sour chicken, there's no way you can mess that up unless you burn it or under cook it. The sauce it comes with has pieces of pineapple and bell pepper((again)). I tried the beef and broccoli, my bf stated that it tasted fishy, but i'm not entirely certain i felt the same way, though it was not tasty enough to want to eat it. The house fried rice was not a big let down, it was decent.
(1)A. B.
This place is always great. I was looking for a great, local Chinese place once I moved out to the Elgin area. We tried a few places but were always very disappointed. But then we found this gem...it's always great! When we've dined it the service has always been great and helpful. We have also done take-out as well. This is the best Chinese food we've found in the area. Great quality, not greasy, always great portions as well. I also like how they ask for the heat level of the food so it's not too spicy (or to make it more if that's what you like!). Yum!
(4)Kevin T.
Came here today for lunch. I had the worst egg roll that I have ever had in my life it was like it was filled with cinnamon spiced dog food. I had the Mongolian beef and it was flavorless with gristly crunchy beef with an awful sauce and Mexican rice too. I think the thing that makes me upset about all these asian restaurants around here is the use of "Mexican" rice vs "Asian" rice. Idk I guess I gave it two stars due to cost(you get what you pay for) and speed. To follow up. I eat at a ton of different "Asian" restaurants and I have noticed that at all the good restaurants, the workers come out and sit at the tables to eat the food they cook. Here the workers went out and came back with Portillos to eat. Says a lot for their confidence in the food. Go down the road to Thai Town for better food and better atmosphere. Sorry guys.
(2)Josefina V.
This place would be perfect for someone that doesn't have tastebuds. The food has no flavor. I got a curry chicken, the description said, chicken in a curry sauce with potatoes. They threw french fries in the dish. Come on! Really? This place is a joke. Will never come back here! My biggest pet peeve is a restaurant that half-asses their food. They clearly don't care about the food they're making, because it has no flavor. To have thrown french fries in a dish just shows laziness. They don't want to take the time to create a pleasant dish for the customer to enjoy. There were only two other people in the restaurant besides myself and my husband. Guess that should've been a sign this place has crappy food.
(1)Michelle M.
Ok, here are some of my go to favorites .....sweet and sour chicken is perfect, general tso is good, crab Rangoon I could eat 50 to bad they only give you 4, and the egg rolls are awesome...secret of a good egg roll is one made with peanut butter and theirs are!! Yum! Give them a try, best Chinese food in the elgin area.
(4)Dale A.
When you order a small portion they give a small rice...when you order a large portion they only give a small rice and you must purchase another small rice to have enough for the large order.
(4)Rich K.
Friendly place with with great service. One drawback, the chicken doesn't taste like chicken! When I pointed that fact out to the server, I actually said 'this isn't chicken', he just said "okay, would you like something else?". No denial as one would expect, just "okay..."
(1)amy j.
I love this place for Chinese! I almost always get the Beef Chow Fun and it's great. The people here are really nice too, always polite and quick. It's a pretty little place also, very nice decor. Now I'm getting a craving just thinking about it, might have to go tonight.
(4)Scott D.
This is our regular Chinese delivery place and we always happy with the quality. Love their wonton soup!
(4)Kim L.
First visit . Staff friendly menu was small just a lunch menu. But food was great ! Loved the egg rolls . Will definitely go back again :)
(4)Kim S.
Food is gross!!! My dog food looks & probably tastes better than this food. We decided to order delivery, and they were very timely and accurate with order...that was the only thing pleasant about our experience! The crab Rangoon was dried out and the cheese was a powder consistency and chewy. We also hand the General Tso's Chicken, and I couldn't find the chicken; it was basically fried chewy, mushy batter. We also tried the Kong Pou beef, and my fiancé nearly choked on the beef since it was so tough and flavorless. Needless to say we tossed out the entire meal, and will never go back. It was inedible!!! Don't bother with this place!
(1)Eric P.
We used to be a consistent customer of this restaurant, but after several consistently bad meals we will no longer be a customer at all. This place has really fallen through the floor on quality.
(2)Alice S.
We ordered here and haven't really had too many bad issues until tonight..... I ordered online, got an email confirmation... And then the scary guy arrives asking for money?? You billed my debit card and then want cash beyond our tip?? Do NOT order from these jokers. Once we paid double our order, the appetizers were so burnt they smelled like ash.... And worse??? I ordered chicken fried rice.....I got tofu!! Run as fast as you can.
(1)Nichole W.
I ordered delivery. The food came relatively quickly and was piping hot. My father ate sesame chicken. I ordered the Chicken Pad Thai. I was not overly impressed with my dish. It did not taste like any Pad Thai that I have had in the past at all. I would not recommend it. The sesame chicken wasn't great, but it was not bad either. The highlight of our experience was the eggrolls and the the wonton soup. Both were definite hits. I would recommend those two items from Silver Lake to anyone.
(3)Arthur-Angelo S.
Location: Looks small from the outside but surprised of the actual dining area. Very clean and always a great vide with good employees. Food: Best chinese food i have had in elgin by far. Love the Chow Fun Beef - you dont find this everywhere. Taste and portions are great and prices are avg to most other places. The only chinese place better than this is Yu's in Schaumburg
(4)Michael C.
Ordered for years and have noticed a decline in the food quality. Heard they possibly freeze and re heat portions. General Tao chicken was horrible and had to throw out. have optioned for other restaurant that have a more fresh taste
(1)Michael D.
I'd go back. It's a little more upscale than your run of the mill Chinese restaurant around town. Portions are ridiculous, you will always go home with food.
(4)Justin W.
Decent food and decent prices. I probably wouldn't go back because nothing really sets it apart from every other Chinese take-out place. I'd give it three stars but they need to stop cooling uranium rods with the water they use to brew their hot tea. I've had hot tea at a shload of Chinese restaurants; believe me. My dad used to own one. I let the tea sit for at least five minutes and it *still* burnt my tongue so bad that a week and a half later I still feel a slightly painful tingly numbness on my tongue. No, I didn't take a mouthful, only a sip.
(2)Stacy P.
The food was very good. Im a snob for fried rice and egg rolls, and theirs passed the test. We ordered the small portions and still had plenty to take home! We will definately be returning.
(4)