Kwan's is simply an old school neighborhood Chinese/American hole-in-the-wall. The vast majority of their business is take-out. However, on a semi-regular basis I stop by to dine-in with a group of guys I know. Some have been coming here for years and invited me to join them a while back. Anyway, the place is frankly drab and a bit musty. But I have no real concerns with cleanliness (and yes, I have made the trek through the kitchen to the sketchy bathroom). The service is always friendly, prompt and cheerful. The prices are downright cheap. When it's offered. I order the spicy chicken with green beans. The beans are fresh and crisp. I do have to add spoonsfull of spicy red oil to reach the level of heat I prefer. The rest of the menu is familiar fare. Decently prepared versions of the classic dishes with ample portions. Nothing remotely exotic. Strictly comfort food. Nothing wrong with that when you're in the mood.
(3)
Nathan F.
This is pretty much the best neighborhood Americanized Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis. It's inexpensive but delicious. The lo mein is addictive, and their fried rice is great too. In fact, I prefer their fried rice to their lo mein... and that's saying a lot! The spicy chicken and green beans is a good off-menu item that they have on special most nights, and though it's not spicy at all it is tasty and the green beans are fresh. You're not going to get any spiciness even on the dishes marked hot, and this is extremely Americanized Chinese food (you don't even really need a menu to order, you already know what they have). That said, they do it well--your food will be ready for pickup 10 minutes after you order, it won't break the bank, the portions are enough for next-day leftovers, and it's very very tasty. If you want to dine in, the dining room is cozy and clean and the owners are friendly. Their Jasmine tea is a nice post-meal treat. Kwans is nothing fancy but that's exactly the point. It's just a neighborhood place that's been around for years. If that's any indication, they are doing something right.
(5)
R S.
My wife and I moved to the Minneapolis area a little under a year ago. Being new to the area we sampled quite a few different Chinese restaurants, needing that place that we call "ours" - a friendly place with takeout that is nearby, reasonably-priced, delicious, and doesn't disappoint. We've been to ten or so other places before stopping at Kwan's. So far, Kwan's is exactly that place that we have been looking for. We have since been there a half-dozen times or so. We typically get egg rolls or soup, sesame chicken, and then another dish that is always different but tends to be veggie-centric. So far we have always had takeout. I will second the one reviewer's comment about the un-oilyness (is that a word?) of the egg rolls. Though I wish that they had their own sweet and sour sauce and mustard not packets. Everything we have had at Kwan's has actually impressed us and not not disappointed. Yes, Big Bowl and Great Wall may be a little bit better - but they are 3X the price. The place is, as has been reviewed, a "neighborhood" place - which means, I guess, a thinly-veiled, "not white table-cloth, more apt to have paneling and visible fax machines, that they don't accept OpenTable reservations, that they are owner-operators and not corporate-owned, that they don't have Reward Cards, a fancy website, giant white plates for small amounts of food. They don't greet you with amuse-bouches, or send you away with professionally-designed logo'ed mints." Yeah, it's a neighborhood place: very friendly, nearby, reasonably-priced, delicious, and doesn't disappoint. The unpretentiousness of the place is just a bonus. But amuse-bouches and house-made egg roll sauces for takeout would be nice.
(4)
Rhonda G.
I had some time to kill before the elite event. Thank God no one else had the same idea to do it here. I ordered beef and broccoli. Being new to the place, I had no idea what to order. It sure as hell wasn't that. Tough, cheap meat, with a gross brown sauce, and limp broccoli. It's a good thing I only ate a few bites, because the backlash was brutal. They have cans of pop, but the cheap bastards charge you more for eating in. Like I'm gonna use a glass from this dive. An even more vile area in the back to get to the cold bathroom, and the putrid stench. I bagged the rice, threw away ten bucks with no tip, and went over to Maude's. I love Maude's, but I didn't anticipate every 15 minutes in the bathroom. I guess the purpose was to scout this place for fellow yelpers to beware.
(1)
Alie H.
There food isn't bad . Some of its good but I usually just stick to the basics . I love how nice they are though && overhearing conversations About kids and families so you know there's a lot of neighborhood regulars . I love their pop when it's hot out .
(4)
Prachee M.
Sitting in a booth at Kwan's yesterday evening, I was somewhat panicky after reading the most recent review from 1/2009...and ordered with trepidation. Shrimp fried rice, shrimp cantonese and 2 kinds of egg rolls - spicy and vegetable. The food was okay, the fried rice smelled a little burnt, but the rolls were quite non-greasy. Two of us shared this food and left-overs are enough to have another meal. Service was good. I'm not going back in a hurry because there are other places in the same area that have tastier Chinese food.
(3)
Stacy G.
I have a deep love for Chinese take out... and this place is greasy and NASTY. Don't waste your time, money or calories.
(1)
Peter R.
We always get takeout. It's almost always beef lomein, 2 egg rolls & those cream puff things. It gives you about 3 meals - two of us dinner and lunch for me. It's a great local Chinese place with real character - everyone I know who's sampled it loves it.
(4)
Steve U.
it's 9pm and it's been day full of the armatage fun walk for the boy's school and errands. we're driving on penn and my wife says, "huh - i wonder what kwan's is like?" well, let's find out, this prompts me into taking a sharp turn into the parking lot. i'll be brutally honest here. this is neighborhood chinese takeout. don't expect fusion cuisine. the interior is clearly with a focus on utility with your classic chinese restaurant hanging lamps and a well used fax machine definitely caught my eye. the staff are friendly and appear to be owners. the service was prompt, they turned our order around for take out right quick. we got it home and my sesame chicken (i've learned over the years when in such establishments to go with the classics) was a reasonably good but my wife's garlic chicken left much to be desired. the vegetarian egg rolls were a solid implementation with surprisingly no oil. you know how typically you get the waxed bag of egg rolls dripping with oil? none of that. all in all, i'd say i've certainly experienced better, but if you're looking to eat something on the cheap and fast, kwan's will do. it's clearly a neighborhood institution, so they can't have inflicted too much damage on the locals.
(2)
Dustin M.
Pretty good buffet for lunch, but dinner is the best time to go because everything is always prepared for you fresh unlike most similar places. Min is really sweet and remembers us by name, the gentleman who cooks is really nice too but his English isn't great so he just smiles and nods usually. Min is really friendly with our 3 year old and he always enjoys seeing Min. They have excellent chicken wings, and the Chow Mein is the best I've had. I can't recommend much else, as I usually just go with what they do best (Chow Mein). I've tried the other stuff and it's been ok, but always have to go back to the Chow Mein. Overall, this is my favorite hole-in-the-wall chinese place in town and would recommend it to anyone looking for some good low-priced Chinese food.
(5)
John R.
Kwan's is a classic neighborhood American/Chinese food joint. Minneapolis once had dozens of these places scattered all over town. Kwan's is probably the only one left in SW Minneapolis. There's a reason for that. Tastes have changed. Kwan's hasn't. There are no surprises here. All of their dishes are reliably inoffensive and will fill you up without costing much money. Fried rice and lo mein are good choices, also sweet and sour anything. If you like things spicy, be prepared to take care of that yourself. The dining room is small and the decor is mom and pop Chinese from decades ago. What's not to like?
(3)
Boward O.
My goto place for Chinese menu in South Minneapolis is Rainbow on Eat Street - the cold sesame noodles at Rainbow are perfect. Having said that - if you live near the 54th & Penn intersection - Kwan's provides good, yummy take-away. The service is great - as this is a family owned business. There are no surprises here - you can order over the phone - without even having a menu - all the standard American Chinese dishes are served. I like the lo-mein - but my recommendation when you call for take-away - is to ask about the daily special. Today it was spicy chicken with green beans and it was yummy. I give it three stars for food - and one extra star for the service.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Kurt M.
Kwan's is simply an old school neighborhood Chinese/American hole-in-the-wall. The vast majority of their business is take-out. However, on a semi-regular basis I stop by to dine-in with a group of guys I know. Some have been coming here for years and invited me to join them a while back. Anyway, the place is frankly drab and a bit musty. But I have no real concerns with cleanliness (and yes, I have made the trek through the kitchen to the sketchy bathroom). The service is always friendly, prompt and cheerful. The prices are downright cheap. When it's offered. I order the spicy chicken with green beans. The beans are fresh and crisp. I do have to add spoonsfull of spicy red oil to reach the level of heat I prefer. The rest of the menu is familiar fare. Decently prepared versions of the classic dishes with ample portions. Nothing remotely exotic. Strictly comfort food. Nothing wrong with that when you're in the mood.
(3)Nathan F.
This is pretty much the best neighborhood Americanized Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis. It's inexpensive but delicious. The lo mein is addictive, and their fried rice is great too. In fact, I prefer their fried rice to their lo mein... and that's saying a lot! The spicy chicken and green beans is a good off-menu item that they have on special most nights, and though it's not spicy at all it is tasty and the green beans are fresh. You're not going to get any spiciness even on the dishes marked hot, and this is extremely Americanized Chinese food (you don't even really need a menu to order, you already know what they have). That said, they do it well--your food will be ready for pickup 10 minutes after you order, it won't break the bank, the portions are enough for next-day leftovers, and it's very very tasty. If you want to dine in, the dining room is cozy and clean and the owners are friendly. Their Jasmine tea is a nice post-meal treat. Kwans is nothing fancy but that's exactly the point. It's just a neighborhood place that's been around for years. If that's any indication, they are doing something right.
(5)R S.
My wife and I moved to the Minneapolis area a little under a year ago. Being new to the area we sampled quite a few different Chinese restaurants, needing that place that we call "ours" - a friendly place with takeout that is nearby, reasonably-priced, delicious, and doesn't disappoint. We've been to ten or so other places before stopping at Kwan's. So far, Kwan's is exactly that place that we have been looking for. We have since been there a half-dozen times or so. We typically get egg rolls or soup, sesame chicken, and then another dish that is always different but tends to be veggie-centric. So far we have always had takeout. I will second the one reviewer's comment about the un-oilyness (is that a word?) of the egg rolls. Though I wish that they had their own sweet and sour sauce and mustard not packets. Everything we have had at Kwan's has actually impressed us and not not disappointed. Yes, Big Bowl and Great Wall may be a little bit better - but they are 3X the price. The place is, as has been reviewed, a "neighborhood" place - which means, I guess, a thinly-veiled, "not white table-cloth, more apt to have paneling and visible fax machines, that they don't accept OpenTable reservations, that they are owner-operators and not corporate-owned, that they don't have Reward Cards, a fancy website, giant white plates for small amounts of food. They don't greet you with amuse-bouches, or send you away with professionally-designed logo'ed mints." Yeah, it's a neighborhood place: very friendly, nearby, reasonably-priced, delicious, and doesn't disappoint. The unpretentiousness of the place is just a bonus. But amuse-bouches and house-made egg roll sauces for takeout would be nice.
(4)Rhonda G.
I had some time to kill before the elite event. Thank God no one else had the same idea to do it here. I ordered beef and broccoli. Being new to the place, I had no idea what to order. It sure as hell wasn't that. Tough, cheap meat, with a gross brown sauce, and limp broccoli. It's a good thing I only ate a few bites, because the backlash was brutal. They have cans of pop, but the cheap bastards charge you more for eating in. Like I'm gonna use a glass from this dive. An even more vile area in the back to get to the cold bathroom, and the putrid stench. I bagged the rice, threw away ten bucks with no tip, and went over to Maude's. I love Maude's, but I didn't anticipate every 15 minutes in the bathroom. I guess the purpose was to scout this place for fellow yelpers to beware.
(1)Alie H.
There food isn't bad . Some of its good but I usually just stick to the basics . I love how nice they are though && overhearing conversations About kids and families so you know there's a lot of neighborhood regulars . I love their pop when it's hot out .
(4)Prachee M.
Sitting in a booth at Kwan's yesterday evening, I was somewhat panicky after reading the most recent review from 1/2009...and ordered with trepidation. Shrimp fried rice, shrimp cantonese and 2 kinds of egg rolls - spicy and vegetable. The food was okay, the fried rice smelled a little burnt, but the rolls were quite non-greasy. Two of us shared this food and left-overs are enough to have another meal. Service was good. I'm not going back in a hurry because there are other places in the same area that have tastier Chinese food.
(3)Stacy G.
I have a deep love for Chinese take out... and this place is greasy and NASTY. Don't waste your time, money or calories.
(1)Peter R.
We always get takeout. It's almost always beef lomein, 2 egg rolls & those cream puff things. It gives you about 3 meals - two of us dinner and lunch for me. It's a great local Chinese place with real character - everyone I know who's sampled it loves it.
(4)Steve U.
it's 9pm and it's been day full of the armatage fun walk for the boy's school and errands. we're driving on penn and my wife says, "huh - i wonder what kwan's is like?" well, let's find out, this prompts me into taking a sharp turn into the parking lot. i'll be brutally honest here. this is neighborhood chinese takeout. don't expect fusion cuisine. the interior is clearly with a focus on utility with your classic chinese restaurant hanging lamps and a well used fax machine definitely caught my eye. the staff are friendly and appear to be owners. the service was prompt, they turned our order around for take out right quick. we got it home and my sesame chicken (i've learned over the years when in such establishments to go with the classics) was a reasonably good but my wife's garlic chicken left much to be desired. the vegetarian egg rolls were a solid implementation with surprisingly no oil. you know how typically you get the waxed bag of egg rolls dripping with oil? none of that. all in all, i'd say i've certainly experienced better, but if you're looking to eat something on the cheap and fast, kwan's will do. it's clearly a neighborhood institution, so they can't have inflicted too much damage on the locals.
(2)Dustin M.
Pretty good buffet for lunch, but dinner is the best time to go because everything is always prepared for you fresh unlike most similar places. Min is really sweet and remembers us by name, the gentleman who cooks is really nice too but his English isn't great so he just smiles and nods usually. Min is really friendly with our 3 year old and he always enjoys seeing Min. They have excellent chicken wings, and the Chow Mein is the best I've had. I can't recommend much else, as I usually just go with what they do best (Chow Mein). I've tried the other stuff and it's been ok, but always have to go back to the Chow Mein. Overall, this is my favorite hole-in-the-wall chinese place in town and would recommend it to anyone looking for some good low-priced Chinese food.
(5)John R.
Kwan's is a classic neighborhood American/Chinese food joint. Minneapolis once had dozens of these places scattered all over town. Kwan's is probably the only one left in SW Minneapolis. There's a reason for that. Tastes have changed. Kwan's hasn't. There are no surprises here. All of their dishes are reliably inoffensive and will fill you up without costing much money. Fried rice and lo mein are good choices, also sweet and sour anything. If you like things spicy, be prepared to take care of that yourself. The dining room is small and the decor is mom and pop Chinese from decades ago. What's not to like?
(3)Boward O.
My goto place for Chinese menu in South Minneapolis is Rainbow on Eat Street - the cold sesame noodles at Rainbow are perfect. Having said that - if you live near the 54th & Penn intersection - Kwan's provides good, yummy take-away. The service is great - as this is a family owned business. There are no surprises here - you can order over the phone - without even having a menu - all the standard American Chinese dishes are served. I like the lo-mein - but my recommendation when you call for take-away - is to ask about the daily special. Today it was spicy chicken with green beans and it was yummy. I give it three stars for food - and one extra star for the service.
(4)