Chinese Chef has the BEST cashew chicken in Springfield, hands down. Absolutely delicious. Always crispy, never soggy. Always tasty, never bland. Just perfect. Their fried rice tastes like they cooked the rice itself in some chicken broth which makes it extra delicious. At the Enterprise location, you can get spring rolls that are to DIE for. But at either location, check out their crab rangoons. They sweeten the cream cheese in side. They almost taste like fried cheesecake. SO DELICIOUS.
(5)
Len L.
Not impressed. Not what I was expecting. Felt like I was walking into a burger King (an oriental version anyway). I ordered the egg Foo young my wife had the sesame chicken. Neither one of us were impressed. Had better.
(3)
Angela G.
Love the food! Especially the general chicken! Clean, fast and friendly atmosphere! Always recommend!
(4)
Nathan Q.
Inexpensive and good. Very similar to other Chinese restaurants in Springfield, but they do give you one eggroll and one crab rangoon.
(5)
Anna L.
This place is absolutely amazing. You will not be disappointed by anything you choose off the menu I guarantee it. I love this place.
(5)
Keeton C.
Had lunch here today that was pretty good. I like the fact that they don't use MSG in any of their dishes which has become kinda rare among the Chinese restaurants. The place is always really clean and they've won awards 2 years in a row at "Cashew Craze", a local cashew chicken comp. I had the sweet and sour chicken but I think next time I'll try buffet
(4)
Molly R.
Everyone's got their opinion on which Chinese restaurant is the BEST Chinese restaurant in Springfield. From to China Star to China King to Dragon Inn II to Triple 8's to Creasian to Hong Kong Inn to the Rickshaw to Shanghai Inn to Peking House to... Okay, I digress, but this one gets my vote. The thing about Springfield is that people will defend their favorite Chinese place to the death, but the reasons I like Chinese Chef are simple: it's fast, it's clean, it's cheap, it's got quality white meat chicken, and I firmly believe (like everyone else does for their respective place) its cashew chicken is the best. Sometimes I order it with the sauce on the side just so I can enjoy the fried chicken by itself. I can also attest to the shrimp fried rice being good, the egg drop soup being great, and the egg rolls being the best I've had for such a seemingly obligatory side. They offer up a pretty tasty lunch buffet as well. The service is hit or miss. It is what it is - I think at this particular restaurant, there's a bit of a communication gap, but generally I've found everyone taking my order to be at least efficient if not friendly. One reviewer made a really good point that no chinese restaurant in Springfield is deserving of five stars, and I'm going to stand behind that because it's pretty much true. There's something slightly and irrevocably mediocre about almost all Chinese dives around here, and we as Springfieldians love them the way we'd love a pet dog suffering from a little bit of mange or a cousin with no life ambition. For me, Chinese Chef is that cousin.
(4)
Trent C.
Had a deal, so I went to check it out. Place was dead, was about 15 minutes before the Superbowl started. Small menu. Very neat and clean - sparkled almost. Cashier was very nice. No take out menus available. My order was totally messed up... Menu didn't have everything w/ the same price on it in different sections. Charged a dime for fortune cookie - didn't get one, though, and I didn't see it on the receipt, I did see her ring it up. I had: Hot N sour soup: very, very good taste, but very thick, would have been the best I'd had around here if it was a more normal consistency. I could have set some on the spoon and flung it at the wall, and it would have stayed a glob and slid down the wall intact. Crispy noodles good. Note the price on this is a bit higher than most places. Egg Roll: Tasty. OK. Pot Stickers: Good, not overly greasy. Kung Pao Chicken: Uh... cooked well, but it was almost like someone used sweet n sour sauce and added hotness, very odd - quality eats and veggies, though. Bizarre. Bleh. Rice was done well. UPDATE: I had only poured 1/3 of it onto my plate, writing this, later I find that the bottom half was sweet n sour pork! A ('retired') feral cat enjoyed the chicken very much, kept stabbing me in arm wanting more, was more than happy to oblige. Feral cat #2 refused to eat it, however.. Not very happy, even though I only paid half price via special deal, wasn't even worth that. Probably would rather goto the HyVee Chinese down the street before I come back. The cashew chicken and sweet n sour crowd will love this place. UPDATE: I called them, they claimed I lie about the food being half of one thing, half of another. I went by, they did at least give me some Kung Pao chicken, it was great, but still one star due to calling me liar, etc. Customer service is zero here.
(1)
Shawn J.
A lot of the great places that made Springfield Cashew Chicken no longer exist. And for the ones that do a lot of them seriously suck when it comes to making anything that comes close to the original Leong's Tea House version. I've had the original many times over and that's what I use as my reference point for the prentenders and contenders. Chinese Chef is the closest place I've found that meets my expectations. White Meat deep fried chicken? Check! Chinese Oyster Sauce with the right appearance and consistency? Check! Whole cashews and not the left over crap from the bottom of the can? Check! And yes, no MSG. Bonus points for that. While many will debate and pontificate over who has the best Cashew Chicken in Springfield, this is where I buy mine, even though I have to drive 3/4 of the way through Springfield just to get to it. Note: While I really like Chinese Chef, I will NEVER, EVER give ANY Springfield Cashew Chicken restaurant more than 4 Stars. Only Leong's would get that coveted 5th Star, and Yelp wasn't around then or else that's the review they would have received. Edit: While I live in Vegas I have family in Missouri and Missouri is always home. And when I'm within an hour of Springfield I will make the drive down by myself just to get cashew chicken and nothing else. This review is for March 2012.
(4)
Cody H.
The food here is top notch! And the price isn't ridiculous! I got chinese at a restaurant at sunshine and Kansas expressway a month ago that was more expensive, and less food, oh and the food wasn't as good! Chinese Chef is really top of the line in Springfield!
(5)
Ai K.
Enjoyed my meal here. I had beef broccoli. Tasted really good :) the place is really clean as well.
(5)
Jeff T.
When I pass through Springfield, I have to stop for Cashew Chicken. This place fits the bill of great Cashew Chicken, cheap, with a dive like experience. I've eaten here twice and I have never been disappointed with the food yet.
(4)
Andrea C.
In my opinion this is the best cashew chicken in springfield!! Love this place and it's not a bad price either!
(5)
Brianna A.
This little Chinese restaurant just happen to be one that I stopped by on my way home one day and from then on I fell in LOVE. Now my husband, mom, and other family members have been there and love it too.It's probably one of the best Chinese restaurants in Springfield. I've never been disappointed with anything that I've ordered. Their flavor as well as quality of food is awesome. The cashew chicken is your normal Springfield style which is good, the hot and spicy chicken is definitely hot and spicy for me, sweet and sour is yummy, kung pao chicken is very good if you want something that is not fried, and the crab rangoon is delicious! The price is really good for the amount of food you get and the quality. This is definitely somewhere I would recommend to anyone coming to Springfield looking for some good Chinese food. My husband and I go here as often as we can.
(5)
Kimberly F.
Got to represent for Chinese Chef. Ever in the midwest? Only in Springfield, Missouri will you find Chinese Chef - Chinese fast food! (yes, there is an actual drive through) I had never heard of a chinese food drive through restaurant until i came to missouri. The food is not at all greasy, it is definitely that stereotypical kind of chinese food (none of that weird chicken feet or beef tongue) to cater to the residents of the area.... they've got cashew chicken, egg foo yung, and crab rangoons! Oh my GEE! the crab rangoons are the best ever! i had never heard of them until i came here (i'm sure they have 'em in CA), but i tasted one, and seriously had to go back for more to satisfy my craving. YUM!
(4)
Sarah B.
Springfield is truly a land of knick knack cashew chicken joints where the streets are littered with different Chinese options. It is easy to overlook them or write them off as the same. I have actually been on a bit of a journey trying our local Chinese concoctions and Chinese Chef has risen well above many of the forgotten places. If I have spent any time away from home this is one of the first things I lust for when I return. I have been frequenting Chinese Chef regularly for a few years now, and have thoroughly traversed the menu. Some dishes that have been particularly memorable have been the Beef Pepper Steak, the General's Chicken, the Fried Rice, and the Moo Goo Gai Pan. The veggies that accompany these dishes are remarkably fresh and plentiful. In general the sauces on many of their items are thicker, deeper, and more complex than what I have experienced at other Chinese venues. Their fried rice has a rich flavor, is nicely dotted with egg bits, and is deep brown in color meaning it spent more time being lovingly tossed around the wok. The beef pepper steak is a sea of tender meat with many substantial slices of peppers and onions floating about. If you are a lush for peppers this is a great dish. The Moo Goo Gai Pan has really unique cuts of vegetables including cucumber, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts. I recommend adding some spice to the last two dishes for full enjoyment. All in all this place is really solid. The staff is genuinely friendly and provides you with a seemingly more authentic experience. The food comes out fairly quickly despite the drive thru's sometimes long line of cars snaking around the building. Typically the dinning room is nearly vacant, and eating in means you get to enjoy the fresh cut green onions, hot soup, or salad from the interior bar. Like many other Chinese places in town, this one is inexpensive but it doesn't taste cheap like many of the other forgotten places.
(4)
Paul K.
I've been to this location a decent amount growing up here, usually ordering the Beef and Broccoli. Recently went on a Cashew Chicken (White meat) tasting tour - I found this to be third behind Canton Inn (1st) and Hong Kong Inn. Pretty good and overall all of them were close, but maybe not as moist or tasty as the others.
(4)
Doug R.
One of Springfield's best Chinese places in my opinion. I've tried tons of stuff here, and the combination fried rice, general's chicken, pepper & onion steak, and cashew chicken are fantastic. Eat in and you'll have the place to yourself, but go through the drive thru and you'll be waiting. Not a fan of the bourbon chicken though. Nice prices too, everything is usually about $5-$7.
(4)
Alee H.
Everything is AMAZING! I guarantee you, you haven't had Chinese food like this before.. and ya, they got a drive-thru.
(5)
John V.
This little place was a very pleasant surprise. During lunch they offer a small and limited buffet. Although there are only a few entrees the food is good, fresh and hot. I particularly enjoyed the egg drop soup which was molten and took quite awhile to cool sufficiently to avoid second degree lip burns (that's the way it should be). It was also thick and eggy -- also the way it should be. The chicken dishes were made with nice tender pieces of white chicken and the vegetables were hot and crisp. The sweet and sour sauce was tangy and contained chunks of green pepper and pineapple... it wasn't the red canned syrup you find in many Chinese buffets. You can also buy a variety of menu items which are also delicious. For the price and quality this place is not often rivaled here in the Ozarks. I'll be back.
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :3029 S Campbell Ave
Springfield, MO, 65807
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No 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.
Lina I.
Chinese Chef has the BEST cashew chicken in Springfield, hands down. Absolutely delicious. Always crispy, never soggy. Always tasty, never bland. Just perfect. Their fried rice tastes like they cooked the rice itself in some chicken broth which makes it extra delicious. At the Enterprise location, you can get spring rolls that are to DIE for. But at either location, check out their crab rangoons. They sweeten the cream cheese in side. They almost taste like fried cheesecake. SO DELICIOUS.
(5)Len L.
Not impressed. Not what I was expecting. Felt like I was walking into a burger King (an oriental version anyway). I ordered the egg Foo young my wife had the sesame chicken. Neither one of us were impressed. Had better.
(3)Angela G.
Love the food! Especially the general chicken! Clean, fast and friendly atmosphere! Always recommend!
(4)Nathan Q.
Inexpensive and good. Very similar to other Chinese restaurants in Springfield, but they do give you one eggroll and one crab rangoon.
(5)Anna L.
This place is absolutely amazing. You will not be disappointed by anything you choose off the menu I guarantee it. I love this place.
(5)Keeton C.
Had lunch here today that was pretty good. I like the fact that they don't use MSG in any of their dishes which has become kinda rare among the Chinese restaurants. The place is always really clean and they've won awards 2 years in a row at "Cashew Craze", a local cashew chicken comp. I had the sweet and sour chicken but I think next time I'll try buffet
(4)Molly R.
Everyone's got their opinion on which Chinese restaurant is the BEST Chinese restaurant in Springfield. From to China Star to China King to Dragon Inn II to Triple 8's to Creasian to Hong Kong Inn to the Rickshaw to Shanghai Inn to Peking House to... Okay, I digress, but this one gets my vote. The thing about Springfield is that people will defend their favorite Chinese place to the death, but the reasons I like Chinese Chef are simple: it's fast, it's clean, it's cheap, it's got quality white meat chicken, and I firmly believe (like everyone else does for their respective place) its cashew chicken is the best. Sometimes I order it with the sauce on the side just so I can enjoy the fried chicken by itself. I can also attest to the shrimp fried rice being good, the egg drop soup being great, and the egg rolls being the best I've had for such a seemingly obligatory side. They offer up a pretty tasty lunch buffet as well. The service is hit or miss. It is what it is - I think at this particular restaurant, there's a bit of a communication gap, but generally I've found everyone taking my order to be at least efficient if not friendly. One reviewer made a really good point that no chinese restaurant in Springfield is deserving of five stars, and I'm going to stand behind that because it's pretty much true. There's something slightly and irrevocably mediocre about almost all Chinese dives around here, and we as Springfieldians love them the way we'd love a pet dog suffering from a little bit of mange or a cousin with no life ambition. For me, Chinese Chef is that cousin.
(4)Trent C.
Had a deal, so I went to check it out. Place was dead, was about 15 minutes before the Superbowl started. Small menu. Very neat and clean - sparkled almost. Cashier was very nice. No take out menus available. My order was totally messed up... Menu didn't have everything w/ the same price on it in different sections. Charged a dime for fortune cookie - didn't get one, though, and I didn't see it on the receipt, I did see her ring it up. I had: Hot N sour soup: very, very good taste, but very thick, would have been the best I'd had around here if it was a more normal consistency. I could have set some on the spoon and flung it at the wall, and it would have stayed a glob and slid down the wall intact. Crispy noodles good. Note the price on this is a bit higher than most places. Egg Roll: Tasty. OK. Pot Stickers: Good, not overly greasy. Kung Pao Chicken: Uh... cooked well, but it was almost like someone used sweet n sour sauce and added hotness, very odd - quality eats and veggies, though. Bizarre. Bleh. Rice was done well. UPDATE: I had only poured 1/3 of it onto my plate, writing this, later I find that the bottom half was sweet n sour pork! A ('retired') feral cat enjoyed the chicken very much, kept stabbing me in arm wanting more, was more than happy to oblige. Feral cat #2 refused to eat it, however.. Not very happy, even though I only paid half price via special deal, wasn't even worth that. Probably would rather goto the HyVee Chinese down the street before I come back. The cashew chicken and sweet n sour crowd will love this place. UPDATE: I called them, they claimed I lie about the food being half of one thing, half of another. I went by, they did at least give me some Kung Pao chicken, it was great, but still one star due to calling me liar, etc. Customer service is zero here.
(1)Shawn J.
A lot of the great places that made Springfield Cashew Chicken no longer exist. And for the ones that do a lot of them seriously suck when it comes to making anything that comes close to the original Leong's Tea House version. I've had the original many times over and that's what I use as my reference point for the prentenders and contenders. Chinese Chef is the closest place I've found that meets my expectations. White Meat deep fried chicken? Check! Chinese Oyster Sauce with the right appearance and consistency? Check! Whole cashews and not the left over crap from the bottom of the can? Check! And yes, no MSG. Bonus points for that. While many will debate and pontificate over who has the best Cashew Chicken in Springfield, this is where I buy mine, even though I have to drive 3/4 of the way through Springfield just to get to it. Note: While I really like Chinese Chef, I will NEVER, EVER give ANY Springfield Cashew Chicken restaurant more than 4 Stars. Only Leong's would get that coveted 5th Star, and Yelp wasn't around then or else that's the review they would have received. Edit: While I live in Vegas I have family in Missouri and Missouri is always home. And when I'm within an hour of Springfield I will make the drive down by myself just to get cashew chicken and nothing else. This review is for March 2012.
(4)Cody H.
The food here is top notch! And the price isn't ridiculous! I got chinese at a restaurant at sunshine and Kansas expressway a month ago that was more expensive, and less food, oh and the food wasn't as good! Chinese Chef is really top of the line in Springfield!
(5)Ai K.
Enjoyed my meal here. I had beef broccoli. Tasted really good :) the place is really clean as well.
(5)Jeff T.
When I pass through Springfield, I have to stop for Cashew Chicken. This place fits the bill of great Cashew Chicken, cheap, with a dive like experience. I've eaten here twice and I have never been disappointed with the food yet.
(4)Andrea C.
In my opinion this is the best cashew chicken in springfield!! Love this place and it's not a bad price either!
(5)Brianna A.
This little Chinese restaurant just happen to be one that I stopped by on my way home one day and from then on I fell in LOVE. Now my husband, mom, and other family members have been there and love it too.It's probably one of the best Chinese restaurants in Springfield. I've never been disappointed with anything that I've ordered. Their flavor as well as quality of food is awesome. The cashew chicken is your normal Springfield style which is good, the hot and spicy chicken is definitely hot and spicy for me, sweet and sour is yummy, kung pao chicken is very good if you want something that is not fried, and the crab rangoon is delicious! The price is really good for the amount of food you get and the quality. This is definitely somewhere I would recommend to anyone coming to Springfield looking for some good Chinese food. My husband and I go here as often as we can.
(5)Kimberly F.
Got to represent for Chinese Chef. Ever in the midwest? Only in Springfield, Missouri will you find Chinese Chef - Chinese fast food! (yes, there is an actual drive through) I had never heard of a chinese food drive through restaurant until i came to missouri. The food is not at all greasy, it is definitely that stereotypical kind of chinese food (none of that weird chicken feet or beef tongue) to cater to the residents of the area.... they've got cashew chicken, egg foo yung, and crab rangoons! Oh my GEE! the crab rangoons are the best ever! i had never heard of them until i came here (i'm sure they have 'em in CA), but i tasted one, and seriously had to go back for more to satisfy my craving. YUM!
(4)Sarah B.
Springfield is truly a land of knick knack cashew chicken joints where the streets are littered with different Chinese options. It is easy to overlook them or write them off as the same. I have actually been on a bit of a journey trying our local Chinese concoctions and Chinese Chef has risen well above many of the forgotten places. If I have spent any time away from home this is one of the first things I lust for when I return. I have been frequenting Chinese Chef regularly for a few years now, and have thoroughly traversed the menu. Some dishes that have been particularly memorable have been the Beef Pepper Steak, the General's Chicken, the Fried Rice, and the Moo Goo Gai Pan. The veggies that accompany these dishes are remarkably fresh and plentiful. In general the sauces on many of their items are thicker, deeper, and more complex than what I have experienced at other Chinese venues. Their fried rice has a rich flavor, is nicely dotted with egg bits, and is deep brown in color meaning it spent more time being lovingly tossed around the wok. The beef pepper steak is a sea of tender meat with many substantial slices of peppers and onions floating about. If you are a lush for peppers this is a great dish. The Moo Goo Gai Pan has really unique cuts of vegetables including cucumber, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts. I recommend adding some spice to the last two dishes for full enjoyment. All in all this place is really solid. The staff is genuinely friendly and provides you with a seemingly more authentic experience. The food comes out fairly quickly despite the drive thru's sometimes long line of cars snaking around the building. Typically the dinning room is nearly vacant, and eating in means you get to enjoy the fresh cut green onions, hot soup, or salad from the interior bar. Like many other Chinese places in town, this one is inexpensive but it doesn't taste cheap like many of the other forgotten places.
(4)Paul K.
I've been to this location a decent amount growing up here, usually ordering the Beef and Broccoli. Recently went on a Cashew Chicken (White meat) tasting tour - I found this to be third behind Canton Inn (1st) and Hong Kong Inn. Pretty good and overall all of them were close, but maybe not as moist or tasty as the others.
(4)Doug R.
One of Springfield's best Chinese places in my opinion. I've tried tons of stuff here, and the combination fried rice, general's chicken, pepper & onion steak, and cashew chicken are fantastic. Eat in and you'll have the place to yourself, but go through the drive thru and you'll be waiting. Not a fan of the bourbon chicken though. Nice prices too, everything is usually about $5-$7.
(4)Alee H.
Everything is AMAZING! I guarantee you, you haven't had Chinese food like this before.. and ya, they got a drive-thru.
(5)John V.
This little place was a very pleasant surprise. During lunch they offer a small and limited buffet. Although there are only a few entrees the food is good, fresh and hot. I particularly enjoyed the egg drop soup which was molten and took quite awhile to cool sufficiently to avoid second degree lip burns (that's the way it should be). It was also thick and eggy -- also the way it should be. The chicken dishes were made with nice tender pieces of white chicken and the vegetables were hot and crisp. The sweet and sour sauce was tangy and contained chunks of green pepper and pineapple... it wasn't the red canned syrup you find in many Chinese buffets. You can also buy a variety of menu items which are also delicious. For the price and quality this place is not often rivaled here in the Ozarks. I'll be back.
(4)