Chino Fast Food
12313 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX, 77072
Chino Fast Food Menu
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Address :
12313 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX, 77072 - Phone (281) 568-3838
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
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 : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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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Tammy N.
Cash only! if you go here with your grandma, she's got you covered. When a chinese/vietnamese fast food place gets 4+ stars and 90% of its reviewers are asian, you know its gotta be good! Maybe its the nostalgic component of dining there with family as a kid. Parents know best, right? For lunch I enjoyed the $5.95 banh bot chien (order it without the meat sprinkles if you're vegetarian) and $7 veggie birds nest/fried egg noodle. My male friend commented that the birds nest was "such a girl's dish". er? i never considered food having gender.
(5)Sally N.
My favorite place! They make everything well. Great fried rice, wonton noodle soup, Bo Luc lac... I can go on! Ive been coming since I was a wee baby. It's always nice coming back cause you see the same familiar and friendly faces. Service is good and food really does come out fast. Remember to bring cash...
(5)Ha C.
Mom & pops joint. Been here since I was a kid. Everything is yummy.Similar to Tan Tan's menu but chino is better Still the best mi wonton noodle soup & banh bot chien
(5)Kellie Y.
Favorite place to get wonton noodle soup. I also like their rice noodle soup with seafood, eggrolls, and vietnamese coffee. Services is good and fast. Only con is they only accept cash. Food is consistent and I've been going here since for 10+ years.
(5)Rabbits R.
First off let me preface that we came here cause of a recommendation of the excellence of their food. Also I am an ex server and food service manager. So we are very courteous during the service. Now where to begin? From the VERY beginning once we entered we weren't greeted or anything. A female "server" just pointed to the corner and as to seat us. Same "server" brought us menus and just stood there. She STILL did not great us or anything and MOST IMPORTANT she never told us it was CASH ONLY! so we order our food and she puts it in, then brings us chopsticks and napkins only. Once the food was about to be served she came back and brought silverware (i know im not Asian but we never asked for the silverware and I felt it was rude to assume we didn't know how to use them). Before I eat I notice not only my silverware was dirty and rusty but my cup to pour my beverage was nasty too. So I had to request plastic-ware and a Togo cup! Once I am sure I wont be getting sick from their lack of cleanliness I try the food.....I was NOT at all satisfied with it. So much so that I wouldn't even give it to a homeless person. Not even a staring human would touch that. Mind you the WHOLE time it feels as if the server is disgusted that we are even in their place of business. So she is just sitting down staring at us. So we decide to call for our check and again she has yet to reciprocate the thank yous and yes ma'am or even ask if we needed anything. So I physically had to get up and get my Togo boxes.As I do that I look in the corner of the restaurant eating area and am disgusted to see one of the cooks using a regular table for customers (without anything underneath for cleanliness) doing food prep work and cutting vegetables. Then the final act of bad customer service came when we tried to pay with credit card and were told almost as if we should have known and its our job to know that its cash only. Again the server did not provide us with any input let alone that it was cash only! So we had to get charged to use the ATM in the shopping center and pay for this awful experience! I really hope management sees this and address these concerns for the health of customers and his business. Don't eat here!
(1)Jerel S.
Best fried rice I've ever had. And that's on an international scale from here in the U.S. all the way to Asia. Been going here for 20+ years and they don't disappoint
(5)Kev O.
Ok, located in an old strip mall and visually not the nicest or classiest looking area or place, but you know what they say about the best food being found at places like these? And this is so true with Chino's. I'm only a visitor to Houston, but have been regulars at Chino's for many years now because my family who live here love this place. We come here as we enjoy their extensive menu of delicious noodle dishes very much, the pan fried daikon cake with egg, spring rolls, fried dumplings, etc. etc. etc. Everything we've tried here has been served fast, been absolutely delicious, and inexpensive too. Great for lunch, dinner, or a late night supper.
(5)Melody P.
No need to look any further if you are looking for the best vietnamese restaurant in town! This place has been open since I was 3 and it still satisfies my viet food cravings every time. The Duck noodle soup is to die for and Buong Thit Nuong is as good as it gets! Definitely a hole in the wall but you will not regret trying it.
(5)Joanne M.
After years of putting off returning to this delightful little place, I was forced to come back here by my ravenously hungry aunt. Don't get me wrong. It's not because of bad food that I've chosen to delay my return here. Rather, in the overwhelming plethora of new Asian restaurants popping up in the first half of Chinatown BEFORE you hit Beltway 8, there's really been little reason for me to drive any further than Wilcrest to get good Asian food for cheap. Nevertheless, we made our way to Chino's. As I remembered, the place isn't ideally located. The decor had changed a bit since I last visited. The tiling on the floor is definitely something new and the walls were renovated as well. It makes the overall feel of the restaurant not seem as old. Still, that horse brush painting is sitting on the same wall that it has been for the last 10 odd years. When we were seated (you basically get to choose where you want to sit), the same waiter who has been our waiter since I was in the 6th grade came up to us and IMMEDIATELY began reciting a list of foods that we usually got. Everything from the fried flat rice noodles to the soup that my mom likes with this little egg patty with a fried shrimp in the middle of it. Seriously, this man remembered things that we first ordered the first time we came there. We settled for the fried flat rice noodle, "crunchy eggrolls", otherwise known as cha gio (we never knew how to pronounce that when we were kids...crunchy eggrolls it was), and salt toasted pork spare ribs. Now, I am a HUGE fan of cha gio. But not the dinky little fake ones. I need that little bad boy to be busting at the seams with filling so much that there are crazy misshapen pieces of fried wonton wrapping popping out everywhere. This in itself deserves it's own paragraph. I LOVE THEIR EGG ROLLS. It's hot, crunchy, and utterly divine; just the way they've always been. Oftentimes, I will use Chino's eggrolls as the bar by which other cha gio must meet but I have met very few who have met the challenge. The flat rice noodles were delicious (I've never really come across a gross tasting one...) and the pork spare ribs were delightfully surprising. I wasn't expecting much from it when we first got it but the textures and taste were great. A little kick from the chili, crunchy on the outside but still tender on the inside. Yum! The price of the food is incredibly cheap. I don't ever remember being able to pay for credit card or check there so I always bring cash when I plan on making my way over there. I think what gets me the most about this place is not only do they have really good food at reasonable prices but it's the sheer stability of this restaurant as a whole. This place has been open forever, despite the constant popping up of newer Asian restaurants. Our waiter has been there for YEARS. The waiters have ALL been there for years with the exception of maybe one or two new girls. Even our waiter's facial features haven't changed! That off the bat should tell you that Chino's is definitely doing something right. I highly recommend!
(5)kenneth t.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place, banh bot chien was extra crispy, mi xao and hu thieu were off the chain. The sauce smothered on the mi xao was mouth watering, make sure you don't get it dry. Price and taste trumps tan tan easily, although my co-workers called it ghetto, I didn't think it was. Actually, now that I think about it, tan tan is more ghetto and way overrated only because it's open late.
(5)Adnan P.
Got Vietnamese? So sharing a washroom with the Vietnamese consulate at work, the weekly protests by South Vietnamese across the street and having a Vietnamese coworker all my had me excited for trying out Vietnamese last Friday. I'm no expert on Viet cuisine, but going beyond the pho at this hole-in-the-wall was a delightful experience! My coworker ordered some beef and rice for me(ofcourse he gave me the Viet name, which was completely lost on me). Mix the beef with the chilli sauce, salt, pepper and lemons provided and its a fusion of flavours that tingle the taste-buds! He also ordered a potato and egg side for us to share. Not as exciting but still a pretty solid addition to our meal. The beef was tender and juicy and done almost perfectly, and although the serving sizes look small initially they are quite filling. Be warned! Cash only! As we learnt, if you don't, you have to go to the shady grocery store in the same complex and pull some cash (I didn't notice a bank close by). Also be prepared to be the only not vietnamese there - I was....
(4)Diana D.
Hole in the wall Chinese Vietnamese fast food. Super cheap. Super delish. I got the crispy fried flat rice noodles with beef and broccoli. In viet it's called hu tieu xao. So freaking good I think I'll get it tomorrow.
(4)Katherine P.
The only way I know how to say this dish is in Vietnamese: Mi Xao Giòn (Crispy noodles with a variety of sauteed veggies and seafood/chicken) Main reason I go here with my Dad every time I come home to visit. OMG, it's so delicious ...my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
(5)Shay D.
This is my first review on yelp and I would like to start out by giving one of my favorite restaurant 5 star. I have been going to Chino since I was a little girl with my family and the food has remain the same...pure delicious. I know they have many great items on the menu but i only order one thing. The mi xa xiu (kho) ...the dry noodle with the pink pork. I don't live in houston anymore, but when I come back to visit I can not leave without going to get this noodle. Do not get it to go, it will taste better fresh out of the kitchen. My boyfriend who is from Colorado came to visit and I brought him here. He was hesitant because of the location. The shopping center looks rundown and old. Don't judge a book by its cover. If you want authentic Chinese food, come here. I will always pick this place over Tan Tan.
(5)Pepper P.
This place used to be hubby's favorite restaurant to get his beef fried noodles. We didn't know they've changed the owner and cook. We ordered beef fried noodles and seafood tofu pot. Noodles didn't have any flavor and seafood weren't fresh. I had to spit it out. We don't think we will go back there again.
(1)Jennie N.
My go to place for banh bot chien This place is authentic Vietnamese food. Great environment, not too noisy but not an awkward quiet either. Just right. Great for families. I love this place, been one of my family's favorite restaurants. Favorites: Mi Xao Gion - seafood. Banh bot chien.
(5)iamnobody s.
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(5)Oanh L.
The longest standing mom & pop's restuarant. I come here every now and then, and the food is always the same and the staffs are friendly. Weekends can get crowded, and sometimes during dinner. Not to mention a parking space is limited. I really enjoy their hu tieu do bien and my son loves their wonton soup! Keep it up, Chino's!
(4)John S.
It may seem light nothing much from the outside but the food is amazing. Each dish is under $10 and each dish is exquisite. The service is great and the food is amazing. Only downside, dirty restrooms. But eh, you came for the food, not to pee.
(5)Van T.
This is the place to go if you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food. This place never fails when I'm missing my mother's home cooking. The only drawback is that it's an old restaurant so it feels pretty dirty. The restaurant is always humid inside and I'm leery of touching their condiment containers. But obviously the food is that good that's why I can look past the uncleanliness feeling. The canh cay chua suong non is the best I've tried. I don't like my soup to be too sweet. I prefer it to be more on the salty and sour side and this place nailed it. Tastes just like my mom's soup! The Suong rang muoi is the dish we always get. It is very flavorful and even though it's fried it's not too greasy. The salted fish and shrimp fried rice is just okay to me but my sister loves it. The rau muong with garlic is full of flavor. I prefer it a bit less cooked but it's good nevertheless. Overall, I've been coming here for years and it never fails. A definite must try if you're looking for some authentic good Vietnamese food. Four stars just because of the ambiance.
(4)Marleigh T.
Yasssss! This is one of my go-to neighborhood places. You'll easily miss the way in to the parking lot if you're not paying attention. Everything I've ordered from here is delicious. This place has the only fried rice I'll eat in all of Houston. Special lomein is also a safe choice. Whenever I visit, I have to get the imperial rolls, otherwise known as Vietnamese egg rolls. Sooooo good, and the accompanying lettuce and cilantro are hella fresh. Still haven't tried the hot pot, but I will one day... Prices are also great. I've never spent more than like $15 for an individual meal. They also take credit cards now!
(4)Yoyo P.
Obviously new owner and chef. Food is decent but not as amazing as all the other reviews. The pan fried crispy noodle is delicious. However the rice cake is dry and the egg was runny. Fried rice was also on the dry side as well. Overall it is a quick food eatery.
(3)Son H.
This place is awesome. I've been going here since I was about 4 years old (28 now) so over 24 years. The owners are really nice. I brought my white friend here today for Lunar New Year with my family and he loved it. I've also taken my significant others here and they have all enjoyed it as well. I love this place and hopefully will be going for the next 24 years.
(5)Phuong T.
The best Chinese traditional noodle soup in area. I always get Trieu Chau noodle and banh bot chien. Price is low and the food is highly recommended.
(5)Phuong V.
My favorite place for Mi Vit Tim and Hu Tieu Ap Chao. This place is not an idea place to take your first date here because of the cleanings of the place.
(5)Quynh Nhu D.
Read the reviews and was craving Banh Bot Chien. Asked a local Houstonian where to get some and he said Hao Hao Mi Gia. I guess Viets call it by a different name then the yelpers XD Anyways we got one Trieu Chau wide noodle soup and a Quang Dong soup. Both are soooo delicious. The flavoring of the broth was right on. I can still taste it in my dreams... We also each got our own portion of banh bot chien because we are suppose to be finish it off by ourself.. Nope. Its huge. After my delicious noodle soup it was hard to even touch the bbc. Tbt, I like the Boston version better since its rice cake and its softer. This version here is much more crispier and its like one huge piece stick together. Anyways still glad we went here. And I'm made picky about my noodle soup. So trust me, its good.
(5)Thao H.
THE BEST NOODLE SHOP. EVER. I have been eating here for a long time and throughout the years, the food has remained consistently good. It's a golden mom and pop's place. They have several items on the menu and majority of their items are delicious. I always go for the Mi Dau Hao Quang Dong (dry and sweet egg noodles with seafood). Comes with a small bowl of soup and wonton. It's like no other in this world. The combination of the onions, sauce, and noodle makes it a totally satisfying meal to my tum. I also really like their other hu tieu/mi variations. Their spicy and crunchy pickled jalepenos go perfect with their dishes. Service is super friendly and the same workers have been there for years, which I love. They have updated the color of their walls since the last time I've been there. The orange wasn't doing it for me (Sorry, I'm just being picky). Love, love this place!
(5)Shirley G.
This place is so overrated! Ugh the food is nasty and the place looks dirty. I ordered two egg rolls ( the only thing that was good) beef stew soup and pepper steak short ribs. The entrees had no flavor. What a complete waste of money!
(1)Tiffany N.
Sorta in a run down, sketchy area but makes THE BEST ASIAN FOOD. This restaurant is probably my family's favorite, go to place to eat. They have never failed to make every visit, a welcoming one. Great place for families!
(5)Kevin T.
This place has delicious crispy fried noodles (Hu Tieu Ap Cháo) this is what I get every time I go here. I get a beef one and the seafood one. Both are good and very satisfying, it hits the spot every now and then. I would recommend to people who like crispy/crunchy noodles.
(4)Lan H.
Before there was Tan Tan, there was Chino's Fast Food, or Chu Luong's as my parents call it. I've been coming here since I was a little girl, that's how long it's been in business, and I still see the same faces when I come in nowadays. Chino's Fast Food is a very unassuming hole-in-the-wall joint on the far end of Bellaire. If you're looking for a romantic getaway you might want to look elsewhere. Other than that, the food here has always been good, for all 20 years that I can remember. The egg rolls are huge, delicious and always come out freshly fried with fresh lettuce to wrap it in. The wonton soup is always a sure bet as are the fried rice and pan-fried noodle dishes. In fact the pan-friend noodle dish was probably my favorite thing to eat as a little girl, bad nutritional sense...yes, delicious...definitely. I actually prefer the Banh Bot Chien(fried dough and egg cake) from Tan Tan though, although my parents prefer Chino's version. Everytime my parents come they also order the spicy sautéed chicken with lemongrass (ga xao xa ot). If you order this, they will ask you if you want the bone or not. Get it with the bone!! You might have to be a little more careful eating it, but the dish is probably the best there. My parents maintain it's the best in town. If you're a fan of Tan Tan then you definitely need to make sure you give this place a try. It's an institution and is always delicious!
(4)david d.
My relatives always take me here when I'm in houston. They KNOW all the good places too. Com Bo Luc Lac, wonton soup, and bot chien are one of the best!
(5)Patricia T.
I've been coming here since I was 5. I'm 27 now and still frequent this establishment every chance I get. I moved to San Francisco a year ago and have been trying to find a place similar to this one; unfortunately, my search is still ongoing. Chino's may look a bit sketchy from the outside, but it's definitely a gem in the rough. Every dish I've had did not disappoint. Nowadays, whenever I come here I get the Hu Tieu Trieu Chau, which is always freakin' delicious! Their wonton noodles are also really good (simple, but full of flavor). For authentic Chinese/Vietnamese food, this place literally is 'as good as it gets'. My advice: Try it out - You won't regret it, I promise!
(5)Ryan P.
I've been to this restaurant since I was a baby and this is by far the best Cantonese/Vietnamese style restaurant in Houston, TX. You like Tan Tan? Imagine that but 10x better. This mom and pop shop has been here for decades and the same workers have been here since then. My favorite dishes is the banh bot chien and Mì Xà o Giòn. Highly recommended!
(5)Andy N.
New ownership. Food is now bland, less meat, and the sate chili smells weird. What a shame!
(2)Ashley Y.
This is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants. I always come here once a while. I always ordered the beef tender soup noodle and fried rice cake. The beef tender noodle soup is kinda the best in town. I think they always cook the beef the night before so the beef are very tendered. I also had some other noodle soup and fried rice. Most food here are pretty good. I prefer to come here for lunch. The food usually would be served in better quality. I had came for dinner one day and the beef tender were real chewy guess they sold out the one the prepared the night before. I will always come back here once I crave for some authentic Chinese noodle soup.
(4)Thu N.
The venue, not so great. Not so clean. However, great tasting authentic Vietnamese cuisine can be found here. We ordered seven dishes - hu tieu ap chao thap cam (combination sauteed noodles), rau muong (water celery), muc rang muoi (salt and pepper squid), suon rang muoi (salt and pepper pork), ga xao xa ot (lemon grass chicken), do bien tau hu thap cam (seafood and tofu hot pot), and canh chua ca (sour fish soup). All the dishes I would order again but for the canh chua ca. The soup consisted of merely 3 pieces of catfish and lots of bean sprouts. I prefer more okra and bac ha (taro stem). Our food came out super fast and piping hot. I will note that they were not busy so this could explain the speedy delivery. Also, the staff was very attentive. Kept our water full. Finally, beware when you go into the bathroom. You will step into a confined area and instinctively hold your breath. Think next time, we will order takeout from here. I give this place 4 stars without consideration of the venue, just food and service alone.
(4)Lynn A.
I've been here s few times and each time the food was great not dry and very delicious I will start coming here more often
(5)Tam N.
Conveniently located next to our favorite massage place, Great Hands Massage. Not the nicest ambiance, but good food and good service (water is refilled constantly without being asked and dirty plates are removed) more than make up for it. Enough said.
(5)Tina N.
I love how this place is not in plain sight when you're driving on Bellaire blvd. and could easily pass it up if you didn't know about it. It's not a fancy place at all, but the food is amazing. Whenever I come here I always order their banh bot chien (fried rice flour cake) and a bowl of hu tieu dac biet/hu tieu mi dac biet. It's basically a clear noodle soup with shrimp, crab, and pork. It's my favourite noodle soup dish (yes it beats pho by a mile). This place has the best hu tieu mi, hands down. I have eaten this dish at different places in Houston but haven't found any that even comes near Chino's. So until I find a place that has better hu tieu mi, I'm not going anywhere else for my noodle soup fix.
(5)Jennifer H.
My favorite hole in the wall. I've been dining here since I could walk. It has recently changed hand of ownership but the new owners didn't change a thing except for the wall colors. My parents usually get their seafood hot pot, family sized portion for a decent price. I always order their Hu tieu do bein xao kho or hu tieu thieu chao or banh bot chien. All of which are delicious! I do not recommend their fried rice However, it's a waste of money and space in your stomach. Save room for their other delicious dishes.
(5)Thao T.
The worst 30 bucks i have ever spent for!! Fried rice, hu tieu xa xiu are so disgusting.i should of read recent reviews to realize the owner is different.while writing this review,i feel throw up all their food i just ate. .plus,the waiter speaking vnese not spanish is freaking rude.will not recommend it. :((
(1)Ryan M.
OK, I am a non Asian and have been meaning to give this place a try since its close by and has solid reviews. So off we go.... The place is easy to find on Bellaire and Kirkwood in the Chinatown area. Once in, we were quickly seated and we began to decipher a pretty extensive menu. We decided on and each had Lobster- 2 for $21 and second order was 2- for $26. I had the salt and pepper scalion lobster which is essentially a deep fried lobster cut into many pieces- it was tasty and unique but takes some work to eat.... think crawfish. My guest had her lobsters in brown sauce with scallions and ginger- same presentation and also very tasty. We also had the Lake Beef Soup which was very tasty too. The service was very attentive and friendly. It as a bit of an adventure at first due to the language barrier but it worked out fine. Our bill was $75 for two people but hey, we had 4 lobsters, soup, and a vegtable.... it was a lot of food. Anyway, we agreed to come back and stopped by a tapioca tea place on the way out and rounded out a nice Asian experience.
(4)Yan W.
Are you yanking my chain? This is a real establishment? I had to do a double take when I arrived at this restaurant. The service was excellent. The owner was really proud his restaurant has been in the Houston area for such a long time. There was a very huge selection of Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. I got the Bo Kho, Mi Vit Tiem, and shrimp cakes. All were good for breakfast. Even though I like greasy food, perhaps the oil they used was a little too greasy for me.
(3)Jack M.
The glowing reviews had me excited. I was looking for a hidden gem of a hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant that would resemble what Mai's used to represent; incredible food for a reasonable amount of money. Mai's has represented neither well before their marshmallow roast a few years ago. The food at Chino's was edible at best to not quite so at its worst. The egg rolls were pretty good as were the sauces. I am fairly certain that they were bottled however. It went down from there. The house special friend rice was anything but special. Greasy and not very tasty. Bait shrimp with no recognizable flavor with little color left and less texture to commend them...enough said. The sate shrimp was a dish lacking any character we found desirable. The beef dish worst of all and doesn't rate description. As to price, for the value inherent in the food, extremely expensive. Oh, and the periodic parade of open topped Rubbermaid Brute garbage filled with garbage cans certainly enhanced the ambience. Sans a time machine to the 90's for the old Mai's we will continue looking and humbly suggest you consider doing so as well.
(2)Tiffany E.
Just got back from eating lunch at Chino's and I must say I was quite disappointed in everything we ate. I had pretty high expectations for this place based on the reviews, but what I experienced was mediocre at best. Banh Bot Chien - Burned on the bottom and dry. I doubt it was suppose to be this "well down", we just happened to get a burned one. Even if it was cooked correctly I can still tell I'd like Tan Tan's A1 better. Bo Luc Lac - Good flavor, but they were pretty stingy with the meat. Very generous with the rice though... Salt toasted pork - Greasy and not much flavor other than oil. I was extremely hungry before lunch so almost any meal would have put a smile on my face. The place was about 80% full with most eating noodle soups. Maybe I should have ordered that instead. :\ I'm technically full, but not satisfied.
(2)Tony D.
This place is well-known for their noodle. If you want to the best (egg) noodle, there is only a few places in Houston that serve them well. This place is one of them. I usually order a bowl of dried (soup on the side) egg noodle combination with steamed fish. Other items on the menu are great as well: wonton soup, pan fried noodle (or rice noodle), Banh Bot Chien, etc Definitely recommended if you are into Chinese noodles.
(5)Jose C.
hands down the best chinese/Vietnamese food I've ever had. love the wonton noodle soup. another fave is the pepper steak dinner special. love this place and would take it over any other Asian location.
(5)Tim J.
This is the the stable of Asian casual dining. Most of the people you will see here are families looking for a great meal without the need to have a formal setting. The food here is always good, and plenty of it in each serving. But we are talking casual food instead of upscale or specialty. So it's viewed more like the Asian Spaghetti warehouse or iHop. Pros: Food is great service is always good big portions cheap prices. Cons: A little dirtier, and the health department would prob shut it down. Restrooms that are picture perfect representations for after math of katrina. Floor slicker than a bowling lane at times. Cash only.
(4)Amera J.
I ordered bo luc lac and combo fried rice to go here on a Saturday night. This place was packed! Not an empty table. The bo luc lac and combo fried rice were very good. I have to come back and try some of their noodle soups sometime and will update this post. My only complaint -- they did not pack my food very well and some of the sauce spilled on the way home.
(4)Tom N.
This place has been around forever (I think almost 3 decades now?). Definitely a hole-in-the-wall, but a true diamond in the rough. Two of my favorite dishes here are the mi xao don bo cai lan (crispy egg noodle with beef and broccoli) and their wonton noodle soup. Flavorful savory dishes that are fun to eat. Comparable to the ones at Tan Tan and Sinh Sinh but cheaper. Is my review clouded by my obvious bias and sense of nostalgia? Absolutely! But the food is very good in itself and cheap to boot. It doesn't have the allure of a new hyped up restaurant, a media darling for some unique cuisine, or one with a modern revamped decor. But it's managed to survive when their other contemporaries of their time could not like the defunct old Chinatown where George R Brown is or the old Little Saigon where Midtown is now located.
(5)Tiffany K.
This is my favorite place to get banh bot chien. Banh not chien here is really crispy and well flavored. Their wonton soup is delicious and their fried rice is pretty good. I usually also get the coconut drink with shaved ice. Sometimes they put more ice than coconut. From the outside its not too pretty and the inside doesn't look that great either so I usually call ahead for takeout. I brought my white friend once and he thought the food was delicious. The only problem was it was a bit awkward for him because everyone else kept staring at him the whole time.
(4)Ellen W.
Things to get: 1) Wonton Noodle Soup 2) Vietnamese Egg Rolls In the category of traditional wonton noodle soup and Vietnamese egg rolls, this place is the best. My family and I have been coming here since I was little and I can vouch that it has been consistent in its flavor and quality for the last 20+ years up until at least last week when I ate these two staples again. The broth of the soup is very flavorful and hot (temperature wise); the egg noodles are chewy in a good way; and the wontons are plentiful and meaty. As for the Vietnamese egg rolls, this is the only place in Houston that I know of that still makes them the traditional way. The egg roll skin is extra crispy and they give you lettuce to roll the egg roll in. Get these two items and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Michelle H.
Their bot chien here is pretty good--nice and crispy. I ordered their pig feet egg noodle soup. They give you 2 big chunks of pig feet...nice. Salted pork ribs were decent, as well their wonton soup, hu tieu, and crabmeat soup. All were flavorful and they were not stingy with the noodles, meat, or veggies. Food here seems legit. Besides the creepy man that stands in front of you and has a creepy smile on his face, my experience here was good. (FYI: They don't have bun bo hue here).
(4)Meghan L.
So i went here to try and my fiance's brother recommended it. Maybe it was because i was full already, but i wasn't too impressed. I wish i was able to get something else. I got the seafood soup and it was alright. it was different, but not my taste of joe. Maybe when i go back to texas i'll try it again and try something different.
(3)Dan N.
I have been coming here since I was I kid. One of the best places to go eat com bo luc lac (shaken beef). Very flavorful and I use some of the extra juice to mix in with the rice. Mmmm juice. Pretty small place, but I've never had to wait for a table. Check it out and let me know what you think. I'd give this place a 3.5 star if I could. P.S. I'm always looking for awesome com bo luc lac, so please recommend some places.
(3)Chi N.
Don't get me wrong, the food is good. I have been eating Canh Chua Ca Bong Lau (Sweet and Sour Soup) here since I was in middle school, and I still haven't been able to find another place that can make it as well. The problem... this place is a roach "labor and delivery" with a "postpartum" wing right on your table. The last two times I was there I had unwelcome dinner guests; and yes, I came back even after the first incident, thinking it might be just a fluke. Nope, two in a roll to me, that's not a small roach problem. I only give it two stars because they do make the best Canh Chua Ca Bong Lau.
(2)San L.
the best gum bo lu lac in houston!!! :)
(5)Landai N.
This is my favorite noodle house in Houston. I have gotten some rice dishes here before and although they were great, noodle is what you need to get here. My go-to is mi dau hao hoanh thanh xa xiu (always get it dry!) As far as noodles go, it doesn't get any better than this. I have been coming here for 14 years and the quality has truly remained the same. Service is fast and the price is cheap. Decor is more on the ugly spectrum of things, but it only makes the place more authentic and "charming."
(5)Ana S.
God, I love their soup! Careful, the shrimp is not listed on the ingredients, it kinda taste like seafood soup (Hispanic) mmm,
(4)Andrew T.
Delicious Vietnamese food!! Some of the best i have ever had Thier Vietnamese style pork chop and rice is to die for!
(5)Day P.
Food is so good as well as prompt service. I had Flat Rice Noodle with Gravy, Wonton Soup and Chino's Fried Rice. OMG, it's Haven!
(5)Nam B.
Stupid name for a Vietnamese restaurant! Chino means Chinese in Spanish not Viet, but guess it's located in a Hispanic neighborhood, no one can tell? This is also a restaurant with restaurant quality food, not fast food or a Vietnamese food to go. The meals here taste great; just like to legit good stuff found in the Little Saigon area back in Cali.
(4)Jonson C.
Owner has changed and the food are getting better!!! Always have decent Asian food and it is a must-try Asian restaurant in Houston... Environment is comfortable for both family and big group
(5)Jen V.
Another Bellaire favorite with a - New owner, new chef, new review. They've changed up the place a bit.. The food has changed since it is a new chef. It isn't amazing as it use to be - but not bad. I wanted to give it 3 stars but the service is still good. The owner even came around to refill our water.
(4)Casey T.
I was incredibly sad that I wasn't the first to review Chino's, but it all made up for it when I saw that everyone else also gave this restaurant 5 stars. My family has been going to Chino's for at least 15 years. We had meals here at least once a week, if not more. Prior to the cell phone age, family members would call the restaurant to check if we were there. That's how good it was. Still is now. Chino's has never changed ownership, and thank goodness. It is a real family-built restaurant. The owner and brother used to work there every day when I was younger. Even today I still see them there working hard. There are some waiters who might not be as friendly as others, but the food makes up for it. The food is just as delicious now as it was back then. Unfortunately I always go with someone who knows the vietnamese or cantonese names of the dishes so I can't list them here. But all of their soups are delicious, ranging from plain wonton to the ones with intestines. My parents prefer getting dry noodles with the soup on the side, also very tasty. Hot pot is yummy, but you gotta work for your food, comes with vegetables, squid, fishball, vermicelli noodles, and an egg among other things. Crispy noodles never fail. Don't think they ever been soggy or burnt. They have the best shrimp with lobster sauce (sorry PF Chang's, you don't even compare). Beef with bell peppers has just enough sauce and perfect flavor. The beef is plentiful and has the right amount of green bell peppers and onions. Fried quail is crispy. It's too bad the quail itself doesn't have much meat. Their Bo Luc Lac is one the best I've had. We always get that dish now. The marinade is amazing and they give you a good portion of the beef. Okay, I'm sad again now that my mouth is watering and I won't be able to eat any of this til I go back to Houston in a couple months.
(5)Ruth A.
PROS Super fast Super cute guys (customers, not employees) Good rice, nice and sticky and clumpy CONS Bad shrimp, I ordered shrimp in lobster sauce to go (dumb, I know), and the sauce was good but shrimp was gross. I could overlook the tail still on, vein still in and shell still on if it was at least fresh. Alas no such luck. The texture was broken down and stringy like it had been heated and refrozen several times. I was hesitant to eat it but ate two anyway. Big mistake. That was Thursday and today is Saturday and my guts are still mad at me. Too bad for them, I am so going back--and eating there-- now that I have seen the clientele, just ordering something else.
(2)Dee And Dave N.
Initially reading the sign that said "Chino's Fast Food", i snickered and said there's no way this place can be decent. To our dismay, the food was extremely good. The fast food part may be misleading, as this is more of your sitdown restaraunt, but it has a whole-in-the-wall type feel to it. The menu is quite extensive as it lists things from Bo Luc Lac (Shakin Beef over rice) to seafood noodle soup. We ended up with Bun thit nuong (bbq pork over vermicelli noodle), a plate of Com Chien Dac Biet (house special fried rice), and Mi Xao Don (crispy fried noodles). We don't normally have good experiences with fried rice at these restaraunts, but the fried rice was very good here. loaded with meat and shrimp, it was was quite the portion. This wasn't a place where they give you two pieces of shrimp and call it "shrimp fried rice". The thing with Bun Thit Nuong, just like calarmari, is that it's very hard for a place to mess it up. Chino's wasn't that place as the BTN turned out good. Not great, but not gross. Thats all you can ask for. They were not shady with the vegetables in this dish either. The crispy fried noodle was extremely popular. Literally, every table there ordered this. Seeing that, my brother had to get one. It came out hot with lots of veggies and meat. A job well done for the sauce to noodle ratio. We heard it's hard to find good vietnamese food out in Texas, you're in the area, make sure you'll stop by Chino's.
(5)Pauline N.
The food here is authentic and delicious! The service is great. Cash only though! They need to get with the times! Everything I've ever tried here has been really good and the food comes out really REALLY fast. The environment itself isn't that great - it's kind of an Asian hole in the wall. It's really a great place to go to with your family.
(5)Kevin Y.
BEEF NOODLE SOUP. OMG. Its the best bowl of beef noodle soup I have ever had. I've tried other things here, but end up regretting it when I have to watch other people eat my favorite soup. I live in Austin now. So when I do come into town, I definitely make a stop here. YUMMM! Also, I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years and its always just as good.
(5)Isabel P.
Chino's is located on the corner of Cook rd. and Bellaire, Bellaire is known for having many Asian restaurants, but this one, i'm telling you, is one of the best. I have been going to Chino's since I was a little girl, and my family followed them from their old location years ago! They know us by name and already know our usual orders before we get the menus. The food here is so delicious and authentic. Their grilled pork chops are to die for, their soups and noodles are so savory. Seriously, everything here is delicious. It is a family restaurant. From the outside, it looks like a shifty hole-in-the-wall, but don't let that fool you, the staff, the food, it really is great(:
(5)Tep C.
I only come here during family gatherings. My aunt loves coming here as the staff are very easy to work with. The food is made quick and great and for a decent price.
(3)Esther L.
omg I thought about writing this place over the weekend and am glad I found it on Yelp!! Super excited right now! So this was the spot my mom used to take me to growing up in Alief. Good times, good times. I haven't been back in at least 5 years, but when I went back last time, the same waiter who used to serve us was still there.Except he didn't recognize us. Boo.. It is cheaper than Tan Tan's but this place has been open for at least 20 years, so I'm not sure how the decor is now..we would always get the Flat rice noodles w/ beef, Wonton Noodle Soup, or Chiu Chow Style Noodle Soup (stealing names off Tan Tan's online menu, but they should really be about the same) Will revisit this place when I'm feeling thuggish...or nostalgic!
(4)David N.
I'm sad that you beat me to this review, Dee and Dave. I have been coming to this place for ~15 years. It is nothing special but for the pure fact that it still stands even with that addition of new china town shows that this is definitely a place worth trying. I used to come here and start off my meals with the fried wonton. They have all the same dishes you can get at Tan Tan except it's better and cheaper. One of waiters have been doing it since when I first came and he always has a smile on his face. The service is fast here unlike Tan Tan. Once again I must thank Dee and Dave for reminding me of this place.
(5)Mary T.
Do you enjoy Tan Tan? If so, this place is similar, but 1000x better. If you hate Tan Tan, don't worry -- you'll still like it here. I've been going here for years even though i live about 35 minutes away. Now that I'm away for college, I go here every time I'm back in Houston (no exaggeration). If I could eat Chino's everyday of my life, trust me I would! It's THAT good my friends. The selection is huge, the food comes out FAST (5 minutes TOPS), and prices are reasonable cheap. The owner is super nice and the staff are pretty good compared to other asian establishments. The restaurant itself is pretty old and kind of run down, but you got clean tables and chairs (they changed them a year or two ago) and that's all you need right?! The food is awesome! Everytime I come here, we usually get at least 2 dishes per person. Yes, I'm the party of two with 5 plates on my table -- don't judge me! EVERYTHING I've tried on the menu has been decent, good, or delicious. Not once have I tried anything bad here. These are the things I usually I order: --The banh bot chien is delicious, one of the best I've had including their sauce (though this is one of the slowest dishes to come out.. can sometimes take up to 10 minutes which is extremely rare). --They have authentic egg rolls. You know, the kind with the awesome crispy flaky wrappers? Drooling.. --Hu Tieu Xao (Thit Bo Cai Lan) --Wonton Chien (Fried Wontons.. I know I'm a super healthy eater) --Mi Xa Xiu and Wonton, delicious broth but not enough xa xiu! --Hu Tieu Trieu Chau yum with plenty of meat and great broth --Mi Xao Don Thap Cam --Com Chien Ca Man is one of the best I've ever had --Mi Vit Tiem Some tips-- I'm pretty sure they close at 10pm everyday and it's cash only! There are a few ATMs nearby if you happen to forget (CVS, shell, and corner store) I really hate letting people know about this place. However, it is amazing and should be shared! If I had to purchase my last meal on Earth, this would definitely be it.
(5)Kee M.
To say that this is a hidden gem would be quite the understatement. Its so easy to pass on Chino's because for one, its way down Bellaire almost to Dairy Ashford (its on Cook Road). Also, while it is exactly on Bellaire, its also facing the wrong direction (ie - if youre on Bellaire you wont see the place, you will see the sign though), in a rather drab looking strip mall. But the food - is simply amazing. When I first came here, I was staggered by the sheer variety of food they serve. But my favorite is the crispy noodles - a simple dish that so many restaurants around town have muddled and made wrong. Chino's crispy noodles is perfect. The veggies are crispy, and the seafood/chicken/meat generous. I also love fried rice and all the fried rice dishes ive ordered here were great. I also like that the service is not rushed and is a lot friendlier. Great value for the money!
(5)Bennett H.
Chino's fast food, what an odd name for a sit down type restaurant. We ordered banh bot chien, com bluc lac, hu tieu dac biet that most critics recommended. Unfortunately, the food was a little overrated. Everything tasted decent but not spectacular. The price is fairly cheap and the restaurant is surprisingly clean.
(4)Christine H.
This is my favorite Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant. I've been going here for over 15 years. Wilson, one of the owners, is always quick and cheerful. The place is a rundown hole-in-the-wall behind a pawn shop, but that's never stopped me from coming because the food is just THAT good. Don't let the English/Spanish name of the place turn you off either--it's not a Mexican joint selling Asian food or anything. In fact, the Chinese/Vietnamese name for the restaurant is Mi Hao Hao, which roughly translates to "good, good noodles." And good noodles they've got. Out of all the places I've tried in Houston, Chino's still makes the best: (1) won ton noodle soup, (2) dried won ton noodles with soup on the side, (3) lo mein, and (4) pan-fried noodles. Their stir-fried flat rice noodle with beef and Chinese broccoli, fried rice, and beef stew with egg noodles are also all excellent. Basically, their noodle dishes are the best I've found in Houston. I can't say enough about their won ton noodle soup. The broth is savory but not salty with enough scallion and cilantro to garnish. You can also get the noodle soup with dumplings (banh xep) instead of won tons; the dumplings have some vegetables added to the filling whereas the won tons are only pork and shrimp. Their dried version of this dish comes with the won tons on the side in a small bowl of broth, and the noodles are drizzled with an oil sauce that adds flavor. Ever since I moved away from Alief, I still dream about this place. To go orders are a little more expensive (maybe an extra fifty cents or so?) to cover for their containers, but you also get packets of soy sauce (which I've never had to use because the food is flavorful enough) and little samples of pickled jalapenos. Cash only.
(5)Brian T.
Food The food here was excellent. I had the Banh Bot Chien (Fried Rice Cake with Eggs and Vegetable Toppings), Mi Xao Don Bo Cai Lan (Pan Fried Egg Noodles with Beef and Chinese Broccoli), and Hu Tieu Ap Chau Bo Cai Lan (Pan Fried Rice Noodles with Beef and Chinese Broccoli). The Banh Bot Chien would melt in your mouth. The rice cakes were crispy and the eggs were well cooked. The toppings went along very well with the dish. The Mi Xao Don was pretty appetizing. The noodles were in a perfect rectangle and the sauce was very zesty and the beef and Chinese broccoli were very succulent. The Ap Chau was delicious. The sauce was very rich and the beef and Chinese broccoli went along perfectly with it. There was just slightly more rice noodles than beef and vegetables, which was fine. I also had the Com Chien Bo Luc Lac (Shaken Beef with Fried Rice), which was very tasty, where the beef was very well-cooked and the fried rice was appealing. Service The servers here are very enthusiastic and nice. The waitress explained some items on the menu to us and the manager is very quick and always has a smile on his face. Refills are very quick and the food came out very quickly; it only took about five minutes after we ordered. Atmosphere The restaurant was very crowded, even though it was a Sunday night. Many people were picking up their to go orders. The restaurant is pretty nice on the inside, but does not look to impressive on the outside.
(5)David P.
The noodles and fried rice are off the hook. I've never tried the flour cake, but I will one day if I do stop by there.
(4)Arick W.
Finally a place that not only has trieu chau noodle soup but does a decent job it. The ingredients and broth was hot, plentiful and tasty. Wasn't huge on the egg noodles but I'm just being picky at this point. The egg rolls were also excellent. I love the minced garlic container at every table so you can load up with minced garlic in your soup or fish sauce. All the food came out blazing fast and fresh. The people working there could be a bit friendlier but whatever. The food definitely made up for it all.
(4)