C J Chinese Cuisine
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
52 reviews
Richmond, CA
"Love the food at VH! Came here so many times. Either for dine-in or take-out. Their chow fun dishes are so good! My fav's is the Beef Stew…" read more »
23 Reviews for C J Chinese Cuisine
Because sometimes you feel like a little Chinese ;)
2 words, outdoor patio. This place has a fantastic outdoor patio that feels like a you are hanging out in someones backyard. Don't let the industrial carpet in the inside dining room scare you away. The food here is excellent, fast, and consistent. I'm gonna claim it, but best mu shu pork I've found.
Go in early cause it gets busy here, then you will have time to get your drink on at the silver peso across the street.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
There were a couple sales guys i worked with that would call in their order and go eat at the restaurant religiously every tuesday. That was how i found out about this place. Good food, not the greatest i've ever had, but not horrible either, and i'm just picky. Part of the whole reason to eat here is to dine in the patio that is an experience when the weather is nice.
I finally get to say it: Meh. I've always wanted to say that in a Yelp review.
Yesterday, I ate at CJ for the first time. I had lunch and, appropriately, ordered one of the lunch specials. Nothing about this place bowled me over, so my review is going to be pretty bland, too. (Sorry folks--none of the incredibly witty reviews that I'm so well-known for. Only kidding. No one knows me. My reviews are always boring...)
Anyhoo:
Food--Not bad, but not great. The hot and sour soup was neither hot nor sour and, in fact, had a slightly wrong taste. The fried wontons were blah, too. The zestiest thing was the garlic chicken, which was tasty and had enough zest to give me serious heartburn. (This is remarkable because I think I get heartburn maybe once every 5 years.)
Prices--Excellent. That's the most impressive part about this joint. It's cheap!
Decor--Stunning! No, not really. It's just basic tablecloths (Pepto pink if memory serves) with paper placemats.
Service--Fine. The place was packed and we got served quickly. I have no idea who our actual server was since our order was taken by one person, delivered by another and plates cleaned by another. We flagged down yet another person to get our check. And none of us said more than 2 words to us.
I'll go there again because it's nearby and not greasy.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
3.5 stars for C J's Chinese. The fare was standard Chinese and the service was acceptable. Everything about the experience was relatively bland, but in no way, bad. If I lived in Larkspur, I might order take-out from time to time, but am not inclined to drive to Larkspur specifically for a meal at C J Chinese.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I liked it... I really really like it... I thought the food was very good. I am not happy about parking, but heck that's Larkspur, you take the good with the bad.
The service was very nice, fast, and efficient. I had several of their items. The potstickes were full of meat, the won-ton soup was tasty.
Enjoy
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
We've been going there for 15 years when it was CJ - Michael's Chinese initials. Now it's owned by David who worked for Michael over the years.
The food remains good - we don't like greasy Chinese food that plagues the Bay Area - as well as the service.
Mongolian scallops, twice cooked chicken, fried shrimp and CJ chickens are better than anywhere else.
Better than average, but not outstanding. I'd probably opt for trying out a new Chinese place before repeating this one.
Update: CJ is now DJ, after being purchased and renamed by the head waiter.
***
Maybe not as great as R&G Lounge, Yank Sing, Tan Kiang, San Tung, or all the other options in SF, but it's FABULOUS for when we visit people across the bridge. The scallops and string beans are AMAZING and would be a regular order even at the aforementioned SF haunts. Other items are hit and miss. Did NOT like the noodles. Decent lemon chicken. I've been here a few times and the rest of the dishes are a blur.
CJ has been purchased by the head waiter and so is closed for the time being. It will be interesting to see how it's changed once it reopens.
Can you say overrated? I've been here three times for lunch, and the best word to describe the food is...adequate. The hot and sour soup is one dimensionally bland. Main courses are well-prepared with good ingredients, but lacking in excitement. As the other reviews mention, service is friendly. But they can get slammed at lunch, causing you to wait longer than you would like for food.
For better takes on americanized Chinese food, try Tommy's Wok in Sausalito or Abacus in S.F.
Housed in a large old Craftsman style 1910's house. Restaurant on the bottom floor.
I've eaten here gladly 25 times. This is typical chinese American food, done well , served by the nicest people, in a quiet room. Located in in a nice neighborhood. Parking is easy.
Lunch specials for $6.95 are generous portions, good ingredients. You eat plenty and feel good about it afterwards. Picco Pizzeria, Yankee Pier, Lark Creek Inn, Fabrizio's, Left Bank, Emporio Rulli are all on this quaint little treesy upscale Marin street within 100 yards. You know what? I'd rather eat lunch here 90% of the time rather than those other places.
So will you...
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I used to go here almost once every week when I worked in Corte Madera. Nice place for a quick lunch or dinner.
Great service & a decent food!
The Mongolian Beef/Chicken is the best I've had!
I love CJ! The staff here is SO SO nice, seriously kind people. Service is a standout here.
With yummy Chinese, good prices and great service, what's not to love?
For what it is (cheap Chinese food!), this place is pretty good. Popular lunch stop for those who work in the area.
Take-out or outdoor patio seating is your best bet.
I recommend their Manchurian Beef. It can't possibly be good for you (think beef, lightly battered and deep fried in a sweet/salty sauce w/ scallion over rice), but it tastes so damn delicious.... *drool*
I do *not* recommend their sweet & sour soup. This comes with the lunch special, but I usually pass on it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Simple, friendly, fast and delicious. This is a great lunch spot, especially during the summer when the back patio is open. It's a very popular take-out (no delivery) place too, so if you see lots of people waiting don't be discouraged, they're probably just picking up!
The amazing this about this place is how easily they repeat high quality food each and every time. I've never had a bad meal and I've dined there often. It's not the most exotic Chinese food you've ever had, but it's tasty every time!
The staff is the hallmark for friendliness. Eat there a few times and you'll soon feel like family.
I live very close by and ate there twice and twice was enough. I heard it was great, and I am wondering what kind of taste buds these people have. The food was bland and uninspiring. I would rather drive the 10 extra minutes and go eat at the Peking Wok in Mill Valley. This place is just plain boring!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
CJ is a great (American style) Chinese place, the food is very flavorful and very filling. I normally don't like Chinese food, but every time I go here I am impressed by how delicious it all is. The Mongolian beef and chicken, hot and sour soup, fried shrimp and fried rice are all great. As far as americanized Chinese food goes, I think this is the best quality stuff I've every had. I get the best full feeling after eating there, never a sick full feeling like many other Chinese places have given me. I would easily give 5 stars if I were really into Chinese food in general... Stop by for dinner some time if you're in the mood for Chinese, you won't be disappointed.
Hands down, my favorite chinese restaurant anywhere. Michael and David are so incredibly nice and the food is outstanding. The Manchurian Beef is the BEST. I've tried it at other restaurants but it never, ever compares to CJ's. Michael is retiring =( and has sold the business to David =) and I know he will keep the wonderful tradition of great food and even greater service going for a long while.
My favourite place for Chinese food across the board.
You have to try it!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
GREAT Food -the mongolian scallops especially- in cozy ambiance...Mike (owner) & David (waiter) have a great sense of humor; this is not your impersonal restaurant. Have eaten here for decades, & NEVER was my delicate tummy offended by dubious ingredients; quite the oppposite! A CLASSIC in the best sense of the word, very consistent! In spring & summer, the back garden is open; not 2 B missed !
Not bad for suburban American Chinese in a white bread neighbourhood. Still, there is nothing terribly inspiring ot thrilling about the place or the food. Fine for Sunday dinner take out, but as a destination, no.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
My wife and I are still adjusting to moving from "The City" to "The County." One of the biggest foodie adjustments is Chinese food. So far the one we like the best is CJ's. When we go around 6 we get surrounded by families. When we go around 7 it's more quiet.
Tonight we ordered pot stickers but they went to another table. We got hot and sour soup. Quite good, spicy but not too hot, but I like the traditional version without shrimp a little better. The Mongolian Beef was quite special with very thinly sliced beef and deep-fried rice noodles. Overall we like it better than anyplace else we've tried in the San Rafael area.
GREAT Chinese food. But the service is what really stands out here. All of the staff is so so nice! I love coming here!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Been going here since i was a little girl. Always yummy, nice outside patio for dining when the weather is nice. Manchurian beef is a must have!!! SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!!
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Hot and New
- Pacific Cafe
205 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
- Firefly
410 reviews
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
- Tuttimelon
276 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
- Caffe Ambrosia
110 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District
- Katana-Ya
398 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
