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Chopsticks Inn Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
8687 La Mesa BlvdLa Mesa, CA 91941
Neighborhood: La Mesa
(619) 466-4470
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Chopsticks Inn Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"chocolate dipped fortune cookies (the husband approves." In 3 reviews -
"I am particularly fond of the House Special Bird Nest." In 2 reviews -
"You can't be perfect at Chinese and Japanese and Thai." In 8 reviews
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Lauren A.
La Mesa, CA
5/15/2012
Absolutely the best.
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Review from Dave B.
5/7/2012
I used to come here a lot of years ago. I rediscovered it thanks to the magic of Yelp. We had the egg rolls, the wonton soup, the hot and sour soup, double mushroom chicken, Kung pao chicken and chicken chow mein. It was all good! Really good. They also timed each course perfectly. Great service and great food. The only downside is the interior needs some updating. We will be back.
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Review from Earl G.
Spring Valley, San Diego, CA
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went here for the first time today with 3 kids based on other Yelp reviews. We weren't disappointed. We all liked the food--- tasted good (no MSG!), good portions & I thought the prices were fair and the ladies were very nice to me and the kids along with the good service.
I would recommended & give Chopsticks Inn 2 thumbs up in a 'Z' formation ! -
Review from Eric N.
San Diego, CA
5/8/2012
They charge for refills on soda, the food is just average, service is slow, been here a few times because of work...if your looking for good asain food, look somewhere else
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Review from Charlene S.
San Diego, CA
4/18/2012
Love this place!
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Review from Amy S.
4/30/2011
Went here last night for dinner with my parents, this has become one of their favorite spots lately.
Don't be fooled by it being in a strip mall next to Thrift Korral in La Mesa. This Chinese food is ah.may.zing.
The family who owns and operates it is very nice and helpful when coming to a problem in deciding which entree to go with.
The egg flower soup was especially delicious!
Four people ate for 52 bucks with lots of left over food, not bad at all.Listed in: This Is The Table, China Doll
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Review from Melanie B.
La Mesa, CA
12/29/2011
We love Chopsticks Inn! We are locals and went for my birthday with my parents and sister. Food was great and the service was excellent! They went over and beyond to ensure I had a great birthday dinner celebration!
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Review from Monica Z.
La Mesa, CA
4/22/2011
This is our favorite Asian restaurant - but especially so after I had my mother's 85th Birthday party there on April 17th, 2011. I had 15 people there and ordered from the menu that catered to large groups - and everything was excellent! Even my guests, who had never eaten there, raved! They were serving us as soon as everyone arrived - and they even served the cake I brought in. We had a lot of food left over and I was surprised it didn't cost as much as I thought it would. Again the food was great and the service exceptional! Thumbs up and five stars without hesitation! They also cater to a vegan menu.
Monica Zech, La Mesa, Ca -
Review from Abra W.
La Mesa, CA
8/2/2011
I can't really comment on the entire dining experience at Chopsticks Inn, because I ordered take out service. My neighbor recommended them, so I ordered some Curry Chicken and Kung Pao chicken to go. I requested extra spicy and they delivered.
Very good food...I've been craving it all day. Too bad I'm stuck at work. Luckily they are close by so I can pick up another order on my way home from work. -
Review from Britney C.
Long Beach, CA
9/6/2010
Their faux meat is the best! I have no idea what they use but it is spectacular.
I love their vegetarian broccoli beef and vegetarian sweet and sour chicken. It's absolutely the best! Chalked full of flavor, rich and tasty, with huge portions!
They have things for sale, a sushi bar, nice servers and generally quick service, although I have had it take a very long time before (which just guarantees that it's fresh, I suppose).
I crave it all the time, I wish they'd open up a location in Los Angeles.
Also good to know that they're NOT open on Mondays. -
Review from Janet D.
7/4/2010
We've come here more times than I can count...being in our old "hood", it was the place I told my husband to stop at on his way home on those nights when I just couldn't muster up the energy to make dinner. Back then it was straight Chinese...and we loved it. But, something started to happen just before we left. For some reason, they felt the need to conquer the entire Asian culinary market and added Japanese and Thai to the already sizable menu.
Based on lots of happy dinner memories, my daughter recently requested to go here for her 12th birthday dinner. I think all of us were a bit let down. Our former favorite - mu shu pork - had completely lost its punch. What happened to that intensely flavorful sauce??? The rest of the dishes were good, but not stellar.
I guess that's what happens when you try to do too much. Being in New York City at this moment, I am experiencing the culinary rewards of the specialty....sheer perfection. You can't be perfect at Chinese and Japanese and Thai.
And, we sure missed our favorite coconut pastries for dessert...sigh. We'll just have to preserve our old memories. -
Review from Cynthia C.
La Mesa, CA
6/23/2009
Luckily this place is right around the corner from me and can always satisfy my Chinese food cravings.
I've never eaten at the restaurant always ordered take out.
The place has a decent size dining room with booths along the walls and a few tables in between. Every time I go in to pick up my food it's busy, which I always think is a good sign when it comes to restaurants.
Some friends have told me they consider this place pricey, but for Chinese I would say its the same as many other places I've been to. Average price per dish $9.95.
They serve the food family style. I always judge Chinese eateries by their rice, and this place has good rice, (not dry thank goodness) it has the perfect moisture and fluffiness to it.
I have to compliment them on their beef broccoli dish. It's one of my favorites for its savory flavors (and in my head consider it the healthiest dish they have to offer). In all the times I've ordered this dish I've never gotten a nasty piece of beef with fat. That has got to be my worst nightmare! I hate biting into fat!!! Like I said, never had that problem here which is a big plus for me.
Knocking off one star only because it's not the best I've ever had, but it's definitely good! -
Review from Douchey B.
Southeast Fairbanks County, AK
9/19/2010
Fast, friendly service...they were even nice to my 3 rugrats! Their house fried rice rocks (and it's not $24 like someone said earlier, sounds like they failed 6th grade math, whatever).
Place was clean, homey-chinese joint. One entree will feed 2. They also have some Japanese and some Thai. Been here twice and will keep on coming! Yummyty-yum-yum-yummy-yum! -
Review from Jerry H.
San Diego, CA
8/28/2010
Chopsticks Inn has been our "Chinese place" for years. The people are friendly and we have never, ever, (not even once) been disappointed with their food. In addition, they have a "frequent eater program" whereby frequent diners can earn free food.
The hot sizzling braised fish is amazing. Hell, the whole menu is great. No, we never order from the Japanese menu. Itis a Chinese place and if I want sushi I go to sushi place. But when we want Chinese we go exclusively to Chopsticks Inn. period. -
Review from Kat M.
La Mesa, CA
9/7/2011
I have been here a number of times as I used to live 2 doors down. Now I come from Spring Valley. I have ordered in, taken out, and have never been dissappointed. I have had great service too!. My friend ordered their Curry Shrimp once and ever since it is my favorite entree. It is soooooo delicious. I have had their lemon chicken, moo goo gai pan, chicken chop suey, mongolian beef, and sweet and sour pork. Their soups are good too..I really believe they are adequately priced and like the bonus of a frequent customer discount. I am due for a visit! Just thinking about it makes me salivate.
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Review from Suzanne F.
San Diego, CA
12/19/2008
If you want the details, read the rest.
If you want to cut to the chase, it can pretty much be summed up by my wife's comment halfway through dinner:
"Honey, it's a good thing I already love you and we're not on a date. Cuz if we were, it wouldn't be a date that would end in sex."
On second thought - forget the details. She pretty much covered everything in her review.
Uhm...gotta go now. `night. -
Review from Adam M.
Chula Vista, CA
9/20/2007
Old-school classic Americanized Chinese.
The food is very good if the above is what you want.
In recent years the menu has expanded to include some Japanese items as well as several Thai curries.
Service is fast, the food comes in large portions (I love leftovers for breakfast) and the front dining area has been remodeled. -
Review from Blair A.
San Diego, CA
5/13/2010
Due to it's close proximity to my boyfriends house (and our never ending craving for Asian food) I find myself coming here quite often, so I'm surprised I haven't reviewed it yet.
We don't come here because the service is amazing, or the food is out of this world. It always seems to be hit and miss, obviously there have been more 'hits' than misses or else we wouldn't be going back.
Don't get the sushi, it sucks, La Mesa is not a good place to get sushi, I have learned this. Every sushi place in La Mesa I find seems to be below par. The food is 'family style' so it's served in big portions to share, but I usually get one to myself. They have pretty good mock meats here, which is one reason that I like it.
The prices aren't bad, ten to fifteen dollars per entree, which I end up eating half of, and having the other half the next day. The service can be terrible when they are busy. It's obviously a family owned place. They do takeout which might be a good idea if you don't feel like waiting forever on a busy night. Once I went there for sushi and it took 45 minutes to get my rolls out... none of it needed to be cooked....
The decor in this place is super tacky as well. Remember: mock meats = good, sushi = bad. -
Review from Lorena N.
San Diego, CA
12/28/2007
They have a great array of vegetarian dishes here-- the Buddha's Medallions are AMAZING! The owner's son once told me the epic story of the very special tofu they use in the dish...Okay, maybe not epic, but the creamy bean curd-- it literally melts in your mouth-- is shipped from LA. The Buddha's Medallions are served with a delicious garlic sauce and dotted with yummy veggies.
I also love the house special sizzling noodles and the handmade vegetarian eggrolls! Their mock meat vegetarian dishes are pretty good if you like soy bean mock meat (doesn't taste particularly "meaty" if you're not into that). The cashew "chicken" is probably the best of these offerings. They also offer little complimentary desserts-- a chocolate-dipped fortune cookie and a coconut tart-- the perfect ending to a tasty meal.
They've also adopted a Japanese menu, but, to be honest, it isn't that great. Stick to their specialty-- Chinese food-- and you'll be good! Lastly, a word to the wise-- when it's busy here, service can get pretty slow, so keep that in mind. -
Review from Lizzie D.
La Mesa, CA
7/3/2008
I am so glad that there is some actual real chinese food in the east. I thought my only option was Lotus Pond on Parkway Dr, which I have had one time and never will go back since their chow mein consisted of bean sprouts and NO noodles!! Yeah.
Anyway, I ordered to go at Chipsticks. It took about 20 mins to wait, which was fine. They were very friendly, and there were lots of people dining in, so it seemed like a pretty popular place. I ordered the sweet and sour chicken, tofu w/ veggies, and flat noodles with beef (gung chow nu hu). Delicious!! I am half chinese and have had my fair share of chinese food, so I can tell right from wrong. And this place is right! -
Review from charlotte b.
San Diego, CA
10/16/2008
This restaurant has a huge menu of dishes from all over asia, but looking around I decided it was best to stick with the Chinese selections. The service was slow, and they gave us a bit of a hard time about one member of the party not wanting to eat, but the food was decent. There was a thick (tapioca or starch?) sauce on everything we ordered, but I'm assuming that's just because of what we ordered. The vegetables were of good quality, and portion sizes were good. The place is decorated in a mishmash of americanized Chinese kitsch and Japaneses furnishings. Nicknacks on the shelving are marked for sale,
This would be a two star place except that it is in La Mesa, and I'm glad for the choice in the area. -
Review from Scott G.
San Diego, CA
4/10/2008
This place has been here for decades and yet this is the first time I've tried it. Took the old ones as they like the americanized chinese.
The menu is ambitious, that's for sure. Chinese, Thai, Japanese including sushi. Not sure I'd buy sushi from a restaurant that obviously doesn't serve a lot of it. The place wasn't really busy but did a consistent amount of takeout while we were there.
Service was a bit off. It took a long time to be served, but that's ok because the food was obviously fresh cooked. But the guy wasn't very friendly, barked answers at us and generally seemed to want to be somewhere else.
The food was mostly good. Sizzling shrimp had lots of different veggies that were perfectly cooked. Eggplant and shrimp in black bean sauce was delicious. Even the fried rice was done well, with just a bit of egg scattered throughout. Nothing was the least bit greasy. Pot stickers were plump and the hot and sour soup was thick and pungent. A side order of tempura wasn't as good tho, as the batter was heavy. Desert came as foil wrapped fortune cookies that had been dipped in chocolate, and great little coconut cake tarts, one for each of us.
The prices here seem a bit high per item, but altogether they're reasonable for the quality of the food. We'll be back as we rotate through other local places. -
Review from Mitch W.
La Mesa, CA
8/9/2008
Been getting take-out, and the occasional eat-in, for years. I like their hot and sour soup a lot, as well as their chicken dishes. Good fried rice. My wife doesn't love the place but is willing to put up with it so long as I'm the one picking it up and bringing it home.
I just noticed something about the name after all these years: It's not an "Inn." You can't stay here overnight. Well, I suppose you could if you hid in back or something, but still.
I wish they delivered. -
Review from Belle l.
Long Beach, CA
9/12/2008
I just finished eating at Chopsticks for the first time. I was venturing outside of my 'hood and boy was I glad that I did. When you sit down they will give you one menu but for the Veg-heads out there go ahead and ask for the 'other menu'. The veg menu has nearly everything the regular menu has only with mock meat. yuuuuummmmeeeee!!
Service: good
food: great
setting: ok
toilets: damn - did not check them out but i understand that they are decent. -
Review from heather d.
San Diego, CA
5/21/2009
I tried this place because I was driving by and saw the sign for sushi AND dim sum. As I'm a big fan of both this seemed ideal.... We were meeting some friends for dinner and were ushered into the back dining room to wait (it was the only place that there room for two high chairs at a table). The back room was an inspired choice as we (the adults in the group) are idiots!! We decided to have dinner...in a restaurant...with 3 kids under 4yrs of age. Pause for hearty laughter... Being by ourselves in the back room meant we could stay and enjoy the meal without bothering anyone else (I do NOT think other diners want to hear my kid being loud, we take him outside if he becomes so).
As to the rating: dim sum- small selection but very tastey 3.5 stars; Thai green curry- delicious with just the right amount of bite 4.5 stars; sushi- optomistic to order in a non-sushi in the first place, not horrible except the niguri which was not the best- the tuna was too tough more me to eat- 2 stars, honeydew bubble tea (milk tea blended withcrushed ice and served with boba)-Yummy! 5 stars. Our friends seemed to like the Thai iced and hot tea. Service- 4.5 stars- even tho we were in the back room they checked up on us occasionally and kept of water refilled (lost half a star cause it took awhile to get my second bubble tea). There was a very nice lady hand making dim sum in the back who gave my son a baked egg custard dim sum (not on menu) while we were waiting for our friends.
Along with the check came sesame balls (yum!) chocolate dipped fortune cookies (the husband approves!). -
Review from R S.
La Mesa, CA
Updated - 12/23/2011
Chopsticks Inn is Great! I have been eating here 21.6 years and am a loyal customer. I enjoy the food, hospitality and friendliness of the restaurant and owner. The sushi is excellent, the menu is wonderful and offers items to suite almost anyone's palette. I will continue to dine here and recommend to my friends, many of whom have dined here and are hooked as well. It's definitely worthwhile to enjoy a meal here.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2011
My family, kids and I I have been eating at Chopsticks Inn - La Mesa, for almost 21 years. The food… Read more »
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Review from Melony K.
La Mesa, CA
So- I live right down the street from this place. I've always thought it looked a little dumpy- but figured I would give it a try! You never know- sometimes the hole-in-the-wall places are the best! This was definitely not the case.
Let me begin. First of all, three items totaled $24 plus tax. I did read that the prices were a little higher than most restaurants, but worth it...... Not really.
Second- we ordered the fried won tons that were suppose to have meat in them. There was s strip of dried chicken- at least that's what I think it was. Most of the won tons were fried pieces of dough. We also ordered the orange chicken (a recommendation off yelp). The chicken was over fried and bitter- sorely dissapointing.
We also ordered the veggie chowmein- which was edible- the shitake mushrooms were tastey to say the most.
I have to say the only thing good about this place was the fried rice- so unless you want to pay $24 for the fried rice- I suggest you save the cash, or make it yourself. Or- take a trip to Panda Express and get yourself a mediocre plate of Americanized Chinese food and pay a lot less. -
Review from Jeremy M.
La Mesa, CA
4/3/2010
Food was better than I expected. The ambiance wasn't the greatest thing on earth, and frankly the interior looks and smells like it used to be a thrift store.
Besides that, the waiter wasn't as attentive as I would have liked but was competent. The prices were a little on the high side for the area and cuisine, but overall I can't complain. Not the type of place I would fiend for, but certainly a place I would keep in mind next time I'm looking for sit-down Chinese. -
Review from Paul B.
San Diego, CA
9/3/2008
My boss recommended this place to me after I asked if she knew of a nice sit down chinese place with table clothes instead of a place that just does a lot of take out. It turned out to be the best chinese food I have had in San Diego, good enough that I keep making the drive from OB. Its more "american-chinese" food though, not the kind of chinese food you would get in china town, so as long as thats what you want this place is fantastic.
The food is great, the portions are large and the prices are fair. As someone mentioned, the food takes a while to come out... Thats true, it does take about 15 or 20 minutes, but thats because they aren't running back and scooping previously frozen food onto your plate. They are actually preparing your food fresh. And thats the way it looks and tastes... fresh, tasty, well presented dishes. Its not like the gooey slop you get at pick-up-stix or other places.
Also, the mock-meat at this place is phenomenal. I thought the mock-beef was better than the real beef. Its even better than Sipz if youve been there. -
Review from Daniel J.
La Mesa, CA
3/24/2009
Friendly, good service, better than average food. What sets them apart is that they offer Dim Sum.
I would also recommend the Buddha's Medallion, it is a wonderful dish. -
Review from Danielle A.
La Mesa, CA
11/22/2011
We decided to try this placed based on pretty good Yelp reviews and a lack of good Chinese in so far in La Mesa. The staff is very friendly but the food is not good. My husband and I ordered Kung Pao Chicken and Pan-Fried Noodles with chicken and beef. The KP is hot but has a different kind of sauce- not the traditional red/orange-colored sauce but more of a brown sauce. It was definitely spicy but the actual food had no flavor. It's loaded with filler - celery, water chestnuts, mushrooms, etc. We ordered it with extra peanuts and got them... on the side. The Pan Fried Noodles are the super thin haystack kind, no flavor except the sauce. The beef and chicken had no flavor whatsoever. I could have been eating a napkin dipped in that sauce and it would have tasted the same. Lots of veggies in this dish but just overall not great. Ordered a side of crispy noodles which was a generous serving but not great tasting -very oily. The sweet and sour was of the more fragrant, watery variety rather than traditional thicker reddish sauce. $20 bucks for those 3 things - would have been way more satisfied with Pick Up Stix for the same price.
Will definitely not be coming back to Chopsticks. Back to the search for good Chinese in La Mesa.... -
Review from Charles M.
La Mesa, CA
2/10/2011
There food and sushi is really good. I live down the street from them and they always know me when i come in and what i usualy get. Very friendly staff and very clean as well! Just takes a while longer, but that means the food is fresher! Great Restraunt!
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Review from Nailah D.
12/20/2008
This place is not for the claustrophobic. It's cramped and it kinda feels like the furniture chosen by the owners has been scaled to match, dollhouse style. The food is really pretty good though! My favorite used to be the sizzling fish, but since going vegetarian I've found that i'm really in love with their very impressive array of veg friendly entrees with and without fake meat. seriously tasty chinese is to be found here. best in the city? probably not, but you will find something you love. guaranteed.
Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Sarie K.
La Mesa, CA
Updated - 2/11/2010 1 photo
Just had the Oyako (a Japanese dish consisting of egg, chicken, and sweet onion cooked with a bit of sugar and soy sauce, placed over steamed rice with neatly arranged steamed vegetables--broccoli, carrots, and cabbage) and it was remarkable! My tastebuds and stomach are so happy.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2010
I had no idea this place was as good as it was, otherwise, I would have started going here much… Read more »
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Review from Kim L.
La Mesa, CA
5/30/2009
The food is good and the dining area is quaint. Nothing special, but decent food. Recently added a sushi and dim sum section in the back.
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Review from Jana K.
San Diego, CA
8/17/2007
When we moved out to La Mesa a decade ago I was heartbroken to leave my proximity to China Inn in PB. Imagine my delight when I found this restaurant right in my very own neighborhood. The food is your standard Chinese which is just the way I like it. Of course I ask to add garlic to just about everything and they will even do that for you. I am particularly fond of the House Special Bird Nest. My 7-yo, the pickiest eater on the planet, can eat an entire appetizer order of paper wrapped chicken. They also offer food to go but just be warned that it's never ready when they say it will be.
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Review from KC C.
La Mesa, CA
10/3/2008
You Dig, because I Dig. It is a little jewel in La Mesa. I enjoyed the food; bold flavors and the food was piping hot. The service was great, mind you that we were the only ones in there besides some Freaky looking old couple. If you are in this part of the neighborhood stop by and try it out!!
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Review from Tam L.
La Mesa, CA
8/5/2009
I have been a Chopsticks Inn Fan for 5 years. The food is always tasty, fresh and quality. We love the Mango Delight. The Egg Foo Yung is the only EFY I have ever tried and liked. Everyone in the family loves it and my 18 year old son even requests it for his birthday dinner.
Thru the years the service has improved. It is family run and though not the greatest atmosphere the food is top notch! -
Review from Peter J.
San Diego, CA
9/21/2009
I didn't read the Yelp reviews on this place before I tried it and now I'm thinking I need to give it another shot. I've dabbled in my share of Chinese restaurants all over San Diego County and this one would not make my top 5. For what it's worth it did have an extensive menu and I didn't try the Dim Sun or sushi, but then again I went there for Chinese food.
Between the two of us we had the hot & sour soup for two, which was average. We both chose one entree, pungent chicken and tofu & vegetables. I don't know where to start...the pungent chicken wasn't at all spicy and basically tasted like I was eating sweet & sour chicken. The tofu & veggies wasn't very flavorful. I've been to places that serve varieties of tofu dishes and the difference was night & day. What I found clever was the check came with chocolate dipped fortune cookies. Unfortunately, they weren't very good either. One item that my date and I both agreed was terrific was their boba drink. We shared the sweet melon and I was contemplating ordering another to wash down my scarcely touched food.
The service was excellent and the small-family atmosphere was pleasant. The owner sent out complementary dim sun and sesame balls, which was a very nice gesture. I'm firm with the 3-star rating because as for the food aspect of this place I wouldn't eat here again for Chinese. Perhaps if I have time I'll go back one day for dim sun or sushi and might have to edit by review. -
Review from Amber C.
La Mesa, CA
4/9/2010
Not a bad choice considering the other Chinese food options in the area. If they delivered, we'd probably order from there more. We've only ever done pickup, but the interior isn't off-putting and it always seems to be doing well with eat-in business.
Out of all of the entries I've tried, which is a decent amount, the only one that I can remember not liking at all was any variety of the fried rice. That was bland, I thought. Besides that though, everything has been good enough to make me want to go back there.
