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Come join us on Saturday, Dec. 12th and the revenue generated from your meal on this day will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mon-Sun. 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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This place was such a pleasant surprise, especially since I've sort of accepted that when I'm in Austin, I'll be subjected to fried, fried, fried, bbq and fried (there's no hate there, I love it (esp when it comes to the Saltlick, just too much of it starts to become a really uncomfortable affair).
It does cost a little bit more, but I'll gladly pay extra for real ingredients and flavor, and not deep fried, krispy-kreme-glazed, mostly-dough "meat" dishes and broccoli.
They do deliver as well - and food arrived fast and hot.
While Chinatown is best dim sum in Austin, this place is best straight-up Chinese around. Used to live in Lakeway and get their delivery. Always prompt and hot. Mmmm. Daddy like.
I hate run of the mill, Americanized Chinese fast food. NASTY! Pao's has an authentic Chinese menu with beautiful, fresh, balanced food of love. Great service and always feeling rewarded after trying something new keep us coming back for more. Tina, Jennifer and Linda take good care of us. Wine is reasonable-food is wonderful, service makes this a great stop when we need snow pea leaves, spicy scallops, pao tze, minced pork long bean, stir fried shrimp,Gai Lan or Chinese Won Ton soup. Everything, including their seafood is always fresh and fabulous. If you have room for dessert- their sesame rice balls will complete your foodgasm. Enjoy the afterglow.
I order Paos for delivery and have never actually seen the restaurant. It is really good. Certainly at the top of my Chinese delivery list of all time. I order regularly.
My only complaint and why I don't give 5 stars is due to a one-off experience I had. Once, very early on in my love affair with Paos, the delivery man wouldn't take my American Express, my out of state check, or my $100 bill. It was frustrating and they finally took the check after several calls and 15 minutes of my food getting cold. That has never happened since, but they always bring it up and laugh about it with me on the phone. "No out of state checks!"
I got a checking account in Austin just for Paos.
This is probably my favorite nice Chinese restaurant in Austin... if only it wasn't so far away. Their dim sum is awesome, though when last I had it (too long ago) it was odd in that you ordered from a menu rather than picking from carts.
I decided to try this place for dinner today, and was really pleased with the food.
We were offered a English menu, a Chinese menu, or asked whether we wanted the chef to make something special (I guess the latter two because I'm Chinese). Unfortunately I don't read Chinese so had to stick to the English menu, which was mostly standard Americanized Chinese restaurant food.
We started with veggie dumplings and spicy soft shell crab. The dumplings were tasty, though they could have used some more shiitake mushrooms in them. The soft shell crab was outstanding.
For our entrees, we had Tung Ting shrimp, Hunan lamb, oysters with ginger and scallions, and BBQ pork with vegetables. All were good, the meats perfectly cooked (it's amazing how many restaurants will under or overcook their meats). The oysters with ginger and scallions were my favorite even though the oysters were from a can and there was less ginger than I would have liked.
The BBQ pork, though tasty, was disappointing in a way. The best part of BBQ pork is the sweet outside, and in this dish that was lost in a sauce that didn't complement it - regular pork would have been better, since in this dish you could taste the tragedy of the diluted BBQ flavor.
The service was really good, the waitress very polite and helpful. Although when we ordered two appetizers and four entrees for two people she did make a comment about that being a lot of food. That seems to happen a lot though when I go out to eat, to the point that one of my friends makes it a point to warn the wait staff that we eat a lot and will be ordering a lot of food, I guess to forestall the inevitable comment. Would I get that comment if I was morbidly obese and weighed 400 pounds? I bet not...
This is THE BEST HOT AND SOUR SOUP there is...period.
I miss the old Commodore Bldg location downtown...but alas, when I have a hankering for the hot and sour...nowhere else will suffice.
The chinese menu is fantastic, although I have yet to order the sea cucumber dish.
The black bean steamed whole fish is amazing.
If they deliver to Steiner Ranch from Lakeway...I will give em 5 stars.
One of the best Chinese restaurants around Austin. I don't know the English names of the dishes, but the best dishes are the Sweet and Spicy Scallops, lightly braised; the Orange Skin Beef, which is made correctly with prepared orange skins, and slightly crispy beef (but not hard and crunchy); and almost anything off the Sat-Sun brunch menu (try the little steamed pork buns -- careful, filled with hot soup -- and delicious, and the soy bean milk with fried dough and sesame seed bun -- ordering all three parts of that combo is a necessity).
I've been wanting to check out Pao's for a while now as I've heard great things about the Chinese menu here. My friend who loves Chinese food as much as I do was in town last night so we decided to head out to Lakeway and give it a try.
Overall, it was good. We had the spicy cucumber appetizer which I liked a lot. We also had the vegetable dumplings which we thought were really good and super well made. She made me get the pu-pu platter too.
Seriously, if there's a pu-pu platter on a menu, she's going to have it by damn. And have it she did. She also freaks out about the fire on it, so she dumps water on it. Now, I ask you, what is the purpose of the pu-pu platter if not for the fire in the middle of your table? I swear, I can't take that girl anywhere.
But I digress. We also had the salt and pepper shrimp and the sauted pea shoot leaves with garlic. And a giant to-go box which is now sitting in my fridge.
Overall, it was good, and if I lived out there, I would probably make it my regular haunt. However, I don't live out there and while it's good, there are better places closer to me, so I'll stick with T&S, which, while still a hike, is still closer and can salt and pepper your mom with aplomb.
I love the General Tso's and Kung Pao Chicken. On the takeout menu they had information like why General Tso's chicken is called General Tso's chicken, which I thought was cool. Good sauce to go with the dumplings. Good rice.....so yeah...bon apetit...or however they say it in Mandarin!
How have I lived in West Austin for three years and am just discovering how great Pao's is? I guess in general I'm suspicious of Asian restaurants in Austin and who knew that there is a fantastic Chinese place in Lakeway of all places?
My first couple of visits was with someone just as finicky about Chinese food as I am and we both enjoyed everything we tried on those visits. But here's *The Secret* I'm going to now share with all my fellow Caucasian friends.....they have two completely different menus! There is the menu we were automatically handed on our first two visits, and then there is the "traditional Chinese" menu (which I now suspect is what all the frequent Asian patrons order from). That's right, you don't have to settle for the Americanized version of Chinese food any more! (And they will still be so kind as to advise you that the such-and-such dish does come with the bones still in it, is that okay?). My last visit I had the salt and pepper shrimp and it was absolutely delicious. The only thing there I wasn't wild about was the dan dan noodles, which were just the noodles and sauce, sans veggies.
The wait staff is super friendly and you should definitely ask for recommendations and/or listen to their advice; they are quite helpful (i.e. - you ask about one chicken dish and they recommend another one instead).
Great Chinese food in the middle of nowhere.
Pao's is interesting in that they serve really authentic Chinese food in a location where there aren't really any Chinese people... so they serve your standard Americanized Chinese food on the English menu.... but they serve interesting things like pig's blood, intestines, jellyfish, and chicken feet on the Chinese menu.
Can't say that I really love Americanized Chinese food, so I say go straight for the Chinese menu here (it's bilingual so don't worry if you can't read Chinese)
Been there maybe 3-4 times... Last time I went I had the Jellyfish and the salt and pepper squid... it was really good. I also went once for dimsum and everything then was pretty outstanding too. Other times I've had the string beans and the pork w/ dried tofu and those were all great as well.
Too bad I can't make it out there very often, but I might start making up excuses to visit friends who live out there.
Service is good here for those of you who care about that stuff. I just mention that b/c it's slightly unusual to get good service at an authentic tasting Chinese place.
I was born and raised in Taiwan and frequently visit Taiwan during my vacations for the greatest food in the world.
A group of Taiwanese friends and I went to Pao's Mandarin House one night in February. It totally surprised me with its AUTHENTIC Taiwanese and Chinese dishes just like the ones in the restaurants back to my home town.
It's the most authentic Chinese food I've ever had in Austin area in the past 4 years. A lot of the dishes are original Taiwanese flavors such as Wonton in Chili oil and 3-Cup Chicken that you can't find anywhere else in Austin. (unless you drive down to Houston)
The Fried Tofu was crispy and hot but extremely soft inside.
Green Onion Pancakes are just as good as the ones in Taiwan.
There are also so many side/cold dishes and appetizers that will impress you with it's simple but lasting flavors.
I can't wait for next visit to Pao's!
I have eaten here countless amounts and the food has always been great. They do delivery / take out and are pretty prompt, only once were they late. I usually go for the traditional Sweet n' sour chicken, but I highly recommend the jalapeno chicken. My only complaint is their prices - very high for a Chinese restaurant. However, the portions you get are large and can be shared, which kind of evens it out. The chicken is good quality too, not weird unidentifiable pieces from outer space. Overall, if you need delivery and are feeling lazy - Pao's rocks!
It's Pao's MandArin House - Not Pao's Mandrin House...
Somebody can fix this please?
This place needs to be discovered! It's far but it is worth it. And for those who love to shop like me, you can go at the new Galleria Mall in Bee Caves after your lunch :)
At first, I thought it was a Dim Sum place. Not at all! You can order some Dim Sum, but the menu is limited. However, the rest of the menu is huge! You have Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Singapore and +++ food. My friend Lily heart the Fried Rice and all the new dishes she tried like fried tofu, salt & pepper shrimp, etc. Geez, I wish I can remember everything! I must go back soon...
The staff: very fine! Smiley, polite, helpful (important!!) and discrete. If they laugh at your jokes, don't think you're funny. It's just a polite manner Asian people have! - With my big mouth, I guess I'm more French-Canadian than Chinese!
I can't believe nobody has reviewed this place! It is, hands-down, the best Chinese food in Austin. Well, it's technically in Lakeway, so I guess it's the best Chinese food in the greater Austin area. It's a hike, so I don't get out there very often, but we make it a point to go there at least once a year to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Fabulous Peking duck, amazing salt & pepper squid...really everything there is top-notch and incredibly delicious. Service is always good, too, and the surroundings are comparatively nice, considering that it's a Asian restaurant. I just wish the downtown location hadn't closed. I heard at one point that they were thinking of taking over the space where China on the Avenue used to be, but it never materialized. That's a bummer, because I wish I could eat at Pao's on a much more regular basis.
One kind of odd thing about Pao's - they have two menus - an Americanized one and a more traditional Chinese one. So if you aren't Asian and you come in here, you may get the Americanized one just based on your looks. If you want to try something more traditional/adventurous, make sure you ask for the Chinese menu!
Pao's was the first Chinese restaurant I went to after I came to the US in '85, I thought it was excellent then and while not quite as good as before, I still prefer the northern Chinese cuisine compared to the Canton/Hunan restaurants that seem to run rampant throughout the rest of Austin.
Back then Pao's was downtown in the one commodore plaza, but these days it's FAR. I only really eat there is it's 1) a special occassion 2) went to the lake or 3) went to play golf at falconhead. But it IS a treat and something I look forward to everytime.
Most definitely the things I look forward to the most are the little cold appetizers. Some of these dishes you can't find elsewhere in Austin. If you are diehard and willing to try anything I recommend the tripe in red chili oil and the white pork (I think they call it bacon) with garlic. Some more conservative options are drunken chicken and gelatinous beef.
For entrees it works the same way, how weird are you willing to get? I'm a big fan of the duck tongue (alotta ducks lost their tongues for this dish) and the eel with winter chives (sometimes not available). Definitely get the seabass, it's excellent and a great deal compared to western restaurants. Oh yea, they've got sushi too, but I've never tried it... I figure it's kinda like ordering a hamburger in a mexican restaurant, they've got places for stuff like sushi you know?
If you love Chinese food or just downright weird food, make this place a priority... just try to get something else while you're out there cuz the drive back feels like forever!
When I lived in Lakeway I would dine in or order to go here often. The Scallion pancakes, String Beans and Scallops in Garlic Sauce here have me rethinking my moving to South Austin for a cheaper house.
I still eat here at least once every couple months or so; and it never lets me down.
great authentic chinese food. nothing else must be said. Excellent Taiwan style dishes, made with authentic ingredients and spices.
Service is excellent and the owner and staff are ever so friendly and ready to make recommendations if there is some doubt.
Take some scallion pancakes home for breakfast!
dear pao,
why oh why are you so far away?
the only BAD thing i can say about Pao's is their location; i hate hate hate that they are so far away. i can't stand that i have to take like 4 highways to get to them.
that being said, their food is awesome. especially the scallion pancakes. get 2 orders. you'll love them that much.
I don't get the rave reviews about this place. It's your typical Americanized Chinese place. I've never even been told there is an authentic Chinese menu. They have that weird, unmanicured mystery meat in their chicken dishes such as sesame or general's. I asked for an iced tea to go and they brought it to me in a styrophom soup container which cracked my friend and I up. Bah, not a good place at all!
It's the only place that delivers to my area other than pizza, so I give them a call once every week or so for dinner. Their delivery service is fast but I find the food so-so.
Went back again with Chinese friends for New Year celebration.
They offer special meals for Chinese New Year, like Lion heads and Eight treasure rice, etc. I liked all of them. Just be careful about their holiday special soup price. A small bowl is $5.
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I love this restaurant because their food reminds me of home. I'm northern Chinese and they serve authentic northern Chinese food.
But it's so far away in lakeway, I only went there almost once a year.
Every time I only order bunch of small dishes (appetizer size) and only those dishes are so authentic and delicious. Those small dishes are on a separate small menu, each of them are around $5. Four of us ordered 10 dishes at lunch. We were all stuffed.
I will recommend
scallion pancake,
Sesame seed cake with roasted beef,
Pan fried pao-zte,
Sichuan dumpling,
sweet soy milk,
stuffed sticky rice ball,
spicy string beans,
scallops in garlic sauce - the best scallops I ever had
I won't recommend pickled jellyfish. It's too sour to me. And mixed seafood noodle. It's a little bit bland to me.
Anyway, they are all so good, I forgot to chit chat with friends, but kept on eating whole time.
The table next to us ordered Peking duck. It looks more authentic than any Peking duck in Austin Chinese restaurant. I will definitely try that next time.
A bit of a haul out to Lakeway, but it is worth it. Northern-Chinese style restaurant with Taiwanese, Sichuan and Northern Mainland food. We went for lunch and ordered a whole bunch of dishes.. Spicy string bean, sichuan dumpling, scallops, chinese pancakes and a bunch of others. Everything was good. Total bill was about $20 a piece so it is a little pricey, but we did take home some leftovers in a box. Clientele is at least 50% Asian..
I agree with Michelle C. It is the BEST. I give them four stars for being out in BFE instead of downtown Austin, where it used to be :-(
Food is excellent and they have a creative menu. Highly recommended.
THey only get a 3 from me because I was quite disappointed in the beef noodle soup. it was watery and tasteless. The porkchop rice was standard and nothing special. Need to go back and try other dishes but it's so far out and Asia Market is sooo good.
I remember coming here years ago when visiting Austin, but never appreciated the deliciousness of the food until I actually moved to Austin. I mosdef agree with the others, this place is good, like Boston Red Sox good. And since I'm Chinese, you can trust my opinion on Pao's and possibly the Red Sox. I second the black pepper and salt squid, tis truly divine. I also say "Bully!" for their most delicious soups, any of them, and their cucumber appetizer, heat and coolness all rolled into one. And the service is surprisingly friendly, total rarity for a Chinese restaurant. Make the drive, it is totally worth it! and if you eat there and feel unsatisfied, they leave a big bowl of fortune cookies by the door. Just fill your pockets and resell them to elementary school children for a quarter each until you make your money back. But trust me. it won't be necessary, this place is total top drawer!
One of the best Chinese restaurants that I have been to in the U.S. Food was delicious and authentic and the service was fantastic. I got the scallion pancakes, spinach, Mongolian beef and sweet and sour soup. We (two of us) spent about $60 after tips and taxes. A bit of a drive from Austin, but it's totally worth it!
Bee Cave, TX
Category: Vietnamese
Austin, TX
Category: Dim Sum
Neighborhood: Barrington Oaks
Category: Grocery
Austin, TX
Category: Seafood
Austin, TX
Category: Chinese
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