Chen's Chinese Restaurant

Chen's Chinese Restaurant is located at 4360 Augusta Rd in Lexington, South Carolina, serving the local community as a Chinese restaurant. Based on recent customer reviews, there are notable points to consider regarding the quality of food and service at this establishment. While the staff's friendliness and the speed of service have been acknowledged positively, significant concerns have been raised about the food itself.

One customer reported a decline in both the "quality & quantity" of the food at Chen's Chinese Restaurant. This suggests a potential trend of decreasing standards over time, which could be a significant factor for repeat customers. Specifically, this reviewer noted an issue with dishes containing shrimp, stating that there were "only a few pieces in the dish" on multiple occasions. Their most recent experience involved ordering the "Triple Delight," where they found a mere "4 pcs of shrimp" which were also "over cooked." This indicates a problem with portion control for shrimp and a lack of attention to proper cooking techniques, resulting in a less than satisfactory dish.

Further concerns were raised about the chicken in the Triple Delight, which the reviewer described as "unrecognizable" and looking "like fake chicken." This description is alarming as it suggests a significant issue with the quality or preparation of the poultry used in their dishes. The reviewer personally avoided eating the chicken due to its appearance, but their husband did consume it and subsequently "spent the next 2 days in the bathroom," strongly implying a case of food poisoning linked to the chicken. This is a severe health concern that potential customers should be aware of.

Another customer echoed the sentiment about the food quality, stating that "the food was not good," despite finding the staff to be "very friendly." This highlights a disconnect between the service provided by the staff and the quality of the food being served. The specific issues mentioned by this reviewer include "dry" rice and chicken lo mein that "didn't taste fresh." The vegetables in the lo mein were described as "so wilted that I couldn't tell what it was," indicating a lack of freshness and potentially improper storage or handling of ingredients. The chicken in the lo mein was also criticized for being "too soft" and tasting "off, like a bit sour almost," further suggesting that it was not fresh and may have been sitting for an extended period.

A significant issue raised by the second reviewer was the excessive saltiness of all the dishes they ordered, noting that it was "extremely salty, more so than usual at a Chinese takeout." Overly salty food can detract significantly from the dining experience and may also be a health concern for some individuals. Despite the poor food quality, this reviewer gave an overall rating of 3 stars, specifically citing the staff's friendliness and the fast preparation time as the reasons for not giving a lower rating.

Based on these two recent customer reviews, Chen's Chinese Restaurant appears to have significant challenges related to the quality and freshness of its food. Issues such as small shrimp portions, overcooked shrimp, questionable chicken quality leading to potential food poisoning, dry rice, unfresh lo mein with wilted vegetables, off-tasting chicken, and excessive saltiness are major concerns for any restaurant. While the friendliness of the staff and the speed of service are positive aspects, they are overshadowed by the serious problems reported with the food itself.

The fact that one reviewer experienced a decline in quality and quantity over time suggests that these may not be isolated incidents. The description of the chicken as "unrecognizable" and the implication of food poisoning are particularly alarming and should give potential customers pause. Similarly, the repeated mentions of lack of freshness and poor preparation across different dishes indicate a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.

Given the information available, it is difficult to ascertain any specific positive features about the food or the environment of Chen's Chinese Restaurant. The focus of the recent feedback is overwhelmingly negative regarding the culinary offerings. There is no mention of any promotional information or unique selling points that would differentiate this establishment positively. The only consistently praised aspects are the staff's friendliness and the speed of service, which are important but insufficient if the food quality is subpar.

For local users in Lexington, SC, considering Chen's Chinese Restaurant, it is crucial to be aware of the recent negative feedback concerning the food quality and potential health risks. While the friendly staff and fast service might be appealing for a quick takeout, the reported issues with shrimp portions, chicken quality and freshness, rice and lo mein preparation, and excessive saltiness are significant drawbacks. Potential customers may want to exercise caution and consider these recent experiences before deciding to order from Chen's Chinese Restaurant. It might be advisable to seek more recent reviews or consider alternative Chinese restaurants in the area to ensure a satisfactory and safe dining experience.