China Express

China Express is a Chinese restaurant located at 122 W Brookland Park Blvd in Richmond, Virginia, serving the Northside community in the 23222 area. They can be contacted at (804) 329-0111 or their mobile number, +1 804-329-0111. Based on recent customer reviews, the experiences at China Express appear to be quite varied, with some customers reporting exceptional quality in certain dishes while others express significant dissatisfaction with the food and consistency.

One highly enthusiastic reviewer had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the orange chicken. Their exclamation of "HOLY F*CK!" immediately conveys the intensity of their satisfaction. They described the orange chicken as "fried the hell out of," resulting in a "perfectly crispy" texture, with tender meat that wasn't stringy, and a sauce that was "on point." This customer even suggested that the quality might be unusually high for a "cheaper Chinese food spot," implying that this exceptional quality might not be the norm. Their enjoyment was so profound that they wished they could relive the experience, describing it as "simple done perfect." This review highlights the potential for China Express to deliver outstanding versions of certain classic dishes.

However, another customer's experience stands in stark contrast. This reviewer expressed significant disappointment and frustration, stating that they had given China Express multiple chances (a second, third, and fourth) to improve, but the restaurant had consistently failed to meet their expectations. They mentioned that many residents in Northside, including their family, had been patrons of this location for decades, and they believe that the current ownership is the "absolute worst to date." The primary complaint revolves around the consistent serving of food that the reviewer believes is old, "a day late and reheated." This serious accusation suggests a significant issue with food freshness and quality control.

The specific examples provided by this dissatisfied customer paint a concerning picture. They mentioned receiving "old stale chips" with their wonton soup, "burnt egg rolls," and "burnt wings." Furthermore, they described the wonton itself as "indescribable," implying a very negative experience. This level of consistently poor quality has led this long-time customer to feel "truly disappointed and fed up" with the business and its ownership, accusing them of "insulting the Northside community's intelligence by serving terrible food on a consistent basis." This strong condemnation suggests that there may be significant issues with the restaurant's current standards and practices.

The drastically different experiences reported in these two reviews highlight a severe inconsistency in the food quality at China Express. While one customer found the orange chicken to be exceptionally good, another experienced multiple instances of stale and burnt food across various dishes. This inconsistency makes it difficult for potential local users to gauge what their own experience might be. The positive review, while enthusiastic, is also framed as potentially being an anomaly ("once in a blue moon Quality"), which does not inspire confidence in consistent quality.

Given the serious allegations of serving reheated food and consistently poor quality items like burnt egg rolls and wings, and stale chips, potential customers should approach China Express with caution. The stark contrast with the single highly positive review of the orange chicken does not negate the significant concerns raised by the other reviewer, especially considering their long history with the establishment and their perspective as a member of the local Northside community.

Based on the limited information available, there are no details provided regarding the restaurant's environment, services beyond takeout/delivery implied by the reviews, or any promotional information. The focus of the feedback is solely on the quality of the food, which appears to be highly inconsistent.

For local users in the Northside of Richmond, VA, the recent reviews for China Express present a dilemma. While there is a possibility of encountering a dish like the exceptionally praised orange chicken, there is also a significant risk of receiving poorly prepared, stale, or even burnt food, as reported by another long-time customer. The strong negative sentiments expressed by a member of the community who has patronized the restaurant for decades should be taken seriously. Potential customers will need to weigh the possibility of a great experience with a specific dish against the risk of a significantly negative one based on the apparent inconsistency in food quality.

In conclusion, China Express in Richmond, VA, appears to be a Chinese restaurant with highly inconsistent food quality based on recent customer reviews. While one customer raved about the orange chicken, another reported multiple negative experiences with stale and burnt food across several dishes, leading to strong dissatisfaction. Local users should be aware of these contrasting reports when considering ordering from China Express.