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Lee's Express: Quick and Tasty Chinese Cuisine in Downtown St. Paul
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. Minnesota
  4. Ramsey County
  5. Saint Paul
  6. Core
  7. Chinese Restaurant in East 7th Street
  8. Lee's Express

Lee's Express

60 reviews

Lee's Express Photos

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Hours

Monday, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Thursday, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Friday, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed

About Lee's Express

Lee's Express is a Chinese restaurant conveniently situated in the heart of downtown St. Paul, located at Wells Fargo Place, 30 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55101, USA. As a part of the "Chinese Restaurant" platform category, Lee's Express focuses on providing quick and efficient service along with a variety of Chinese dishes. They can be contacted at (651) 999-9579 or via their mobile number +1 651-999-9579.

Based on the available customer reviews, Lee's Express is particularly noted for its "super quick service." This makes it an ideal spot for individuals who are looking for a fast and convenient meal, especially those working or visiting the downtown area. The emphasis on speed does not seem to compromise the quality or presentation of the food, as one reviewer mentioned that "everything looked amazing." This suggests that Lee's Express prioritizes both efficiency and visual appeal in their offerings.

A standout dish at Lee's Express, according to customer feedback, is their orange chicken. It has garnered significant attention, with one reviewer stating, "What people are saying about the orange chicken is true. It is very, very crispy." This highlights a key characteristic of their preparation of this popular dish – a notably crispy fried batter. The reviewer further elaborates that those who prefer a less crispy batter might not enjoy it as much, but acknowledges that it is "still good." This provides an honest and specific detail about the texture of their orange chicken, allowing potential customers to make informed decisions based on their preferences.

The orange sauce served with the chicken is described as "perfectly sweet and tangy." This balance of flavors is crucial for a well-executed orange chicken dish, and the positive feedback indicates that Lee's Express has achieved this balance effectively. The combination of the crispy chicken and the flavorful sauce appears to be a major draw for many customers.

Beyond the highly praised orange chicken, Lee's Express also offers a selection of other classic American Chinese dishes. The same reviewer mentioned that the "fried rice, cream cheese wonton, spring roll were all good as well." This suggests a consistent level of quality across different items on their menu, making it a reliable choice for a variety of cravings. These are standard appetizers and side dishes found in many American Chinese restaurants, and the positive feedback indicates that Lee's Express prepares them to a satisfactory standard.

While the reviewer enjoyed the orange chicken and the other mentioned items, they also expressed an interest in trying a different chicken dish on their next visit, stating, "I would try a different chicken dish next time." This implies that Lee's Express likely offers a variety of chicken preparations beyond their popular orange chicken, providing options for customers with different preferences.

Another reviewer noted that Lee's Express is "a good place to stop for a quick lunch after the children's museum." This comment provides insight into the restaurant's location and its appeal to a specific demographic – families visiting nearby attractions. Its proximity to the children's museum suggests that Lee's Express is conveniently located for those exploring the downtown area and seeking a quick and satisfying meal, particularly during lunchtime.

Based on the limited review information, there are no specific details provided about the ambiance or decor of Lee's Express. However, the emphasis on "quick service" might suggest a more casual and functional environment geared towards efficiency rather than an elaborate dining experience. The location within Wells Fargo Place, a commercial building, could further imply a focus on serving the busy downtown crowd looking for a swift meal option.

Similarly, there is no explicit mention of promotional offers or specific services beyond the quick food preparation. However, being located in a busy area like downtown St. Paul, Lee's Express likely caters to both dine-in and takeout customers. The "quick service" aspect strongly suggests that takeout orders are efficiently handled, making it a convenient option for office workers and residents in the vicinity.

In conclusion, Lee's Express in downtown St. Paul stands out for its exceptionally fast service and well-received American Chinese cuisine. Their crispy orange chicken, in particular, has garnered positive attention for its texture and flavorful sauce. Customers have also found their fried rice, cream cheese wontons, and spring rolls to be good. Its location near attractions like the children's museum makes it a convenient stop for a quick and satisfying meal. While specific details about the dining environment and additional services are limited, the focus on speed and the positive feedback on their key dishes make Lee's Express a noteworthy option for those seeking a fast and tasty Chinese meal in downtown St. Paul.

Lee's Express Location

Wells Fargo Place, 30 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55101, USA

Customer Reviews

4.0
60 reviews
S
Sharon Blomgren
Apr 29, 2025

Super quick service. Everything looked amazing. What people are saying about the orange chicken is true. It is very, very crispy. If you don't like it with crisp fried batter, you may not enjoy it, but it is still good. Orange sauce is perfectly sweet and tangy. Fried rice, cream cheese wonton, spring roll were all good as well. I would try a different chicken dish next time.

A
Amanda Drews
Jan 02, 2023

A good place to stop for a quick lunch after the children's museum.

T
Tyangchizzle Yu-Gi-Oh!
Dec 26, 2023

Food looks delicious on the outside. But don't let that fool you. The orange chicken was dry and it felt like I was eating bones (overcooked). It's so overcooked that my fork could not pierce them. Do not ignore the reviews stating that the orange chicken is dry/overcooked. It is located next to the skyway connecting the World Trade Center Parking Ramp to the Minnesota Children's Museum (MCM) in downtown St. Paul. So, it was convenient to grab something to eat after my wife took our daughter to the MCM. So, my wife ordered the 2 entree lunch special and chose orange chicken and teriyaki chicken with fried rice. We did not receive any teriyaki sauce (only checked order once at home). I wish the orange chicken was not overcooked to the point it seemed like I was eating bones, b/c the flavor is decent. The fried rice and teriyaki chicken meat were decent, at least. And therefore, this overall experience is 2 stars out of 5.

M
Molly Mossey
Jun 06, 2012

Lee's is one of my very favorites in the entire St. Paul skyway! They have fantastic food and amazing service. Ella and all of the employees are very friendly and kind. I literally eat there every day. I would highly recommend the spring rolls as they are my very favorite. The Eggplant Tofu dish is also wonderful. I honestly have never tried anything I didn't like from there. The line can get long around noon so I would recommend trying to get there before or after noon to avoid having to wait in line, although it does move pretty quickly.

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Tanya Stevens
Dec 18, 2018

Fresh, delicious, decent lunch portions. I was sad when I started working in Mpls as I went here at least 3 times a week. My main go to is the Kung pao shrimp, YUM! And the orange chicken with spicy green beans which are not spicy but have a nice flavor. The chicken dumplings (potstickers) are to die for and the egg rolls are chicken and quite good themselves. I’d recommend this place to anyone seeking fresh but fast Chinese food. Only con the s if you don’t work or live downtown the location is not convenient at all spent about 20 minutes once circling looking for a meter just to run up and get take out but it’s worth it to me.

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