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Exploring Modern China Cafe in Walnut Creek, CA: A Mixed Bag of Experiences
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. California
  4. Contra Costa County
  5. Walnut Creek
  6. Chinese Restaurant in North Main Street
  7. Modern China Cafe

Modern China Cafe

773 reviews

Modern China Cafe Photos

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Hours

Monday, 11:00 AM - 0:00 AM
Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 0:00 AM
Wednesday, 11:00 AM - 0:00 AM
Thursday, 11:00 AM - 0:00 AM
Friday, 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday, 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday, 11:00 AM - 0:00 AM

About Modern China Cafe

Welcome to Modern China Cafe, a Chinese restaurant located at 1525 N Main St in Walnut Creek, California. Offering a diverse menu of Chinese dishes, Modern China Cafe presents a unique dining experience that, according to online reviews, can be quite varied. For local users in Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas, it's important to consider the spectrum of feedback regarding the food, service, and overall atmosphere before making a decision to visit.

Situated on North Main Street in Walnut Creek, Modern China Cafe can be contacted at (925) 988-8008 or via their mobile number at +1 925-988-8008 for inquiries. Unlike some traditional Chinese restaurants, Modern China Cafe appears to offer a more contemporary and potentially lively ambiance, as indicated by some of the customer reviews.

One positive aspect highlighted by a customer is the enjoyment of certain food items. Specifically, the "pork fried rice" and the "orange chicken" were mentioned as favorites, with a simple "Yum" expressing satisfaction. This suggests that some of the more classic and popular American-Chinese dishes might be well-received at Modern China Cafe.

Adding a unique dimension to the dining experience, one reviewer was "pleasantly surprised" to find a DJ playing music at the restaurant. They described the DJ as "awesome" and enjoyed the music, even though it was noted to be "a smidge too loud." This feature suggests that Modern China Cafe aims for a more energetic and perhaps entertainment-focused atmosphere, potentially setting it apart from more traditional Chinese eateries. This lively ambiance is further supported by another reviewer who mentioned that "people will get up and start dancing," advising others to "be prepared for that" and recommending the experience.

However, the feedback regarding service presents a mixed picture. The reviewer who enjoyed the DJ also noted that as the restaurant became crowded ("so packed"), their waitress took "longer and longer to tend to us." This indicates that the service might become less attentive during peak hours, which is a common challenge for busy restaurants. Additionally, this reviewer mentioned that the "cocktails weren't the greatest," although they personally didn't consider this a major issue.

On the other end of the spectrum, some customers have had significantly negative experiences at Modern China Cafe. One reviewer stated unequivocally, "I haven't been to a worse place to eat in a decade or more..." This strong condemnation raises serious concerns about the quality of the food and the overall dining experience for some patrons.

Specific criticisms of the food include allegations of "falsely advertising what they're selling." This reviewer claimed that two dishes, "lettuce wraps" and "Mango Chicken," contained a significant amount of "half diced yucca or maybe jicama" as a "flavorless filler vegetable" seemingly used to "just fill up the plate." This suggests a potential issue with the authenticity and quality of the ingredients used in some dishes.

Furthermore, the same reviewer described both dishes as "practically flavorless," with the only discernible taste coming from a sauce they suspected was "ketchup" or "banana sauce," implying a lack of proper seasoning and reliance on basic condiments for flavor. The "barley cooked yucca and ketchup for both dishes" led this customer to conclude that their meal "Sucked bad."

Another highly critical review echoed the sentiment about the lettuce wraps, stating that "the only food that tasted good was the lettuce and the small bone stock hoisin sauce they managed to squeeze out on a dish." This starkly contrasts with the positive mention of other dishes, highlighting a significant inconsistency in food quality according to customer experiences. This reviewer also sarcastically commented on the presentation of the lettuce wraps, noting that the "master chefs in the back nailed the lettuce wrap aesthetic when they served a head of lettuce sliced in half on a plate," implying a lack of care or skill in the preparation.

Hygiene and service issues were also raised in one particularly negative review. The server was described as having a "running nose" and "sucking it back in while we were talking," which is a serious concern for food safety and customer comfort. Additionally, after complaining about the poor quality of the food, the reviewer noted that "the bill came out unaltered," indicating a lack of responsiveness to customer complaints. The value for money was also questioned, with the reviewer citing a $35 charge for what they considered substandard ingredients and preparation.

Finally, this same reviewer reported alarming conditions in the restroom, stating that "there was no soap and no paper towels." This is a significant hygiene issue that reflects poorly on the restaurant's overall standards and could have serious implications for public health. The reviewer concluded with a strong negative sentiment, hoping for the restaurant to "go out of business soon."

In summary, Modern China Cafe in Walnut Creek, CA, presents a mixed and somewhat concerning picture based on recent customer reviews. While some patrons have enjoyed specific dishes like the pork fried rice and orange chicken, and appreciated the unique addition of a DJ and dancing, there are significant red flags regarding the quality of certain dishes, potential issues with ingredient authenticity, inconsistent service that can suffer during busy times, and serious hygiene concerns, particularly in the restroom. The starkly contrasting positive and negative reviews suggest a highly variable dining experience at Modern China Cafe. Local users should weigh these factors carefully before deciding to visit.

For local users in Walnut Creek considering Modern China Cafe at 1525 N Main St, it is advisable to take into account the wide range of opinions expressed in online reviews. While the prospect of a DJ and dancing might be appealing to some, the serious allegations regarding food quality, potential misrepresentation of ingredients, inattentive service during busy periods, and significant hygiene concerns cannot be ignored. It might be prudent to exercise caution or seek more recent feedback before choosing to dine at Modern China Cafe. You can contact them at (925) 988-8008 or +1 925-988-8008 for any specific inquiries, but be aware of the diverse experiences reported by other customers.

Modern China Cafe Location

1525 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA

Customer Reviews

3.0
773 reviews
A
Aidee Gonzalez
Jul 04, 2023

I really enjoyed the food. My friend and I ordered a variety of different things. My favorite is their pork fried rice and their orange chicken. Yum. I was pleasantly surprised because they also had a dj playing music while we were eating. He was awesome. The music was a smidge too loud but I loved it. Because the restaurant got so packed, out waitress was taking longer and longer to tend to us. That's about the only downfall and their cocktails weren't the greatest but that's not a big deal to me at least. Keep in mind that people will get up and start dancing, so be prepared for that... I definitely recommend to go and experience it.

Z
Zachary Thomas
Apr 19, 2025

I haven't been to a worse place to eat in a decade or more matsuri sushi in Vallejo rivals this junk. Modern China Cafe must be broke based on them falsely advertising what they're selling since both dishes (lettuce wraps and Mango Chicken) were half diced yucca or maybe jicama. Either way it was a flavorless filler vegetable that was obviously there to just fill up the plate. Both of the dishes were practically flavorless. The only flavor came from the sauce which I'd bet money was ketchup. Could be banana sauce, which is just Filipino ketchup. Either way that's it for seasoning. Barley cooked yucca and ketchup for both dishes. Sucked bad. Honestly the only food that tasted good was the lettuce and the small bone stock hoisin sauce they managed to squeeze out on a dish. The master chefs in the back nailed the lettuce wrap aesthetic when they served a head of lettuce sliced in half on a plate. Each time the server showed up his nose was running and he was sucking it back in while we were talking. After pointing out how terrible everything was the bill came out unaltered. $35 for half an ice burg lettuce, yucca root and some ketchup. Went to the bathroom and there was no soap and no paper towels. Hope this place goes out of business soon.

T
Tao Zhou
Jan 11, 2025

This place is a hidden gem in Walnut Creek, I came here last weekend, and it has the best vibes at night time in Walnut Creek. Our server was very friendly and helpful as well. They have live DJ events on Fridays and Saturdays so the atmosphere is great on the weekends. The food was also very tasty. Especially the House Chow Fun and Honey Walnut Prawns. Highly Recommended!!!

r
rose ckiara
Sep 22, 2024

I went to my nephew's Birthday party. A very busy spot on a Saturday. They are over working their staff. I feel bad for them. But they don't show it very courteous. Bravo to the whole staff.

E
Emily Leung
Jul 06, 2024

I have been to Modern China Cafe a number of times and I have always had a great experience every time I come. Whether it's for their all day happy hour special, their yummy desserts, or the late night drinks offered -- the atmosphere in this restaurant is comforting and something to be enjoyed with friends and family! They offer heated lamps outside for chillier nights and umbrellas for outdoor seating in the day as well. Check it out and you won't regret it!

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