Oriental Express

Welcome to the detailed introduction of Oriental Express, a Chinese restaurant located at 3750 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418, USA. As a local establishment within the Chinese Restaurant category, Oriental Express aims to provide Chinese cuisine to the residents and visitors of North Charleston. This introduction will delve into the available information regarding the restaurant, primarily focusing on recent customer feedback to offer an objective perspective on its environment, services, features, and perceived value.

Oriental Express can be contacted via telephone at (843) 767-4068 or through their mobile number, +1 843-767-4068. These contact details are available for customers who wish to place orders, inquire about the menu, or seek information about dining options.

The recent customer reviews for Oriental Express present a somewhat mixed experience. One reviewer described their visit as "ok," noting that the food was made to order and the staff at the counter were polite and patient. They also mentioned that a slight language barrier was manageable, and the staff even assisted them in getting the best deal by suggesting a combo meal. The portions were described as large, and the prices were considered fair. However, this reviewer found the flavor and ingredients to be "nothing special" and indicated they would return, but not for the egg rolls. This suggests a decent overall experience with good service and value, but perhaps lacking exceptional culinary quality.

In contrast, another reviewer shared a significantly negative experience. They stated that they used to like the place but had a concerning incident where they found a piece of black hair fried in with their chicken. Upon returning the dish, it was remade but reportedly not cooked all the way. As a result of this experience, the reviewer stated their intention to take their business elsewhere, indicating a serious issue with food safety and preparation.

Given these contrasting experiences, it is essential to approach an introduction of Oriental Express with an objective lens, highlighting both the positive aspects of service and value mentioned by one reviewer and the significant concerns about food quality and safety raised by the other.

To provide a more structured overview based on the available feedback, let's consider the typical aspects of a Chinese restaurant:

Environment: The provided reviews do not offer any specific description of the restaurant's ambiance, decor, or cleanliness. Therefore, no objective information can be provided regarding the environment of Oriental Express. Potential customers would need to visit the location or seek additional information from other sources to form an opinion on this aspect. However, the mention of a counter staff suggests a typical fast-casual setup where orders are placed at a counter.

Services: Based on the context of the reviews, Oriental Express likely offers the following services:

• Made-to-Order Food: One reviewer specifically mentioned that the food was made to order, which can be a positive aspect for freshness and customization.
• Counter Service: The interaction with "staff at the counter" indicates that orders are placed and likely picked up at a counter, suggesting a fast-casual dining model.
• Takeout: It is reasonable to assume that Oriental Express offers takeout services, allowing customers to order food to eat off-premises. This is a standard offering for most Chinese restaurants.
• Dine-in: The presence of counter staff and made-to-order food suggests that there is likely a dining area where customers can eat their meals on-site.
• Potential Delivery: While not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, many restaurants today offer delivery services. Local users interested in this option would need to contact Oriental Express directly to inquire if they offer delivery to their area and what the terms might be.

Features: Based on the customer feedback, we can identify several features of Oriental Express:

• Polite and Patient Staff: One reviewer specifically praised the politeness and patience of the staff at the counter, which is a significant positive aspect of customer service.
• Effort to Ensure Best Deal: The staff's initiative in showing the customer how to get a combo meal for better value indicates a focus on customer satisfaction and helpfulness.
• Large Portions: The reviewer who found the overall experience "ok" mentioned that the portions were large, suggesting good value in terms of quantity.
• Fair Prices: The prices were described as fair by one reviewer, aligning with the idea of good value for the portion sizes.
• Made-to-Order Food: This feature can contribute to freshness, although the subsequent cooking issue reported by another reviewer is a significant concern.
• Flavor and Ingredients "Nothing Special": While the food was acceptable to one reviewer, they did not find it to be particularly outstanding in terms of flavor or ingredients, suggesting a more standard offering of American-Chinese cuisine.
• Problematic Egg Rolls: One reviewer indicated they would return but would avoid the egg rolls, suggesting a potential issue with this specific menu item.
• Serious Food Safety Concerns: The report of finding hair fried in the food and a subsequently remade dish that was undercooked raises serious concerns about food safety and kitchen practices.

Promotional Information: The provided customer reviews do not mention any specific promotions or discounts offered by Oriental Express. It is common for restaurants to have lunch specials, daily deals, or family meal options. Local users interested in potential promotions should contact Oriental Express directly at the provided phone numbers to inquire about any current offers. They may also have a menu available online or in-house that details their pricing and any special combinations.

In conclusion, Oriental Express in North Charleston, SC, appears to be a Chinese restaurant that offers made-to-order food with polite and helpful counter service, large portions, and fair prices. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the serious food safety and preparation concerns raised by one recent customer. While another reviewer had a more neutral experience, finding the food and ingredients to be average and specifically recommending against the egg rolls, the report of hair in the food and undercooked replacement is a significant red flag. Potential local users should weigh these contrasting reviews carefully. While the value and service aspects seem positive based on one account, the food quality and safety issues reported by another cannot be ignored. It would be prudent for those considering Oriental Express to perhaps inquire about their food preparation standards or consider recent local reviews from other platforms to get a more comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the restaurant's current quality and practices before making a decision to dine in or order takeout.