Happy Star Chinese Cuisine
Christopher Sanders · 85 Google reviewsHappy Star Chinese Cuisine — trusted chinese in Albany Park. Order the Orange Chicken. You won't leave hungry. Easy on the wallet, owner-operated. [$]
What 127 diners keep saying
This spot has closed for good. Its reviews stay up for the record — the rankings have already moved on.
What 127 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Delicious, affordable and they ALWAYS pack my plates! Definitely recommend this spot 👍”
“Very generous portions and staff is kind best Chinese food I’ve had in Chicago”
“They do NOT play about the portion sizes here. A regular plate (choice of rice, fried rice, or lo mein and two entrees) will run you about $11. AND you get a drink with it. Food is amazing, service is friendly, only complaint is the physical restaurant space is a bit destitute but that can all be forgiven when you consider how much freaking food they give you. Love this place!”
“Big space! And great selections! We weren’t disappointed by the options and flavor! Food was good for value.”
“These reviews are most likely fake = 4.6 stars out of 110 people? I went here at first seeing the high (fake) rating. But it's more like a 3.1 star restaurant. Food was old. Greasy. Not even that good!!! Imagine going to a 3.1 star chinese buffet and getting two dishes plus some rice for the same price as the buffet. That's exactly what it's like going here. Nothing special, everything greasy and old. Not really a bargain either. And... you have to breathe in toxic chemicals here: (nasty Gain beads) 3.5 out of 10 level searing stinging pain and itchiness from the indoor air being contaminated with Gain scent beads. Some of the workers have strong Gain scent beads on their clothes”
“We were caught off guard by the setup. It's similar to a Panda Express, which is very low on our list. There were several pre-made dishes behind a counter, and two huge containers of pre-made rice, white or very plain fried rice. The dishes looked so unappetizing, we wanted to leave, but felt embarrassed. You are charged based on the "size" of your plate, but some are styrofoam containers instead of the small plastic bowls with lids. Very confusing. We ended up ordering mindlessly, just to get it over with. Our favorite place, Mayflower Chinese, was apparently closed on Tuesdays. Our dishes were small plates of Kung Pao Shrimp and Bourbon Chicken. Neither was very good. The Kung Pao was loaded with zucchini, which isn't a normal vegetable to put in there. No red or green peppers, no baby corn. The sauce was ketchupy, with hot pepper thrown in. Shrimp was overcooked, rubbery and sparse. The fried rice had nothing in it but a tiny amount of fried egg, and oil. The bourbon chicken was so overcooked, we both swore it had to be pork, The flavor of the sauce was OK, but nothing great. Again, a strange combination of vegetables, used as filler than creating an authentic dish. We were given a sample of the Curry Chicken, and it was just turmeric and oil. We both agreed the egg rolls were the worst either of us had had in our lives. Nothing but hunks of cabbage is a soggy thick wrapping. We both thought of Totino's egg rolls, which are disgusting. Perhaps a sliver of carrot here and there. Half the size of what you would expect. The people behind the counter were trying to be helpful. The last thing we said is that if we were starving, we wouldn't go back. Overpriced, overcooked, not the correct ingredients for the dishes (likely cost related) and a poor value for the money. We left spending almost $20, then both got bad headaches within an hour, so the food ha to have MSG in it as well. WE seriously question the other reviews. The plastic utensils are included so you can see how small the dishes were. The main dish sat on a big mound of rice.”
“Best value plate in the area, portions always great. Get the lemon black pepper chicken”
“Amazing food and friendly people. I will comeback. Food was delicious. Honestly to me way more better than panda express.”
“Happy Star has everything you want from a takeout Chinese place - good food, big portions, low prices. Plus, the employees are very friendly.”
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