Imperial Express

Good food, portions are a little small but the food is filling, CASH ONLY. There's an atm in a nearby food shop just to the right of the restaurant but we recommend having cash on you already.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Exceptional service from the team. Completely satisfied with my experience.

Orange chicken’s crispy with a fun cinnamon/brown sugar twist. (just a little too on the sweet side.) Chow mein is legit

For $11+ though, the portions feel a bit small. Panda Express gives you more for less, and even throws in a fortune cookie. This place is cash only and skips the cookie, but still a good spot overall. Just bring cash, and maybe a snack for later.

Overall: ITS AIGHT.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Chow Mein

The salt and pepper chicken is crispy and delicious.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

First time here with the family. Ver good tasting food. Cash only. I will be back for that orange chicken.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

5 stars
I used to come to Imperial Express all the time after college, and after all these years, it’s still just as amazing—if not even better. The orange chicken is next level—crispy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The service is always friendly and fast, just like I remembered. It’s a true hidden gem that stands the test of time. Bring cash, eat well, and leave happy. Highly recommend! Muy rico 🤘🏻🙏🏻gracias!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 5

I come all the way from LA to eat this Chinese food is so good. I’ve been coming here for 20 years.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I got Salmonella from their orange chicken, this was back in November, and I was pregnant!! Extremely dangerous, I used to like it back then but will never be coming back unfortunately.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Not clean. Didn’t have but 2 items to select from. We had to wait 5 mins just to get a third item in our three item order.

The food was flavorless and soupy and undercooked. Not good customer service.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

5:30 on a Thursday and there’s a closed sign in the door with the hours displayed next to the sign saying closes at 7:30

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I love the orange chicken, same recipe for my whole life. Please don’t ever change it!

Place ripped me off. Always get overcharged for things I don’t order . Came here growing up. Might as well go Panda Express.

Bi+ch sneakly over charged me for single item plate, they are not here to offer sevice

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Been coming here since I was a kid and I’m now in my 30s. Best Chinese in San Diego. Definitely family friendly

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chow Mein, Orange Chicken Beef Broccoli Rice and Noddles