After living in San Diego for decades, I finally discovered Chef China — a humble, family-owned restaurant that completely won me over. This isn’t your typical Chinese takeout joint. It’s a place where pride, tradition, and genuine care meet on every plate.
Every dish here tells a story. The meat is perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside — that rare balance you only get when food is cooked with love, not haste. You can taste the craftsmanship in every bite, and you can feel the heart behind it.
Sure, it may take a little longer to get your food, but that’s because they make everything fresh — the way your mom or grandma would when cooking your favorite meal. There’s something comforting about that wait; it builds anticipation, and when your food arrives, it’s worth every moment.
And don’t let the modest exterior fool you — Chef China is the living example of the saying, “It’s what’s inside that counts.” Inside, you’ll find warmth, passion, and the kind of flavors that keep people coming back for years.
I’ve seen a few posts claiming the quality has slipped, but honestly — one off day doesn’t define a restaurant that puts so much heart into what they do. If something’s not right, let them know. The family truly cares and will go above and beyond to make it right. They even make there own sauces!
In sum, if you’re craving authentic, huge American portions, and heart-made Chinese food that feels like home — even when you’re far from it - go to Chef China!
Food tried: 1. Salt and pepper Chicken Wings 2. Drunken Noodles 3. Orange Chicken 4. Egg Drop Soup
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caleb Valdez
They serve very old chicken from yesterday's and the food is covered with a lot of sauce to hide the old taste of the meat. I do not recommend this place at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Private Email
I’m very disappointed, especially being that I ordered big and spent over $30. I got the salt and pepper wings. I also bought the vegetable lo mein and then I got the beef and broccoli plate that came with an eggroll. I asked for my salt and pepper wings to be well done, but they weren’t and there were enough flavor to them. My rice was hard. It didn’t seem like it was fresh that came and my beef and broccoli plate and I didn’t like the beef and broccoli. Also, my lo mein wasn’t good either. I used to come to this location years ago because it’s been around for a long time and the food used to be great but now when you walk in, you stand right by the door and it’s barricaded off so you can’t go in on top of that the person who takes your order She seems sweet, but no customer service skills tho. I just wish I would’ve just spent very minimum versus going all out thinking I was going to have a good time eating my food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
William
Found a hair in my egg roll the quality has gone down drastically
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Andre Redditt
The place is very well respected the staff there is very called you and always there to help and understand what your order is and make sure it is correct every time Cynthia is amazing very nice very professional that goes without saying I have recommended several people this place is amazing because the quality of the food and how to expedite making your meal available even though they constantly busy at times but they make sure that your food is available as needed
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane Austen
Another disappointment. First open it was delicous, very reasonable pricing. Ordered last night, veg lo mein and eggrolls. The egg rolls have always been so good, fresh not frozen, large and fresh. Last night they were soaked in grease and pure mush on the inside. The lo mein was slimy. I don't know what is happening with restaurant quality in this day and age because this seems to be a trend.... inconsistency and on a downward spiral. Not sure if this is a labor problem or people's standards have gotten so low that restaurants/biz don't have to put out a good product. I was hopeful about this place.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Sumi
It’s brightly lit and clean with little ambience but the portions and the food are affordable, delicious, and enough for leftovers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot and Sour Soup, Egg Roll
Lulu Beach
Great salt and pepper wings.
Katy Titus
Cream cheese wonton rangoons go crazy
Debbie Victoreen
I have gone to Chef China for about 7 times in the past 4 years. The food is always excellent, and the staff are nice. I can’t believe the portions…I have eaten the leftovers over a period of 3-4 days.
It’s not exactly ambient, but it’s cash only with no indoor seating; it appears there used to be in-house dining, but likely because of COVID, that changed everything.
My opinion completely changed on February 12, 2025, I’d had a half-day assignment at a nearby school, and had bragged to the staff that I was about to order some food from Chef China, “my favorite place,” stating that they give such generous portions that the food will last about 3-4 days. The staff were excited and took down their number.
Around noon, I happily went to order the egg foo young, sweet sour soup, and chicken chop suey that came with crispy chips, fried rice, and an egg roll. I enjoyed several small meals. On Friday night I went for the last serving. Luckily, it was literally the last scoop put on my plate, but in the far corner of the styrofoam container where the chicken chop suey was, was a curled up long strand of black hair. I couldn’t stop gagging, and threw out a huge plate of the chicken chop suey, and the egg foo young.
I am so disgusted that I will never eat here again, even if the food is good. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat any Chinese food anytime soon.
I read their reviews. Most are good, but several are negative. One review said they too found a long strand of black hair. Last time I checked, hairnets are supposed to be worn.
It’s sad because it was the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. I will be letting the staff I bragged to about what I found. In fact, it was the school that told me years back how great the food is. No one wants to find hair in their food!
You have lost a good customer. You couldn’t make it up by offering me a free meal. No thanks. I did call the restaurant last night, and the girl only offered to say something to the kitchen staff. A refund would’ve been a nice offer.
I have been a patron for over 12 years and the fried calamari I received today was terrible ! It was like eating fried rubber pieces (extremely tough) and I will never order this dish again !!! Absolutely appalling
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Cyrene Gist
Bomb bomb Chinese food real authentic I have been going there for years upon years never disappointed
Eve (Adams)
They gave us orange pork instead of orante chicken. Chicken fried rice tasted soapy and the chicken was rubbery, Beef and Broccoli tasted like gravy, white rice was not included for a family meal which is absurd. Potstickers were just crappy but the eggroll was great. They need to stop cutting corners and get better ingredients, just pathetic.
Food: 1
Eve (Nedd)
They gave us orange pork instead of orante chicken. Chicken fried rice tasted soapy and the chicken was rubbery, Beef and Broccoli tasted like gravy, white rice was not included for a family meal which is absurd. Potstickers were just crappy but the eggroll was great. They need to stop cutting corners and get better ingredients, just pathetic.
Food: 1
Liliana Reyes
In atmosphere put 1 only because is only to go and only cash food delicius in campo rd
A Hidden Gem That Feels Like Home — Chef China
After living in San Diego for decades, I finally discovered Chef China — a humble, family-owned restaurant that completely won me over. This isn’t your typical Chinese takeout joint. It’s a place where pride, tradition, and genuine care meet on every plate.
Every dish here tells a story. The meat is perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside — that rare balance you only get when food is cooked with love, not haste. You can taste the craftsmanship in every bite, and you can feel the heart behind it.
Sure, it may take a little longer to get your food, but that’s because they make everything fresh — the way your mom or grandma would when cooking your favorite meal. There’s something comforting about that wait; it builds anticipation, and when your food arrives, it’s worth every moment.
And don’t let the modest exterior fool you — Chef China is the living example of the saying, “It’s what’s inside that counts.” Inside, you’ll find warmth, passion, and the kind of flavors that keep people coming back for years.
I’ve seen a few posts claiming the quality has slipped, but honestly — one off day doesn’t define a restaurant that puts so much heart into what they do. If something’s not right, let them know. The family truly cares and will go above and beyond to make it right. They even make there own sauces!
In sum, if you’re craving authentic, huge American portions, and heart-made Chinese food that feels like home — even when you’re far from it - go to Chef China!
Food tried:
1. Salt and pepper Chicken Wings
2. Drunken Noodles
3. Orange Chicken
4. Egg Drop Soup
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
They serve very old chicken from yesterday's and the food is covered with a lot of sauce to hide the old taste of the meat. I do not recommend this place at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I’m very disappointed, especially being that I ordered big and spent over $30. I got the salt and pepper wings. I also bought the vegetable lo mein and then I got the beef and broccoli plate that came with an eggroll. I asked for my salt and pepper wings to be well done, but they weren’t and there were enough flavor to them. My rice was hard. It didn’t seem like it was fresh that came and my beef and broccoli plate and I didn’t like the beef and broccoli. Also, my lo mein wasn’t good either. I used to come to this location years ago because it’s been around for a long time and the food used to be great but now when you walk in, you stand right by the door and it’s barricaded off so you can’t go in on top of that the person who takes your order She seems sweet, but no customer service skills tho. I just wish I would’ve just spent very minimum versus going all out thinking I was going to have a good time eating my food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Found a hair in my egg roll the quality has gone down drastically
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
The place is very well respected the staff there is very called you and always there to help and understand what your order is and make sure it is correct every time Cynthia is amazing very nice very professional that goes without saying I have recommended several people this place is amazing because the quality of the food and how to expedite making your meal available even though they constantly busy at times but they make sure that your food is available as needed
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Another disappointment. First open it was delicous, very reasonable pricing. Ordered last night, veg lo mein and eggrolls. The egg rolls have always been so good, fresh not frozen, large and fresh. Last night they were soaked in grease and pure mush on the inside. The lo mein was slimy. I don't know what is happening with restaurant quality in this day and age because this seems to be a trend.... inconsistency and on a downward spiral. Not sure if this is a labor problem or people's standards have gotten so low that restaurants/biz don't have to put out a good product. I was hopeful about this place.
Food: 1
Service: 5
It’s brightly lit and clean with little ambience but the portions and the food are affordable, delicious, and enough for leftovers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot and Sour Soup, Egg Roll
Great salt and pepper wings.
Cream cheese wonton rangoons go crazy
I have gone to Chef China for about 7 times in the past 4 years. The food is always excellent, and the staff are nice. I can’t believe the portions…I have eaten the leftovers over a period of 3-4 days.
It’s not exactly ambient, but it’s cash only with no indoor seating; it appears there used to be in-house dining, but likely because of COVID, that changed everything.
My opinion completely changed on February 12, 2025, I’d had a half-day assignment at a nearby school, and had bragged to the staff that I was about to order some food from Chef China, “my favorite place,” stating that they give such generous portions that the food will last about 3-4 days. The staff were excited and took down their number.
Around noon, I happily went to order the egg foo young, sweet sour soup, and chicken chop suey that came with crispy chips, fried rice, and an egg roll. I enjoyed several small meals. On Friday night I went for the last serving. Luckily, it was literally the last scoop put on my plate, but in the far corner of the styrofoam container where the chicken chop suey was, was a curled up long strand of black hair. I couldn’t stop gagging, and threw out a huge plate of the chicken chop suey, and the egg foo young.
I am so disgusted that I will never eat here again, even if the food is good. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat any Chinese food anytime soon.
I read their reviews. Most are good, but several are negative. One review said they too found a long strand of black hair. Last time I checked, hairnets are supposed to be worn.
It’s sad because it was the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. I will be letting the staff I bragged to about what I found. In fact, it was the school that told me years back how great the food is. No one wants to find hair in their food!
You have lost a good customer. You couldn’t make it up by offering me a free meal. No thanks. I did call the restaurant last night, and the girl only offered to say something to the kitchen staff. A refund would’ve been a nice offer.
Debbie
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I have been a patron for over 12 years and the fried calamari I received today was terrible ! It was like eating fried rubber pieces (extremely tough) and I will never order this dish again !!! Absolutely appalling
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Bomb bomb Chinese food real authentic I have been going there for years upon years never disappointed
They gave us orange pork instead of orante chicken. Chicken fried rice tasted soapy and the chicken was rubbery, Beef and Broccoli tasted like gravy, white rice was not included for a family meal which is absurd. Potstickers were just crappy but the eggroll was great. They need to stop cutting corners and get better ingredients, just pathetic.
Food: 1
They gave us orange pork instead of orante chicken. Chicken fried rice tasted soapy and the chicken was rubbery, Beef and Broccoli tasted like gravy, white rice was not included for a family meal which is absurd. Potstickers were just crappy but the eggroll was great. They need to stop cutting corners and get better ingredients, just pathetic.
Food: 1
In atmosphere put 1 only because is only to go and only cash food delicius in campo rd
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Wings, Mongolian Beef, BBQ Pork
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