Chow Bar

216 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington
(812) 336-3888

Recent Reviews

Z L.

authentic Chinese food. settings outdated little. But the two dishes we ordered are actually very good. Price seems reasonable too. Recommend

Maxwell Crow

Visited here after seeing it on the map - the staff are very casual but nice, and I like the laid back atmosphere. I got the willow beef, which was nice and spicy, as well as the pot stickers.I also appreciated the distinction of the American Chinese food from the traditional Chinese food - most places I've been to either don't do that or just don't offer things beyond the American variants.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Josiah

This food was terrible, had very little flavor and was way undercooked. The woman who handed me my food was very short and dismissive to get me out the door. I’ll stick to Sakura15 in the future where the food is great and customer service is kind and warm.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

L Jean Camp

A Chinese buffet with some food that appears to me that might actually be Chinese in origin. :-) Common diets can work with their buffet: vegan, keto, gluten free. Good for families and groups as well as a quick lunch.Dietary restrictions: Great for keto just skip the rice and breaded selections.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

YZ XW

Not good at all. Staff is rude and not nice plus one of the Asian ladies brought out some food to put on the buffet and she emptied out the fresh food from the container with her bare hands! Prices went up and the buffet is not good at all anymore. Not pleased nor happy especially when their staff are impolite, arrogant, plus putting their bare hands on food for paying customers to eat!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

S A

I was in Bloomington for a 5 day conference and I came to this restaurant 6 times (I arrived on a Sunday afternoon). I think the name might sound unappetizing and the atmosphere and prices might make one suspicious of the quality of the food. But let me tell you, if you know what to order and also like spicy food, the food is some of the best I've had. And I've had food in Beijing, Chongqing, Xining, and some town in Gansu in China which covers a somewhat diverse range of Chinese cuisines.The two that I loved the most are pictured below (rice not pictured).1. 水煮三样 ("Water Cooked" beef shank, tongue, tripe)Don't mind the English translation which doesn't do this justice. The shank and tongue was extremely tender and flavorful. The tripe had the perfect springiness when you bite. And after you've had the main components, there is some stewed cabbage beneath to round things off. If you enjoy spicy food, I think you should try this.2. 干煸肥肠 (Stir-Fried Fatty Intestines)The outside is crispy, the inside more chewy and it just packs a great blend of spicy flavors. The vegetables pair well.Not everyone is used to some of these less commonly consumed parts of the animal but if you're feeling adventurous, give it a try. And both cost less than $18 after tax (in the summer of 2023). If this were served in NY, they could charge $25 at least and I would still happily pay.The atmosphere is certainly not that of fine-dining but personally, that's fine with me. It was quiet and peaceful and I read some Far Side comics by Gary Larson during one of the dinners.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Sam Auyeung

I was in Bloomington for a 5 day conference and I came to this restaurant 6 times (I arrived on a Sunday afternoon). I think the name might sound unappetizing and the atmosphere and prices might make one suspicious of the quality of the food. But let me tell you, if you know what to order and also like spicy food, the food is some of the best I've had. And I've had food in Beijing, Chongqing, Xining, and some town in Gansu in China which covers a somewhat diverse range of Chinese cuisines.The two that I loved the most are pictured below (rice not pictured).1. 水煮三样 ("Water Cooked" beef shank, tongue, tripe)Don't mind the English translation which doesn't do this justice. The shank and tongue was extremely tender and flavorful. The tripe had the perfect springiness when you bite. And after you've had the main components, there is some stewed cabbage beneath to round things off. If you enjoy spicy food, I think you should try this.2. 干煸肥肠 (Stir-Fried Fatty Intestines)The outside is crispy, the inside more chewy and it just packs a great blend of spicy flavors. The vegetables pair well.Not everyone is used to some of these less commonly consumed parts of the animal but if you're feeling adventurous, give it a try. And both cost less than $18 after tax (in the summer of 2023). If this were served in NY, they could charge $25 at least and I would still happily pay.The atmosphere is certainly not that of fine-dining but personally, that's fine with me. It was quiet and peaceful and I read some Far Side comics by Gary Larson during one of the dinners.

Nubs

The food was even better than expected. And they have boba tea.

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ashley P

Everything I had was amazing, but even just their crab rangoon deserves five stars !

Johnathan Kelly

Very nice and will go above and beyond to make a dish the way you like it very very satisfied.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Shrimp Fried Rice, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef Lo Mein, Crab Rangoon

Freddrick Smith

Delicious food and bubble Tea. I would definitely recommend this place. The people are very nice and polite as well.Vegetarian options: There are lots of tofu and things.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Crab Rangoon

PkRising

Amazing chinese food, had general tso from here, their food tastes amazing

david chen

Best Chinese place for lunch that is near campus by the Stemple gates. The lunch buffet is the best deal in town and their authentic Chinese menu is very extensive. The weekend lunch buffet is absolutely epic and you can’t even get your buffet to go, in the form of a styrofoam box- absolutely amazing.

Xiao Y.

If you want legit Chinese food at an incredible value, come eat here! I did the lunch buffet option to go -- $12.99. The crab Rangoon and fried chicken wings are excellent!

Adam B.

Ordered over the phone she repeated my order back to me but not much was right. Didn't get the sweet and sour sauce for my egg roll which I'm pretty sure was a spring roll and ordered fried rice instead of steamed rice and I know bc it was a 1.50$ difference for some reason. I recommend ordering in person and check your food before you leave. If take out that is. The employee at the counter tried arguing that I didn't order the fried rice. Place was nice and clean tho from what I could see.

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