The best Chinese food in the entire city of Charlottesville. They never miss. I’ve been eating here for many years. I wouldn’t even consider going to a different Chinese spot. This place here got that good chicken that hit different. Don’t believe me? Order some general tsos dinner special and get the $2 extra protein Just see how much food you get. You’re going to be just as loyal as I am to this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: General TSO's Chicken with a Side of Lo Mein
A
The Red Lantern has great food! All of the so-called "haters" should go to another Chinese restaurant and compare, then you will be back!I see others complaining about pricing? Have you been to the grocery store lately? Inflation is the worst that it has been in 4 decades. Thanks Joe Burden! Red Lantern does not want to raise its prices! However, in order to survive, they have to do what they have to do, to survive! Just like any other business! With regards to the food, they have always been one of the better Chinese carry-out restaurants in the area; why do you think that they are so busy and the delivery maybe a little bit slow on certain occasions?! Has anyone been paying attention to the staffing shortages over the past couple of years? The restaurant industry has been decimated by COVID. It's a family run business that has survived the pandemic via hard work and its overall commitment to their customers! I will continue to go there and support their business. I would encourage other folks to make their own decisions by giving it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jehu Martin
Great food, generous portions great service. We have been patrons for several decades years ago when we ordered dinner it included pork fried rice, and we realize that somebody made it the same way we were used to having it in New York City, which was where we were from we loved it, they were always friendly. They are accommodating. The portions are large. The prices are more than reasonable. We usually pick up but they also deliver and I believe it’s also opportunity to eat in if you choose it is not fancy but it sure is good.Parking: Big open pre-parking lot right in front of the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Egg Roll, Egg Drop Soup, Chicken Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
Kevin Kirst
Food and service are exceptional, as always. One of the best for Chinese take out in town.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles
Susan Jones My Family's Place
Love this!! Fast. Good. Biiiig plates!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Sweet and Sour Chicken
L Johnson
Drove to pick up dinner on a recommendation. Lemon chicken worst ever, not fried well enough to hold crust. Lemon sauce too thin, like soup; wouldn't adhere to chicken and not enough sweetness. Pork fried rice had weird flavor, almost gummy and burnt. Spring Roll raw in middle, wanton soup raw in middle. Was looking forward to a good Schessuwan meal. Without a doubt worst I've ever eaten. Don't go and waste your money, learn from my $38 mistake.
Food: 1
Service: 4
Nora L.
Very friendly staff!! Food is delicious is always my favorite dish chicken lo mein I really recommend to you !
Ben Cunningham
Christmas Day they had 100 orders that they were working like crazy to get fulfilled - and they did! Thanks for the hustle Red Lantern ?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Offman
Can’t go wrong with the kung pao chicken and pork egg roll.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Davon Blakey
I have been coming here since I was a Lil child with my mom they have around for a long time and always have my order on point its the only Chinese food I will. Actually spend my money on %%%%%%% approved BYE ME?
We got delivery. The food was hot and delicious and the driver was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Barbecue Ribs, Fried Chicken Wings, General TSO's Chicken with a Side of Lo Mein, Chicken Lo Mein, Crispy Chicken, Fried Rice
Kenya S
The absolute worst!!!!!! Ordered food came cold, told them to pick the food back up and give me a refund. They agreed but then called back and said they wanted me to come out in the cold to return delivered food. Very disrespectful manager, she called being very rude. And they all have horrible communication when it comes to orders. Wouldn’t dare recommend to anyone else!!! Food was so soggy wet and cold & we waited a hour!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lauren Maupin
our favorite chinese takeout! some nights are better than others - ie some night are 5 stars and some are 4 - but it is always reliably good!
Food: 5
Service: 4
Layne R.
Great for Takeout There is no shortage of bad, and I mean AWFUL Chinese food in Virginia. Ask your average Food Lion shopper and they'll tell you how frustrating choosing the right takeout Chinese can be. Luckily, the rare gem of a not terrible, not bad, not decent, not only good, but GREAT Chinese Takeout is finally here in Charlottesville. The Red Lantern has tasty, well-portioned takeout food for a decent price. I was more than satisfied with the General Tso's Chicken and Sesame Chicken my fiancée and I ordered. The rice didn't taste like cheap-o quick rice, and the egg rolls were made in-house. Granted, it's still takeout, so don't go in expecting this to be a life-changing American-Chinese experience. But, if Christmas dinner falls through, I'll be turning to The Red Lantern this holiday season.
Honnah
I’ve searched all over Charlottesville for good Chinese food and this is the winner. Sesame chicken and egg drop soup are my go to. It’s always delivered on time and the people are so nice when dropping it off. A Chinese place that delivers?! Can’t beat it!
The best Chinese food in the entire city of Charlottesville. They never miss. I’ve been eating here for many years. I wouldn’t even consider going to a different Chinese spot. This place here got that good chicken that hit different. Don’t believe me? Order some general tsos dinner special and get the $2 extra protein Just see how much food you get. You’re going to be just as loyal as I am to this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: General TSO's Chicken with a Side of Lo Mein
The Red Lantern has great food! All of the so-called "haters" should go to another Chinese restaurant and compare, then you will be back!I see others complaining about pricing? Have you been to the grocery store lately? Inflation is the worst that it has been in 4 decades. Thanks Joe Burden! Red Lantern does not want to raise its prices! However, in order to survive, they have to do what they have to do, to survive! Just like any other business! With regards to the food, they have always been one of the better Chinese carry-out restaurants in the area; why do you think that they are so busy and the delivery maybe a little bit slow on certain occasions?! Has anyone been paying attention to the staffing shortages over the past couple of years? The restaurant industry has been decimated by COVID. It's a family run business that has survived the pandemic via hard work and its overall commitment to their customers! I will continue to go there and support their business. I would encourage other folks to make their own decisions by giving it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, generous portions great service. We have been patrons for several decades years ago when we ordered dinner it included pork fried rice, and we realize that somebody made it the same way we were used to having it in New York City, which was where we were from we loved it, they were always friendly. They are accommodating. The portions are large. The prices are more than reasonable. We usually pick up but they also deliver and I believe it’s also opportunity to eat in if you choose it is not fancy but it sure is good.Parking: Big open pre-parking lot right in front of the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Egg Roll, Egg Drop Soup, Chicken Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
Food and service are exceptional, as always. One of the best for Chinese take out in town.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles
Love this!! Fast. Good. Biiiig plates!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Fried Rice, Sweet and Sour Chicken
Drove to pick up dinner on a recommendation. Lemon chicken worst ever, not fried well enough to hold crust. Lemon sauce too thin, like soup; wouldn't adhere to chicken and not enough sweetness. Pork fried rice had weird flavor, almost gummy and burnt. Spring Roll raw in middle, wanton soup raw in middle. Was looking forward to a good Schessuwan meal. Without a doubt worst I've ever eaten. Don't go and waste your money, learn from my $38 mistake.
Food: 1
Service: 4
Very friendly staff!! Food is delicious is always my favorite dish chicken lo mein I really recommend to you !
Christmas Day they had 100 orders that they were working like crazy to get fulfilled - and they did! Thanks for the hustle Red Lantern ?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can’t go wrong with the kung pao chicken and pork egg roll.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been coming here since I was a Lil child with my mom they have around for a long time and always have my order on point its the only Chinese food I will. Actually spend my money on %%%%%%% approved BYE ME?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We got delivery. The food was hot and delicious and the driver was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Barbecue Ribs, Fried Chicken Wings, General TSO's Chicken with a Side of Lo Mein, Chicken Lo Mein, Crispy Chicken, Fried Rice
The absolute worst!!!!!! Ordered food came cold, told them to pick the food back up and give me a refund. They agreed but then called back and said they wanted me to come out in the cold to return delivered food. Very disrespectful manager, she called being very rude. And they all have horrible communication when it comes to orders. Wouldn’t dare recommend to anyone else!!! Food was so soggy wet and cold & we waited a hour!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
our favorite chinese takeout! some nights are better than others - ie some night are 5 stars and some are 4 - but it is always reliably good!
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great for Takeout There is no shortage of bad, and I mean AWFUL Chinese food in Virginia. Ask your average Food Lion shopper and they'll tell you how frustrating choosing the right takeout Chinese can be. Luckily, the rare gem of a not terrible, not bad, not decent, not only good, but GREAT Chinese Takeout is finally here in Charlottesville. The Red Lantern has tasty, well-portioned takeout food for a decent price. I was more than satisfied with the General Tso's Chicken and Sesame Chicken my fiancée and I ordered. The rice didn't taste like cheap-o quick rice, and the egg rolls were made in-house. Granted, it's still takeout, so don't go in expecting this to be a life-changing American-Chinese experience. But, if Christmas dinner falls through, I'll be turning to The Red Lantern this holiday season.
I’ve searched all over Charlottesville for good Chinese food and this is the winner. Sesame chicken and egg drop soup are my go to. It’s always delivered on time and the people are so nice when dropping it off. A Chinese place that delivers?! Can’t beat it!
Food: 5
Service: 5