Chef's

Still, one of the best good tasting Chinese take out restaurants around the El Cerrito, Richmond, Albany area. Only, Chef Ming, which is unfortunately, located, near the Iron Triangle, with lot of less than savory persons hanging around, has better tasting food. You have to travel to Oakland Chinatown to get a better tasting food.

Whether I eat off the hot bar or sit in the dinning area for full service, these guys never fail me. Great good with great service at a reasonable price. Me & The Wife usually eat here once a week and have been coming here for years.

This became my favorite Chinese food restaurant so far. Very friendly staff, fresh food and great customer service. Great team at Chefs and makes you feel welcomed. They have option for a quick take out or a relaxing dine in. Both give generous portions!

Good quality steam table food. Only complaint is they frequently help one customer at a time which is frustrating if they have a slow customer or 2 and you are just waiting to get 2 egg rolls.

Dinner was great I over ate because it was so good garlic shrimp and chicken broccoli beef and sweet and sour pork. Chinese food really satisfies very friendly loyal courteous kind obedient cheerful thrifty brave clean and reverend.

Good customer service. Husband and wife very friendly. The jazz music is very nice. I have had dinner and lunch here everything has been very good.

I went to this restaurant expecting something like panda express, but was blown away once I tasted their food! The wait time to get my food was under 4 minutes which is very good especially since it was so good! Overall a good place.

Angela Bibbs

Good customer service. Husband and wife very friendly. The jazz music is very nice. I have had dinner and lunch here everything has been very good.

Tetsuo I

I went to this restaurant expecting something like panda express, but was blown away once I tasted their food! The wait time to get my food was under 4 minutes which is very good especially since it was so good! Overall a good place.

Big portion of food for a good price, their two item plates can feed you for the whole day. Garlic wings and orange chicken are fire. Kung pao, teriyaki chicken, green bean chicken all solid. Everything I’ve tried is at least decent

I couldn’t be happier! The food was absolutely delicious—it totally satisfied my cravings. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I was hoping for. On top of that, delivery was right on time, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for great Chinese takeout!

Had fantastic wonton soup to go. Really good wonton, broth and lots of veggies too.

Mergatroid Portolio

Big portion of food for a good price, their two item plates can feed you for the whole day. Garlic wings and orange chicken are fire. Kung pao, teriyaki chicken, green bean chicken all solid. Everything I’ve tried is at least decent

Diana Jacobs

Had fantastic wonton soup to go. Really good wonton, broth and lots of veggies too.

Giovanni Sanchez

Great Flavor. Fast Service. Good Price.

Emi Q

I couldn’t be happier! The food was absolutely delicious—it totally satisfied my cravings. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I was hoping for. On top of that, delivery was right on time, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for great Chinese takeout!

Pamela

My go-to every time I visit the Bay Area. So good!

Chef is the kind of place some people will undoubtedly form an opinion about, but there’s no denying this is real Chinese food. If Panda Express doesn’t cut it for you, try Chef’s.

Pretty good for a steam table place. Usually busy so food doesn't sit out long. Good sweet pork buns. We eat here at least monthly. Not expensive. Better than a lot of more expensive places I have been to.

Chinese American food is decent, filling and reasonably priced. Quick in and out cafeteria style of service. No frills but good take out on the run.

Food was average. Had Mongolian Beef lunch. The soup was good and the rice was good. I would have preferred more spice in my Mongolian Beef. I'll be back. Next time I'll request it hotter. Service was better than average.

If you expect reasonably priced and satisfying "American" Chinese food, this restaurant is your king of place. Waters and waitresses are always nice!

Michiko Saka

If you expect reasonably priced and satisfying "American" Chinese food, this restaurant is your king of place. Waters and waitresses are always nice!

This review is for their to-go counter, which is clearly the vast majority of their business. If you are craving the Chinese-American comfort food you've been eating since you were a kid, the food here is solid, cheap, and the food moves so fast at this popular joint that the warming trays at the counter stay pretty fresh.

I always hate writing negative or bad reviews for local places but I have to be honest. I've been coming here for about 20 plus years a d ice had not so great experiences but today kinda finalized it for me. Not including today the last two times that I went the food was not that good for various reasons today I ordered the lunch special which I got hot braised chicken light sesame chow mein and then I got a order of regular potstickers and a small fried rice. The hot bread chicken did taste good but there was no hot element to it at all I mean like you could probably feed a baby it that's how spicy it was like negative and if I would have known that I would have just got something else because it essentially just tastes like sweet soy chicken I specifically get the normal size pot stickers not the mini ones because the normal pot stickers have like a doughy wrapper which I really thoroughly enjoy versus the many ones have like a thin rapper kind of more like a wonton I don't know if they change the recipe but now regular size pot stickers have the thin wrappers and the inside they're huge chunks of cabbage in there and last but certainly not least my fried rice that I got from the steam tray was burnt and it literally taste burnt so unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back wish them all to look in their business though also fellow tip to the staff got to stop being so impatient also this was $26 smh so much money (about $14,$7,$3 )

Kayla Miller

I always hate writing negative or bad reviews for local places but I have to be honest. I've been coming here for about 20 plus years a d ice had not so great experiences but today kinda finalized it for me. Not including today the last two times that I went the food was not that good for various reasons today I ordered the lunch special which I got hot braised chicken light sesame chow mein and then I got a order of regular potstickers and a small fried rice. The hot bread chicken did taste good but there was no hot element to it at all I mean like you could probably feed a baby it that's how spicy it was like negative and if I would have known that I would have just got something else because it essentially just tastes like sweet soy chicken I specifically get the normal size pot stickers not the mini ones because the normal pot stickers have like a doughy wrapper which I really thoroughly enjoy versus the many ones have like a thin rapper kind of more like a wonton I don't know if they change the recipe but now regular size pot stickers have the thin wrappers and the inside they're huge chunks of cabbage in there and last but certainly not least my fried rice that I got from the steam tray was burnt and it literally taste burnt so unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back wish them all to look in their business though also fellow tip to the staff got to stop being so impatient also this was $26 smh so much money (about $14,$7,$3 )

Won't allow phone orders from the steam table only off the dine-in menu. Even during the pandemic. You have to physically show up and order from the steam table. If they are out of the item, you have to wait, sometimes up to 20 minutes for the kitchen to make it. I was told that if I insisted on a phone order of steam table items, they will charge the dine-in prices. I will be ordering from other Chinese restaurants.

I have been coming here for years and have yet to have an employee give me the wrong chow mein, but they did today. And I noticed the prices continue to climb and the portions are getting smaller.

Im kinda disappointed that past two times visiting. The serving amounts haven't been the same. Ive been coming for years but something has changed recently. Less food for the same price

Luis Gomez

Im kinda disappointed that past two times visiting. The serving amounts haven't been the same. Ive been coming for years but something has changed recently. Less food for the same price

Expect low quality service. Waitress was easily distracted. Waited for my order only to find they gave me the wrong dish. Had to wait again for my correct order. Food is underwhelming. Ordered a steaming dish, and it was under cooked. Never coming here again lol.

Worst Chinese food ever and so overpriced for not tasting fresh at all I got 3 different items and it all taste the same. People are nice place is clean hence the 1 star. but food is horrible would not come here again👎👎👎👎👎

Ordered for the first time. I must say I was disappointed. The mango chicken was bland, it appeared watered down with no sauce. Not to mention the real mango’s used weren’t ripe and they transfer some of the bitterness onto the chicken. The Sesame chicken as also bland not much flavor and left very much to be desired from the crispy coating they normally have. The wonton soup was missing salt and flavor as well. All in all I’ve had much better.

Honestly waiting 20 minutes for a nasty not even hot soup like why have stuff on the menu but yet not be ready and the workers told me to tap my car but it only has the chip save time and money and go to Panda Express where they are up to date with everything and you can understand that they saying

Back when the combo plates were $3 cheaper, they had black pepper pork chop & they had the bbq pork in the fried rice, they took that away from the carryout hot plates on the left. Also the plastic box is smaller than before. It's no surprise that there's less people in line these days, with the higher prices, low quality food, and bad service from the staff.

Bland 🤢 horrible, flavorless food, the days of having good take out Chinese food takeout (are over) they must have sold the old recipe to a (new owner) they food was good a decade ago anyway sum it up , don't waste your money 💰 if u want Chinese get the ingredients and make Chinese food at home.

Why are the employees sooooo rude? They act like they're dying everytime a customer asks for a packet of soy sauce or hot sauce. These condiments only cost them pennies. Why lose a whole family of customers over a packet of soy sauce? You end up losing hundreds of dollars or more by the end of the year from these customers that you were so rude to. It's been like this for years, I will take my business elsewhere.

Before virus used to go all the time to Chef's, loved Chef's, now that they open up they have really gone down hill on there cooking. Everything is so bland, no taste. They cut back on everything, no ginger or garlic added. Ordered General beef & was all fat on the beef & orange chicken which was soggy, fried rice with nothing in it, everything had no taste since l am Chinese & know how Chinese food should taste. Chef's is out!!

Today I had made an order through this restaurant through DoorDash, and I was really looking forward to a nice warm food. But instead our order was not only left on the curb of a location that we told the driver detailed description of where we wanted our food to be delivered. Then I tried calling this restaurant back to make a complaint, because I did not receive any continaments, but the rice was dry. The lady who answers the phone couldn't understand me, when I made a complaint about the way the order was prepared. GrubHub delivery service was so much better then DoorDash. As well I will not be ordering food from restaurant again, until they prepare there food better, and take time to understand a complaint.

If you want to find cockroach eggs in the food. This is the place. 🤢🤢🤢

Shannon Thomas

Today I had made an order through this restaurant through DoorDash, and I was really looking forward to a nice warm food. But instead our order was not only left on the curb of a location that we told the driver detailed description of where we wanted our food to be delivered. Then I tried calling this restaurant back to make a complaint, because I did not receive any continaments, but the rice was dry. The lady who answers the phone couldn't understand me, when I made a complaint about the way the order was prepared. GrubHub delivery service was so much better then DoorDash. As well I will not be ordering food from restaurant again, until they prepare there food better, and take time to understand a complaint.

Alejandra Yebra

If you want to find cockroach eggs in the food. This is the place. 🤢🤢🤢

Ordered a 3 way combo also Door Dash . To get seems been on the line all day and, didn't get a half of soy sauce pk. No napkins or fork /spoon. Called and was told you have to request it. Oh I live a ways out so, i paid for that as well. One more thing im a long time customer. Uncooked Broccoli not fresh yellow, Sweet and Sour Pork dry and hard. Chow Mein greasy, Salt Vinegar Wings dry and hard. Stick a fork in me DONE..

I had a really disappointing experience with Chefs tonight. They have really bad customer service concerning their take out orders. Tried calling to get it rectified but received a very bad attitude on the other end of the call. They don’t care whether you get your full order of food or not. They will certainly charge you for it though. I will never order from this restaurant again. Ever.

This place has VERY rude customer service. We came to order out for my dad’s 87 birthday. The lady at the counter was glaring at us, rushing us, and there was nobody else in line. She tried giving us the food without the courtesy of asking if we wanted condiments. And when we asked for some, she sneered, “Do you want fork too?” There’s more, but I’ll just leave it at that. The food tastes nasty, not at all like real Chinese food and it’s super greasy! I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy. STAY AWAY!!!!!

I am writing to express my disappointment with the customer service at Chef's Chinese Food. We visited to celebrate a very special occasion—my boyfriend's father's 90th birthday. However, the experience was ruined by the person who took our order. She was rude, impatient, and completely unprofessional. In today's difficult times, businesses need to be especially mindful of how they treat customers. A great representative is crucial for keeping a business afloat. This individual was a poor reflection of the restaurant, and her disrespectful attitude made for a very unpleasant dining experience. We will not be returning, and I would not encourage others to visit.

Hot and sour soup was the worst I ever tasted. The kung pao chicken looked good but was tasteless. They seem to prefer quantity over quality.

I did a pick up and have been going there for year's! I'm 4 minutes away and ALL food was Cold. Very RUDE HELP and she didn't listen, after asking 4 times!!!! I'm generous, but she kept trying to charge me for someone else's order, plus mine. She got irritated with me, but I did not snap on her! COLD FOOD, RUDE HELP AND NEVER WILL RETURN. Prices have gone way higher than necessary and the rudeness and child food is not acceptable. After 19 year's of loyalty, she ended it. I hope they crash hard, as other's realize their decline.

I came to chefs as I normally do I have been coming here since I was 8 years old. I came in and the sesame chicken was dry and old I asked when will you have some more chicken coming out she responded 8 mins I waited about 15 no problem I’m waiting for quality I come up and I ask can I get the fresh chicken off the top the server ignores me I say it again she places it back with an attitude I and starts picking the chicken one by one I say it’s okay I’ll ask someone else to do it I say again can I please get the fresh chicken off the top that I waited for disregards my request to the point I just said nvm I spend good money

The food didn't have no taste. Everything was extremely bland. Like paper to be exact. Honestly speaking even my drink had no taste it didn't taste like Coke but very watery. My first time buying food here, expected the food could have taste. And the garlic chicken to taste like garlic chicken just disappointed.

I used to eat here as a kid and i cam yesterday for the first time in a few years. I asked for fresh broccoli beef and she still put the old broccoli beef in my plate after we had a whole conversation about me waiting for some fresh food. Then im telling the lady at the register and she not listening to me but talking to her co workers this rice is now horrible im very dissapointed with them now. Rice was hard and unejoyable I didnt get any fresh brocoli beef sauce she threw some brococli from another dish and put it in my plate im all the way good

I am an Albany resident, and I’m posting this as a serious warning. After eating food from this establishment yesterday, my son suffered severe food poisoning and had to be rushed to the emergency room. It is absolutely negligent to serve contaminated food of such poor quality. I am already in the process of taking legal action regarding this incident. Please, stay away from this place and protect your family

robert walker

Hot and sour soup was the worst I ever tasted. The kung pao chicken looked good but was tasteless. They seem to prefer quantity over quality.

Terrilyn M

I am writing to express my disappointment with the customer service at Chef's Chinese Food. We visited to celebrate a very special occasion—my boyfriend's father's 90th birthday. However, the experience was ruined by the person who took our order. She was rude, impatient, and completely unprofessional. In today's difficult times, businesses need to be especially mindful of how they treat customers. A great representative is crucial for keeping a business afloat. This individual was a poor reflection of the restaurant, and her disrespectful attitude made for a very unpleasant dining experience. We will not be returning, and I would not encourage others to visit.

Monty King

This place has VERY rude customer service. We came to order out for my dad’s 87 birthday. The lady at the counter was glaring at us, rushing us, and there was nobody else in line. She tried giving us the food without the courtesy of asking if we wanted condiments. And when we asked for some, she sneered, “Do you want fork too?” There’s more, but I’ll just leave it at that. The food tastes nasty, not at all like real Chinese food and it’s super greasy! I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy. STAY AWAY!!!!!

R're & I

I came to chefs as I normally do I have been coming here since I was 8 years old. I came in and the sesame chicken was dry and old I asked when will you have some more chicken coming out she responded 8 mins I waited about 15 no problem I’m waiting for quality I come up and I ask can I get the fresh chicken off the top the server ignores me I say it again she places it back with an attitude I and starts picking the chicken one by one I say it’s okay I’ll ask someone else to do it I say again can I please get the fresh chicken off the top that I waited for disregards my request to the point I just said nvm I spend good money

Michael Smith

I did a pick up and have been going there for year's! I'm 4 minutes away and ALL food was Cold. Very RUDE HELP and she didn't listen, after asking 4 times!!!! I'm generous, but she kept trying to charge me for someone else's order, plus mine. She got irritated with me, but I did not snap on her! COLD FOOD, RUDE HELP AND NEVER WILL RETURN. Prices have gone way higher than necessary and the rudeness and child food is not acceptable. After 19 year's of loyalty, she ended it. I hope they crash hard, as other's realize their decline.

Noelle Linsy

I used to eat here as a kid and i cam yesterday for the first time in a few years. I asked for fresh broccoli beef and she still put the old broccoli beef in my plate after we had a whole conversation about me waiting for some fresh food. Then im telling the lady at the register and she not listening to me but talking to her co workers this rice is now horrible im very dissapointed with them now. Rice was hard and unejoyable I didnt get any fresh brocoli beef sauce she threw some brococli from another dish and put it in my plate im all the way good

Maya Branch

The food didn't have no taste. Everything was extremely bland. Like paper to be exact. Honestly speaking even my drink had no taste it didn't taste like Coke but very watery. My first time buying food here, expected the food could have taste. And the garlic chicken to taste like garlic chicken just disappointed.

Noel Prado

Ordered for the first time. I must say I was disappointed. The mango chicken was bland, it appeared watered down with no sauce. Not to mention the real mango’s used weren’t ripe and they transfer some of the bitterness onto the chicken. The Sesame chicken as also bland not much flavor and left very much to be desired from the crispy coating they normally have. The wonton soup was missing salt and flavor as well. All in all I’ve had much better.