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ChinatownConnection Editorial
Profile
The Scene:
Lai Lai Dumpling House is a landmark in
Houston Chinatown.
Started back in 1983, it was one of three stores that
established what is now referred to the "new Chinatown"
area. It celebrated it's 15th year anniversary 7 years
ago in 1998 and won the Houston Press "Best of Houston"
restaurant award in 2000.
The Food:
The food here is classic Chinese
gourmet. Known for its delicious big dumplings (there
specialty of course), however, other dishes such as the
Kung Pao Chicken is also a customer favorite. They even serve traditional
Chinese breakfast. To dine at a historical restaurant in
the new Chinatown at a low price, what else can you ask
for?
Heads Up:
Expect
great service the moment you walk through the
door and do not be surprised by the size of
their famous dumplings.
-Review by Luci M.
I have eaten here over 26 years, and still LOVE
their food. Yes, the dumpling are to die for, but I love the Pork Chow Mein,
Shrimp Fried Rice, etc. My sons- 26, 24, 21 years of age now LOVE the food as
much. Their Chinese Chili Sauce is excellent, my friends enjoy it on recipes
that I make at home using this chili sauce. Thank you for all the years of
enjoyment.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Angie N.
I love Lai Lai Restaurant. We have been eating there
for.....almost 15 years. We love owners, food and service. Definitely
recommended. Great food and hot tea, big portion, good price. What else do you
want?
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by K Naser.
BEST Chinese food and dumplings in Houston! Sweet
cabbage is outstanding. Get steamed chicken dumplings to treat yourself and your
waist
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Neff S.
We love this place..plenty of food..love the
dumpling...never a long wait on the food... and yes they only accept CASH so
come prepared
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Anthai L.
The food and service is great. To Katheryn B who
gave it a 1 rating. If the temp gave you that much of a problem then you
seriously shouldn't even go out to public.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Kamran H.
One of my good friends introduced me to this
place... from the exterior I thought I was going to get food poisoning... but
please don't be fooled... The food here is the most delicious Chinese I have
tasted... My 2 friends and I get filled and still have some left to take home...
All under $15... I highly recommend the Beef Lo Mein.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Katheryn B.
I have eaten there twice. A friend raved about it.
The second visit my husband joined me. It was the worse Chinese food we have
ever eaten, and we've eaten a lot of it. It was like the frozen food you buy in
the grocery store. It was served on these ugly worn out metal serving platters
and close to inedible. The restaurant was very hot and I am very cold nature. We
asked the wait staff to do something about the temperature and there was a big
discussion between the waitress and manager about the thermostat. They didn't
want to raise the thermostat because of their electric bill. Didn't care how
miserable we were. We couldn't wait to get out and never come back. Service was
also very slow.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 1.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Debbie M.
The best! I love this place!
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by SY
The first thing that happens when I come here is being
greeted by the owner of the place. Not that everyone
will be, because this place is always busy, but the fact
that he does not distinguish himself from the wait staff
tells me that he really likes his customers. Service
here is number one, period. Next, I ordered myself some
dumplings, which are their specialty, I find myself
thinking, “Only eight dumplings?” The next thing I know,
eight of the biggest dumplings I have ever seen were on
the table, ready for me to consume down in a flash. If
you have seen dumplings, believe me, you will never see
a bigger one in your life. They taste even better then
they look. Once I started on one, all the rest went down
quickly. I highly recommend this place for its awesome
service and their food. You cannot beat their value.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent) -Review by
Jane
My first taste at Lai Lai was about 2 weeks after it
opened in 1983 for my 32nd birthday. I still highly recommend it. It has always
been an inexpensive yet bountiful place with lots of atmosphere. Try the
"Chinese Broccoli with oyster sauce" with the pork dumplings. To die for.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 5.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent)
-Review by Shovan
Not at all recommended. Quality of
food is average, unfriendly service, small tables hardly enough space to eat,
had to go through the hassle of arranging for cash payment as I was not
prepared. I found out that no Chinese shop offers cash back facility, had to go
to a Fiesta store to get cash. My spouse was treated rudely while she was
waiting when I was running around to arrange for cash. Overall very disappointed
with the experience.
Best of Chinatown Rating: 1.0
(scale of 1-5, 5 being excellent) |
