Casual Chinese

I started out going to Casual Chinese for lunch when I worked at the downtown Staples just across the river some 10 years ago.  And I just started going back there because I'm tired of crappy Chinese food from the joint in my neighborhood.  And the same lovely people who used to take my order are still there!  They even remembered me even after all this time.

Tonight I got my favorite, Chinese chicken curry with fried rice, wonton soup, and an egg roll.  And I have to say I nearly blissed out on the egg roll alone.  They have the best egg rolls in town.  Crisp veggies, perfectly fried wrapper, and just enough seasoning.  Their wonton soup hasn't changed a bit in a decade.  The wontons are a mouthful, the pork filling is very meaty and seasoned well.  And the broth is worth having by itself.

The chicken curry I get as hot as their cooks are willing to make it.  And yet despite nearly blistering your tongue, it doesn't spoil the flavor of the chicken.  The veggies are crisp and crunchy, and the chicken is cooked thoroughly, and without the baking soda wash most Chinese restaurants commonly use.  And I've never had a meal that disappointed when I've gone to Casual Chinese.

Unfortunately you sometimes see detractors such as Dan M. who throw out unfounded claims based on stereotypes.  Having been a customer for years, I can attest to Casual Chinese getting their foodstuffs from reputable and reliable sources.  Just last week I saw one of the owners dropping off a load of fresh produce from a well-known local produce wholesaler.  Everything was name-brand grade A produce as good as you'd find going into the kitchens of a Perkins on up to The Golden Lamb.  

So you won't find any food of questionable origin here unless you bring it in yourself.  Its no wonder they've won awards for having the best Chinese takeout in town.

Everything about this place is great except the food.  My friend adequately described it as "crappy Chinese food of questionable origin."  Sometimes you want that sort of Chinese.  I almost never do.  They'll fry you up a gloppy General Tso's or cook up some beef & broccoli, but it will be very Americanized.

Bottom Line: I'll stick to one of the good Thai places instead of diving for Americanized Chinese.

I love Casual Chinese--found it by accident about 8 years ago when I started venturing out of Covington during lunch.  As other posters have mentioned, there is an extensive daily lunch menu, where they offer 5-6 choices per day, all at $4.50 base price (otherwise it is visibly listed) and then just this endless list of "OTHER" lunch specials priced at a base price of $4.60 (and otherwise referenced if more).  There is not a day I don't come in that there wouldn't be something I'd want from the menu.  

Yes, they are clean--very, very clean.  And the nicest folks at the counter--they have many regulars--a lady today showed one of the clerk's that she'd gotten her nails 'finally done" and then she asked if the clerk was feeling any better. A very friendly place.   They had some difficulty running my debit card (the magnetic stripe works about 90% of the time) and I asked them to simply "key it in" but was told they weren't supposed to anymore because customers then call their banks and say they never authorized the sale!  Are you KIDDING me?  I can't imagine doing that to these nice folks, but nothing surprises me anymore.  

The food is fresh, it's fast, it's tasty.  Since the only "service" is that they bring you your food, they refuse tipping.  I hate that you can't tip them because it's one of the few Chinese restaurants around that I love to go to and actually feel they deserve a little extra than what I'm paying because the prices are VERY reasonable!