Chan's Kitchen

Okay, I read the reviews and thought I'd make it to this place for my comfort food: chicken chow fun and hot sour soup.

First, I was the only one in there at 530PM on this cold and rainy evening. Placed my order and stood there watching the cooks do their magic. One person quick frying the noodles while a second one cooked the veges and chicken. Then the mixed it together in the take out box.

The soup was prepped by the second cook.

Took it back to the hotel. Tired from my new found head cold and from the long day at work. Changed to soft and comfy hotel terri cloth bathrobe.

Opened the big brown bag and looked for eating utensils: none! Now, luckily for this seasoned traveler I carry my own chopsticks so it was not a disaster. First mouthful of chow fun and gravy flavor was good but the noodles were crispy burnt! And as I tried to get myself into the mood of eating I realized that I was forcing myself to eat the dinner. I did not finish that box.

Thought I would now try the soup and unfortunately, I did not have a spoon so had to drink it from the container. Blah! Nothing like your typical hot sour soup! There was no white pepper flavor and could not even taste the vinegar!

It was a wasted dinner. Made myself a cup of hot Tazo tea and consoled myself to bed not hungry but not satisfied. Thought about the restaurant and tried to make some sense of my experience. Even tried to think of some positive to say about the restaurant. Then realized that I better be honest about the experience: I personally will not go back there if I am in Naperville.

Mmm...ghetto chinese. How do I love thee?

you know, i throw around the title 'ghetto chinese' and I realize that most people won't understand what I'm talking about.

ghetto chinese: noun: a chinese restaurant that serves primarily take out. Decor is usually sparse, it's usually a family establishment where everyone in the family works at least part-time there, they've got lunch specials, dinner specials and decades old pictures of the food on the walls.

For me, good ghetto chinese is a truly wonderful thing. Chan's Kitchen is great ghetto chinese. The only thing that really matters is the food, and their food was spectacular. Everything was quite tasty & flavorful with perfectly-sized portions. I'm psyched. Ghetto chinese in NaperHell, who woulda thought?

The only Chinese restaurant we order take-out from in our area and we have tried several different places...not one could we both agree on except for Chan's.  

Their portions are large (we ALWAYS have leftovers) but pretty reasonably priced.  You can eat in or get carry-out (no delivery service).  

And the owners are two of the nicest people (they run the whole deal, no other employees)... they are always willing to make your food how YOU want it.  Add things, take things out... spicy, mild, etc.  Oh, and their crab rangoons are delicious!

One other neat thing is when standing at the counter you can watch him making the food in the woks.  My daughter thinks this is really neat to watch while they are finishing up our order or we are paying for our food.

Ummm... now I want that for lunch. ;)