Hunan Diner

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  The Chicken Fried Rice here is amazing - perfectly cooked, and the chicken bits actually look and taste like chicken!  This is the only Chinese restaurant I would go back to, as I am not much of a fan of that cuisine.  Their General Tso's is pretty darn good, too, with a great sweet sauce with the fried niblets of the chicken.  Alan, the owner, is knee-slapping hilarious, and he's had this restaurant for years.  The locals definitely hit this place up (compared to the other Chinese restaurants in the area); the food here is consistent, and service is great.

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  Posted on 03.29.13 Hannah H.

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  The waitress at another restaurant in town suggested Hunan Diner when I asked if there was any place to get good Chinese food locally. The small restaurant has a full bar and serves excellent Chinese food cooked to order. Portions are large, service is good, and prices are reasonable.

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  Posted on 10.09.12 Nick R.

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  I visited here last week for the first time since moving to Colonial Beach a little over a month ago. The egg rolls are absolutely AMAZING. They are fresh and crispy and huge! Nothing like I've ever had before. (We ended up buying 5 of them for just the 2 of us!) We had the lo mein and the general tso's which were both delicious and bountiful. My only complaint was that our waitress didn't comprehend my order, twice. I ordered chicken lo mein and she brought me shrimp lo mein, which was fine, simple mistake. I remembered there was "combination lo mein" on the menu which included chicken, shrimp and pork all for the same price as the others so I specifically said THREE TIMES (bc it didn't seem like she was absorbing what I was saying) for her to leave the shrimp in bc I liked shrimp and there was no need to waste food and just to have the chef add chicken and pork. What did she bring back? Chicken lo mein. I didn't say anything but it really annoys me when 1.food is wasted for no reason and 2. I'm not listened to by someone who is paid for that very reason. Anyway, delicious food- would recommend to everyone.

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  Posted on 05.11.12 Candice P.

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  I'm not sure what all of these reviewers ate, but clearly I ordered the wrong dish.  I found it to be way to bland, and tailored for a distinctly non-Asian clientele.  
  
  Location is nice, although I kind of wish it was still a diner, like it appears to have been at some point.  
  
  I'd stick with one of the seafood spots in town for some fried deliciousness.

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  Posted on 03.26.10 Sean F.

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  We have spent three vacations down in Colonial Beach and only on this last time did we try the Hunan Diner.  What at mistake!! We should have gone here all along!
  
  Very unassuming from the outside, this place is inviting and comfortable once you get through the door.  Seating is pleasant and they have a bar area should you just want a nibble and a drink.
  
  I ordered the hot and sour soup with hot chili oil on the side and double-cooked pork.  I've had better soup but it was good.  Entree was awesome.
  
  The better half ordered an eggroll and Kung Pao shrimp.  He loved them both.  The eggroll is different because it contained beef but he said it was very good.  The Kung Pao shrimp was lightly battered and he asked for it extra hot and he enjoyed it.
  
  After our meal here, I can see why this place has lasted so long.  We will definitely go back here on our next vacation to Colonial Beach.

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  Posted on 12.18.09 Dianne Z.

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  I made the drive out here for lunch today.  Surprisingly the much touted General Tso's was not one of the lunch specials.  So I decided to have the hot and sour soup and the General Tso's chicken as an entree.  Complimentary (unlimited) hot tea and water were provided.
  
  Soup:  The hot and sour soup was decent.  The taste was just a little hearty and the mushrooms were good.  It's not like the hot and sour soup at Szechuan Gourmet in Manhattan (the best I have ever had), but it is certainly worth ordering.  
  
  Entree:  The General Tso's suffered from built-up expectations.  Not many businesses in this rural area show up on Yelp, but this particular restaurant had several highly-rated reviews.  I truly was expecting a standout meal, but it never arrived.  The fried rice was unremarkable, so I probably should have stayed with the white rice.  The chicken was of decent quality, but the sauce was fairly sweet and felt cloying towards the end as I was finishing the dish.  Also, the sodium content was fairly high, so I was a bit thirsty after finishing my lunch.  
  
  Decor:  The restaurant is actually a converted diner that sits just about a block off of the water.  The walls are simply appointed, and there is a bar on the immediate right upon entering.  
  
  As the service was good and the food was good but not great, I would give them 3.5 stars.  It is definitely good Chinese food if you are in Colonial Beach, but I wouldn't make a special drive in for it.

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  Posted on 03.21.09 Jim U.

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  I'm not ready to write up a full review, but I'll add that the Orange Chicken was damn good...not the typical chicken mcnugget battered globule smothered in pancake syrup stuff, but bite size chunks of white meat.  Mmmm...very tasty...I look forward to trying more of the menu!
  
  Also, open 'til 10, which for Colonial Beach, is considered late night.
  
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  3/1//2009 Update...
  
  Brought wife and parents here a few times since...sampled quite a few dishes.  IMO, the General Tso's and Orange Chicken are the best I've had anywhere.  Hunan pork hit the spot, as did the dumplings.  I wasn't a fan of the shrimp and water chestnuts (didn't like the consistency-- too buttery/salty), but nevertheless, I stand by my original 5 stars.

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  Posted on 10.10.08 Brad Z.

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  I've ventured out of Arlington to sample some off-the-beaten-path places that are also within shouting distance of thoroughbred horse racing simulcasting facilities.  This teeny-tiny beach community, with  golf-cart-driving retirees, second-hand shops, everybody knowing everybody else's business---and where they roll up the sidewalks at about dusk--- had the BEST kung pao chicken I've had in ages.  And in a really cool setting: an old original '30's or so diner (don't know the make/model but there are websites that have this info).  Asked for spicy and it WAS spicy.  My brain was producing endorphins at a very high rate, and my taste receptors were comparing the experience very favorably with an Ollie Burger, good half-smoke, or Peking Duck from House of Dynasty.

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  Posted on 10.18.07 Chris K.

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