Kam Kong Cafe

Typical. I have driven past many many times, I've stopped and looked in and have glanced at the menu several times however it had never sparked an interest.  Pan Asian cuisine can mean a lot of things and not necessarily or always a good thing.  The other day it was a hella cold weekday and I wondered whether it would be warm enough inside to sit and dine.  The place sits on McCormick  / Kimball and its all window's.  It was 6 degrees F and that's the kind of cold that permeates glass.  Regardless, I decided to be their first and only customer at that time of the day.  (On a side note, the parking lot was almost full at 1:30 pm mainly due to a great amount of retired folk dining at Little Quiapo (a Filipino restaurant) which shares the parking lot.

Walking in I was greeted by vents pumping hot air into the room on full blast.  That was a nice warm welcome so I grabbed a seat underneath.  One flat screen on an opposite wall displaying soap operas, being that it was empty, I wondered who requested this on the boob tube.  Although the space is minimal, they have situated about eight or so tables which could seat about close to thirty during a full seating.  Tables are spaced and it is not cramped.  The surrounding is comfortable, chairs are nice on the backside though this isn't your common sit and relax style dining, more of a on the go Chinese food experience.  I sat about a two or three minutes before an employee emerged from the kitchen and greeted me.

(FYI If you have the Yelp app, they currently offer a special with checking in)

I got in in time for the lunch special, however did not make use of the Yelp check in special, saved for another time.  After chit chatting with what seemed to be one of the owners, I decided on the Spicy rice noodles with shrimp, this comes with two thumb sized spring rolls and a cup of fresh made soup.  Also ordered a single egg roll (with meat).  A few minutes later he emerged from the kitchen with Hot & sour soup I ordered, he hung out to chat a bit.  Typically I would ready the the chili sauce or Sriracha (red rooster) sauce since a nice dollop, makes it spicy and good.  For this soup, nothing extra was needed.  The tastes were great to the last drop.  I mentioned this detail to my server.  He added, "some people think lunch special so we keep some big pot of lots of soup ready, this is not true.  Made fresh every time."  I could taste it and it was good.  I hadn't yet completed my soup before the single egg roll was then served and a few minutes later my entree.  They commented they could bring the food out slower but I insisted it stay on the table.  When I placed the order I was beside myself choosing between the spicy rice noodle or the "Coca Cola chicken".  "Coca cola" grab your attention? Think Orange chicken but instead of orange zest, coca cola.  I guess its a local fan favorite.  So about the spicy rice noodle, plump pieces of tasty shrimp and a mound of the rice noodles with assorted vegetables.  This dish is best for lovers of pad Thai. The lunch special had enough to satisfy for one sitting for the eager and for those that eat light it could easily be two meals.  

I liked that the food was fresh and this is not a common theme amongst fast Chinese food restaurants.  I must be on a roll because this is my second find of this kind of restaurant locally.  I'm thinking I'll keep them as part of my local take out list.  I didn't mention the egg rolls did I?  First you can tell it's made in house because its longer and the stuffing and wrapping different than common places where its mass produced.  A single is $1.75 and its good, I ended up having two.  The sweet and sour sauce and subtly sweet hot mustard are also made in house.  Love that.

Being that I wasn't a fan of my entree, I liked everything else and its preparation makes me want to return.  I agree with another Yelper that said pricing is a little steep on some items.  Solid 3.5 star experience but since we can't have "halfsies", we'll give'em a four.  Afterwards, I felt good.  Not like having mass produced fast food Chinese of the likes of Panda express.

tried it twice already , very good orange chicken the price was good too and the place is way cleaner now with the new owners than before when it was KENS , i m gonna go eat there again the food taste fresh and delicious :)

Decor and sign very appealing, it drew me in. Menu was posted outside their door which is a great idea. i was impressed with the thai and chinese food. Prices were a bit hefty than what i'm used to seeing at other places, but i figured i'd give it a try. I decided to stick to something simple and that i always enjoy at other places, Mongolian Beef. Waited for about 5-10minutes, quiet day. Got home and i seriously thought i got the wrong order. I don't know if this was a "pan asian" thing, but all i got was small slices of beef, tons of watery sauce and sliced onions -- thats it!!!!  No Green onions, no white crunchy decor thing on top! i was soooooooo disappointed! Just thinking of my experience, i just killed another star and dropped my rating to 1 star. Kam Kong Cafe - you made my cry :(