China Express

Not just a review, but a story...First, don't get me wrong. I do not eat out so that I can write bad reviews about food and service. I eat out because I love good food and service. Also, I like to think that maybe my experience sparked a team meeting, a brainstorming session, a retraining or just a plain old 1:1 conversation at the establishment I reviewed. Which leads me to today's review of China Express.I had been going to this restaurant since moving to Matthews (pre-Pandemic). Moving to the south from NJ and working in NYC (the Melting Pot) for almost 30 years, I was on a quest to find the best cultural, culinary cuisine in my new town. It did not take me long to find my Chinese food love, which was also just around the way from my home (could drive there in 5-mins or take a leisurely 20-min stroll on a beautiful Summer evening). Fast forward to 2019 when we were all orderer to stay home (small businesses took a hit like no major corporation could imagine). Then the reopen... lights came back on, menus were revised and prices were increased. After all, everyone was trying to recoup the gut punch from these past 18-mos to 2-years. To those who made it... Salute! To those who didn't, we mourn. But to those who decided the dedicated customer would pay for their loss, shame on you. I noticed (post-COVID) returning to China Express was a dismal experience. My beloved wings, which we all know the 2x season / 2x fry is what sets the Asian wings apart from any other, had been fried, refried, fried again and laid to the side (like a bad wig) until you ordered them. Only to be microwaved and completely dried out by the time they made it to your home. My detachment and honest review of this experience were not favorable, causing me to date several different Chinese restaurants in the Charlotte / Matthews / Mint Hill area, with no committed attachment.So, today I'm feeling for Chinese food, but worked all day and did not feel like venturing out. Was going to try the restaurant at the Margaret Wallace / Idlewild corner, but wasn't up to trying our something new and decided to go where's closest and familiar. To my surprise, the wings were back to flavorable, full-sized and juicy. Fried rice was fluffy and fresh and my guy's House Special Lo Mein was loaded with the beef, chicken, pork and shrimp he remembers. There was meat in the wontons for the wonton soup (which some restaurants have gotten away from) and the hot & sour soup was loaded with spice. Kudos to China Express for bringing back the feeling and memories of the family run, cultural restaurant. Now off to replace or rekindle with the others that I have lost connection with during the pandemic!

Great food friendly service. I love the lemon chicken. Sesame ChickenCombination Dinners.

I've been here several times this year and never dissatisfied. I love the beef Broccoli and Mongolian beef. The portions are quite large, Fast n friendly service and close to home.

I order here often. Good food, nice portions, friendly staff, prompt hot and ready delivery

Went there to eat inside. Eating area was so disgustingly dirty and shabby I opted for take out. Food wasn't anything special. The only thing I can say is that the people at the counter were very pleasant. If I never have Chinese again I would not go to China Express.

Absolute garbage.Don't eat here!Dirty restaurant, chicken had no flavor and duck was dried out.This place has gone down hill over the past few years. I threw it in the trash.Thanks for nothing china express.

This place had some bad reviews from multiple years back, but upon a couple of visits where I tried the kung pao chicken, beef Lomein as well as the beef and broccoli. All were hot, delicious and packed with flavor. If you are looking at reviews and wondering if the experience has improved, rest assured it is great.

Great food. I couple dollars more than other Chinese restaurants but well worth it. I wouldn't go anywhere else around here.

I come here atleast 2x per week, great prices, super good food with a nice meet to rice ratio, and the ppl taking my order are always sweet. Just a lovely place for yourself or the whole fam.

This has to be one of the worst Chinese restaurants I've been to. We ordered by phone and picked it up. The restaurant seemed clean. Once we got home we found the food was horrible. The chicken was nothing but breaded pieces of fat. We put both meals in the trash and swore never to return there. We go out to dinner frequently but this is the worst.