Lan's Chicago

I was in the area for one restaurant but they weren't taking any dine in. I went to another location and it was an extremely long wait. I just landed at the airport so I wanted quick food. I came across Lan's and when I looked it up I didn't do my due diligence at first. I thought it was a Chinese take out restaurant.When I walked in, it was a nicely decorated place. Place has a nice outdoor area as well. I was there on a late Monday night so it was empty. I sat myself at the bar and the server was very friendly. I ordered the General Tso's chicken and it came out relatively fast. As I mentioned previously, this isn't Chinese takeout but rather a very good dish. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the seasoning was on point. The vegetables that came with it were delicious and tasted fresh. I ordered medium spice level and it had a favorable kick to it. The dish comes with a side of rice. I would be interested in trying out their other dishes as I was impressed with the chicken. Overall, I had a very favorable experience here and would recommend it.

Had a very pleasant surprise at this unassuming Chinese restaurant on Cortland. It for sure doesn't look like much but don't let the looks fool you into thinking it sucks. LAN's Nine Nine is a hidden gem as the saying goes, close to a bunch of industrial crap like warehouses. Go across the bridge close to Ashland and you'll be right here. There's very affordable options including appetizers and tofu. Chinese food often is like the same but it's not quite as much like that here. It's not a massive menu but there's plenty to choose from though. There's options for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Got a few Vegetable Spring Rolls for about $5, which is impressive. There were about five and came with a sauce. It's about $11 for an entree. Pretty good prices especially for fancier Chinese restaurants around here. Shared the Family Tofu With Vegetables. It seemed like a lot. This was packed with tofu and spicy flavors that really needed us to cool off. Has plenty to go in and around it but many like to come here while eating and listening to the loud music. It's likely going for the crowds but no sure exactly how successful it is because there's usually not that many people. There's plenty of the meaty options but there's also tofu for vegans and vegetarians.

This place is amazing. Food was better than I expected! Big space! Mr lan is the man! Turns into karaoke at 10:30 pm and it's byob! Could not ask for better vibes! Will be back!

Main points: this is seriously good Chinese food. The fried rice and general tso's chicken were some of the best versions I've had in the city. The sauce on the chicken was perfectly tangy and spicy and really complements the specific vegetables they add to the dish and each chicken bite was nice and flavorful. I ordered takeout this time but I would love to have it fresh as I'm sure it would be crispier. The combination fried rice had a great savory flavor with delicious chunks of the various proteins throughout. Big portions of everything too. I always prefer shrimp egg rolls to chicken but these chicken ones were very good and the assortment of sauces (sweet and sour, true chili sauce, mustard and even a kind of vinegary soy) that came with the food were so good. The owner going above and beyond to be kind and welcoming are what made me look forward to hopefully going back to Lan's lots more in the future though. Long-winded story below:How do you turn an almost complete letdown into a five star experience? If you're like the owner of LAN's Nine Nine you do so effortlessly. So it's 10 mins to 10pm on a Monday night and I have a hankering for fried rice. Pretty much everything is about to close except for this one spot by the river I've probably passed by dozens of times but have never heard mention of. I check out the few reviews and they look promising--almost TOO promising, but it's either this or trek all the way north or south so I decide to give them a try. I place an order using the online menu for some General Tso's chicken and a combination fried rice. The total is $31.20 which I have to admit is quite a bit more than I'm used to but since my total is more than $25 I'm able to add a free order of egg rolls so I still feel like I'm getting a decent amount of food for the price. I get in the car and make the quick 8 minute drive from Logan Square to the river and arrive a little after 10:30. I pass through a nice little outdoor patio space with string lights set up and when I enter the restaurant I find that I actually dig the interior. Nothing too fancy, just felt like a very comfortable place to have a dinner with friends and enjoy their big bar. There is only one couple in the dining room who are at the tail end of their meal and although I can't make out what they're eating in the dim light my nose is excited by the aromas wafting from their table. The owner greets me but seems a bit confused to see me. I pull out my phone as he heads back to the kitchen to see what's up and notice that just a minute after I got the email confirming the order the online system sent another email to say that they had cancelled it with no explanation. So I'm a bit annoyed and kicking myself for not seeing it before but I know that this is a risk you take ordering close to closing time. I wait for the owner to come back up and when he does I notice he has a printer slip in his hand and I say, "yes, I'm just seeing now that the order was cancelled" and am just about to apologize and leave when he stops me to say, "I don't know why they cancelled it but you're already here. We can make it fast if you don't mind waiting a little and paying in person." Since I had already just about resigned myself to having to get fast food I am overjoyed to hear this. He invites me to take a seat at the bar and offers me a drink while I wait. As I do I take in the nuances of the eclectic space. Baseball and a low budget action movie on the big screens and an aquarium with big fish peacefully floating frame the bar. The owner asks if this is my first time ordering and I confirm that it is. I tell him that I like the space and he says "oh yeah, we have the dining room the patio and even a riverfront patio." I am surprised by this and unable to help myself I ask if I can see it. He gladly says "follow me!" Suddenly I'm walking through the kitchen and we are looking at this adorable riverfront patio and I am imagining myself inviting a date to this place and guiding her through the kitchen like some Henry Hill wannabe so that we can sit outside to feed the ducks and watch the boats. The owner brings me back to the bar and we chat for a little with the couple who are getting ready to leave. He tells them all about the ways he made their food and it is so pleasant to see and hear how informative he is about the methods he uses. He disappears for a second and then returns from the kitchen with my order all wrapped up. Less than 10 minutes of waiting. As if he hasn't already been kind enough he decides to give me a discount too and says to just call directly next time. I head back home with the hefty bag in tow and all along the way my stomach is growling because of how good it smells. When I open the containers thick puffs of steam rise up and as I take my first bites I am absolutely floored at how good the food is. See main points at top of this review for more direct info on that.

I have been on a hunt for the best Chinese spot in Chicago. I found it. I ordered the combo fried rice, Kung Pao chicken, Mongolian beef, and hot and sour soup. It was by FAR the best Mongolian beef and Kung pao chicken I have ever had. Insanely good, like I still can't get over it. The rice was good, nothing crazy, but good. The hot and sour soup was incredible. Vinegary, and rich, but still flavorful. I love that they added a bunch of green onions, definitely enhanced the flavor. This place was so good, that I am already planning on ordering from them tomorrow. Please try this spot out. WOW, that's all I can say.

Just had dinner from here and very underwhelming. The eggs rolls were very dark like the oil needed to be changed. The fried rice was super dry. The orange chicken was average. We had high hope for a new Chinese restaurant but don't think we'll be going back

LANS IS BACK!!!! Had my birthday party here and it was so much fun!! They make it an absolute party and the DJ had no right to slay as hard as he did!! He had some deep cuts (No Air, Before He Cheats). They also gave me free shots and champagne which was so kind. Imagine being in a room of 25 of your besties and scream singing and dancing on tables. It was giving the bachelorette scene from Mamma Mia. Highly recommend Lans for any celebration, we will be back!!

One of the best experiences I've ever had dining. Jimmy the owner is an absolute legend and made us feel like family from the second we walked in. If you're a local from the city or thinking about visiting from the suburbs please make the trip. We'll be back very soon!

Are you sad, depressed, disappointed with how your life is turning out? I was, but then I tried one of these egg rolls. Wow. I bit into the crunchy outside and was blindsided by the moist, culinary adventure that composed the interior. As I ate more of the roll, I felt the clouds shadowing my inner darkness part, and my outlook on life brighten. Although the egg roll was delicious, even better, I'm able to save countless $$s from canceled future therapy. Thank you Lan's

I ordered all my dishes "Mild" they all came spicy. When I called to complain the manager argued with me on how I ordered it. I hung up and looked at the receipt and called back and he argued with me again. I told him I wanted a refund and he said he'd make again and resend. I said no and he hung up on me. Rude and didn't follow the order. I will never order from them again and will tell everyone I know not to either.