Taiwan Chinese Food

Shortly after my arrival at the family homestead in Oklahoma City, my brother Charles asked to speak to me privately. "Of course", I said, and we headed to the front porch.We sat on the porch chairs enjoying the cool Oklahoma evening and chatting about the things brothers chat about when they haven't seen each other in a while. After exhausting all the other possible topics of conversation and after a lengthy pause I said, "Charlie, please tell me what's up." He looked at me with mournful eyes and said, "Yeah. I gotta tell you something. I know you'll eventually find out, but I think you should hear it from someone who loves you." "OK", I said, and waited for his response. He still hesitated as he tried to find the courage to say what he needed to say. "CHARLES," I said, "It'll be okay. Whatever it is, I'll be fine.""Alright", he said. "I'm just gonna say it."I braced myself."The Taiwan Chinese Restaurant has closed". I went numb. Did I hear him correctly? Was it the truth? Why would he say such a cruel, cruel thing if it wasn't? I have been going to that diviest of dive restaurants for over 35 years. In a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover" the food served there was always FANTASTIC and CHEAP. It was number one on the list of three places at which I must eat when visiting OKC (the others being City Bites and the Chuck House. Would I never get my C-8 Combo (broccoli beef, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, and an egg roll for $9.95 + potstickers, 10 for $5.95) again?"Are... are you sure?", I said. "Yes," he said. "It's boarded up and been dark for about a month now." I ripped my phone from my pocket and furiously searched for it on Yelp, and there it was - "Yelpers report this location has closed"."But why, WHY?", I cried. "I don't know", he said. "Another COVID closure, I suppose." My distress was evident. "Are you going to be ok?', he asked. "Sure", I said. "Sure. I just need some time."I tried to put it out of my mind for the rest of time I spent in OKC. I continued my visits to interesting locations for the radio show and enjoyed many craft beers and meals with my brother and his family. We always selected locations far away from the Taiwan. I couldn't bear to see it in its condition.But today was my last day in OKC, and I felt I needed to see it for myself, to pay my last respects as it were. So I got in my car, and I headed down Portland Avenue. As I passed 23rd Street, the memories of all the styrofoam containers I'd picked up there overwhelmed me, as if a cauldron of hot and sour soup was poured over me from above. I saw the building in the distance. I slowed down and was contemplating making a u-turn when a glimmer of light caught my eye. Was... was there a light on in the building or was that just a reflection of the sun on a sliver of non-boarded-up window? I slowly continued my journey forward. The parking lot is empty but it IS a light! I got closer, and closer, and the light became brighter and clearer. "It's not just a light", I said out loud to myself, "It's a sign! A SIGN!" It WAS a sign , and the sign said "OPEN"! I pulled into the parking lot and saw that next to that sign was a hand painted sign saying DRIVE THRU, so I eagerly turned the corner and pulled up to the window. After what seemed like a lifetime, the window slid open and a lady appeared. She said the magic words - "Order, please?" I responded the way I had responded for over 35 years: "C-8 Combo, please." "OK", she said, and disappeared.Was I dreaming this? Was it really open or had I imagined the whole thing? Would I spend eternity sitting at the drive thru window waiting for a meal that would never come?It didn't matter. Whatever world I was in at that moment was a better world, because the Taiwan Chinese Restaurant was open in THAT world.Soon the drive-thru window opened again and a bag of steamy deliciousness was thrust through my car window. I gleefully paid and was on my way back to the homestead.The joy of acquiring my combo meal was soon overtaken by thoughts of what my brother had said to me and the torture he put me through. Why would he do such a thing? Why would he inflict such pain upon a loved one?And then it dawned on me. It wasn't him. It was his wife, Kelly. While she has the greatest taste in husbands, she has the WORST taste in Chinese food. She's LOATHED the Taiwan Restaurant for decades, always scoffing at my desire to eat there. One of the sacrifices Charles made when marrying Kelly was to never go there again. Only when I was in town could Charles sneak away in the night and get his beloved pork fried rice. And I was coming into town again.Did Kelly throw rocks through the restaurant windows to get them to board them up and close down while I was there? Did Kelly go onto Yelp under numerous aliases and report them permanently closed?For the sake of the family, I choose to believe not.

Well worth it! Great prices and pretty quick for the line there was. Make sure you know what you want because she just comes out to take orders and there are no menus. A little dissapointed because my General Tso's was mostly breading but the taste was there. And lo mein was a little greasy feeling but again tastes good.

If you need to order Chinese food to go, Taiwan Chinese Food is the place. The amount of food the restaurant gives is enough to feed at least 2 people for the price of one. The food is delicious although a bit greasy. The restaurant is operating to go only and does not have a dine in lobby. The building is old and has been in the location for a while now. None of these negative factors matters because of the sheer volume of food they give at a thrifty price. If you need to save money for something, then you should get to know Taiwan Chinese Food.

Always a great spot for drive thru Chinese! The prices are very reasonable - love getting their combo platters. I got this time the beef fried rice and made it spicy - that extra spicy flavoring made it so much more delicious. I love their combo platters because it comes with sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, entree and egg roll. I ALWAYS have leftovers for the next day. This time for combos I got the beef broccoli. Tons of beef and broccoli compared to my hubby's kung palmo beef. He had more onions and other veggies than beef. Always quick service going through the drive thru - I'd recommend ordering over the phone ahead of time, especially during busy rush times but if you can't, you'll still get your food quick. Always my go to for guilty Chinese to go food!

Permanently closed?! Looking at reviews, they've been there for decades! What happened? The only place I liked to go... now what?!

Been coming here for over 20 years... they're food is delicious and generous portions.

We've been coming here for years and they never disappoint!! Food is always hot and fresh!! Be prepared to wait in line coz they get really busy sometimes but if you call your order in, they'll bring it to your car. Just make sure you have cash!! Customers for life!!

This is Really good food. hot fresh and tasty. I will be back for another order soon! Pick up only !

They are not closed!!!!! They close a few months out of the year every year. The best Chinese food ever!!!!

This place is amazing there is a short time that they close during the year it has been like that for as long as I can remember, I highly recommend this place the food is absolutely amazing and the price is perfect im able to share a meal with my family often thanks to them. The service is amazing I have never gotten a wong order.