Chen's Kitchen

The synopsis: Do take-out only and only if you happen to be in Herndon at the moment. And only if you're trying to recapture a memory or two of this place from over 20 years ago when the foodscape in this area was different.I think China King beats this place hands-down. But China King Herndon is gone. And this place, along with Mr. Pepperoni and maybe a few other stores here, has managed to continue on for nearly 25 years. It's been probably a decade since I've been here and I used to semi-regularly have lunch here 24 years ago. The strip mall this is in was redone a few years ago and looks nice. Unfortunately, Chen's owners haven't done anything inside. Upon walking in, I was met with an indescribable odor. Not pleasant, but not completely of rot and decay. Some portions of the wall and decorations are showing signs of abandonment. The tables and chairs are old. The floor tile is old. The wall hangings are old. The AC unit that spins up every few minutes is vintage. The menu board behind the counter is ancient. There is nothing here that merits a dine-in experience. The narrow area toward the back and left of the kitchen that used to be seating is now open storage. I had second thoughts and almost decided to walk out. But I craved the spicy stewed beef noodle soup that I first tasted more than 20 years ago, so I risked it.First, a few conditions described by other recent reviewers still exist. There are two children, presumably of the owners, playing in the dining room. Two of the tables and a few boxes on the floor are strewn with the owners' and kids' belongings and snacks. One child is still a toddler and sitting in a high chair while the other pushes her around. They're cute and not particularly rude or bothersome, but it's hard to not be concerned and distracted. The younger woman taking orders from behind the counter would often disappear into the kitchen for minutes while other customers entered the store and were waiting. That was a good sign though: there were about 4 other customers who came to pick up orders while I was waiting for mine. The wait was a bit longer than I expected, but one person who was there before me ended up walking out with a pretty large order, so that might have slowed the kitchen down.I ordered the beef noodle soup and the spicy wontons. Note: I mis-ordered. I really wanted the stewed beef soup but accidentally got this other soup. So beware there are two similarly listed beef noodle soups. The drive home was about 12 minutes. The wontons were lukewarm so a 30 second zap in the microwave remedied that. The soup broth was still steaming hot. The meal also came with a fried spring roll, unexpectedly. The spring roll was crispy on the outside and not so pleasantly mushy on the inside. It's just a carb bar. The wontons were alright. Good spice on the sauce. But they just weren't tasty. The noodles and toppings came well-packaged in a plastic bowl. As you can see in the photos, i reassembled everything into proper dishes. The noodles were quite good with a little bit of chewiness. The cabbage and bean sprouts also were good and seemed fresh. The beef, well, wasn't what I expected. Part of that was because I mis-ordered. The beef was perhaps lean sirloin. The type of cut that's done for stir fries. Some pieces were tough and chewy while other pieces were tender and seemed they had been velveted in the cooking process. Overall, the soup was mildly satisfying (the broth was quite good), but I was disappointed about not getting to try the spicy stewed beef soup again after more than 20 years. Having seen the condition of the front of the restaurant (and now worried about what the condition of the back of the restaurant might be), I'm not so inclined to go back. Even for just a dribble of that spicy stewed beef soup still occupying my memory.

Service here always takes forever in time! We ordered for pick up. She trivialized the further wait time and said "couple minutes more." There were 2 others also waiting obnoxiously long before we got ours. Food is OK, but the wait time is insane even calling in ahead of time. This never fails. I want to like them but the slow service kills it. Also, I don't appreciate they leave their kid unattended by another kid pushing them and dragging them across the floor in a stroller like she's not a human being. Odd behavior. The cashier just left and didn't come back out and the 2 young kids were talking with a customer stranger and we at first thought it was the father but he wasn't.... I wouldn't leave toddler children out on floor with strangers and no cashier in front. We witnessed all this while waiting for our food. Also, considering we waited additional 30 minutes what seemed, the food wasn't even that warm after coming home.

Waited an extra 20 minutes for lo mein and sesame chicken. Neither were very good. The lo mein tasted burnt and the chicken had a greasy after taste. Don't think I'd go again. Also not the cleanest looking restaurant.

I was out and about and in the mood for Chinese takeout and Chen's Kitchen was just a 1/2 mile away so I said let me swing by and give them a try. I was greeted as soon as J entered and they have their menu on a large flatscreen that's right at the counter which made deciding on what to order easier than it typically is with traditional paper menus or with the picture menus on the walls. I ordered Moo Goo Gai Pan and Steamed Chicken & Broccoli both with Brown Rice. I was told it would take 10 minutes and it was ready right on time.I took the food home to eat and I must say that Chen's Kitchen gives my usual Chinese takeout restaurant a run for its money so I will definitely be ordering from them again!

First time here and ordered the beef on a stick appetizer. It was very delicious. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, tender and flavorful without the oily or over-salted experience I've had at other Chinese restaurants. Was very happy! Looking forward to trying other items, as I as in a rush so just picked something quick.The woman at the front desk was extremely kind and polite. I would have eaten there had I had more time. It is a very comfortable place to just sit and enjoy a meal. Will definitely return.

I know this one of those local, typical Chinese restaurants, but I've ordered many times from Chen's since moving to Herndon 4 years ago and wanted to give them a review.Whenever I am craving American Chinese food, I order here and always get the right stuff consistenly.I also always get my order delivered, but I made the drive to pick up my food for once and was pleasantly surprised by how nice the customer service is too.My pickup order had General Tso's chicken, egg drop soup, and beef with broccoli. All necessary utensils were included and I also got a free eggroll thrown in. The price was also decent for everything I got!The location is in a small shopping center and is not difficult to spot. Upon entering, the front desk is pretty much in front of you and they have a large monitor with the menu on it.

Great place for Chinese! Cute family owned business, delicious food, large portions for a very reasonable price.

Food was supposed to be ready at 6:45. I waited more than half an hour more and when I got home the food wasn't even hot. Pork fried rice-mehSesame chicken-over-fried and dry. Egg rolls-greasy. Wonton soup okEgg drop soup okTempura shrimp turned out to be Aldi coconut shrimp-really???Shrimp with lobster sauce-mehNEVER AGAIN. And the place dirty and unkempt. A bargain at $61.

First time i have gotten the wrong soup. I ordered hot and sour and i got egg drop. I was in shock...first time i got the wrong order. Oh well.

Prompt service, decent quality, decent price, all you can ask for. My wish is that they prosper :)