12/22/08

Chan's is good.

by NomNomNom

If you want to quibble over having to pay 25 cents for a bottomless cup of jasmine tea, better drive on to downtown Orlando as directed by the gigantic Houlihan's "Ur not a style-obsessed bravenewworld moron, ur axshully a foooodie!" billboard looming over little Chan's. There at Houli's you can get the handcrafted Mrs. T's long island ice teas you're used to in comfortably generic surroundings designed for discerning consumers such as you, all for your comfy accustomed price of $7 or something.

If, however, you want to eat some divine dumplings, dump your vehicle somewhere in the substandard parking lot and cast your eyes at something more interesting than the ground as you walk into the place. That way you might observe something other than the broken glass that is underfoot everywhere in every slummy bit of every big glitzy dumb city like Orlando. You might see what is good (and not just good: superior) about that part of town. For instance, that Chan's has planted calamondin trees for hedges. This is particularly valuable when you leave the place packed to your back teeth with deliciousness and need a little eye opener citrus burst to avoid falling into a food coma and tumbling into the street. I love Chan's forever. It (and the other stuff in its environs) is the only reason I can think of to go to that benighted city.

• Pros: it's like heaven.
• Cons: it's in Orlando.

10/11/08

What a trip

by hello0420

My family and I went to Chan's three weeks ago. Some background info on myself. Born in Hong Kong (where the dim sum is delish) and I own a dim sum restaurant in the northern part of Florida. We decided to go to Chan's to compare the food and the service, and see how we could improve ours. After reading such wonderful reviews in this site, I was hoping to get amazed..but unfortunately I was not. After going to Chan's, I came to understand that mines is the best.

In the parking lot-small of pieces of glass and big chunks, so beware where you walk.

When we entered we were served tea and we did not know that they charged you 50 cents per person. We were seated near "the bar". Honestly, the atmosphere is a bit tacky and dirty. I did not even bother to ask for water because their glasses looked uncleaned. The food had the same aspect as the restaurant, tacky (old shredded lettuce as a garnish for some stale fried tofu) and the plates has residue on them. After ordered four plates we were out of there. When it was time to pay we received the check of $25 and take into account that we had ordered only four small entries. The owner seemed bothered when I asked her the price of each dish. I'm into the restaurant business myself, and even when I'm really busy... I will treat every costumers nicely if they ever have any inquiries.

I warn every person who has the slightest thought of going into Chan's. No offense to the people who wrote previous reviews, but they are just enchanted with the thought of eating Dim Sum. If they ever had really good Dim Sum food and service, their reviews wouldn't be the same . I know that they see a lot of Asians families whenever they eat at Chan's, but most likely they are people like me who were there the only and the last time. I have my Dim Sum restaurant in the northern part of Florida, I don't advertise much because I have plenty of locals who already know of us. Good food and great service makes food yummy and satisfying = )

12/15/07

Outstanding Dim Sum

by jlevine988

I've been going to Chan's when in the mood for REAL Chinese food for the better part of a decade. It is reminiscent of NYC China Town - the closest you'll come in Orlando - though there is no substitute for NYC. Dim sum choices are plentiful and the staff can easily communicate to dim sum newbies what it is you're eating and what to expect with the first bite. DO NOT GO TO CHAN'S IF YOU WANT TYPICAL AMERICAN CHINESE TAKEOUT. My fiance' is allergic to fish and thus stays away from the dim sum carts - she doesn't much care for the restaurant. While the menu is extensive, the late-night delivery choices like cashew chicken (etc) are not where this restaurant shines. It would be five stars if the "American menu" came through better, but in my opinion this is the best CHINESE restaurant in Orlando!

• Pros: Awesome Dim Sum
• Cons: Not an orange chicken lover's hotspot