Better or OK Chinese Lunch in Bloomington/Richfield

[tart1]

What are some of the best Chinese restaurants for lunches in the Bloomington/Richfield area of the Twin Cities - preferably leaning toward the east side. I haven't seen any recent posts on the question, so would like input.

How is Jun Bo for lunch? How about Mandarin Kitchen? Others?

Thanks for your input!

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Jun Bo
7717 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55423

Mandarin Kitchen
8766 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55420

[GutGrease]

There is a decent place in the strip mall on Portland and American Blvd. It's next to the Kabob place (awesome) and a few other non-descript joints that are all surprisingly good but certainly not mind blowing.

There are two good non-chinese restaurants in the area. There is Vina on about 65th & Nicollet, but it's Vietnamese. There is also a place at 76th & Lyndale that is very good, but I believe that it's Thai. It's next to the Dairy Queen and across from the BP gas station.

[Bobannon]

The place on 76th and Lyndale is Joy's Pataya and i agree it's really good. And they have great lunch specials. I think some chowhounds were a little underwhelmed when they first opened, but they've really gotten it together. Good stuff.

[kevin47]

Are you talking about the buffet at the end of the strip mall? I agree that it's much better than average.

[GutGrease]

Right in the middle of the strip mall at Portland and American Blvd/494 is a joint. I looked yesterday afternoon and believe that it is called Hong Kong. Good stuff.

Thanks Bobannon, it is Joy's Pataya. I've been there two or three times and we've enjoyed it quite a bit.

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Hong Kong Restaurant
7828 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55420

[churchka]

98 Pound Buffet is really great. Some American type stuff and some very Chinese stuff. Lots of choices.

[MayrMN]

I second Hunan behind Sonic which is behind Southtown. Decent buffet.

[Bobannon]

I think Hunan in that strip mall behind Southtown is pretty good.

[kevin47]

Grand Szechuan in Bloomington is arguably the best Chinese restaurant in the state. Aside from that, I've always had a soft spot for China Garden in the Hub on 66th/Nicollet.

Note: There is a WIDE gulf in quality between the two aforementioned.

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China Garden
4 W 66th St, Minneapolis, MN 55423

Grand Szechuan
10602 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431

[scoopG]

Better than Little Szechuan on University? Maybe I have to re-visit GS on my next trip back!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/646396

[Seige]

Personally, I don't think Grand Szechuan is better than Little Szechuan and I've been to both places several times. Not saying Grand Szechuan is bad - it certainly isn't. I just don't know that I'd say it's the best Chinese restaurant in the state.

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Little Szechuan - West End
5377 16th Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Grand Szechuan
10602 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431

[kevin47]

Yeah, Little Szechuan would put the argue in my arguably qualifier. I find Grand Szechuan to be outstanding.

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Little Szechuan - West End
5377 16th Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Grand Szechuan
10602 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431

[alpa chino]

Oh yeah? Never been to Grand Szechuan. But I'm definitely trying it out. Is there anything in particular over there that's really good.

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Grand Szechuan
10602 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431

[kevin47]

Dan Dan Noodles and Chung King Chili Chicken were very good.

[kriminalrat]

You do realize that GS is owned by Chef Luo who put Teahouse and then LS on the map in Minneapolis?

[Seige]

Yes, I can also tell you that the identical items I've ordered at LS have been better than they have been at GS and the service on certain occasions has been atrocious at GS (as in waiting forever to put in an order, not getting water glasses refilled). That said, I again wouldn't say the GS food is bad. If LS didn't exist, I'd say it probably is the best Chinese in town. I suspect this is one of those things people will have to agree to disagree on.

[scoopG]

Yes.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6463...

[tart1]

Thanks. I prefer Szechuan, but a friend is coming from Brainerd and wants some good American Chinese for lunch.

[scoopG]

Then it sounds like China Garden is the place.