Empress Seafood Restaurant
| Address: | 2825 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80219, USA |
| Phone: | +1 303-922-2822 |
| Site: | empressdenver.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 10AM–11PM 10AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Alex Phi
A Little Background You dont have to be an internationally reknown chef to know that not all Chinese food comes from the same area. Just like all american food doesnt come from Utah. Different areas represent different types of food. Empress for the most part is Shanghanese. Yet the dim sum is originally originated from Beijing. The food isnt bad, but it definitely isnt great. It lacks depth of flavor, creativity and frankly just straight up love. Two decades ago they made their stance in both the vietnamese and chinese community in Denver by offering one of only two "real" places for asians to hold their asian style wedding receptions. Now that the "X "generation is grown up and moved onto newer, better and higher quality food and spaces, Empress is the old turtle that has been caught left behind in the dust. Too slow for the times Its actually sad to see this place slowly go down the drain thru the decades. Its almost like you need to pour some Draino on it to help it go down faster to ease the pain. The food is mediocre at best regardless if its the lunch dim sum or the wedding style dinner dishes. It cant keep up with the changes times and competition in the area. Old Timers Running the Show Slow is smooth is fast.....yet not always. Theyve tried to change their "image" in recent years with the removal of the horrible karaoke stage and addition of two TVs. That is their response to the changing times and that is what they call "remodeling".
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A Private User
I really dont understand. This place won the 8th best Chinese restaurant in the US...I just had to try it. Everyine on Google is giving rave reviews...maybe I went to the wrong side of the restaurant...I dont know. I placed an order for pick up. It was quite simply the worst food I have ever paid for...hands down. I could have had better tasting food from the old people handing out free tasters in the frozen foods section at Sams Club. Seriously...the sesame chicken was cold, rubbery, and consisted of 95% breading. The egg rolls were so bad I was gagging through the only bite I dared to try. Just about the only thing that seemed edible was the steamed rice...and that wasnt even that good either. What a dissapointment! I recommend going across the street to Saigon Bowl...MUCH better, and consistent. One other thing...the decor in the Empress was, well, a joke? It looked like it was from some bad 80s movie starring Steven Segal in a China Town hole in the wall...brass everywhere...covered in dust. The awning out front was faded and torn...I cannot think of anything positive to say about this place. Sorry...but it was simply horrendous. In every way.
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Stephanie Romero
This place has been a favorite for several years. My last two experiences some things have changed. We usually order the Basil Fried Rice, this time it came with LETTUCE instead of bean sprouts. When I called and asked about the confusion a woman on the phone said it has always been served this way. I also asked where are the Jalpenos, she said they never put jalapenos. She placed me on hold and when she returned she admitted that they did use jalapenos with no apology. This last time we ordered egg rolls (A Favorite) when they came they were loaded with CINNAMON!!!! I called and the same lady from before answered, she said they do not even have cinnamon in the restaurant. I assured her that I can taste and see the cinnamon. She placed me on hold and talked to the chef and when she returned, she said they always use cinnamon! Again with no apology. I loved this place and I am really sad, I may give them one more chance, but I hope they can get with it. The woman on the phone definitely needs some training in customer service!
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Elizabeth W
The Empress is the best for Dim Sum in Denver. Ive been going here for years (approximately 20) and cannot believe some of the reviews Ive read here. The waiters offer service at your table frequently, the dim sum experience is fun and refreshing, and I have seen so many Chinese people enjoying their meals here I cant begin to count them. Go. Go for Dim Sum. Dont order off the regular menu, theyre known for their dim sum. If youre unhappy with something, TELL THEM. This is a family owned business and they want you to have a good experience. Theyll bend over backwards for you if you ask, but if you dont, they wont know.
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Lisa Jones
Oddly enough, I did not order dim sum from here. The boyfriend and I were scouring for a place that delivered actual Crab Cheese Wontons (not just cream cheese ones) because we had a hankering. The only thing that fell short from our order was the Asian Spring Rolls. They were extremely bland. Everything else from the Pad Thai to the Mongolian Beef to the Crab Cheese Wontons was on point! Delivery was right around 50 minutes on a Friday night at 8:30. Next time well order dim sum and I hope its as good as the other entrees we ordered.
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Alan Loo
A local favorite of many local chinese family. Went for Chinese New Year with a couple of friends. The waitress was friendly and welcoming. Had Hot & Sour Soup, Beef Chow Fun, Walnut Shrimp, Peppered Filet Mignon, rice, tea, and red bean dessert. The food was very good, decent portions, good taste. Fast and friendly service. The Chow Fun was a little mushy for my taste, but over all I like this place. Located off Alameda on the mountain side near Federal Blvd. The restaurant also serves Dim Sum too. A must go for chinese food lovers.
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Nick Hearin
The food here is very americanized chinese food. When I went with my wife, we ordered one of the more traditional cantonese chicken preperations (whole cooked, chilled ginger chicken), the waitress assumed that we ordered the american one (chicken in ginger sauce), and brought that to us. When we mentioned the mistake to her, she apologized but did not replace the dish. We tried it, but did not eat it, and it was not taken off our bill.
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Mark Schuler
First dim sum experience, and a good one. Place was almost completely empty on a Tuesday night, so very good service. Dim sum was delicious, but they still had regular Chinese menu items too, so my picky 8 year old did not go hungry ( only likes fried cheese stuffed wontons! ). Only bummer was no dim sum carts in action (apparently they make appearance on weekends only), but not enough to take off a star.
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Ryan Newsom
I have been eating here for about 10 years. I have always enjoyed dim sum. The last 3 years or so the empress was going through different ownership and chefs and quality wasnt as good. Today I ate here and they have a new chef. Amazing!! Tastes just as good as it used too. I highly recommend you try the steamed pork buns(cha-su-bao), shrimp dumplings, roast duck, cocunut mango pudding. All my favorites!!
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Nhu Duong
The service were nice and the food was good. Everything was great until we were coming out of the restaurant an employeee came out and had accused us of stealing their tip. We gave them the total amount with tip and left. They have no right in coming out and accuse us of stealing their TIP. Customers has the right to give tip or no tip. Also, why would we steal their tip that we gave to them?!?
