Empire Chinese Restaurant
| Address: | 410 E Green St #1, Champaign, IL 61820, USA |
| Phone: | +1 217-328-0832 |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM Closed 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 5
Reviews 23
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A Private User
For very cheap and not AWFULLY bad Chinese food, the regular, cheap, two-sized (small and large) portions menu is (barely, and I mean barely) OK. However, since they have hired a new chef, they put on more pretensions now, they have some alleged "Szechuan" dishes, which are quite a bit more expensive, yet EVEN WORSE than the regular dishes. The "new chef" is worse than the traditional chefs Ive seen there for years. I tried two different dishes from the more expensive menu, some beef which was edible but undermediocre, and then a whole "Szechuan bean chili whole fish" dish which was so bad and literally stinky I could not finish it. (I should mention I love Chinese food and I had lots of it, in lots of places.) The reason I still visit the place, rarely, is a cheapish and tasty Crispy Whole Fish, in the regular menu, which is not authentic Chinese, but which for some reason I crave every three months. The campus Chinese place to go is Lai-Lai, period. There is simply no comparison in quality, and when the ratio price/quantity/quality satisfaction is being taken into account, Lai-Lai offers by far the best deal on campus. Compared to Empire Chinese, Evo (where the chef comes out of the toilet and back into the kitchen, without washing his hands), or even Mandarin Wok, which has some OK dishes, but not equal to Lai-Lai.
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Jennifer Frnka
Wonderful!!! I scored a 1 on decor only because there is a not applicable and our food was delivered. We are on vacation in Champaign and placed a $20 delivery order from Empire around 1 in the afternoon. They delivered our food in less than 30 minutes and we had enough leftover for lunch today! The sesame chicken was cut into bite size pieces which made it perfect for our girls to eat and the Moo Goo Gai Pan was some of the best I have had -- so many vegetables, especially mushrooms. Great flavor, great service, great place in our books! We highly recommend you try them!
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Brian Faulkner
Updated review (2 stars): I hadnt been here in a couple years and decided to stop by again. It has gotten much worse. The meat had a very unpleasant texture and the sauce on my general tsos was terrible. The fried rice had no flavor whatsoever. Im putting this place on probation, Ill try it again in a couple years and see if it comes back around. Old review (4 stars): Food here is about a dollar cheaper than at most other places in campustown. The tofu dishes are pretty good if you arent super hungry, and just need a little food. Good sauces.
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A Private User
Empire is hands down the best Chinese food on campus. The food off of the standard paper place mat menu that you see at every Chinese restaurant isnt awesome, but its good. It is better than the same dish anywhere else. However, if youre willing to order something you havent had often/at all, then you need to order from the handwritten paper menus hung on the walls. The food is so tasty and fresh. I would even suggest asking whoever is up front for a recommendation - theyve always been really nice and give good advice.
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John Lin
壮元楼是家黑店,他们家用的油应该是地锅油，一股怪味，还有很重的味精，吃完了口渴，清蒸鱼也不新鲜
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Chris Wrobel
Enormous portions, great flavor and fast, friendly service. Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Pork are a couple of my favorites! Combination dinners come with a tasty egg roll and free tea or water. Empire is my go-to Chinese place in C-U.
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A Private User
I graduated a year ago and whenever I drive through town, I have to get their sweet n sour chicken and orange chicken. Its amazing! The service is fast, the food is great and cheap and the quality of the food is awsome. I love empire!
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Tyler Lu
Go here three times a week. I gotta say its pretty good price for the portion and most dishes (authentic Chinese ones) taste pretty good, at least better than the ones around. Cant comment on the American Chinese dishes though.
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Amlan Das
If you cant put in the effort to make the chicken boneless in the schezuan chicken, I wont be visiting again. Also, the sauce for the schezuan chicken tastes weird and finally, I got a vibe that the staff is a bit rude.
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A Private User
This place use to be good. But recently they have lost their touch. The interior feels kinda dirty. Food tasted a little too salty. They are slightly more expensive than the average chinese restaurant on campus as well.
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s Li
Ordered Griddle cooked chicken, got water cooked duck. Explain was "all of our customers except you knows this, and next time youll know". No next time.
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A Private User
Not the fanciest of places - but food is hearty and well made. Our family goes there at least twice a month. Its not too expensive too.
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A Private User
this is the greatest chinese restaurant at u of i ....ive been eating here for 25 years. get delivery the delivery woman is gorgeous
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Tim Yardley
You can do better by going to pretty much any other option on campus.
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shubhang goswami
Very good chinese. Best schezwan eggplant dish I have ever had
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Mohd Irteza
Tried the shrimp fried rice. Did not like it at all.
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Teng Wu
The food is good. But they dont accept discover it.
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A Private User
Nice, cheap chinese restaurant. Good for lunch.
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Jeremy Orlin
Pretty solid offering. Quick too.
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TIANWEI CHEN
Chongqing Red-cooked Pork
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Jerry Xu
Food is not very good
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Dave Guo
Too Unhealthy
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Avinash Salgam
Overpriced.
