Taste of China
| Address: | 612 Albemarle Square, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA |
| Phone: | +1 434-975-6688 |
| Site: | tasteofchinacharlottesville.com |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 15
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Alice Wang
This was my go-to Chinese restaurant in Charlottesville. Back then, I wasnt too familiar with famous chefs so while I knew it was Peter Changs restaurant at the time, I didnt know the extent of his fame. My favorites here were the scallion bubble pancakes (葱油泡饼); hot & spicy beef rolls (麻辣牛肉卷); sliced beef and beef tripe with hot pepper sauce (夫妻肺片); roast fish with green onion (竹塔烤鱼片), which is fried fish sautéed with onion and chili powder and ground cumin; braised beef with tomato in hot pot (蕃茄牛腩锅); and braised beef fillets with chili sauce (成都水煮牛). I love Sichuan food and enjoyed most of their Sichuan dishes. There was subtle heat in the Sichuan dishes that I liked. Not sure how it tastes now since Peter Changs departure but I definitely thought this was one of the best (if not, the best) authentic Chinese restaurants in Charlottesville.
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Alister McHale
Food was AWFUL. I ordered sesame shrimp and my girlfriend got the tofu and broccoli. The shrimp themselves were bad quality and just tasted fishy and had a bad consistency. They were mushy, barely fried at all, the sauce wasnt right, and the portion, considering what we paid, was too small. My girlfriends tofu was undercooked, and once again, horrible portions considering we spent 30 dollars on two entrees. They also only gave us one box of rice between the two entrees, when we asked for another they said it would be 4 more dollars. Four bucks for a container of rice after charging us 30 for two shitty entrees? Are you kidding? Never going back again, this is the perfect example of a shitty Chinese restaurant you dont want to eat at.
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Ben Henderson
5 star (for Cville). Im surprised by the negative reviews. Ive eaten at Taste of China a couple dozen times since moving here... from China. This food ties Peter Chang for the highest quality available in the area. The service has always been fine, Ive never had a mistaken order or bill, and even when my kids have destroyed the place the owner and wait staff have been friendly. If you are someone who appreciates real Chinese food- youll probably like it. If youre expecting American Chinese food- you probably wont. Looking for suggestions? My family enjoys napa cabbage with tofu skins, tudou si (shredded potato), egg and tomato, any of the eggplant dishes, and shredded pork. Scallion pancakes always a fun/good appetizer.
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A Private User
I went there and it took an hour for us to get our food. The dumplings they advertised on the sign in front of the restaurant were no longer being served nor the scallion pancakes which I saw other tables eating. The waitress didnt seem to know what she was talking about. She also said they werent serving the chinese doughnuts and when I asked another waitress she said they were. It seemed we were forgotten about, sitting in the corner. The food I must say was delicious. I got kung pow chicken which was superb. My friend got the eggplant which had little pieces of wood in it which she had to pull out. My other friend got the chicken with vegetables which she said was the best she ever had.
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Amber Swanson
only ordered here twice, first time I ordered the wrong thing. Not their fault. Finally got the right item, ordered beef noodles "Low Mein" considering they are a lot more expensive than most chineese restaurants I thought this would be amazing. Well I received chicken noodles..instead of beef. And the taste is very bland. Not what I would have imagined. Not impressed. This place is much over priced, I will order from my usual cheaper place for Now on. Also the lady who rang me up and gave me my order was very rude for no reason. Slamming things down and kinda threw a pen at me when I needed to sign a receipt.
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Karen Mooney
I just missed Chef Chang with my first visit in April 2010, but I have been a once-a-month or so regular ever since! I generally go with a group, and we treat all the entrees as family style. There are staples that we order every time, but we have not been disappointed in anything we have ordered from the "photo menu", pictures that line the wall when you walk in. Some of my favorites are the scallion bubble pancakes, the spicy cold noodles, the spicy crispy duck, and the crispy shrimp with scallions.
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A Private User
Despite the loss of the famous chef, Taste of China still has by far the best and most authentic Chinese food in the Charlottesville area. It is a little pricey by the standards of Chinese food, but is cheap relative to most other sit-down restaurants. The clientelle is mostly Asian, which is something you always find in more authentic Chinese restaurants. And it may not be to everyones taste. I had Spicy Eggplant that came with jalopeneo, but very good flavor overall.
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Jason Capelle
This place is amazing and has for real Szechwan cuisine. Even the more classic Chinese dishes we are used to are better here than anywhere else. Dont be afraid to check out the photos on the wall of menu items to help you decide what to order off the dauntingly vast menu. We have been here many times over the past couple years and it is ALWAYS excellent. Mala Fish is one of our favorites and is pleasantly addictive! If you want the real deal this is the place to go!
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A Private User
The food is amazing. But given the nature of the cuisine and minimal descriptions, you might get surprised by what you are served: for better or worse. Service is poor unfortunately. Communication skills are limited across the waiting staff. Expect to have minimal explanations of the foods. Also, expect some awkward arguments on whether specials are indeed offered, even though they are listed on a large board at the entrance.
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A Private User
I had heard that this was finally a good Chinese restaurant in Charlottesville. What a disappointment! Is there some law against serving decent beef at a Chinese restaurant? I had the spicy beef with green peppers and it tasted like boiled cat meat. It was rubbery and mostly fat. Really horrible! I dont know how this place got such a good reputation. Its just another bad Chinese restaurant.
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Abishek Chennamaraju
Make sure you do the total as they charge you more...It happened to me couple of times. They should be making sure they charge the customers exactly but not more. And more over I didnt get all the sauces when i ordered to go and i dont wanna check each and everything when I am in rush. I expect them to give it.
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A Private User
I had read about this place in a local newspaper from last year. They said it was excellent so i went to try but before going, I heard the chef had left. I still went anyways. The food was the best chinese food I have ever eaten. I wont look at chinese food the same. Highly recommended.
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Emily Bott
The food is actually decent but the owner is quite a bully. Never heard of requiring a certain amount of tips at any restaurant and also never heard of restaurants charging for rice. I think if the owner treats her customers less like milk cows the business would be a lot better
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Chris Vallot
Orange peel beef.... Enough said. Very good food BIG portions. The prices are a bit higher than i would like. The only downside is the language barrier the ladies are wonderful but they may come off as mean or short, i dont believe that is the case at all though.
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Jeff McGough
Typically go for lunch and have never been for dinner. This menu was designed by Peter Chang and has many of the same dishes as Peter Changs down the road. We have always been very happy with lunch here. Lunch specials are solid menu is extensive and tasty.
