If you are looking for that spicy, oily, and tongue numbing style of cooking, then this is the place for you. As someone that grew up in Chongqing, China, Sichuan cuisine is in my blood and what I seek out whenever I go to a Chinese restaurant. I can say without a doubt that Chilispot is my go to place. I have not been in STL long, but I have already lost track of the amount of times I have gone to Chilispot. This is somewhere I take my Chinese family members that swear they can never buy something better than what they can cook up themselves. I have probably tried the whole menu with some highlights that include the short ribs, Szechuan style boiled oxtongue, fish in pickled soup, and the eggplant. But honestly go ahead and explore the menu as it's all good. This is a restaurant that can fill up pretty fast during the height of the dinner rush any day of the week. They take reservations, but usually you can walk in and get seated within a reasonably amount of time, especially if your party is fairly small. read more

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Chilispot has been on my bucket list forever, and we finally tried it out for a weekday lunch! It's known among my Chinese friends to be one of the more authentic Chinese restaurants in St. Louis. The interior was bigger and felt more spacious than it looked from the outside. The menu is mostly full of some classic Szechuan dishes that are spicy, but we also tried some non-spicy dishes for my kids and me. My favorites: stir fried green beans (so garlicky and yummy), wontons in chili oil (you can ask for the chili oil on the side), and the fried tofu with delicious savory sauce and broccoli/peas/carrots. My kids enjoyed the yangzhou fried rice and soup noodles with beef brisket (non spicy one) The spicy pork ribs were ON FIRE. I scraped off tons of chili and numbing peppercorns and it was still so spicy, but I have low spice tolerance; we still really enjoyed these ribs though! Desserts: I don't usually come to Chinese restaurants for their desserts but the fried rice cakes were SO unique! Crispy on the outside, chewy mochi-like texture on the inside, dipped in syrup and sesame seeds! I also tried their sweet jelly with crushed peanuts, raisins, and sweet syrup, which was so refreshing and soothing after eating spicy food. Their chili oil is SO good that I took home the leftover chili oil and put it on everything. Our neighboring table ordered the spicy boiled fish which looked amazing; I'll have to try that next time! read more

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The food at chili spot was so delightful. Most dishes were extremely spicy but very tasty at the same time, each with a distinct flavor profile. We tried quite a few dishes , my favorites were probably the cumin lamb and the black pepper beef. The popcorn chicken was the spiciest dish we got and it was almost inedible. The atmosphere at chili spot is very clean and spacious with a lot of seating area to accommodate larger groups. One thing that was a little unfortunate was we felt rushed out of the restaurant before we had finished our meal, despite there being plenty of empty tables around us and no one waiting to be seated. I'd still go again and recommend chili spot though, because the food was honestly worth it. read more

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Delicious! Really nice place. authentic food. I went with two of my friends. It was busy but we got seated really quickly anyway and the service was very good. Food was authentic and so many options, including something for the picky friend. read more

SO GOOD!!! We walked in at 6 PM on a Friday night and were seated immediately but by the time we left at 7, there was a wait. The full staff waits on all the tables so if you need something, you can ask anyone. They are ON TOP OF IT! Constant water refills, lots of people checking in to make sure you're good. It was really nice. We had the Chongqing popcorn chicken (offered with regular or light spice - we went regular), the black pepper beef, and the spicy pork potstickers. Everything was DELICIOUS! The potstickers are HUGE and exceptionally flavorful. It's served in a bowl with chili oil. We ate it too fast to get a picture. :) The popcorn chicken was the signature dish and you can smell it the second you walk in. It totally lived up to the hype. The spice level was amazing to start - although by the end my partner's bald head was GLISTENING! Lol. The portion is HUGE - easy to share with at least one person but honestly could feed more! The black pepper beef was sensational! Thin sliced steak, green and red pepper, and onion. You can REALLY taste the black pepper, especially on the sautéed onion but honestly in everything. Served sizzling and with rice. I ate a pretty considerable amount and I was expecting to have multiple pieces that were gristly but only had one! 10/10 Totally recommend! read more

Chilispot - Beef W. Black Pepper 704 - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

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Great food and service! So fast. Chicken with peppers and short ribs were delicious. Looking forward to going again to try their vegetarian dishes too! read more

I'm a sucker for authentic schezuan cuisine and Chilispot definitely delivered. Food here is best enjoyed family style. Each dish we ordered was mouthwatering and packed with flavor. Also, if you love spicy food, this is worth the try. We ordered the Eggplant with Garlic Sauce, Chongqing Spicy Popcorn Chicken, Chefs Special Stir Fried Chicken, and the Chicken Tofu Stew with Green Pepper Sauce. Our favorite was definitely the stew, as the broth was super delicious. The popcorn chicken was also great and we kept going back for more. A couple friends have mentioned that the green bean dish here is excellent, however, they were sold out when I went. I'm looking forward to going back to try it and other new dishes. read more

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The food is spectacular. As you might imagine from the name, most dishes are on the spicy side. There's plenty of food for those who prefer mild dishes, however. Service is unobtrusive and really helpful. read more

My fiancé and I tried Chilispot for the first time a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed our experience! The staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful. We were delighted by the large portions (we had enough leftovers for lunch the next day!). The food was flavorful and filling, their menu is expansive so you can't go wrong with any of their dishes! The ambiance was low key and cozy, very family style restaurant which is nice. Overall, we look forward to trying more of their menu soon! read more

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I discovered this place from someone's food blog who travels internationally. I belive he is of Chinese descent. In this blog, he said this is the best place in St. Louis for Chinese food. I have to say, he was absolutely right. Right in the heart of what I would call St. Louis' Little China, this place is small, but has enough seating for sure. I had the Tofu, which I know what you're thinking, yuck. Well my wife who doesn't like Tofu couldn't stop eating it. It's fried and in a sauce but it's not firm tofu. My wife had the Black pepper beef. OMG!! Soooo good. It was so tender and delicious. There is enough food on 1 plate to share, so it would be great with a group....who doesn't mind sharing anyway. The food was served super fast too. Do it!!! read more

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Best Chinese food I've had in St. Louis by far!! My family and I had an excellent experience at Chilispot. The service was wonderful from start to finish. We really never had to ask for anything - the servers offered everything we needed. The space has lots of seating for small or larger groups. We were a little afraid of the spice level, as most of the dishes in the menu were labeled with chili peppers for spice. We ended up ordering the honey walnut shrimp, kung pao shrimp, and sweet & sour pork. All three dishes were hot, fresh, and tasty. Our favorite was the sweet & sour pork. It was perfectly crispy and tangy. I will definitely be back to try more dishes on the menu! Highly recommend!! read more

Chilispot - Honey Walnut Shrimp 802 - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

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First time here. We came with our Chinese friends - they approved the authenticity of this place! Black Pepper Chicken was too spicy for me. It has both whole dry chili peppers and "numbing" peppercorns in it. Gave me heartburn.. :) Keep bunch of water and rice close to you, they really help! Cumin beef was not spicy, great combination with tender beef, cilantro, cumin, onions and peppers. This dish is like fusion, not authentic since diverse ingredients used. I like it. Bok Choy and Shiitake mushroom dish with Oyster Sauce was delicious, especially the mushrooms..So good! Rice cake dessert was not too sweet, so I love it. It is chewy and light. Comes with brown sugar and some nuts. Service was fast. Menu has giant pictures of each food (and exact the same dish to get), both Chinese and English used and it is very helpful. They have soft drinks and beer. No wine. They ran out of Green Beans dish today. I will have to visit again and have some. I actually want to order everything on the menu. :) This little restaurant is on Olive. It has a parking lot on each side, so plenty of space available. Also very friendly and hardworking staff.. read more

Chilispot - Cumin Beef 701 - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

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I've driven past Chilispot hundreds of times but never stopped in -- so when one of my friends suggested it for our monthly supper club, I was all in. We went on a Thursday night around 7 PM and it was packed, but we were seated within five minutes. Off to a great start. The menu? Massive. Like, short-novel massive. Which can be a little overwhelming, but if you're like me and love variety (especially when it comes to Asian cuisine), you'll appreciate the endless options. That said, a few curated recommendations might help first-timers navigate. Our table shared a bunch of dishes, and the standouts for me were the spicy wontons and the potstickers -- both were , especially when dipped in chili oil and soy sauce. The kung pao chicken had that perfect blend of heat and crunch, and the beef with crispy rice was unexpectedly delicious. Speaking of rice, theirs was so good it needs its own shout-out. Service was prompt, friendly, and super accommodating despite how busy they were. Parking was easy and the prices were more than fair for the amount (and quality) of food we got. Definitely going back -- not only because the food was great, but because I feel like I barely scratched the surface of that menu. Next time, I'm coming hungry and adventurous. read more

Super authentic Szechuan food. Can't feel my mouth after a few bites LOL. Impressive fast service considering how busy the restaurant is. Parking lot is not super big and it is a dead end at the end, a bit hard to navigate. read more

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Great quality, high standards, consistent product. Food: Wanted our Asian cuisine fix and had to come back to one of our favorites. The Mapo Tofu was silky smooth, spicy, sweet, and layered in flavors. We asked for it extra spicy and boy did they deliver (as they always do). The Popcorn Chicken is a specialty item and is always super consistent. This time we felt that the portion was a bit smaller than in previous orders we've gotten from them, but was still tasty nonetheless. The bite size chicken pieces with some small breading pieces as well gives a good mixture of crunch that goes well with the tongue numbing spices! Environment: The take out service was quick and efficient. The staff was nice and thoughtful for having everything ready for you (silverware/chopsticks) even before you ask for it. Since we did take out, can't comment much on the Ambiance, but when we picked it up at 8pm on Tuesday night, the restaurant was still bustling and poppin'. Very homey feeling to the restaurant with table set up catered for family style sharing with ease. Rating: 5/5, consistently great food. Ordered the same dishes and aside from perceived portion differences, the quality was exactly what we expected from previous visits. Highly cravable meal and will definitely continue to come back to feed our cravings! read more

Chilispot - Chongqing Popcorn Chicken 301 and Mapo Toufu 901 - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

Great food and quick service; I was in and out in under 45 minutes! The menu is long and very authentic. read more

Chilispot - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

The food never disappoints, the egg tofu thing tastes perfect, always been a fan of tofu and the texture is so good. I also love the eggplant with the pepper and thousands year egg. Will always come back! read more

Chilispot - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

Chilispot provides a great spacious sit down Chinese cuisine experience and they have primarily Sichuan dishes that are flavorful and packed with a healthy amount of red pepper and Mala seasonings for spice lovers. Upon visit I was greeted by a friendly staff and promptly seated during normal volume dining. The atmosphere and seating appeared great for both small friend outings and family gatherings, including a large dining table with a dining turn-table where I saw a small group enjoying themselves. Upon my visit I tried multiple dishes, including the Sichuan Ribs, Mongolian beef, Chongqing popcorn chicken, potstickers, and wonton's. The meals were absolute flavor bombs of spice, and everything was pleasantly aromatic. The Sichuan Wontons here really stood out for me upon my visit and I'll be ordering them as an appetizer every time I visit. read more

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Fantastic, shareable and authentic! This is a great spot for family and friends to come and share numerous orders. From dumplings to lamb, even spine, this authentic taste is powerful and (be warned) usually spicy. I live in Orlando, but was suggested this spot by a friend in St. Louis when I visited, so happy to hear Orlando has one as well. Every dish was delish, but I do want to warn that the food is almost all spicy (what we had at least) so those afraid of uncommon food or spice taste, you may not love it. read more

Chilispot - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

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I came for a late lunch. I wanted General Tso Chicken but they don't make that dish. So I ordered Kung Pao Chicken. The chicken was tender and the veggies were cooked just right. Unfortunately the sauce was way off. It had a very heavy vinegar taste and a spice or two was used too much. I was starving so I ate the portion that wasn't sitting in the sauce. The after taste was too much. I didn't complain, I just paid my bill. This is a charming restaurant in U-City. read more

Chilispot - Kungpao Chicken 303 - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

Stopping by St. Louis, this restaurant was a pleasant and authentic Szechuan surprise! The outside looks a bit like an older white house but the inside was super busy and smelled spicy but amazing! The wallpaper on the walls was also super adorable to look at. A change of pace from the big cities, there was also a parking lot outside the restaurant with plenty of spots. We ordered 3 entrees and 1 appetizer which was enough for 4 people. The service was great, and all the food came out in about 10-15 minutes after ordering. I highly recommend the boiling fish which was so soft and just spicy enough. Our dishes came automatically with serving spoons and a big bowl of rice for the table to share! The mapo tofu was more of a numbing spice but very delicious, as well. Be sure to order one dish that is non-spicy for the party as a change of pace during the meal! read more

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The whole experience here was great! All the food had great flavor and had amazing variety in taste. The handmade tofu really stuck out to me for entrees as it was so nice and soft with a crispy outside and just melted in your mouth. For desserts, I think the sweet jelly ice stuck out to me but the brown sugar Rice cakes were also amazing. I tried a variety of things and it seems like you can't go wrong. The ambiance and staff were awesome and attentive and created a welcoming atmosphere. read more

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Basically one of the most authentic chinese restaurants in st louis, love coming here though it can get pretty busy at nighttime. Might have to wait outside in a crowd, and the parking situation is slightly cramped. The food is amazing, and the seasoning and spices aren't held back. The tables are pretty close together and it'll get cozy on busy nights, but it just goes to show how good the food is. read more

Delicious and perfectly spicy Chinese foods. We particularly love their crispy spicy fish, deep fried green beans, tofu with egg yolks and lamb cumin. Everything is delicious here, you can't go wrong! The atmosphere is lively, great for family and friend gathering. Kang Pao Chicken was decent but it has inconsistent flavors sometimes. The service was fast and very efficient. Reservation is available by calling them in advance. read more

Ok, Szechuan fire eaters, this is the spot for the best spicy Szechuan food in the area. The menu is extensive with many dishes just not seen elsewhere in St.Louis. Ate there over the weekend in mid-afternoon with a surprising number of customers given the time and the pouring rain. After some satisfying appetizers, I went a little on the milder side with Mongolian Beef and Dry Sautéed String Beans. The latter is a favorite of mine since discovering the dish in various chinatowns and Chilispot does it right. The beans are crispy and flavorful and the beef was stellar. The real surprise was my daughter's Popcorn Chicken. I am not normally that much of a chicken eater, but I kept stealing bits from her plate to the point I thought she would fork me. The burn in the back of the throat was amazing. The food was plentiful with enough leftovers for another full meal the next day. The leftovers hold up well and slightly increase in the spice level. The decor is simple and comfortable though the metal red chairs do make you sit up straight. It is a bit of a journey from South County and totally worth it. Probably going with the Sour Beef Soup and Chili for the next visit. Someday, I might even order the Popcorn Chicken! read more

This place is ON POINT if you're looking for spicy heat!!! They also have savory, non-spicy dishes and vegetarian options! Everything we tried was amazing and portions were huge! Servers came quickly and were very accommodating. Authentic table wear and furnishings throughout the space, clean restrooms with an assortment of personal care items. read more

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Um, I'm sad to say, but Chilispot is better than Corner 17. The Mala was outstanding. Spicy fish and Chongquin was exceptional. The cumin lamb was tender and amazing. Hands down best Chinese in St Louis. read more

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One of our favorite Chinese restaurants in St. Louis. The food is delicious and the service is fast. We've tried many dishes on the menu and still want to come back again. The Chefs special beef was the highlight of the meal. Great fragrances from the spices and cooked to perfection. I love how all of the dishes came out hot and you can see the steam. I'd suggest to always order at least 1 dish that is not spicy so you can balance your taste bud. It is also a great place to bring bigger groups! The only thing I wish was better was the floor by the entry door was very slick... but given the weather I totally understand. read more

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This is by far the best Chinese food (and honestly one of the best places I ever eaten at) period. We started out with some hot tea which I usually wouldn't mention but this stuff was just magical. It had so much depth and flavor without any hints of bitterness. And everything just got better from there. Spicy wontons and spicy potstickers were the appetizers. Between the two I think the potstickers were better - the dough was a bit thicker and the chicken and green onion were a great combo. The chili sauce on top didn't provide much in terms of spice but it did an incredible smoky flavor finish to both apps. Beef sirloin soup was the main course. They even did the thing (undercooked the noodles so that they were the perfect texture by the time you started eating)! The cilantro, bok choy, and some fattier pieces of meat made the broth taste heavenly. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive and the interior had a nice casual vibe to it. And the food was very reasonably priced! About $9 each for the appetizers, $12 for the noodles, and $2.50 for the tea! Check this place out! read more

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This spot is one of the Sichuan Chinese restaurants in the STL area, a few minutes drive outside the city proper. I came here last Sunday and got seated immediately since I was dining by myself. There was plenty of seating, and I almost caught the dinner busyness. I ordered the Sichuan popcorn chicken and the fried string beans. Taste-wise, it was alright and could have been better for the popcorn chicken, but it was still good. As for the fried string beans, they were so, so good. The service was fast, and the staff was welcoming enough to take orders and seat you at your table. If you are looking for another Sichuan restaurant in the city of STL. You can give this place a try and let me know what you think of their food :) read more

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AMAZING! 10 stars!!! This is my picky parents' favorite place to eat. And now it is also mine. Great thing about this place is that their menu has pictures!!!! And everything looks delicious! Service is amazing! There's no word to describe this place. Don't walk. Runnnnnn and order everything on the menu. read more

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My favorite dish here are these 3 items - spicy wonton, pickled fish soup and pork with garlic sauce. I eat here once a month but usually just order takeout for convenience. Sometime I tried other dishes when I dined in, but I always come back to these 3 items. I think the spicy wonton is more delicious than the non-spicy version. The picked fish soup is 10/10. The service here is very good with both dine in or takeout. It's a very nice restaurant for family gathering as well since they have a big menu with variety of dishes. Highly recommend! read more

Chilispot - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

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I am not a huge spice fan, and I was pleasantly surprised by chili spot. My husband who loves spicy food was completely in heaven. He absolutely love the Chongqing popcorn chicken. I was surprised by the depth of flavor. It was some of the best chicken I've ever had. It definitely has a heat that builds. I had the beef with crispy rice crust, and I loved the crispy rice. It was such a nice compliment to the salty beef and sauce. I'm not sure you could find a more authentic spot in the St. Louis area. So glad we gave this one a try. read more

Chilispot - Homemade green bean jelly in chili sauce - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

ChiliSpot is a hidden gem in St. Louis for authentic Sichuan cuisine! Their menu is packed with bold flavors and traditional dishes that bring the perfect balance of spice and heat. I recommend trying their spicy hot pot or the mapo tofu, both of which are full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. The portions are generous, and the service is friendly and attentive, making it a great place for both casual meals and celebrations. If you love authentic Chinese food with a kick, this is the place to be! The dried pot cauliflower is my favorite dish!! read more

Chilispot - Dry pot Dry Pot Organic Cauliflower - Szechuan Near Me - University City, Missouri

I think the food deserves a 4/5; I really like Szechuan/mala spicy and the food is definitely spicy! I really recommend the wontons and the chicken/shrimp pot. The shrimp was a little tough but the chicken had a really nice crunch. The oil in the pot was the spiciest of the meal so be careful. Now aside from that, the portions were pretty small and no one in my party was full after the meal and we spent about 20-25 dollars each! The server annoyed me a bit too because we informed him someone in our party had a peanut allergy and he didn't say anything when something we ordered had peanuts in it. We only caught it because I felt suspicious and directly asked him if it had peanuts in it. read more

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Chilispot is always a classic-- we came here for lunch on MLK day and it was pretty easy to get a table for six of us. At the time, their website was no longer functional so I would consider checking Chowbus for menu prices ahead of time. We ordered our go-to dishes, which always include the boiling fish, the eggplant with garlic sauce and the mashed eggplant with century egg. Almost everything here is a little spicy but there are plenty of options if you can't handle your spice too! For the six of us, after tax and tip it was about $22 per person, with a decent amount of food leftover too. I look forward to coming back! read more

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Excellent lunch. Cucumber salad with lots of flavor. Kung Pao Shrimp with perfectly cooked peppers. Very spicy popcorn tofu. All cooked fresh and served lightning fast. read more

Chilispot continues to be our go-to Chinese restaurant as it is legit the best Chinese in St. Louis. Quality, consistency, and service continue to be top notch and it's just so refreshing to see this time and time again each visit. Please keep doing what you're doing! read more

Amazing experience at Chilispot! The food was great along with the service. One of the very authentic tasting Chinese restaurants in STL. Will definitely be back! read more

Still 5 stars ... working our way through the menu! Green beans, ribs, lamb stir fry and twice cooked pork. I think the ribs will become an always-always! read more

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