Quick, efficient, and cheap. While it seems like cheap Americanized Chinese restaurants are increasingly difficult to find, college towns are still a spot where you can find this food provided in large portions and executed well. China Star is reminds me of this style that I grew up on with the delicious sweet and sour pork and sesame shrimp, both of which were fried to perfection. I wasn't able to try items from their authentic Chinese menu, but would love to on a future visit based on how well the items I tried were cooked. The decor is pretty much what you'd expect from a Chinese takeout spot and service is minimal but friendly. Prices are very good and portions are generous. read more

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General Tso's Chicken ($15.95) is terrible! It is not eatable. And they will not make it right.

China Star is located in a shopping center near the University of Iowa campus. This popular spot is home to some great deals and lunch specials. When my husband and I went to China Star, we had the sesame shrimp with fried rice and the sweet and sour pork with white rice. These were both lunch specials. Both dishes were under $10 for a healthy portion! The food was better than average but the price made the food taste better. I can see why China Start is so popular. read more

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China Star is a classic college-town food spot. I had the General Tso's chicken and pork lo mein--both were excellent. The fried rice was more middle-of-the-road. The atmosphere is a little outdated and run down, but the prices are very affordable. Overall, I'd definitely eat here again. read more

China Star - General Tso's and Fried rice. - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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Best lunch，The food was plentiful and delicious. Their food was very fresh, and even during the busy lunchtime, the staff provided excellent service and served food quickly. read more

Very underrated chinese food! Though the service and ambience were mid, those places always have the most authentic chinese food. The spicy eggplant and pork dishes hit the spot, and the rice/noodle dishes were delicious. read more

China Star - spicy eggplant + rice - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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There are a few reasons why I'm writing such a good review. For one, the staff and employees are hardworking and extremely consistent when it comes to food preparation time, and how fast the food makes it to your table. Although this isn't a high end restaurant, the prices are justified for the portion sizes of the food that you receive. I really enjoy this small eatery as I often study in-between classes here, one of the only restaurants in the ped mall that has charging outlets as well. If you're looking for something quick in between classes or something to satisfy your tastebuds, this is a great place to eat! read more

The salt and pepper fish is sooooo good! An item you should not avoid. Other dishes we always order are 酸汤肥牛 and 小炒肉. Highly recommend! read more

China Star - Red Pepper Fish Fillets, 小炒肉，辣子鸡 - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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One of the best Chinese food if you know how to order. The Chinese menu have more options than English menu. Attached is my go to dishes. read more

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Ordered pork lo mein and fried rice combo meal. Total was under $10 and included a fried egg roll. Pretty standard Chinese food, not incredible but quick and friendly service, at a good price. read more

I and the kids ordered beef fried rice, egg rolls and egg drop soup for dinner. Their prices are so expensive that it's not worth their food quality. I have eaten these dishes at different Chinese restaurants and it tasted way better than this. Customer service was ok. They keep their place clean so our overall experience was not the best but it can be improved. read more

China Star - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Come here all the time for the broccoli and beef. Generous servings, very affordable, and open late (including on some holidays). What more can you ask for? My only complaint about China Star is that the quality and flavor can sometimes be inconsistent. For example, sometimes the veges have tasted a bit freezer burnt and once our dish tasted like it was made with burnt oil. These experiences haven't been so bad to turn me away though. You get complimentary tea, which is a nice little bonus This is a cash only place. read more

China Star - Complimentary tea - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

When I visited my girlfriend this weekend we went and got some food at China star. I will admit the Atmosphere was underwhelming but, the food was very very good and the customer service was wonderful. They were very nice and the prices were great! I will be coming here again. read more

Affordable college town Chinese. It's okay, good enough for their crowd, college kids. Had orange chicken, wasn't anything special. However their egg rolls were above average. Definitely affordable and typical menu for those who this place is meant for. Cash only, so bring some. read more

Cash only at this authentic Chinese restaurant. They have an English menu and a huge menu in Chinese. The food on the English menu is completely different - classic orange chicken, beef and broccoli, etc. I have a couple of Chinese friends who love this spot, but you need to be able to order in Chinese to get the good stuff. I've tried the egg rolls, moo goo gui pan, and chicken stir fry veggies. Yes the food is greasy and you will want to nap afterwards. They serve hotpot here which I have yet to try! read more

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I found their Chinese food to be very oily and not tasty. Have tried a few of their lunches specials and did not find it to be authentic. They do have a special Chinese menu- that i have yet to try! read more

This place is great! My friend and I came here for a later lunch break and they were one of the only restaurants still open (around 2:30). Service was quick! I recommend the vegetable egg roll--one of the best I've ever had! My friend had the beef fried rice and really liked that, too. read more

First taste is not bad. But then you will notice almost all the dishes taste the same. The good thing is it is cheap and give a lot. Tip: This is not the 'real' chinese food. It is American Chinese food which has the same name but taste different. read more

Lunch time at China Star: the lines are long, you hear a chorus of Chinese chatter. I love everything about it. Located close to campus I decided to come in and give it a try. Although I waited in the line all the way back to the door, I went up and the person at the register was very polite and took my order of Hot and Sour Soup and a Pork Egg Roll. He handed me a post it note with my number on it and I went aside and waited. While waiting I was thrilled to see that they have hot water dispensers for free Oolong Tea. I always like a Chinese restaurant with free tea. The lady who was bringing food out to people was super cheery and sweet, very efficient. Although the restaurant has an ambiance that can be considered plain, I do not care at all because the patrons lighten the whole place up. It appeared on the menu that they have some reasonable lunch deals around $5-6 dollars. And the food looked very good from what I can say. Finally I received my food. Got a small soup and the portion was still amazing. Did not have too much of any ingredient, a good balance. The pork egg roll was pretty big too and great tasting. Both were under 5 dollars total. I am very happy with this place and will definitely return to try a beef dish of some sort. Check it out. read more

This review may not be accurate, but from the sounds of recent views, it seems as though they are still up to the same. I write this review because I find myself comparing the local Chinese where I live now to this place. For the price, and the quantity you really can't beat this place. It's perfect for the college student budget, and pretty much right on campus. I definitely spent many lunch days eating at this spot. There's a reason the line goes all the way out into the mall. So go check this place out. Oh and just as people have mentioned, this is a cash only place so be sure to hit up the ATM just down the block before arrival. read more

Good decent and fast, tho the crab Ragoon is a bit sweet, it's not for me, but got those who like it I'm sure it's rly good read more

China Star - My meal, the Mei Fun was good, especially w Soy Sauce, but tho the crab ragoons were okay, they had a bit of sweetness. - Chinese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

I go for the mu sho pork....very tasty and consistent. The place is full of Chinese students, which tells me the food is genuine. Mostly, I like it. read more

I have eaten here about 1,000 times over 5 years and every time I return to Iowa City. Great prices and consistent excellent quality. I have no idea how they make any $$ at this place. Great location too and very convenient. Fried Dumplings (pot stickers) Kung Pao Beef Mu Goo Gui Pan Won Ton Soup All outstanding and staples of my Chinese food for breakfast (would have mid-day) lifestyle that I so adored. read more

This place doesn't look like much, but if you venture off of the mei guo ren menu, there are some stellar Sichuan and other dishes. Bring a Chinese friend or get ready to rock the Google translate, but if you do you're in for a treat. read more

This place is not acceptable, I mean no check or credit/debit card. It is 2012, I am an old lady and I am telling you to get with the times. Sheeesh! read more

Is the food here any better than any other Chinese take-out downtown? No, it's not. The food here is actually pretty mediocre when it comes down to it. So why five stars, you say? Well, this is the cleanest Chinese restaurant downtown. It is the only one that doesn't have a film of black grime coating the floors and walls. They actually have people that come out and clean the tables fairly frequently during the day. So while the food here may not be that great, it's my new favorite just because I don't feel the urge to take a shower when I am done. read more

Good food for the price. The portions are large enough that wife an I often get an extra plate and split an item from the lunch menu. My favorite is the chicken with garlic sauce. Her favorite is the shrimp with mixed vegetables - spicy! read more

There are several very delicious options in Iowa City for good Chinese food but I don't think this is one of them. I felt like the food I ordered here was very bland. I believe I ordered chicken and broccoli. Maybe the other dishes are good but skip what I had. read more

Fast, easy and tastes like Chinese food. If you're like me and find yourself randomly starving for Chinese food immediately, hit these guys up. read more

Whenever I wanted quick Chinese food during a break between classes, I always went to China Star in the mall. I can't say that I know much about all their food, but the Mongolian beef with fried rice lunch was a good value and tasted very good. And they were always pretty quick about making it too. Cash only. read more

This has got to be one of the most popular Chinese places in Iowa City. Good food, but not really healthy. It is REAL greasy. But, alas, the food in inexpensive and good. I recommend. read more

Decent Chinese right by campus. I went there many times when I was at school there. Not my favorite in IC but it's close and cheap. No credit cards though so make sure you have cash. read more

My favorite authentic Chinese in Iowa city. Big portions and great food! Very affordable for the amount of food you get!

I tried the meifun. It's terrible. I tried Singaporean noodle. It's like crap. I tried fried rice. It's disgusting. The ingredients are basically leftovers for pigs. The cooking is terrible. Raw rice and stuff. I'm gonna stop going there from now on. read more

As a Chinese American, this is practically as authentic as Chinese food gets in IC. The food is absolutely amazing and the service is extremely fast. It is very clean and there is free iced water and tea. Love this place! read more