Wow, still can't believe this is only showing 3.5 stars still. Always good for us. We went there for mom's day and sat at the bar tables since we all wanted mai tais which are cheaper in the bar than the restaurant. SOOOO good! Service was great and food very good too! NOTE: Didn't know that their "holiday" menu is limited compared to their huge menu normal days. Still, we were able to pick good food. Kung Po Chicken, Beef Lo Mein, egg rolls, pot stickers & cream cheese wantons. All great tasting, good & hot. Went this week for some take out. Ready on time and packaged well. All great tasting too! read more

Who doesn't love a good lunch or dinner special? The menu here is very extensive. The interior is quite spacious. It actually reminds me of an old Sizzler restaurant, giving off a nostalgic vibe. Both the server and the host were friendly and welcoming. I tried the Hunan Beef Dinner Combo, which comes with a side of soup, white rice, and an egg roll. While the portions were good, I was disappointed with the seasoning. The beef was quite salty and lacked the depth of flavor and spice I expected. It felt a bit one dimensional. read more

Chins Gourmet - Hunan Beef Dinner Combo Plate - Chinese Near Me - Escondido, California

This was the El Cajon location. First of all, had I known our group was meeting, I would've stayed home. The food is absolutely terrible. I don't know who cooked the steamed rice, but I make better rice in the oven. I ordered king pao shrimp, and oh my goodness. It came out with so many mushrooms I thought they changed the name to mushroom king pao. I sent it back take off those damn mushrooms and when it came back the shrimp wasn't quite cooked thoroughly. I don't recommend it to anyone read more

Whenever anyone has a cold I go get them Hot n Sour soup from Chins! Always knocks out a cold! Best soup around. Also ordered the spicy garlic eggplant! Love the food here it's always hot and delicious! Super clean and organized inside. Clean restrooms too. Service is always solid. read more

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I always get the chow mein. It's not a typical go-to item for me in other Chinese restaurants, but here they do it so well and they're consistent. The noodle consistency and flavor is perfect. I never have to add any soy sauce to it. They provide steamed rice with the entrees and it's well cooked, fluffy and fragrant. Employees are friendly, attentive, and even recognize their regular customers. There are many table options inside and is a great option for large groups. read more

It's a big full-service restaurant with a very nice and clean ambiance. While I've only been there once so far for the lunch special, the food appears to be very good quality and the portions average sized. But the main reasons to go here are the ambiance and huge, diverse menu, offering many more interesting options than most Chinese places. I wish they would add a weekday lunch buffet so I could try a variety items. Note that prices are much higher than, for example, the higher rated China Fun: Pot Stickers and Crispy Wontons 38% more, Honey Shrimp 22% more, Kung Pao Beef 24% more, and General Tao's Chicken 28% more. I don't thing the quality is that much higher, and the serving sizes are not. I used to eat in this building long ago when it was Love's Wood Pit Barbecue and never knew there is a cozy little bar/lounge in the back, off the entrance. read more

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Food: 5* Service: 4* Ambiance: 4* Enjoyed a dinner here after Shen Yun at the Escondido Arts complex. My family and I enjoyed Honey Walnut Shrimp (5*), Beef with broccoli (5*), Seafood crispy noodles (5*), Soft Noodle Chow Mein (5*), Schezwan Shrimp, (5*), and House special fried rice (5*). This Chinese-American restaurant, which apparently has 3 locations, was actually a very pleasant surprise. The honey shrimp were delicious, lightly sweet, plump, amply portioned, and very tasty. The beef with broccoli was very good with crisp tender broccoli and good pieces of beef in a dark soy sauce based sauce. The seafood crispy noodles was fantastic, full of different types of seafood (scallops, shrimp, fish fillet, and calamari) in a light but tasty sauce served over wok seared crispy noodles. Over time, the noodles soften as they soak up the gravy to a great texture, crispy bits and chewy bits. Very satisfying. My dad ordered the chow mein, as he loves veggies, and it was very good. The noodles with kissed with the breath of the wok, as they should be, and plenty of lightly sautéed vegetables. The Schezwan shrimp were in a deeply dark sauce with a little spice, but very little. It was mostly white pepper. Lots of water chestnuts added a good texture to the dish. Lastly, the house special fried rice was great. Lightly smokey from the wok with chicken, beef, and shrimp. Excellent all around. The service was a little slow and we had to ask a few times for things as they were busy. But otherwise, the staff were friendly, helpful, and relatively attentive. This is a great spot to have some excellent Chinese-American fare which is centrally and conveniently located. Next time I am in the area for any of their locations, I will make sure to stop by and enjoy again. read more

Chins Gourmet - Shrimp with Honey Walnut, Chow Mein, seafood Pan Fried Crispy Noodles, Beef with Broccoli, House Special Fried Rice, and Schezwan shrimp. - Chinese Near Me - Escondido, California

I truly don't know why this restaurant has any 1 star reviews. It's excellent. I drove by Chin's so many times in Escondido before stopping in and now it's my family's go to for sit down Chinese. They have a wide menu with both traditional and modern options. I particularly enjoy their tangerine chicken (I know, basic, but it's too good!!). I've tried and enjoyed many menu items and really the only thing I haven't loved was their walnut shrimp (not a big shrimp person, my own fault!). Definitely recommend starting with the egg drop soup for the table too. The first time we came here we also met the owner, Chin, and he gave us a free coupon to try their house dumplings. So thoughtful and the dumplings were also SO good. The restaurant just has a very warm feel to it and is always just busy enough that it feels lively without having to wait for a table. Service is extremely efficient and always friendly. I've tried their El Cajon location too and while I prefer Escondido for the ambiance, the food is also great in east county too. Definitely recommend for a slightly upscale Chinese dinner. read more

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I really wanted to enjoy my first order from Chin's in Escondido, but sadly, it just didn't live up to my expectations. I ordered the Kung Pao chicken and egg rolls through Uber Eats. The delivery showed up about 20 minutes later than expected, which threw off the rest of my evening. I also noticed the Uber Eats driver had a motorcycle listed in the app next to his name,. Since this was my first time using the service, I wasn't sure if that meant my food was delivered by motorcycle--but maybe that explains why it arrived lukewarm. The food itself was just okay. The Kung Pao chicken lacked the rich, bold flavor I was hoping for, and the egg rolls were a bit soggy and dull. Everything tasted like it had been sitting for a while, and the whole meal felt more like a letdown than a treat. I was really hoping to discover a new favorite spot and to write a glowing review, but this experience just fell short. read more

We have been coming to Chin's for ages. The ambiance is dreary and pleasant. But this was our first time meeting Mr. Chin himself! It was such a pleasure to meet him, such a humble person- he took our order and listened to us gripe about a change in recipe for one of our favorites entrees, Pao Hu. He asked the chef to make Pao Hu for Mr. Chin and that did the trick. It was delicious as always, crispy and nutty. He even had the staff bring out a complimentary side of egg rolls. The cream cheese wontons were hot and yummy. And the soup was savory and comforting. A dinner to remember. read more

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This is my all-time favorite Chinese restaurant. I go here regularly, and I love the woman who runs the place so much! They're always smiling and happy when I see them, and they check in regularly to make sure everything turned out well. I can't say enough good things about this location. I've been to the Oceanside and Vista locations, but this is easily my top choice. As far as the food, it comes out promptly and is always delicious. I recommend the Hunan fish, honey walnut shrimp, or sesame ball soup. I don't think I've had better cooked fish in my life because it always ends up too dry, but this place cooks it perfectly. Also, the tea pairs very well with most dishes. My sisters and I come at LEAST once monthly. I've always wanted to try the duck, but that'll be for a splurge. It's a bit dimly lit, but honestly, my eyes prefer that to the brightness as I get migraines easily, and it feels much more intimate for dinner dates. There's paper lanterns hanging everywhere, and the kitchen is right across from the seating area, but I'm not really bothered by it. Funny enough, I took my (now) boyfriend here on our fourth date, claiming that I would take him to my favorite Chinese restaurant. When we were driving up, he looked at me with exasperation and said that Chin's was also his favorite Chinese restaurant and that him and his mom had been coming here for years. It's funny how things work out! read more

Chins Gourmet - Snow pea and chinese mushroom - Chinese Near Me - Escondido, California

My mentor asked what I was in the mood to eat--I said Chinese. He smiled and said, "You got it." The customer service was top-notch. You could tell the waitress had taken time and effort to remember her regulars. As soon as we walked in, she lit up and said, "Hey Charlie! It's good to see you. Oh, you brought a friend?" She was incredibly kind and polite--if only I had remembered her name so I could give her a proper shoutout. The food? Absolutely delicious. The orange chicken was coated in a rich, flavorful sauce, and when I took a bite, it had that perfect light crisp--not hard or overly crunchy, just right. I got it with level one spice, and it gave a subtle tingle, like a little dance on the tongue. The red onion rice soup was delicious and comforting--warming to the stomach and soothing to the soul. The vibe of the place was calm and relaxing--very zen. The decor fit the Chinese theme beautifully and made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend this spot if you're craving good Chinese food. read more

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I love this place. Was here last week with a party of 7. The food was delicious. Get the plum tree beef. Delicious! Our server was on it. Our drinks and hot tea were always full. Even the owner came to the table and chatted with us for a little bit. Go here! I'll definitely be back. read more

Absolutely love this place. It was like being a kid again getting a pu pu platter, with all the best items. Their friend rice was excellent, and I appreciate that the tails are already removed. Service is always great as well. They paid attention to see if we needed anything but didn't just bombard us right as we had our mouths full. No other Chinese food in the area is this good! read more

Food is as delicious as ever. Portions are fairly generous. Hot and Sour Soup is the best in San Diego. Unfortunately, they only use paper napkins nowadays instead of cloth as in the past. read more

I've been a regular for years. Ordered one of my favorites, Cashew Chicken. The chicken was not right at all. Texture of tofu. Everything else in the dish was delightful as usual. Service and atmosphere were great. The serving portions are always worth the price. The chicken however was not eatable. Maybe they used a lesser quality chicken meat? Disappointing. read more

The food and service are great. And the portion are a good size. Great take out. But if you want to dine in great place. To eat.. read more

This restaurant has been temporarily closed in March and April 2025 by the County Health Department. I won't be eating here again. Chins Szechwan (445 N Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA 92025) - Ordered closed on March 17 for Sewage disposal - Minor; Vermin - Major; Nonfood Contact Surfaces Clean - Out of Compliance; Ventilation and Lighting - Out of Compliance; Premises, Vermin-proofing, Personal/Cleaning Items - Out of Compliance; and Floors, Walls, and Ceilings - Out of Compliance. read more

I love Chin's Escondido. Absolutely the best Chinese food in the area. Love the Shanghai Steamed Dumplings and the tangerine Crispy Beef. Great service fresh ingredients. Wonderful experience. read more

Enjoyed our dinner . It was a delivery and arrived hot ! Came with white rice old style no charge !!! Will order again .

When we arrived the waitress sat us down right away. She was very pleasant and funny. The place is really dark inside but seemed pretty busy for 330 in the afternoon. The service was great and my food was good. I'm not giving it a five because I have had better Chinese food but I would go back. read more

Chins Gourmet - Pan Fried Soft Noodles Dinner Beef - Chinese Near Me - Escondido, California

The good here is always super yummy and the service is on point. The ambiance is clean and can be romantic if there wasn't too many people. My family love this place and we have been coming here for years. Although I see some staff have changed, the service and food taste hasn't changed at all. read more

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The food is bomb. The service is great. I love going there. When I take my family to any event at the performing arts center, we always stop here. I drive here from Murrieta. Ling Ling is the best read more

Everything is good here! My go-to Chinese restaurant! House special fried rice, imperial soup, fried shrimp..... I'm already craving it!!

We went to the lounge to get a drink and to wait for our order that we placed to go. The bartender was very friendly as was the other customers. We ordered several items to go and were absolutely delicious. If you want spcy..you got it! If you don't rhe food is still fantastic. The ambiance in the restaurant as a whole is great while the friendliest of all in the lounge was spectacular. We have been coming here for a few years and will continue to do so. read more

Such a great experience. Superior level of service and a great atmosphere. The food served hot and promptly. All 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals served in plentiful portions. The best part of the evening was our engagement with the owner, Chin. A good business owner interacts with their customers. Chin came by our table several times, suggesting menu items (chicken corn soup - outstanding!!!) or asking questions about what we like, how often we visit, etc. What a great personality. You can tell he loves his work. Overall, nothing but good to write about. Visit soon, as we will again. read more

We come to Del Mar once a year for a week of vacation and have to come here to eat. We had a fabulous lunch with large portions, wonderful service and nice ambience. We'll definitely will be back. read more

Chin's Chinese restaurant, customer service sucks! A friend took me there on Sunday January 4th to celebrate my birthday, well celebrating was not happening. The server was a young girl named Maggie and her mannerism was great, it appeared that she was new and it was only her and the mgr that were working besides the cooks. Well we placed our order and also ordered an appetizer ( egg rolls ), and was told our appetizer would be out in 7-10 minutes, that time passed and no egg rolls, now it's been 20 minutes and still no egg rolls, we inquired and was told 5 more minutes, so now we're 45 minutes in and no egg rolls but we get the sauces for them. I noticed 2 other tables that ordered after get egg rolls, now remember we had ordered our entree's at the same time, a whole hour and a half has gone by and the table who came in an hour after we ordered and they are getting their food appetizers and entrees so now we're requesting a manager and we start telling her what the problem is and she had the audacity to start making excuses and saying they got their food because they wanted whatever they had cooked so that's why they got their food before us. I told her that a load of crap, because your food is made to order, she insisted and began to raise her voice, which I immediately told her to dial it down, because I was talking to her in mild manner tone, articulating my words and concerns to her and she didn't want to continue down that path of escalating the situation, and that's when she flung her head and said well what do you want to do, so I politely told her to well our check for the drink my friend had ordered. My birthday celebration was a bust and I we were starving. On a scale 1-10 their service ranked in at -0 with a -0 wind chill factor. Everyone isn't made to be in managevent, and especially if you're a racist. I truly believe the problem was racism, we were two old friends an old white lady and an older black lad, just trying to celebrate a milestone birthday and eat some good Chinese food. And to make matters worse I'm a diabetic and had already taken my insulin thinking that I would be eating within the 15 minutes I'm allotted before eating. I highly recommend that no one dines at this restaurant Ever! Management Sucks!!!!!!!!!!! No Customer Service read more

Some of the best Chinese food I've had! I am obsessed with the tangerine chicken and the Shanghai dumplings and order it probably once a week. Always delicious and left overs heat up well the next day too. read more

Horrible I thought I was going to get sick. I threw out my to go order. I saw another couple leave as they said the food was bad. They said they were changing the oil. read more

if you want to dine in and have great Chinese food, this place is the spot! i came here with friends for dinner and the service was AMAZING! they took our orders, gave recommendations, helped with anything we needed AND realized we forgot a toddler's spoon at the table and ran it out to us. food was great! don't sleep on the chicken wings or the sizzling beef. the ambiance is real nice. luxurious tables clothes and cool lighting. could be a romantic spot with the right person read more

I was visiting San Diego and was craving Chinese food. Chin's Gourmet was located close to my hotel with fairly good reviews. I suspect Chin's Gourmet may have suffered during the 2-year long covid pandemic as there were signs all over the restaurants looking for help and apologies to the diners for slower than normal service due to lack of personnel. That was a bit concerning to see, but it was a quiet evening so service turned out to be fairly attentive. The decor inside has the typical Americanized Chinese ambience (i.e. vinyl booths, Chinese lanterns, low lighting). They offer a fairly extensive selection of popular Chinese dishes that also include reasonably priced lunch and dinner combination specials. Their dinner specials are the same items offered for their lunch specials but priced at only a $2.00 premium. I had the Hot Braised Delight (Shrimp and Sliced Chicken) dinner combination. The soup of the day was rice soup which was actually very flavorful and tasty. Their egg roll though was average. The hot braised delight did not seem fresh. The dish was a bit lukewarm and the shrimp was not very firm nor plump. Overall, the food was simply average and nothing special nor gourmet about it. Maybe when they are able to get the right personnel hired back, they can get back to what seemed like their "glory days" pre-pandemic. read more

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To: Chin Chin's Gourmet Escondido, CA Dear Chin: I am writing as a friend, to tell you about our disastrous experience Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Escondido. I have been a patron for 40 years, including at the very first restaurant you opened in Vista, CA in the early 80s. This is my third letter to you with no response, so I decided to post this on Yelp. Three friends and I were going to the theatre across the street at 7:30PM. We had a reservation for four at 6PM. We arrived on time, and were seated soon after. We waited 30 minutes for a waitress and got a menu... then we waited, waited, waited some more. By 7PM, our food hadn't arrived, so we walked out. During the hour, ONE waitress got ONE order. One young man gave us water and drinks, including a beer FOR WHICH my friend PAID and never drank. He was waiting for food that never came. We were completely ignored by two waitresses who were taking care of a large table near us, and a group of six who arrived AFTER WE DID. When we walked out, my friend paid for his drink, and for the dishes which the waitress chose to bring us at 7PM, and which we didn't have time to eat. As for the other three, we just walked out without eating. The three servers were drowning, and making people wait one hour is NOT good PR. My friend said he would vote with his feet: "I'll never come here again." I don't blame him. I had highly recommended Chin's but I'm afraid that won't happen anymore. Good luck with the new Encinitas venue. I hope you hire enough help. read more

Definitely our go-to Chinese restaurant in Escondido! Whether we go to sit down and enjoy a meal, or order in for delivery, the food is always outstanding! Highly recommend the cashew chicken (my fave, forever and always) and some dumplings! Great service, super cute spot. Go NOW! read more

15-20 min after placing our order, they brought only the spring rolls, and when we asked about the rest, the waitress said as per the Chef, that we have to wait another 15-20 minutes to get all the order. we realized that it's a Friday night, and the restaurant was busy, but still it doesn't take 40 minutes to start your dinner. read more

In the past, we loved the food and service. Last night as a special occasion, we dined inside the restaurant. The service was good, but impersonal and rushed, the menu was entirely different, the appetizer was good, but there was only white rice and your choice of about 100 entries. There was no soup, no tea, nothing but appetizers and entries to choose from. The owner told us that they do not serve soup in the evenings, only at lunch. We were very disappointed. read more

Food was yummy, our service was great and the ambience was peaceful! I will definitely be going back.

We had not been to Chin's probably since Covid. We went the other day for lunch. I got chicken chow mein with crispy noodles on top my husband got. Noodles with shrimp it came with an egg roll, which was fabulous. The soup of the day that came with our lunch was hot and sour and oh my goodness it was good. I absolutely loved the chicken chow mein with the crispy noodles and boy. It was served very hot. No complaints there. Everything was great. They used to give you tea and it was free but now they charge three dollars, which is fine and the tea is just so refreshing and good. Can't wait to go back. The server was perfect. Very friendly. Explain stuff very nice. read more

We did a take-out order of smoked tea leaf duck, seafood soup and sweet and sour shrimp with walnuts. Everything arrived very hot - very good for a take-out order - we ordered through Grubhub - and everything tasted quite good. Some of the duck was a little dry, but this was from that it had been smoked, and all of it was flavorful. Seafood soup bursting with flavor. The shrimp were properly cooked, and the batter crispy with just the right sweet and sour taste. Great meal. Chin's is a little on the higher priced side for local Chinese food, but has always been consistent. read more

Didn't ask whether we wanted chopsticks, I felt like cave man eating my onion pancake with my hands. Ribs were good though, the dressing was superb. There was no sparkling water. The older gentleman did not seem too enthusiastic of my presence. read more

Chins Gourmet - Ribs - Chinese Near Me - Escondido, California