Let's start with the optimistic view: I'll admit, my 3-star review is higher than I had anticipated. I'm skeptical of Asian-fusion restaurants to begin with, because they're so often just glorified Panda Express - sticky deep fried chicken served on ceramic plates instead of styrofoam trays. And let's be honest...the awful storefront font doesn't exactly help. Stepping inside Encore Cafe, though, challenges those preconceived notions of tackiness. It's dimly lit with well-placed tables (not too close but not too far apart), and background noise is soft and minimal. Prices are reasonable; for $7.95 I was easily able to get 2 meals out of my noodles. To top it off, our server was incredibly personable, attentive, and efficient. He even left us a hand-written thank you note on our checks! The pessimistic flip side to all of this? It's still just a 3-star review, as the food is no better than mediocre. My Pad Thai lacked balance - infused with tartness, too few eggs, and too many stereotypical Asian garnishes (cilantro, grated carrot, lime, raw bean sprouts) that served as unnecessary accessories rather than accents to complete the dish. At the end of the day, Encore Cafe comes out smack dab in the middle for me. You don't come to a place like this to get authentic Asian cuisine (I for one would never go near the gyoza). But if you're simply craving those umami flavors, Encore Cafe provides that in a comfortable and easy environment. read more

This Chinese restaurant, with an Asian fusion/Thai twist, is popular with vegetarians. Its menu has a large vegetarian section, with imitation chicken and shrimp included along with some tofu choices. Although we are not vegetarians (we are pescatarians), we ordered from the vegetarian entries. But this restaurant's definition of "vegetarian" isn't quite what it seems. Anything fried is fried in the same oil used with meat. They cannot change that, since they do not have a fryer containing oil used only for vegetables. The solution is to order a stir fried dish, and not anything deep fried, if you really are a vegetarian. Also they use chicken stock in most of their sauces, unless you request water base. When we made clear that we did not want chicken stock or anything cooked with meat, they sent out the "cook." He said he had been told that we are vegans. But we are not. We had said nothing about dairy, which we do not avoid and is not in any of the menu's vegetarian preparations anyway. In short, do not assume that anything on the vegetarian list is really vegetarian, since their strange definition of vegetarian is lack of a visible piece of meat on the plate. When we further told him we did not want sugar added to our sauce, he told us to order a white sauce or a soy sauce, but not a brown sauce, which already includes sugar. Anyway, when we explained to him what he wanted, he was very cooperative, and we enjoyed what was served. We'll be back to try some of the other preparations. The vegetarian ma po tofu was especially good. The vegetarian broccoli shrimp in white sauce also was good, but not spicy, even though we had asked for it to be made spicy. The imitation shrimp was surprisingly good. Next time I'll try it with real shrimp. The vietnamese spring rolls were nothing special. The wine list contains some good wines at modest prices, including Hess Select chardonnay. read more

I met up with some friends here before going to a concert across the street. Everyone else had eaten here before and knew what they liked. Everything sounded good so I asked the waitress for help in deciding between a few dishes. She recommended the spicy dumplings and calamari saying they were the best in Lawrence. I was super disappointed with with I received. Neither of them were good. The calamari might be one of my least favorite ever. There was so much breading and the only thing I could taste was a curry/turmeric flavor. The dumplings tasted like ones I could get from the grocery store covered in soy sauce and spicy garlic sauce. I was hoping my entrée, xi an chow, would make up for the appetizers. Unfortunately for me, it didn't. I thought I still had the flavor of the calamari in my mouth so I had a friend try my noodles. She confirmed that the noodles had a smidge of the turmeric/curry flavor. I would've really liked the noodles without that hint of flavor. I tried my friend's teriyaki and that was really good! If I ever end up here again I know to order the teriyaki!! read more

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I've been here plenty of times and never experienced bad service. Sure it's an oddly decorated place but try the food and it won't matter what the place looks like. I am obsessed with the mango tofu. It's amazing. I wish they offered brown rice as well as white but they don't as of yet. The pineapple friend rice and general tsau's chicken are dishes that my friends love. There are also karaoke rooms in the back to reserve. Lately every time I pass through town I make sure to stop by here. My new favorite place in Lawrence! read more

The food is great and they have so many vegetarian options! This is a great place for dine-in or takeout. It's also a fun place to sit and watch people on Mass Street while you eat. read more

Encore is a breath of fresh air in a college town full of fast food, much of it poorly done. The dishes are interesting, consistently tasty and the portions reasonable. While it's a terrific place to make a full meal out of the appetizers, don't pass up some of the great entrees. They know their red meat! The Xi An Beef is a favorite along with their Black Pepper Short Ribs. No? Vegetarian? Great choices. While tofu isn't something I normally seek out, they really know how to make it stand out and taste great (like Ma Po Tofu) and they're fulfilling yet not too heavy. Personal favorite is to grab a good red wine or a Free State bottled beer and go for the appetizers. Have tried them all with the Quail, Fried Sweet Potatoes & Shrimp and Chili Spicy Wonton the favorites. Tried the Kari Fish Balls twice and they're the only choice I wouldn't recommend. And a tip: get the vegetarian Gyoza. Think they're much better than the pork and vegetable choice. I'll be back. read more

I forgot to grab a picture of the food because we needed a quick lunch and had no time to really stop but that food was tasty! We shared a plate of the General Tso's chicken and it was perfect. The chicken, while fried, was not soggy but light and crisp. The sauce was the perfect consistency and just the right amount of spice. We didn't get it this time but the Crab Rangoon are also delicious. All in all, this is definitely a great place to grab some Chinese food while in Lawrence! read more

Had teriyaki chicken in the bamboo pot and pineapple fried rice. Chicken pieces were too soft and nicely cooked although it lacked taste. Pineapple fried rice was served over pineapple and we felt it was too sweet to be had as full. read more

People always think they like Encore, but then they go after being away for five years and realize they don't like it all because the food is not that good. I always went here in High School with friends because you never had to wait long and it was decently cheap, trendy food. Also we loved the bubble tea. I think I still love the bubble tea (coconut is the best). I went back recently now that I am older, and after a couple tries, I just really don't like it. Things that should be crispy are soggy, and nothing is all that flavorful. Its just kind of mushy and feels like its bad for you. I've had good asian food, and this does not cut it. The bathroom is funny though, definitely check that out if you go here. read more

The vegetarian offerings are very extensive. The General Tao (fake) chicken ($7.75) was very tasty with a light batter and little grease. The coconut curry tofu was also very good. I like the option of brown rice, and the newly redone ambiance is relaxing and open. Their bubble milk tea is tasty - I especially like the mango ($4.35). The bar offers a nice waiting area, the staff is attentive and the bathroom is a MUST SEE! read more

This is a solid asian stop that I overlooked for quite a while until one of my friends put me on it. The place doesn't stand out at all, it has an overall bland appearance, but the food is on point! To start off the rice is Grade A! I think that a lot can be said about an asian spot with the quality/tastiness of their fried rice, and encore backs it up. So far I've tried the Scezhuan chicken, short rib and teriyaki beef entrees and all were excellent, especially the Teriyaki. Their dishes have good, robust flavor and the sauce/veg/protein ratio is nice.The service was good and they bought food out in a timely manner. Overall a great spot, awesome value, and I'll surely be back to try some other menu items and repeat others! read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Schezuan chicken - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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We did not dine in but we called on a busy Friday night for a take out order. We liked everything...vegan General Tso's chicken was sweet and spicy...mango tofu dish had strips of peppers too and was yummy. Loved the spiciness of the Paris potatoes too. Got plenty of plain white rice and had plenty to eat. I do it over again. read more

Very good food and ambience. Reccommend general Tso's chicken, pad thai, or orange peel chicken.

Ate there for the first time tonight. The service was good and the food was delivered very quick. I had Singapore noodles and they were good. The food quality seemed very good. I will come back again. read more

It had been a few years since I visited Encore, but my memories were really very good - friendly people, good (though not necessarily authentic) food, decent prices and a clean, comfortable place. This was all from 2007/2008 or so. Fast forward to 2012 and my first visit since back then. Walking in, I was struck with how different the place looked inside. Really, a complete re-do. However, it was still comfortable and very clean. We were seated immediately and our server came over to take our drink orders. From here on our, I was amazed at our service - really just fantastic. With a big group, in addition to his other tables, it wouldn't have surprised me if service lacked, but it simply did not. Water was always topped off, food came out quickly and every dish was correct. Great job. So, the good. Really delicious. I had a the Cantonese Style Chow Fun (or something like that), and it was very good. I sampled a few other things that the people around me got, and it was all really good. Not only that, but all of my group walked out saying they enjoyed their dishes...not always the case when you have 10+ people! The portion was very large for the price, and was easily two meals. Glad to see that my memories are still valid at Encore! read more

We had dinner here last night, and had a wonderful experience. We arrived around 7:30pm and were seated right away. The decor is simple and clean. I agree with another reviewer that commented on the font for their sign out front - not the most professional looking! Also, it's the only sign and easy to miss - we almost walked right past the place, and we were looking for it. Signage aside, the food we had was wonderful. We had Edamame to start - our new favorite snack. It's like popcorn. My husband had the Xi An Chow Fun and LOVED it. I had the Hunan Double Delight and enjoyed it, but the Xi An Chow Fun won the evening. Our server was great, no complaints at all. We'll be coming back here again, despite the lack of signage. Now we know exactly where it is! read more

3.5 stars. I generally try to avoid any place labeled Asian fusion (just not my preference), but this one was recommended so frequently I decided to try it. I had milk tea and beef chow fun. Everything was ok. Not the best in Lawrence for either dish, but still decent. Also, bonus points for having chili oil! The restaurant is clean, quiet, and servers are super helpful. Portions are large and prices are very average. I don't think I would actively recommend this place to anyone, but I would also never really be opposed. If you're looking for a nice place to just hang out and have a conversation, this place is lovely. If you're looking for Chinese food, go support Szechuan House (my personal recommendation for the entire KC area). read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Milk tea and beef chow fun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

A destination for excellent Asian cuisine and service. My fiancée and I stopped in based on a word-of-mouth recommendation, and were still surprised! I had the Kari Chicken and my fiancée had the Xi An Chow Fun. They were both fantastic dishes that I heartily recommend - especially the Xi An Chow Fun! Unique and very tasty - a great blend of vegetables and beef flavor that meld together well. They have the typical Asian fare and additional variety I haven't seen elsewhere. Try something different, and you won't be disappointed! The portions are just right, too - you will leave full. The service was excellent and attentive. They kept my glass of water filled, even with the spicy curry in the Kari Chicken. Add this to your list of restaurants worth a visit on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence! read more

Great food! We had the Banton Box (lunch menu) of General Tsao's Vegetarian Chicken and Mango Chicken. These came with Crab Rangoon and Fried Rice. Spacious and decent decor. Service was average, hence the 4 stars. read more

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I had only ever gotten take out from here and wasn't too impressed. However, after eating there my opinion changed. I had the pineapple fried rice, omg to die for. I asked before I got it if they used fresh pineapple (I have seen it advertised and then later saw canned pineapple on my plate), I was excited when she said that they do. It was a nice environment. Food good, service good. Not much more to want :) read more

Great restaurant! We walked by and were attracted to the bamboo and cleanliness. There were a lot if people, so we knew it must be good. First, the service was the best! Very nice and helpful. We had the pork potstickers and beef teriyaki in a bamboo bowl. Reasonably priced and you get a good portion. I would recommend this place! read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Beef teriyaki in a bamboo bowl. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

This afternoon I ate at Encore Cafe for the first time. We were seated immediately. We ordered the vietnamese spring rolls while we looked over the menu and specials. While it was my first time, My wife has been there numerous times with a vegetarian friend. Upon viewing the menu I can see that they offer many more choices for a vegetarian than usual. They also have an extensive offering of beverages including: milk teas, green and black teas, slushes, milkshakes and fruit smoothies. I ordered the Xi An beef and my Wife had the Singapore rice noodle. The spring rolls soon arrived and we agreed they were pretty bland. The chicken and shrimp had pretty good flavor but they were mostly drowned out by the watery lettuce. The dipping sauce was quite tasty but given the nature of the rolls should have been doubled in quantity. Our orders came out and were decent but neither carried the spice punch the little red symbol on the menu indicated they were intended to have. The price was a bit high for the quality experience today but My wife said it was her most disappointing visit so I will probably give them another chance. read more

The food is good but when is the owner is not around, the customer service is poor, especially by this one waiter. He has an attitude and once I called in at around 9.45 pm (they stop taking orders at 10pm) and said I'm running late and would want to order just so they can get started by the time I come. And they refused to take orders though I'm a regular there. Additionally, the door was locked at 9.58pm and I couldn't open it. He just saw me there and didn't bother to tell me they were closed. THIS PLACE MADE ME FEEL VERY SMALL and just because they serve good food they have an attitude which should not be encouraged. I have had this treatment twice and it was when the owner was absent. Other waiter/waitresses are decent. If you are a regular , you would know who I'm talking about. On a cold, harsh winter if you are hunting for food NEVER go to this place.. People are not warm here. You'll feel colder inside. read more

My boyfriend and I went there for a special occasion last night. We had been one other time, and the food had been excellent. This time, we ordered the Mango Chicken and the Pad Thai, and both were great. They had a pretty good deal on Free State beers that day, so he got one and I got a strawberry mojito (and also wasn't disappointed). Everything came out surprisingly fast as well. My review would have been five stars based on the quality and timeliness of the food alone. But the service was less than stellar, and it was what I remembered. 3 stars. And it was the last time we were there as well. While she placed our orders correctly, was willing to explain the menu, and got our food out right away... she was very clearly trying to rush us out of the restaurant and didn't seem like she wanted to be there. We got there a little over an hour before close, and were one table out of around ten still there (and by no means were we the last ones sat). She came to our table 3 times to take our drink orders while we were very clearly still looking over the menu. She came back almost immediately after she gave us the check and asked us if it was ready instead of glancing and giving us time. As a server at another local restaurant, I know when this happens. I've been stiffed or given less-than-awesome tips by fellow college students, but it's no reason to assume your table will do that and treat them accordingly. Gave her a decent tip, but we'll probably only return for take-out. read more

This is a good choice for a quick sit down meal. Prices are reasonable and the food is good. The bathrooms are strange--especially the mirror which shows part of the other bathroom. I about had a stroke when I saw a man in the mirror and realized he wasn't behind me, but rather washing his hands in the men's bathroom. read more

Encore Cafe has some Chinese dishes which aren't offered anywhere else in Lawrence KS (rice in bamboo pot, beef brisket rice, beef chow fun, etc.) I had the Beef Chow Fun for $8. The noodles were different from what I expected as well as the ingredients in the dish, but after lowering my standards since I wasn't in a cosmopolitan city, I'd give it a 3.5. However for $8, I felt that I should also be getting a side or drink. Anyways, it was served nice and hot on a big plate. The person who served me was very friendly. I would try a milk tea, but for $3.50??? If the dishes were a few dollars cheaper or if they had combos, I'd come again and try them. read more

Great food with fast service Just found out about this place after I moved away from Lawrence. I've visited two times already and have loved my food both times. My most recent visit I got the spicy beef soup. It was delicious. Just the right amount of spice and enough soup for me to take some home for a second meal. We also started with their version of pot stickers, which I would be happy to just eat for my meal. read more

Excellent Asian Fusion right on Mass Street; love their take on Sesame Chicken... read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Beef Teriyaki Bamboo Pot - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

If you're looking for good quality Chinese food this is the place, especially for a town like Lawrence. I personally prefer this place as opposed to the rest of the drive thru or sit down Chinese places in town. The service is nice and quick, and the venue itself is pleasant and clean. The plates are reasonably priced and you get a good portion. I usually don't venture out too much but their Sweet and Sour Chicken and General Tso Chicken are a great choice. read more

The first thing I noticed was how nice the dining room is. It's in great shape and tastefully decorated. I thought for a minute that I might wind up spending more than I had planned, also due in part that I was not able to see a menu beforehand. The most befuddling thing is just that- visibility, to speak more generally. As far as I know, Encore has no website. There is no place online where I can go to see a menu, prices... the occasional photo is all I can find. I might have been tempted to grab a menu, scan it, and post that here, but I didn't see any take home menus while I was there. From the street, the storefront is almost invisible. Only a tiny sign (which you can't really see from the street) keeps the cafe from disappearing between the Masonic Temple and Louise's Bar. Even here on Yelp, Encore did not show up in my search for Chinese food. Okay, so it's more of a "Pan Asian" place, but still... What it comes down to is that it's only by chance that I even know this place exists. Okay, so maybe a big sign might be too expensive, but a website? They aren't all that expensive. Encore has a Facebook page, but there's nothing on it. Do you see the pattern here? I'm not saying they should waste money on TV ads, I'm just saying I want to see a menu online before I go to the restaurant. Is that too much to ask? Anyway, enough about all that. Like I said, the lobby is great. The service was good too. It looked like they were keeping busy even before the Saturday lunch rush. Our waiter was helpful and patient. (I can often be indecisive and inquisitive when in a new place.) I wound up ordering the Pad Thai with chicken, because I wanted something a little different than what I normally would get. I'm glad I tried it, because it was one of the most flavorful things I've had in a long time. It was medium spicy, with a complex and interesting mix of flavors. It's pretty telling when a dish grabs my attention the way this one did. It was very good and well worth the $10, with such a large portion. To drink I had some hot tea, the Dragon Fire blend IIRC. It came in a charming little pot with a matching cup. I asked for a second cup so we could split the tea, and the waiter got me one with no fuss. I would have preferred it to be a bit stronger and if I had any honey at the table I might have committed my usual green tea blasphemy, but it wasn't bad. Encore is a nice place with good service and good food. Even as the dining room filled up, the acoustics weren't bad and I could still hear my friend speak. This would be a good place for a date, I think. read more

Love this place... Everthing is good. Never fail. Better than bolings, sorry it just is.

PREFACE: The food was very good. HOWEVER, The price on the food was significantly higher than that of what they posted on their website. For example, added tofu was $1,50 on the website and $3.00 on the receipt; double the price. Also, when I asked about a mistake they made with my order, the woman at the counter stared and did not offer to change it. read more

Wow, I've eaten at Encore dozens of times over the years and never experienced any of the problems other reviewers describe. Maybe I'm lucky? At any rate, I think Encore is a good addition to the Lawrence dining scene. They have a huge variety of entrees and tons of vegetarian options (if you swing that way). My dude and I usually share the crab rangoon and the Szechuan chicken, but last time I tried the House tofu and it was awesome. The bubble tea is kinda meh, the prices are decent, and a big plus...it's open fairly late! read more

Have been going to Encore for the past four years, and have always walked away impressed. The food tasted great, portions are large enough to have leftovers, and prices are pretty reasonable. I'm a big fan of the gyoza and the general's chicken! The waitstaff are pretty friendly, and unlike some restaurants in a college town, seem to understand how to provide customer service. read more

Wow! We recently discovered this place. The Mango Chicken is the best Chinese food I have ever had. It was un-breaded chickens in a sweet mango sauce with red peppers and yellow and green peppers. Was it ever tasty. The sliced mango complimented the chicken and vegetables. We asked for noodles instead of rice. It was by far the standout of everything we had. I can't wait to have it again. We tried the Pineapple Fried Rice, which is served in a pineapple. It was really good as well. We also tried the Dan Dan Noodles. They were in my opinion just ok, but my wife loved them, I thought the sauce was heavy. She loved the mushroom taste. It always looked a little pretentious from the outside but it is fabulous once inside. I highly recommend that you try this fabulous place. Love it. read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Pineapple fried rice. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Ordered the Szechwan Beef and the Xi An Beef. They were both very good, but I would have liked to have the peppers & celery cooked a bit longer. Really quick delivery from EatStreet, though. read more

The food was great and so was the service. Bathroom are clean, but as I was washing my hands in the ladies restroom, I see a two way mirror and observed a man washing his hands as well. Sorry, but I do not see the humor in this. I see this as an invasion of my privacy. Too bad I will not be returning. read more

This place came as a recommendation from a friend and I was very excited to try it as it had just opened. My first impression upon walking in was, "Wow this place is really neat". After about 10 minutes of being surrounded by neon yellow walls paired with terra cotta colored tile flooring I was thinking more about redecorating rather than what I wanted to eat. Although the dining room was sparsely populated there was a lot of echo and clamour making the atmosphere even more unsettling. Poor decorating aside, the food was quite excellent. I ordered the Pad Thai with Shrimp and my partner in crime had the Mango Chicken. Both dishes were well portioned and quite tasty. As far as the service is concerned I was on the fence. Our server was friendly, but was certainly new to the business. My partner in crime and I had not even had so much as a sip of our beers and we were being asked if we needed another one, but honestly I would much rather be offered another drink prematurely than be completely ignored whilst sitting with an empty glass for 30 minutes. Cafe Encore is definitely worth checking out and I'm sure that as they are in business for a while their rough edges will smooth out and make for a top notch local eatery. read more

Encore Asian Bistro - Asian Fusion Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I don't know that it's fair to give a review of a restaurant that we didn't actually eat at, but the hostess service was so terrible that I feel it deserves a review. I'm the first person to share good experiences and as a former server, I'm very forgiving. We usually eat at Zen Zero down the street and decided to try Encore. When we walked in, the hostess was told us there would be a 5-10 minute wait. Since there were several empty tables and we had two hungry kids with us (family of 4), I was surprised and didn't even try to hide my surprise. There were definitely staff members just standing around. It just didn't make sense to me. She proceeded to approach me with a VERY condescending tone and give me a very long list of reasons why we couldn't be seated immediately. I truly had no problem waiting a few minutes to be seated. A rude, condescending hostess is the face of your business so we took our business down the street to Zen Zero. It was fabulous. read more

Pros: large amounts of food, the fake meat tastes like the real deal, nice place for a date and doesn't cost too much $$$$ Cons: service can be rather slow and the food can be overly sweet... read more