Hunan Empress is an absolute classic. I've lived in many US cities and it is easily the most steadfast, true and delicious classica American Chinese food around. I used to go here on almost a weekly basis to get my "fix." It has been around for 20 plus years and under the same ownership throughout. The service is impeccable and of course the food is wonderful. The price is a value for the quantity you get and I frequently had the pleasure of bringing home leftovers to be happily eaten later. There isn't much I can say to really do this place justice. It's great. (period) Go enjoy! read more

Best Chinese food ever!!! Way better than every other I have had. We order from here almost weekly. Super yummy!! Best potstickers ever!! Also lo mein is amazing!! read more

Appetizer and tea when you sit down. Loved it! The food was fresh, and huge portions. Came on a Sunday evening. Had egg rolls for app, sesame chicken and chicken lo mein...was only able to eat half so we have lunch leftovers. Service was prompt and attentive. Price? Only $23!! Yes and thank you and we will be back! read more

The food here is amazing all of the different kinds of soups are amazing I also recommend chicken fried rice and the general tsos chicken. This place is affordable, the service is great and there is take out. read more

Went today for lunch with daughter and granddaughter we had just sat down Not taken off our Jackets nor opened our menus Waitress comes by and asks ready to order? No give us a second we are the only people there Waitress returns takes order brings tea no forks spoons or napkins we need to ask for and get place settings Soup comes out 2 minutes after we order at room temp but it still is good THEN the entrees are served we start to eat and waitress comes back says to grand daughter "Chef made you wrong dish this is pork (something or other)not chicken dish that you ordered do you want to t get the dish you ordered or eat this dish" Well my young grand daughter thought it would be embarrassing and maybe trouble for the chef to ask for the dish she wanted and kind of picked at what she got and left most of it Now what waitress knowingly brings out the wrong dish to a customer and then grudgingly asks does she want her original order or eat whatever the "chef" had made Definitely not going back again read more

This has been my go to for middle of the road Chinese food by my hone for 7 years, but after tonight's dinner, I'll never return. Our appetizer was brought out with a long, black hair draped over the top. When I pointed it out to our unfriendly waitress, she barely responded. She took the plate back to the kitchen and brought the same plate (minus the hair) back to us 4 minutes later, cold. Both of our entrees were totally gross. We didn't even eat much and left feeling nauseated. Then to top it off, the owners that collect payment didn't seem to care about our experience at all AFTER they ask if everything was alright. We will be finding a better place to spend our money! read more

Normally like this place and go when I'm craving Chinese in Chesterfield.. but tonight there was a fly in my pot sticker sauce. That might be hard to get over... Don't know if I'll be back! read more

Been living in St louis for several years now and very disappointed with all the Chinese restaurants I have tried in the area. The one I have found that is consistently good is Hunan Empress. The beef broccoli is very good. General Tsos with brown meat chicken is good but with white meat is to dry. Hot & spicy soup is highly recommended also. Good lunch prices to try out menu items. read more

We used to like this restaurant a lot. However, tonight the food was of questionable quality. Chicken rubbery and shrimp mealy. Maybe it was an off night, but to have both chicken and shrimp consistency not great, I think the quality of the product seems lower grade. read more

Let me tell you a thing or two about these kinds of places. There are two things you ask yourself if you're trying to find some kind of criteria for coming up with a rating. First, did I get sick within 8 hours of my meal? Second, did I pay more than $10 after a tip? If you answered 'no' to both, you can generally conclude that when you need a cheap meal, this place will suffice. As for me, I did not get sick or pay over $10. I just didn't think the food was very good. The Coke tasted old and flat and the egg drop soup was almost nauseating. I also got sweet and sour chicken, which was fairly decent. I questioned whether or not the chicken was cooked properly, but went ahead and rolled the dice and ate it. I have no complaints about the service, but I can't see myself deciding to go here again. read more

Very good "Americanized" Chinese food. Can't go wrong with any of the old standards. Friendly and accommodating.

The hot braised chicken is very very sweet! More like caramelized honey chicken?

It has probably been 8 years since my wife and I dined at the Hunan Empress. I remember why now. Like Yogi said, no one goes there because it is too crowded. That it was this evening at 6, and the restaurant was probably 95% full. Service was slow, very slow. Even getting water was slow, and it took forever for our orders to be taken. When the soup came out the temperature was at best tepid, and the amount of vinegar in the hot n' sour soup was way out of balance. The egg roll was also not done. I never hot the mustard based dipping sauce I asked for We were a party of 10 and the entrees took 4 trips and 5 minutes for everyone to be served. My dinner was just ok, the beef was salty and mild. One of our party ordered a spicy beef dish and it was anything but spicy. What was really strange was how long it took to get a bowl of rice for the 10 entree's, and when that was empty having to ask for the bowl to be refilled. Was this a 2 star review, or a 2.5 star review. The answer is yes, and you can choose whichever ranking you wish. It will be at least another 8 years before I go to Hunan Empress again. read more

i love this place. it's not "authentic" Chinese food but i don't care. I'm definitely a fan of good Americanized Chinese food. i no longer live in chesterfield but when i come back to visit i definitely have to get my fix. I usually get the hot braised chicken lunch special with two crabrangoons. sooo good and i haven't been able to find anything like it in other Chinese restaurants. There is general chicken but it's just not the same. their hot and sour soup has changed a little i think from back in the day but still good. i really do miss this place....wish they would open one near me out in cali! read more

Best items are the specials not on the menu, but written on the wall: crispy chicken and honey walnut shrimp!

Whenever I have a craving for some take-out I usually go to Hunan Empress for lunch. I usually get the Hot Braised Chicken mild and Chicken Lo Mein. The lunch price is worth it. Be sure to go there early before the people start lining up to eat. read more

Food is good, better than other Chinese hole in the walls in the StL area. TIP FOR TAKE OUT CUSTOMERS: Order @ least an hour before closing. The quality of the food goes to flaming pu pu if you venture past last call, this has not only happened once it's happened several times. MAIN GRIPES: The staff can use an attitude adjustment, not the servers but the owner's and the family running the front. The former owner was very personable and kept quality control to a high. It's unfortunately hit or miss now. And they're not willing to hear complaints, they're pu pu don't stink. DINE IN CUSTOMERS: Call before you go, they like to impromptly close for the day. read more

Wow! The chicken and beef are of very high quality. The vegetables so fresh and amazing service.

The food was marginal at best and the portion were smaller than most places. I asked for no vegetables and was told they could not do it. They charged me for soup crackers that are free when you eat inside but because it was a delivery I had to pay $1 per bag which adds up when you have 5 orders. read more

We eat out often and this is our favorite Chesterfield neighborhood Chinese (American-style) restaurant for take out and dine-in. Delicious empress beef, beef and broccoli, hot braised chicken, pot stickers, crab rangoon, shrimp with vegetables, combination fried rice, to name a few, can't go wrong with any of the dishes and you get a full sized entree in their dinner combo meals at a great price. Friendly and smiling service too, which is why it's not a surprise that the place is usually packed. read more

Worst Chinese food ever!! I ordered cashew chicken & beef and broccoli along with soup and appetizers and when the food arrived the bag was all greasy and so was the food. The cashew chicken and beef & broccoli tasted like a big mouthful of grease. When I called to complain and ask for a refund they said the owner wasn't there and that they will let her know. Not once did they offer to replace it or refund my money. I called back the next business day and spoke to the same employee who answered my call and he told me that the owner said in order for a refund I would need to send the food back or they could give me credit. Worst customer service & over priced food ever!!!! Don't waste your time save your money and go somewhere else or make your own read more

Hands down....the best Americanized Chinese Food I've had so far! The service is amazing when sitting in or dining out. They greet you with a smile and are quick with your orders and bringing the food to your table. Plus, they come around often enough to keep your water glass full and tea kettles filled. The manager is usually around during the lunch hours to talk and share conversation as well! The seating arrangement has great variety from small tables and booths, to big round tables for a larger party. In addition, there is a great family atmosphere. I've brought friends in for a quiet lunch and often bring multiple members of my family in for dinner. Aside from the service and atmosphere, there are no words to describe the food! I am a HUGE fan of krabrangoons and this restaurant has the BEST...without a doubt! They use a good portion of REAL crab meat in combination with their cream cheese. All of their wontons and krabrangoons are hand prepared from scratch and you can taste the difference! Don't forget to try the boneless hot braised chicken, general tso's chicken, black pepper steak, and beef and broccoli! Those are some of my favorite dishes. You will not be disappointed! Overall, great food, great service, great atmosphere, great restaurant! No doubt you'll be hooked if you give it a try! read more

I love this place! Just moved back to the area and could not find a good Chinese place that I didn't not get sick after eating. I was introduced to Hunan by a good friend and was told to get the Hot Braised Chicken. Boy am I thankful! It is the absolute best I have ever had. I have even tried other places hot braised chicken when I am not at home and it does not compare! The fried wontons, crab rangoon and egg drop soup are all delicious too! My boyfriend can eat 3 of the soups and still wants more! The hot braised chicken is amazing hot or cold, or for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed! read more

This is quality Chinese food. The restaurant is a hole in the wall, but they know how to do the food right. I always go for takeout. They say they'd been in business for 38 or so years, and the food is the reason why. I enjoy the sesame chicken, and the crab rangoon is killer, as is the fried rice, read more

GREAT FOOD, awesome service. I have been eating here for almost 16 years, and I have never been disappointed in anything I have ordered. The owner is always helpful and accommodating. The hot braised chicken wings are just incredible. read more

Absolutely the best Chinese food in St. Louis! Their hot braised chicken is legendary. Very nice staff members and tons of food options. Eat there, take out or delivery! It is sad, but they know me by my voice on the phone :) Been eating their for over 20 years! read more

They must have changed chefs or method of cooking because the last 3 visits (2 lunches & 1 dinner - all since mid February) have been disappointing. I have eaten here many, many times since I moved here a year ago and have always raved about the food. Something bad has happened. Specifically - the Crab Rangoon has a bad aftertaste, the vegetables were raw in the Shrimp with Vegetables entree, the Empress Beef was dried and tasteless, and the Mongolian Beef was awful. Persons I was with expressed similar opinions of the Shrimp Fried Rice and Pork Chow Mein. Please bring back your old cook read more

Not so good. I used to come here often until discovering Mongolian BBQ in the next plaza. Way small portions of meat and food seriously lacks flavor. I usually get the chicken or beef with brocolli and there was seriously like four small pieces of meat each time. No oyster sauce or soy sauce, no seasoning in general equals very bland food. Would never come back. read more

Been waiting a month to eat here, was told it was great. Unfortunately for me, the staff are a bunch of assholes and despite driving 20 minutes to get here, we were 2 minutes late for the lunch prices. With an empty restaurant and a table full of staff stuffing their faces, the manager had the audacity to tell me that we would not be served the lunch prices, period. Then lied to me about his reasons, I know they're lies... I've been in the restaurant business and have run a retail store as the store manager. Talk about poor customer service. If this is how the manager treats a 6 month pregnant woman with an empty restaurant, imagine how the kitchen staff must treat your food. Not that you have to, you can just read the other reviews. read more

I eat they regularly as their food is absolutely delicious! It is a super clean and well decorated dining room.

Meh. Long time staple in the area. Bright spot tonight was Kung Pow Shrimp. The Mongolian Beef and Chicken with Garlic Sauce were no prize winners. Same goes with over fried Crab Rangoon. Pricey at 13.99 per entree. read more

Very DISAPPOINTED! We were seated immediately and then waited for at least 8 min before the waitress came to take our order. 2 other couples sat down about 5 minutes after us. We ordered and then waited, and waited, and waited! We finally got our soup. After waiting another 10 minutes we asked for the remainder of our order to just be put in takeout containers. We then watched both tables that came in after us get their food....and we still waited. By the time our food was finally brought out, I was thoroughly disgusted. When I asked the man running the front desk why others were served their food so much before us, he said that he couldnt do anything about that and blamed the waitress (not her fault), when I asked for a way to contact the owner he said there was no way because she was in and out a lot. The food was ok once we got home, just very frustrating and extremely rude of the man running the register! read more

Empress beef very dry like it was cooked much earlier and hot braised shrimp was all batter. It was hard to find shrimp.

Love their lunch special. A lot of GOOD food for a GREAT price. Been coming to this establishment for years and have never had an issue with food quality or service. read more

I have been eating at Hunan Empress for what seems like my entire life. This is the most consistent and tasty Chinese food in the area. Whether eating in or delivery, the food is hot and fresh. Gotta get their beef and broccoli or the hot braised chicken. Love this place! read more

No complaints here! I've been a fan of Chinese food since the first time I sampled hot braised chicken here, at fourteen years old, and I haven't looked back since. I consider myself something of an expert at judging this kind of cuisine, and this place falls under the very best. Super fast service and a calm, never-too-crowded atmosphere certainly add to the delicious menu. My favorites are the chicken with garlic sauce, beef pepper steak, boneless hot braised chicken (a tad on the sweet side), and moo goo gai pan. I swear they must use some kind of Asian voodoo to get the spices and flavors to blend just so. Their hot and sour soup is the absolute best of any Chinese restaurant I have ever been to, and that's certainly saying a lot! The service is impeccable, seating is varied with plenty of booths and tables of all sizes, and the food always comes out fast. I recently ordered a spread of hot braised chicken for a party, which was very reasonable in price, along with all of their entrees. Superb! read more