I tend to agree with Karina A.'s review from 10/4/2016. The food we ordered (the other day) wasn't awful but it wasn't worth the money spent either. The following is from an order placed on a weekday afternoon some days back. Ordered a trio of lunch specials (all spicy) including: Governor's chicken (Really sweet, a bit too sweet actually) (If you love General Tso's...) Shrimp Egg foo yuck (First time trying this dish, never again.) Shrimp with garlic sauce. (Tasty sauce) An order of the potstickers previously mentioned in reviews as a "must" and an order of the veggie egg rolls completed my order. If ordering potstickers they warn they're made fresh and can take up to 15 minutes to prepare. The simplest way to spice up any Asian dish is to add a dash of chili powder. Depending on the strength of that powder a lil' more or less can be used. Problem is, not everyone keeps this necessary spice handy. (I've seen it stored in Chinese takeouts, however) Maybe fear of using it or not knowing how much to use. Although they responded that my food would be spicy, spicy it was not. One entree had black chilis which were not spicy. I ate a few and it did nothing. The other two had a small spoon of chili paste tossed into the sauces. (Chili paste is a terrible addition for adding spice because it can alter the flavors of the entree.) Also asked if they could make the fried rice spicy, since another reviewer mentioned everything is fresh. NOPE! Rice is made in advance. When I pressed as to how much in advance...... no reply. I don't want to go calling them "food recyclers" but speaking to the freshness of the rice and quality, it could have been a day or two old. Much of the time in FF (fast food) Chinese take-out eateries there are some food staples that are made in advance because they like to kick out food in ten minutes or less. Regarding fresh rice, if you eat rice often, you can tell which are from that day and what tastes like it's a few days old. When the eatery reheats fried rice they will often steam it back to life. Depending on the amount of water and time, these components will change that dryness / life of the rice. I would bet that the lunch special fried rice is often "dry". (I've been told by other FF Chinese take-outs that a person could request that it be made "fresher" or steamed fresher.) Their egg rolls are pretty bunk. Meat or veg. These things must have been made a month in advance and lack taste. Don't buy them. An unpleasant, old and salty flavor caused me to trash'em. On the other hand, the potstickers had a nice texture and were juicy inside. These pieces were pretty big. Slightly larger than the average fortune cookie. If you're the kind that often eats at FF Chinese take-outs and you live for finding cheap food deals, you'll probably think this is 3-4 star quality. For all the rest of you that know better and have trusted Chinese restaurants that you frequent, don't bother here. Being that I've been around these parts I know Hunan star has been here quite awhile. It's always been a place I knew I would eventually try. After having it, I would bet its the neighbors and local M-F crowd that keep it running. read more

Hunan Star - Egg rolls and potstickers. - Chinese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

A classic. This place certainly hits the spot if you're looking for Chinese food. Fried rice, ragoons, pot stickers you name it - it's all delectable. *chef's kiss* Mark Flom out. read more

C and I ordered take-out last night from Hunan Star. For some reason, we haven't ordered from them in a couple of years, despite having been customers since they opened in the last 1980's. Stepping inside was like time travel, except for the new plastic screen that separates customers from the owners. The food is identical; consistent with our expectations and memory. Everything fresh tasting. Solid Chinese take-out. I always look forward to the cookies that they include. read more

If you read this before going/ordering, please remember: SINGAPORE NOODLES, POT STICKERS. Each of the two dishes above is on par w/ any competitor in the entire Chicago-area. I struggled with 4 or 5 stars because of the lack of depth in the menu that I can attest to, but to give 4 would essentially penalize them for making my 2 favorite dishes so well, I haven't even considered veering elsewhere on the menu. The pot stickers are huge, w/ just perfect thickness to the wrapper and a juicy flavorful pork filling. Discovering Hunan Star was the perfect remedy to the prior North Evanston/Wilmette pot sticker destination's closure (Wah Mei on Linden). Singapore noodles are just no brainer 100% perfect score on value, 95%+ on flavor. The portion is huge. It is the traditional baby shrimp and BBQ pork protein combo w/ a healthy amount of sliced bell peppers. The matriarch owner is so sweet and always there handing you order w/ a smile. Please, somebody tell me their pot stickers aren't great. If you're out there, anywhere, please speak up! read more

I love this take out joint. There are two tables for dining in but it's mostly take out. The lunch special menu is huge with about 25 items all priced under $7. The portions are a little smaller these days but the flavor and value is still there like it was in the past when I went there more often. Very friendly owners. read more

Hunan Star - Shrimp Kung Pow lunch special. - Chinese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

We moved into the area almost 2 years ago and have tried some local Chinese restaurants but have been disappointed. We have been going back to our previous favorite restaurant most times. I saw this one recommended on Skokie neighborhood sights with many neighbors chiming how good it was. I finally have a chance to try it. FINALLY, I have somewhere close to get good Chinese food. I tried 3 dishes and egg roll and all are delish! The order was ready on time, I was in and out. I'm very happy and will be back again! read more

1 star. Closed on Mondays??? Geesh. I sure wish I had known that before I trekked all the way over there IN THE RAIN, WITH 3 INCH HEELS ON! My colleagues here in the office are big fans of the place, so I ordered with them a few days later. I had the beef with broc - not good. Prolly should have done the chicken wings as another reviewer suggested. Staff was, indeed, friendly. But, I can't eat a smile! read more

Made a yelp just so I could vouch for Ms Mae & Hunan Star. I used to live around the corner and ordered hunan star once a week. 10 years later I get to enjoy it when in town, it's always a nice treat to see Mae and enjoy the undisputed best Chinese food in chicagoland burbs! read more

I really love the fried rice here, it's by far my favorite since moving to the area. Other items I've tried have been mostly good, except the chicken can have strange textures. Most of the pieces are okay, then some are weirdly soft and other are too tough to chew. The sauces on the chicken are always fantastic though, more complex than a lot of Chinese places. read more

It is so surprising to see how many did not like this place. I am very very picky about my Chinese food, and this place really was fantastic. I ordered the Singapore Noodles; they were juicy, and full of flavor that didn't overwhelm, Mongolian Beef; that was mostly beef, which is so rare to find, usually places are mostly veggies, and it was yummy, Chicken Fried Rice; the rice was moist and the chicken tasted fresh and flavorful, and Sweet and Sour Chicken; not my favorite, but it never is anywhere I go, it was still very good, and my boyfriend who ordered it, loved it! And finally the Eggrolls; so tasty and crisp with that fresh out of the oil taste, the ingredients in the Eggrolls made them even more fantastic. The service? I spoke with the sweetest lady, and she was helpful with suggestions and very proud of the food, and why shouldn't she be? All in all, I have to completely disagree with the people who have a bad review, because this is my third time ordering from here and never once was the food bad or just mediocre. They must have gone on an off day. read more

Fan-freaken-tastic! Tried a few things on the menu that are my standard American-Chinese styled food and loved them all! If you try it and don't like it, get, blame me...lol. Super nice and friendly staff, quick service, inexpensive pricing, great taste and flavor...i mean what more do you want?! Enjoy! read more

Hunan Star - Tomorrow's special! Just kidding... - Chinese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

Although, this restaurant is small and not very fancy, the food is really good. It was super hard trying to find a place that makes egg foo young, here in the Evanston/ Skokie area. Not alone, trying to find much Asian food that tastes like, the kinds I loved eating, before I moved away from Chicago. The food here taste and feels, like a little piece of home, to me. The people who work here are always polite, and fast, with my orders. Everything I've ever ordered, is nice, hot, and tastes great. It's my favorite place, to get one of my favorite comfort foods. read more

Hunan Star - Delish! Shrimp egg foo young, fried rice, and an egg roll. (I requested mine to be nice and spicy. Turned out awesome!) - Chinese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

I actually like this place a lot. I've been to several Chinese restaurants in the area since I've been here in the area. The worst of the all is ENG'S. I FOUND a hair in my daughters food and when we called to complain we were given the run around. So I'll never go back there again....I've been to Bejings on Lincoln Ave too expensive the food is good but way overpriced. Hunan Star is very good in my opinion, it's reasonable and the owner is really nice. I've gotten several different entrees and they have been very good. I lived in St. Louis for a bunch a yrs and the Chinese food the is equal to known. So I say that to say Hunan Star is very good I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. read more

I am a long time customer. I love that they are the standard to which I compare every other Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. Some were better some were worse. None were a more authentic American Chinese food. Cheap, yummy and ready super fast. read more

I give Hunan Star five stars because it's been my local Chinese restaurant for about the past 10 years. My family lives about a 2 minute walk away, and we order from there about once a week. I've had most of their menu, including the lunch specials, and it's very good. The lunch specials are a very good deal for the price, and you get a lot of food. The main dishes are all well-seasoned and you have tons of choice with their menu, which is extensive. I like that most of their dishes come with lots of vegetables, something many American Chinese restaurants leave out in all but the vegetable-only options. Everything also usually tastes fresh and the sauces are always delicious, I have a gross habit of eating the sauce plain out of the carryout container because it's so good. It's definitely more of a takeout place, but there is a little bit of seating (one table and some barstools along a counter). Also, like the reviewer said, the woman behind the counter is so nice! She usually remembers me and my dad, and she's awesome. read more

Wow, I just threw out over 1/2 of my meal. What a waste. :( I JUST finished eating like 30 minutes ago. Ordered the sesame chicken lunch special and was very disappointed, would never re-order. 1) The chicken was very soft, not coated/harder as it is typically served but rather doughy/soft. The pieces I did eat, I couldn't cut into the chicken because it was mangled white/dark meat and was disgusting to look at. (turn off) 2) The rice had no flavor. Like really, no flavor! Never had such bland rice. 3) The veggie egg roll had a "freezer" type taste (and smell) to it. I've had alot of egg or spring rolls in my life and never have they had a taste remotely close to it. Funny thing is I just had the exact same thing on Sat in the city (Pilsen area) and it was night and day. I will never eat here again! read more

It was so bad, I thought the garbage disposal would refuse the 85% of the meal I gave it. $23 for Mongolian Beef - which was awful - and two egg rolls - which might as well have had shredded paper instead of vegetables - and that thing they called a Kung Pao Vegetable entree, which made up for its lack of flavor by completely forgetting that vegetables need not come out of a frozen bag. There's a laundromat next door, and I'll need to get some bleach there and put my taste buds on Sanitize setting. read more

The people running this place make ordering Chinese food enjoyable...and they're even nicer when you pick up. The food is consistently tasty and the best local option we've found sense leaving the city. If you're looking for good American Chinese takeout....give this spot a try. read more

Hunan Star has made it hard for me to want to go anywhere else for Chinese takeout. This place was recommended to me by my boss and I have never had a bad experience. Singapore noodles and Spicy Tofu with pork (Mapo Tofu) were on point and the serving size is very generous. Have had their egg foo young and curry beef lunch specials and have been very satisfied. My coworkers have said great things about the sesame chicken and the Mongolian beef. And let's talk about the egg rolls: perfectly crispy, excellent fillings, easily tops the list for me of any Chinese restaurant. Service is fantastic: the lady who answers the phone and works the counter (I believe she's the owner) is the sweetest person in the world. Would recommend to anyone in the Skokie area. I have pretty high standards and this place has yet to disappoint. read more

Our go-to for Chinese takeout. Affordable, fresh, and they are wonderful to deal with. I am not usually a lo mein fan, but their beef lo mein is great. Highly recommended for fast, good Chinese takeout. read more

Ordered the Sesame chicken, Empress chicken, crab Rangoon, fried rice and chicken wings. WORST FOOD EVER! There was mixed reviews. Was hoping for the best, but was very disappointed. Couldn't tell the difference between the sesame and the empress. No flavor besides a salt like flavor, but without the salt like flavor. Yes, you read that right. I have never experienced that. Is that what MSG is? Fried rice taste old and probably just refried to order. Never again! If you want some of the best Chinese food near this area, then you owe it to your taste buds to try Beijings on Lincoln ave in Lincolwood. Good prices too! read more

Super yum!! This is our go-to! They are consistent, and produce seemingly fresh and always tasty food. Mongolian Chicken, shrimp egg foo young, Kung pao chicken are some of our favorites!! read more

I've been going here for 30 years. Good food, Fantastic owner at the counter. Always my go to for Chinese Carry out.

The owner is an awesome woman, always friendly & easy to talk to. The food is great, Im never disappointed. Looks like a hole in the wall But as with most holes in the wall the food is always good. read more

I love Hunan Star. My family and I have been coming here for years. The people here are very friendly and the lady is very nice. Prices are pretty good for the big portions. After a while though, you get used to the flavor and everything kind of starts to taste the same. But, they've earned my loyalty by some good ol' friendliness. I will always keep coming back to Hunan Star. read more

This place sucks!!!! To start, my coworker had a basic request to have the sweet n sour sauce from his lunch menu order put on the side, apparently this is a difficult task because the lady there expressed to him that this is impossible to do for his order and if he wanted the sauce on the side then he'll have to do a large order and pay extra. Then my request to add meat to the lunch special fried rice, which by the way only comes with egg n onion, was denied even after I expressed I was willing to pay an upcharge. She then stated like my coworker, if i wanted meat added I would have to order an additional fried rice. Now to the food, my coworker ordered chicken n broccoli, which comes with half a head of broccoli n only 3 small soggy strips of chicken...I on the other hand had the Mongolian beef which came with a whopping entire onion mixed with my tuff beef....the sauces were OK, nothing special especially if you count out all the flavor the MSG gave them, but with out it I would have never been able to muscle down my bland meatless fried rice, I'm sorry but in all my years of eating Chinese food I've never had so many chunks of old bottom pot white rice in with my fried rice.... after this experience I would never go back...frankly I'm disappointed, for I was hoping that this was the grease spoon joint for me.... read more

I live and work a 1/2 mile away. This is my go-to carryout. Egg foo, side order of Cantonese pan fried noodles, and fried rice are the best! Also yummy are the Singapore noodles, as mentioned in another review. The friendly lady behind the counter is the owner, her husband in the back cooking. I end up spending way too much because I will stop at TJ Maxx first and buy stuff there. A lovely scarf to go with your shrimp fried rice? read more

Absolutely my favorite chinese take-out place. Been coming here for years! Try the chicken wings, the batter that they have is super delicious. read more

This place is a very small take out place shoehorned into a nondescript strip mall. Rating them by all that is important with a take out place, speed and food, I have to give this place a big thumbs up. I called them, drove straight there and my food was ready when I got there, can't beat that. As for the food, I don't have much to judge them by, but I really enjoyed the beef and broccoli, very good. The sesame chicken wings were a bit too heavily battered, but still very tasty. a solid good. The prices are right and the menu has pretty much anything I would want to order, so I will definitely order form there again. read more

Good food, not great. But for the Evanston area and the lack of good Chinese restaurants, this is a good local place. I like the veggie egg foo young, egg rolls and the kung pao chicken. It's a total dive looking place but there is always a line of people waiting for their takeout. Order ahead to minimize your wait and lessen the time sitting in the ambience of a 1960 Chinese takeout store. There is one table where you can eat in but no table service. There are some counter spaces too along the windows if you enjoy looking at the TJ Max parking lot or the dry cleaners. Then there is also Golf road. I can go one forever. The very frienly and accomodating lady that runs the store is the owner and has been running it for years. read more

Love the food!!! Chicken fried rice, orange chicken, and the egg rolls are my favorites. The service here is great, too. Very friendly people make the phone ordering/pick up process so easy. read more

Tried this place after years of parking next to it when I shopped at TJ Maxx. I tried the Singapore noodle from the other reviews. It was definitely the right choice. It tasted just like the box meals from Chinatown. The only thing I took off a star for it was a bit on the pricey end. I know the owners need to make money, but this dish could probably have been a few dollars cheaper. read more

I enjoy the fried rice from. The lady is always so nice when I order. Thank you. This is my favorite Chinese restaurant.

Love this place! They have great lunch specials too! Mongolian chicken, and egg foo young are too of my favorites!

The food is good. The shrimp fried rice is satisfying and the shrimp egg foo young is good. Outside of that theres not a whole lot on the menu thats great. The lady at the front is rude as I went in there once and she had a hissy fit as I attempted to use my debit card to purchase a pop and almond cookies. Really?? She proceeded to wave me off and tell me they didnt want that there. Oh well must not want my money. read more

Hunan Star - Shrimp Egg Foo Young...Love It! - Chinese Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The fried rice was greasy with dark sauce and hard. Sure they give you a lot but it tastes horrible.

Great, great food and friendly staff!!!! Love, love their stuff!!! Place feels like home :) Again, very nice people and nice food!!!!

This place is great. Great quality ingredients and always consistently good. I love the owners. They are so pleasant. I'm going here even today cuz I'm craving their egg rolls and egg drop soup. Yummy. read more

We probably get take out twice a month from Hunan Star and ALWAYS get pot stickers (best I've ever had) and hot and sour soup. We mix up the entrees but good standards are kung pow chicken and fried rice. Delicious, fast and inexpensive! read more

I ordered the Singapore noodles pot stickers and egg rolls. Horrible horrible horrible. The noodles had no barbecue pulled pork and was tasteless the pot stickers were dry and the inside of it was tough. If anything I thought I would like at least the egg rolls. Nope. The filling was just funny tasting. Will not order again. read more