This is the first time I realized how different each franchised location of LSC can feel. First, they're actually now closed on Wednesdays (Google needs to update hours). Second, this was dead on a Thursday too. Our food was okkk - they prepared the exact same dishes so differently from downtown locations. The whole vibe felt off tbh - though not for any glaring reason. Other LSC locations have more energy, freshness, flavor. read more

First time was a disaster 2 years ago. Decided to give this place a second chance It's so much better now Ordered tea smoked duck: thought it could be too dry but it's actually quite moist and tender. Tea smoke really balanced out the fatty duck. Have to try this Spicy Beef rib: could be too spicy for some people. Meat is quite tender with a bit chewyness. Shang hai stewed pork: huge portion and great flavor. A little on the sweet and savory side. Goes great with rice Free crab ragoon with decent size and lots of filling I actually liked everything this time. It is on the more pricy side though read more

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$50 for a delivery - hard and overcooked sweet & sour chicken But the worst was the "rice pudding" - delivered was a gelatinous blob that I sampled but had to cut with a knife - horrible just horrible check out the photo - does that look like "pudding" ??- diner BEWARE ! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Supposedly this is the rice pudding - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lao Sze Chuan has been around here for several years but it took a visit to Chinatown for me to try it out, and luckily we have one nearby because we ordered from here a couple weeks later. They do more authentic Chinese food (chicken feet, other things that I won't eat) but their dry chili chicken is my favorite. It's spicy without being overwhelming. Potstickers are ok though they are probably ones that just come out of a bag and I can make myself. Portion sizes are good; I've had leftovers the couple times I've been here, which is good because the price is a little steep for this to become an everyday Chinese place for me. Parking is street only so if you can, it'd be better to use the Red Line or some other form of public transport to get here. read more

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Okay? Okay. It was a lovely okay experience. I enjoyed seeing the boy doing the fish challenge and completing it! Other than that, the food is pretty okay! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - 905. Chengdu Dry Chili Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service - thumbs down!! I have been a patron of Lao Sze Chuan for years but today I bid them farewell! The hours posted on the door say one thing and the guy at the desk said another. He said he was going to kick everyone out...because our kitchen closes at 10pm. The door said 11:1130. Huh.....so we can't order and eat in here? The kitchen closes at 10pm. If you want crappy service....this is the place for you. I refuse to spend another $.10. Ambiance=0 for a poor attitude. read more

The food is some of the best Chinese in the city. Super fresh and flavorful. Always well seasoned. Give the wanton soup a try!

Excellent service! Ordered a squid dish. Lots or meat and veggies. Rice was extra. Friend had vegetarian , hot, noodles dish. Food was excellent!! Open late too! They also get after theater crowd. Yummy!!!!!! read more

Go eat here! (Like go sit and enjoy the space.) The food is so good fresh out of the kitchen! We got the Lao Gan Ma fried rice, dry chili chicken and string beans. Chicken is so crispy. Fried rice is well seasoned and the green beans are a great veggie to complement. Even the complimentary seasoned cabbage was amazing, I'd eat that all day as a snack. Great staff, very kind and welcoming. Lovely interior with a nice design. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was amazing and the customer service was even better. They have so many good food options, and the space feels very calming and comfortable. I would come here again and recommend this place to a friend. read more

With her kids hanging out with their cousins for the evening yesterday, my cousin decided to take me here. But before I proceed with the -- spoiler alert -- glowing review, I should mention that Lao Sze Chuan wasn't our first choice. Our original dining destination, as I would later learn, is closed on Thursdays. As we walked into LSC, my cousin told me that she and my nieces have visited a few times. She even pointed out how the dining area is brighter than before. You have to see what you eat, right? I was floored by how the menu boasts so many items, with a majority of them spicy. The complimentary spicy cabbage notwithstanding, we ordered the Stir Fried Pork in Peking Sauce and Combination Fried Rice. When it comes to a new eatery making a positive first impression on me, I don't believe in beginner's luck. One spoonful of the fried rice, and I was enamored. Flavorful with no saltiness or greasiness whatsoever. It could've been a new batch they just cooked, but I dug the fried rice on first try. It was also rich in beef and chicken; it could've been a meal on its own. The pork earned equally high marks. Fresh and tender, the entrée paired well with the fried rice. If anything, there was more of the former than the latter! A minuscule flaw that we easily overlooked. We ended up taking both home; leftover Chinese is the breakfast of champions. My cousin thought the cabbage was too spicy to which I disagreed. I liked it though the kitchen staff could've kicked it up a few more notches with the heat. Nevertheless, I was impressed. Lastly, we were amazed by how our server kept checking on us every few minutes. Some diners may consider that rude, but to me, that shows how committed they are to ensuring an excellent customer experience. So yeah, LSC is a top-notch place to eat in Uptown. Very ideal for dates, family time, girls night out, or even before/after Cubs home games. read more

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I had written off Chinese food in the US for years. Szechuan/Sichuan is my favorite style of Chinese cuisine, but even restaurants Szechuan restaurants had left much to be desired. When I came across Lao Sze Chuan, I was amazed at the menu offerings, especially as it relates to lamb choices. I decided to try it out. I ordered the House Special Xiao Long Bao, Chef's Special Dry Chili Chicken, Szechuan Style Lamb in Pot. Every single item hit it out of the park. I fear they've spoiled all other dumplings for me because their Xiao Long Bao is superior (tip: get hot chili oil or use your own with these). The lamb stew is like a hug in a takeout container. It lasts me for several days and the flavor is out of this world. The dry chili chicken is the perfect shareable item, and again, unmatched flavoring. I've become a regular now and will often treat myself to the dumplings and then get the lamb as something I can eat for a few days. You will not be disappointed. Note: I've tried a couple other locations, but Uptown is the best one. 10/10 recommend. read more

I've been in this neighborhood for over 2 years now and finally came to this Lao Sze Chuan location. I had been once before to the Chinatown location so I was familiar with their offerings. We came here on weeknight around 8:45pm and fortunately because they are open until 10pm, there were no issues dining here on time. Service was prompt and typical of what you'd expect. We ordered a few dishes. The mapu tofu was good, although I was thinking it could've been a little spicer? We ordered a pepper shrimp, squid, and (other fish inserted here that I can't recall) and it was good although it sure if I'd order it again. Just not my typical preference for a plate. The veggie soup we ordered was good, although we mostly ordered it because my cousin doesn't eat meat and we needed some veggies in our meal. It was a little basic, but a good option nonetheless given our party's dietary requirements. I think for the price point, it was pretty typical. I'd definitely return with its convenient location. read more

This was my second disappointing experience in a row. I'm afraid the quality of the food has declined in the past year or I've just struck out twice coincidentally. It wasn't that anything was bad, but flavors were a little bland, more heat than flavor. The orange sauce was thick and syrupy. The cut of the beef felt fattier than it used to be. I just won't have this on my go-to list moving forward unfortunately. read more

the food was delicious and hot. I really enjoyed my meal. The staff was friendly! Will definitely be returning and exploring their take out options! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - D05. Combination Chow Mian - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came back for dinner. Wow ! Started with wine. A great wine list. It turns out they are complimentary since they are giving up their liquor license all alcohol is free. I didn't know until we paid the bill. And they told us. We had cup of hot sour and egg drop soups. Excellent as usual. Then ordered Dan Dan mian, twice cooked Szechuan pork, beef tenderloin and garlic spinach. They're all delicious. The veggies in the beef were amazing. Perfectly cooked crunchy sweet OMG. My favorite was the beef and the spinach which was so flavorful. The right amount of garlic. There is construction in front but they're open. Go quickly while the wine is free. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - F03. Dan Dan Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Every dish we ordered was delicious - especially the sole (fish). The portions are quite large and the ambiance is pretty good - panda panels on the wall! Good service as well. read more

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Wonderful service, very kind staff! Loved the food. I came with my friends and it was wonderful!

this used to be my favorite Chinese restaurant and it went so far downhill. We went for lunch on my birthday and I had my usual sesame noodles which basically tasted like vegetable oil instead of sesame oil on mushy noodles. The orange chicken was fried in such dirty oil that it was dark brown when it arrived. I probably should've taken a picture. I would definitely not go here again. read more

Went here for Christmas. Food took long and finally got it was so greasy. Water they give is dirty. Shame because parents visit and I take them here. Owner just stare. Not good at all read more

I honestly don't get some of the low stars reviews. I haven't had one bad dish. it's all perspective and taste . . The lunch special is by far the best in the city . under $20 bucks get you soup a single app an an entree . I almost always leave with some for left overs . I loveeeeeee the MapoTofu it's some best I ever had . and sooooo spicy ! 10/10 love this place read more

We miss the Evanston location, but this is wonderful Chinese cuisine! The egg rolls are the best we have ever had! It is out of our delivery zone but any time we can eat in the restaurant we do. read more

Decent lunch special ($7.95) for one crab rangoon, spicy cabbage, hot & sour soup, & a main dish. I liked the spice! The soup was a bit much for me because never had before & didn't like the sour taste. The spicy cabbage is a fav favorite because it was refreshing & unexpected bonus to meal. the main dish was decent but the pork was too thin & wish there was more to it. Overall would recommend if you looking to spice up your lunch! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - 203. Crab Rangoon & Hot and Sour Soup - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lao Sze Chuan is one of those frustrating restaurants that uses high quality ingredients, but falls short of making delicious meals. Not only that, but they're also relatively expensive. I've been to all three locations and this review applies across the board. In fact, I may just copy and paste. Lbvs. I keep it simple (i.e.Americanized :-|) when ordering Chinese food. I know, I know. .. please don't judge me. Orange Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, Fried Rice & Egg Rolls. .. that rounds out a typical order for me. I was tempted to rate 2 stars, but they aren't that bad. A solid 3, not a tenth of a star more. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Pork Fried Rice - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My rule of thumb is you gotta try a place at least three times before writing a review ! 1st visit food was ehhhh 2nd visit food was ehh 3rd visit was different! The food was simply delicious! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Deeply average. It is edible, and deliveries come fast. It will hit the spot if everything else is closed, but man is this your quintessential run of the mill Amero-chinese fare, with flavor profiles straight out of the 90s. Talking way too sweet, goey, water chestnut everywhere kind of thing. Not cheap either. Skip if you can, otherwise manage your expectations. read more

Stellar food and service. Never disappointed when I come here. The dried chili chicken is so good.

Took a large family group there and we ordered many dishes. The staff did a good job of getting the food out quickly. The food was yummy and we were impressed with the large menu. read more

Came to eat while waiting for the line at the Aragon to dwindle. The lemon shrimp taste like lemon cake, I know you're wondering HOW. I can't explain it, but it was great culinary wise. Alongside the shrimp I asked for spicy seasoning, just to try. It worked well! So with or without the spicy seasoning it's a hit. The boiled fish was amazing! Filling and taste great. I'm thinking about it now, I would highly recommend. Low lights, great music, good decor and very nice staff. The food came rather quickly and they were extremely pleasant and nice. We were in kind of late and I apologize for not thinking to much at quicker, it could have been an earlier night for you all, I am sorry. Will be back for more !! read more

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Their food and this location is the best! It's very clean, service is excellent. I went there because I saw a content creator cousin Vinny made a post on TikTok so I had to try it. I did try the one in Chinatown that one was not so good. The service is different the food not that great and they screwed up on my order and doubled charged me. But the one in uptown has the whole game changed for me! read more

I order from Lao Sze Chuan Uptown often. They mess up my orders often but I like the flavors. But this rock found in my 8 dollar house hot and sour soup is unforgivable. Sam thanks for your reply. I'm both Asian and cook with wood ear mushrooms. I assure you it is a rock. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - I found this rock in my house special hot and sour soup. - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I read somewhere a well-known Chinese chef said always look for Chinese restaurants that have 3.5 stars. His reasoning was people often take off stars for atmosphere if it's lacking, but 3.5 stars often means the restaurant is focused on the food, not the vibe. I gave his method a try and it worked out. The food from Lao Sze Chuan was very good. read more

Spicy - that's what you should choose. I enjoy places in Chinatown and I've been fortunate enough to enjoy Chinese food in it's hometown, but I rarely find places that aren't afraid to make it spicy enough. This place doesn't even ask, they just make it right. The restaurant has a stylish design, so initially I expected sort of watered down, overpriced food. Instead, I found that the flavour profile was robust, the textures were crisp and lovely, and the portion was generous but not enough to leave you in a short term coma or carting anything offensive in your car. I did not detect any oversalting, so if that's an issue for someone, they might find this place refreshing. I thought the service was good but not amazing - certainly not over attentive. Sometimes that's just what you want. I haven't been there enough to make any further comment about that. read more

When a friend invited me to join him for Chinese food, I thought we were going to another area Chinese restaurant but he pulled up in front of this restaurant. Parking can be a challenge due to area. We were seated right away granted there weren't many guests in the restaurant. We were seated in the front of the restaurant and near the windows. The server was right there to go over the menu and then take our order. My friend order the Beef Mongolian and I ordered the Combo Fried Rice. W Within a few minutes, our orders were delivered to us. The portions were very good size. Both of us were very happy with our meals. The staff was very good about checking in with us and making sure our water was filled. I had noticed there were a lot of carry out orders so that's always a great sign how great the food is. To go boxes were brought to us..... Wow.. what a great restaurant in the Uptown area! Looking forward to my next meal here at this restaurant. I would highly recommend this place. read more

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Lao does not disappoint. The service was a bit off and only reason for 4 vs 5 stars. Overall worth the trip but 2nd to Old Town

For the second year in a row now my group of friends has called in a $300+ doller massive meal on Thanksgiving day and all of the food arrives perfectly hot within an hour. Talk about a lifesaver! The tastes are all on point and you can add appropriate levels of space to any dish. I personally recommend the double fried pork dish, it's amazing. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - For the 2nd year in a row we've ordered $300+ of Chinese food for Thanksgiving. It always arrives hot and correct within an hour. Bravo. - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Strangely, I often struggle finding good Chinese food in Chicago. However, I have to say, Lao Sze Chuan has been one of the life savers during the pandemic. Their food delivery has been consistently good. I ordered their kung pao chicken and my husband got the Szechuan chicken and both were plentiful and flavorful. In the past we have also ordered the sesame chicken, hot and sour soup and egg rolls and all have been solid. If you don't specify a spice level, they will default it to their medium spicy, which trust me, is spicy. If you ask for extra spicy, know they do not mess around. It will be HOT. Sinus clearing hot! All in all, the food is great and I can't wait to try more! read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Extra spicy Kung Pao. Look at that chili oil!!! - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ate in at the uptown restaurant for the first time. It's on broadway just north of the green mill. I had the Mongolian beef, my friend had the three family fried seafood, and we split the Singapore noodles with chicken. That was the best execution of those noodles I've ever had, and the chicken was actually amazing. Large pieces that were super flavorful and moist. As usual we loved the other two dishes which are our regular choices for delivery. The ambience is just ok, nice enough to enjoy your mean but not a destination in itself. read more

This is a review based purely on delivery as I have not yet been to the physical location. **ordered from the uptown location** I ordered the chef's special dry chili chicken, plus shrimp fried rice. I really enjoyed the chicken's cut, flavor, and tenderness. The chicken was far from being actually dry, but it was dry in the sense that it was not drenched in a sauce. The shrimp fried rice was also very good. It came with LARGE SHRIMP and many of them, so they definitely didn't hold out there. My partner had the tofu chongqing, which was also very good. The texture of the tofu was good and so was the sauce. Couple of other things to note: the delivery service was good - they quoted an hour and it came in just under 40 minutes. Only negative I would say is that compared to other Chinese restaurants and delivery in the area, this place is quite overpriced. (-1 star) In total for delivery ($4 fee) + tip for the three items, we paid just over $47. Nonetheless, I would recommend giving this place a try! I'd order again. read more

Lao Sze Chuan is a local chain that is famous for its amazing food. This is one of the few places in the US I could find that use REAL SICHUAN PEPPERCORN (the ones that numb your mouth). Do you know how hard that is to find? This location was located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. The entrance is a bit hard due to construction to find but it's between Uptown Arcade and Fat Cat. Both of which are also stellar establishments in their own right. Due to its hidden location, it tends to be on the emptier side. I've never had issues finding tables here or had a long wait at the restrooms. Service can be a bit slow though, but the food is so good that it's worth the wait. I've visited this spot so many times and brought friends here that it's hard to mention everything that I've ordered here. Everything is good but I always go back to the same 3 dishes: Cumin Lamb, Mapo Tofu w/ Fish, Dried Chili Chicken. But to be fair, it's hard to go wrong with anything. Beer and wine selection is alright. Few domestics with the usual Asian imports. Surprised to find that they carry Hite (Korean brand) here. 4.5/5. Little off for slow service but rounded up to 5. Amazing location, never crowded, food quality never compromised. read more

Lao Sze Chuan - Uptown - Dry chili chicken, Szechuan green beans, fish & mapo tofu - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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