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    Papa Lee Chinese Restaurant

    3.8 (59 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Closed Closed

    Papa Lee Chinese Restaurant Photos

    PAPA LEE CHINESE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Papa Lee Chinese Restaurant

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    203. Wonton Soup with a delicious topping of melted plastic
    Rex S.

    Mediocre food with amazingly horrendous customer service. Went for takeout and got sweet and sour chicken with wonton soup. Got home and found that the top of wonton soup container has melted and spilled everywhere. Called Papa Lee and spoke with the gentleman that was the cashier when I picked up the food. Told him the situation and his solution was for me to drive back asap to get another soup. When I told him I was 20 minutes away and it was now rush hour, his response was, the replacement soup offer was only valid for this moment in time. When I asked for a partial refund, he told me ...... absolutely nothing. After a minute of mouth breathing, he utter in an arrogant and dismissive tone, nothin I can do about it. This man was the one who expected a tip when I saw him in person. The HEB next door has better Chinese food in the freezer aisle.

    Spicy Bean Curd (Mapu Tofu is the Chinese name) $9.95
    Kat S.

    A-ok! Food is ordered at the counter and given in styrofoam take-out containers. I was craving Chinese food and the options in the Greater McAllen area are limited (relative to metropolitans I'm used to living in) and this place worked out surprisingly well. Clean, laid-back vibes with hip hop music playing, Bruce Lee imagery on the walls. Portions were large. I'll be back to try other dishes. I tried the following items: 1. Spicy Bean Curd ($9.95) = mapu tofu: a lightly spicy dish of soft tofu cooked with minced pork. Comes with white or fried rice. 2. Fish in Black Bean Sauce ($8.95): comes with white or fried rice, egg roll, and a soup. Fish was cooked just right and there were several large pieces in the order. Surprisingly great (despite the meh egg drop soup and "fried rice") 3. Egg Drop Soup: really basic version, just soup and egg no veggies/nothing else, didn't dislike it- just very meh. A small soup comes included with my entree and I chose this. 4. Hot & Sour Soup ($2.50 for small size): good, standard hot&sour soup, I'd order this again. 5. "Fried Rice": not fried rice the dish at all haha, it's just rice stir fried with some soy sauce. No veggies/eggs/nothing. Just know it's flavored rice when you get it as your option for entrees. If I'd known I would've gotten the white rice or the lo-mein for the $0.75 extra.

    GC Chicken and lo mein.  I'll be going for the rice my next time around, GCC was on point-
    Chris N.

    After reading the review that this restaurant plays hip-hop in the dining area, I had to see what it was all about. It was true, they did have some hip-hop playing in the background, however, we're not talking 36 Chambers nor are we talking Kidz Bop. It was more of a trip hop playing in the background. Classy not grimy....if there's such a thing. There were a fair amount of people in the restaurant when I showed up. This is a pay before you eat type of joint. I was greeted quickly, and advise of their top sellers. I ended up ordering General Tao chicken and lo mein. The general chow chicken was on point, the lo mein, needs a little help. The dish also included soup in a egg roll. The soup was on point, I could've done without the egg roll. Overall, I was impressed by the decor, Background music, service and quality of food. Thanks guys, see you next time I'm in the Valley.

    Dragon Phoenix meal.
    Yaya G.

    Awful! The chicken was soooo dry. The sauce was so bland I couldn't even taste anything. I've had this dish on the Mission site and it doesn't compare. I was expecting the same. I got a very salty wonton soup with two wontons with no meat in them. I ordered a lo mein chicken which the cashier said same price 12.95 for either veggies, chicken, shrimp etc. I chose chicken but it was just as bad in my meal. I came home and seasoned it with my own ginger, garlic, onion, salt and pepper to make it edible and not throw it away. Finally I wanted sweet and sour sauce for my egg rolls. They charged me $.70 for a small container. They did give my free chili oil but I'll never go back again for dried out chicken with no flavor meal. Portion was small box. Rice is flavorless as well. Never again. I'll drive an extra 10 miles to Mission. Or I'll go to Yarba Express across from them next time!

    Rosanna R.

    The best Chinese takeout you will ever have, everything is fresh with quality ingredients. The vegetable lo me in is the reason I won't go anywhere else but other family favorites include sweet m sour chicken and Kung Pao chicken. A must try!

    show me another general tsao chicken that has more actual chicken- I dare you.

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Good food good service reasonable prices. I just wish that they opened on Sunday. Love the almond chicken

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Also recommend to friends who have never been! Can beat the convenience and freshness hands down.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great Chinese food for pickup. Generous portions and very well seasoned. Combos easily can be shared by two!

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food. Great service. I would definygo again. Shrimp and vegetables stir fry was great

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    2 years ago

    Came here with my wife I got the beef with mixed vegetables and vegetable egg roll by far the best the food was made fresh

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great food, fast service! Loved the Generals Chicken, as others said HUGE pieces of chicken!

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Best Chinese restaurant in the valley, IMO. I have never had anything here that wasn't fresh, quality ingredients. The lo mein is so good!

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    It was ok. Not the greatest They don't give you condiments even if you ask for them.

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Tai Tung Express

    Tai Tung Express

    2.5
    (17 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    Not much of a dine-in type of place. They have a drive-thru but, no mic/speaker so you have to…read moreorder at the window & then wait at least 10 mins as most everything is made to order (which is great!). This can be a problem though if you're pressed for time especially if you get stuck behind another car. The only way this place is "Express" is if you call in your order ahead of time to pick up. As for the food...I usually stick to a few dishes here & so far I have really enjoyed them, especially their sauces. I love onion but, they tend to overdo it (which I never thought I'd say). The soups & egg rolls are a little bland but nothing some hot sauce can't fix. Which by the way their hot oil is actually spicy unlike other places which I love! Overall they have flavorful, decent portions at a good price & definitely beat Panda Express down the road!

    This is a really good spot for Chinese, they do offer a huge menu but it's not easily visible. They…read morehave a huge lighted menu behind the counter, but that only offers their mainly "Americanized" food. If you want to see the complete menu, you need to walk up to the wall next to the register. The Mushroom Chicken is crazy good, and must be experienced by everyone. They also offer GnuChow Fun, and it's second to HopTung. This is as good as it's gonna get in South McAllen... *Be sure to order off of the menu on the wall, and go for the "family" order it's only a few bucks more but so much more food.

    Photos
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    @ Tai Tung Express (McAllen/Pharr, TX)
    Most delicious, mouthwatering food ever!
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    Papa Lee Chinese Restaurant - chinese - Updated June 2026

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