As I write this review I hear the creepy voice of the man from Unsolved Mysteries saying the show is coming back on the air. That show gave me the creeps and now I'm realizing I'm still not old enough to not be creeped out by that show because my eye (right eye) started to twitch little. I definitely digresss....... The name "The Rice Box" is so cute. True to my weird self, I haven't tried the fried rice I don't think. They popped up when I was looking for best lo mein near me. I love lomein but most places in Houston don't use the right noodles or put enough sauce. Now ...The Rice Box.... so yummy! Best lomein in Houston hands down according to my opinion. Sometimes there's a tad bit too much oil but nothing too concerning to your precious arteries. I always get the shrimp lomein. I would absolutely love having an option on DoorDash to add extra protein. The shrimp are a good size and they dont have the tails on them which makes me quite happy. They have chicken and beef too but I'm here for the shrimp. The Shrimp Baby, and its very savory, flavorful, and absolutely delightful. Now, while I'm not a big pork eater, I prefer pork and cabbage egg rolls. They have chicken and vegetables egg rolls. I get the chicken egg roll and it's so good with duck sauce. Oh so good, yum! I have ordered the rangoon and I get them everything. They need more filling but they are good and addicting. Not oily. The egg rolls are not oily. Try this establishment out!!! Here is where I leave you to go place an order, lol. Im not kidding. read more

Love this place. Have been coming here since it opened & also the one in Greenway Plaza for over 10 years. Food is consistently good, cooked fresh. My standard go to is General Tso's, hold the broccoli, extra spicy with fried rice. Have it every time, so really can't even comment on the other dishes on the menu, but I do love it. One thing to consider, the food is FANTASTIC if you are eating it there, but it does NOT travel well. You will lose a lot of the wow factor if you do take out.. Definitely much better dining in when the sauce is freshly applied and the batter on the chicken is still crisp and hot. The sauces turns the batter to mush pretty quick and loses a lot when it does. I was noticing a number of the low reviews specifically mentions take-out, & if I'd only tried this place doing take out, my review would likely be very different from the one I'm giving. read more

I enjoyed the chicken dish. The egg rolls could be better and the shrimp lomein didnt have any veggies. I like lomein with veggies and on the menu it stated it had veggies. Also everything was super spicy. I thought I put less spice or no spice. It just made it not enjoyable. The chicken and brocolli was very tender. read more

The Rice Box - Shrimp lomein - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My sister actually found this place while doing UberEats deliveries and decided to come back and try the food for herself. She told me about it and even brought me some crab rangoon... amazing. That alone convinced me I needed to try it too. I went back and ordered the lo mein and egg rolls. Let me tell you, the egg rolls were a complete hit. So good... perfectly crunchy and full of flavor. Now let's talk about my favorite part, because this made me happier than anything else... they have sparkling water on tap in the lobby. WHO does that?! As a sparkling water lover, that extra touch really won me over. I loved it. Customer service was amazing. Since it was my first time and I was taking my time looking over the menu, the young man who helped me was incredibly nice, sweet, patient, and welcoming. That alone guarantees I'll be back. What's funny is I pass this place every single day on my way to work and never noticed it. With all the neon lights and colors inside, how did I miss it? This spot is definitely a vibe... perfect for a girls' night, a cute date, or even a quick pick-up-and-go meal. Definitely give it a try. I wasn't disappointed at all, and I highly doubt you would be either. read more

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This place was great! Besides looking super cool like it is out of the movie, Blade Runner, the food was really quite good and plentiful! People in here were pretty cool and the place just looks so futuristic with a totally digital menu and TV showing some of your old favorites. Try this place out! read more

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It's a chilly Wednesday and I didn't feel like cooking. I was craving something casual, quick, flavorful, and to-go plus something I hadn't had in a while. Not too much to ask, right? Well, that's when I finally decided to try The RiceBox. I'd seen their locations around Houston before but never stopped in until today. From the moment you walk up, this place makes you feel like you've stepped into a fun corner of Asia, almost like being part of a game. The bright neon signs, spinning fans, and interactive-style menus are really cool and eye-catching. The spot itself isn't big, but it has just enough seating both indoors and outdoors. The cashier was also super helpful, taking the time to answer our questions being our first time. The food was a pleasant surprise, in the best way. Exactly what I needed. I ordered the sesame chicken with fried rice, which hit the spot. My husband went with the fried chicken nuggets tossed in a light garlicky seasoning, and for dessert we had to try the Laba Buns--so different and surprisingly good. Overall, it was a very satisfying casual meal. I can only imagine how fun and lively it must be at night with all those lights glowing. Definitely worth a return visit. read more

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I was not impressed with the food. The food was not appetizing at all.I ordered orange chicken and general tso chicken, chicken dumplings,garlic seasoned green beans and lo mein.The Lo mein was cold , no vegetables and dry. A bucket of noodles. The sauce for the dumplings was vinegar and it was not good. The quality of the food reminds me of the Chinese buffet. If you want Chinese buffet in a box this is the place to go. Nothing special. Cute restaurant but small , no booths . Water dispenser had spiderwebs on it like it hasn't been cleaned. I've had better tasting Chinese food at a better price. The service was nice and they were very friendly. read more

Rice Box is a perfect example of staying true to their aesthetics while also providing satisfying American-Chinese meals at low cost. This spot really sets the mood with its ambient lighting and decor. The lighting deserves its own applause though: soft, comfortable, perfectly placed, efficient sun exposure -- It's a kind of environment that makes you want to linger awhile and record moments. Beyond the funky futuristic décor, the food is amazing. They offer different spice levels, depending on your tolerance. Nitro tea is always a recommended item. Spacious indoor and outdoor seating available and also one of, maybe the only, locations that actually has a large parking area. Kudos. I shall return. read more

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Been following this franchise since it was a food truck and every location gets better and better!!!! The waitstaff are always patient and friendly. Now the eats!!! The food is freshly prepared and the presentation is such a vibe. It definitely gives a "Tokyo Drift" experience with the neon lights and the artsy scene. I ordered the General TSO chicken, Mongolian chicken w/ shrimp, and shrimp fried rice. The portion size is definitely great if you want to open the meal to friends family size. Flavors were amazing so if you are in Houston looking for great Asian cuisine with great hangout, date night, or lunch plans...check them out!!!! Enjoy!!! read more

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After driving past this new location for so long, I finally got the opportunity to stop inside for some comida. At first, I wasn't too sure when seeing the futuristic lights and decor, but it quickly grew on me - it was fun! Very different from other Asian restaurants I've been to. I wasn't able to eat there, so opted for take out. Since it was my first time, I graciously accepted the recommendations of the staff and ordered the pepper steak. She recommended this over something fried since I wasn't eating it immediately (so it wouldn't get soggy). The peppers were big, the steak thick and flavorful. And the portion was Texas sized! The only thing I was iffy on was the process for a takeout order. I stood in the wrong area for a while, but that was quickly resolved! read more

Be atmosphere customer service is above beyond. And the food is amazing. I tried the curry rice with shrimp and chicken eggrolls. read more

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I'll start by saying the food is really good. The wings were huge and had lots of flavor. The pepper steak was plentiful and filled with veggies. The location is unique. There is indoor and outdoor seating. There is not a lot of space inside but it does have a bar area. However no alcohol is served on sodas and teas. The tea was ok it had a very faint taste. We sat outside since the weather wasn't as hot. The table needed to be wiped down but once we told them they cane and did right away. Overall it is a place I will return to and eat again. Probably get to go. I noticed there was a lot of customers coming for pick up. They do bring your food to the car. So my takeaway is the food is worth it. read more

The Rice Box - Chicken egg rolls - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ambiance looks great, can be seen from afar. But when seeing up close when dining in it is creatively design with a positive vibe included. Service was nice and quick as food are made fresh to order. Speaking of food you can tell that it is Asian American mix, better quality than Panda Express. Worth to try at least once! read more

The Rice Box - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I was appalled at this place. Mediocre food, fair service, but with the worst thing was looking into the kitchen and seeing people without hairnets without gloves on. Sat there for about an hour and a half with friends while I watched a Cook without gloves without a hairnet Leann against the station on his phone scratching his face, picking his ears and rubbing his head. Not once did he wash his hands when he got an order he would just turn around and start cooking. I could not even eat my food and I told my wife to stop eating and we threw it out right then in there. These people are supposed to have fruit handler cards. Yes I am contacting the board of health. That's how bad it was. I stopped at the bathroom to wash out before we left and I thought I was walking into a bus station bathroom in Center City Detroit. Trash all over the floors, graffiti all over the walls and rust. read more

Grabbed a to go order of orange chicken, green beans, and cumin beef. I liked the highly modifiable menu and ease of pick up and order in general. The building is cool to visit and I could imagine it's a fun environment to chill at. The food is packaged well and stayed good through the short drive home. Design looks good and is easy to open and use. The food ranges from Americanized Chinese dishes to more authentic style choices, so there's a little for everyone. The flavor wasn't as punchy as I'd hoped it might be, stuff like the noodles and the fried rice didn't taste like anything truthfully. And it cost the upgrade to those sides. The orange chicken needs to be more sticky and less wet imo. Cumin beef was great and the green beans failed ok. Not sure if the food is worth the price, but the portions are large enough to make up for it. read more

The Rice Box - Orange Chicken, green bean, cumin beef - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Cool restaurant design. Service and atmosphere: The atmosphere was good thanks to funky and colourful interior and modern Chinese inspired decorations. The menu was displayed on digital screens which looked very interesting. Service was 50/50. Some staff were super friendly and helpful and some were just okay. Food and drinks: Good selection in both areas. Food wasn't my favourite. It tasted okay flavour wise but it was too oily for my liking. My partner enjoyed the food so definitely matters of preference. I would still recommend you give this place a go. Pricing: $/$$ affordable and worth trying. read more

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If you're looking for a place to show your friends that has a super cool ambiance I would 100% bring them to Rice Box, no question. It looks like you stepped right into the cyberpunk world. Service is pretty standard so I don't have much to comment on that. I love their General Tso's Chicken with white rice. It's a place my friend group frequents. The quality is that of a takeout place. It is not authentic. But is the food good and the place super cool looking? Yes. I am a sucker for good soda water so the fact they have it on tap... *chefs kiss* It satisfies the craving for (American) Chinese food. The portions are huge and I usually end up sharing with my friend a protein and we both buy a side. The crab rangoons are good but the sauce they have is different than everywhere else in Houston. I personally like it more, and I use the dipping sauce with the egg roll you get as well. I honestly have no idea why the reviews are so low. It can tend to get a little dirty but that's the only issue that I've ran into so far. TLDR: Good American Chinese takeout, good for out of towners wanting a unique experience, with carbonated water on tap. read more

Ah, good ol' Rice Box - I've been a fan of their solid eats and ginormous portions ever since I frequented their food truck as a UH undergrad. Who would have thought they would expand into their 5th brick-and-mortar location?? We stopped by for a late dinner following an evening wedding event, already salivating as we saw the distinct neon lights come into focus from across the dashboard. We leaned on our go-to orders, the General Tso's chicken and Chongqing chicken, split among 3 people. Perhaps sensing our degree of hunger, the staff prepared our food in short order - both came with enough rice to feed a family and a thick, classic eggroll. Despite our initially empty bellies, we were nowhere close to finishing our meal and took about 40-50% of it home, which made for some delicious leftovers. Residents of Memorial and Spring Branch should consider themselves lucky for a sleek, new Chinese-American spot so close to their neck of the woods - I'll probably find myself more frequently at one of their sister branches, but it's great to see the chain's consistency across all their locations! read more

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I have always been a huge fan of The Rice Box. Every time we have come in the past the food was good, the portions were big, and service was great. I've always gone out of way to come to all locations. Sadly this visit fell short and I don't think I'm going to come back. We came at 11:30 AM to have some brunch. I was really excited to have their shrimp chow fun and crab ragoons. There were some noticeable changes at first. They don't serve soda anymore which isn't a deal breaker but odd to me. They don't accept AMEX anymore which again is odd to me but probably done to save money on processing fees. The biggest changes that I noticed was the quality and quantity of the food. Usually they give us so much food it's overflowing and we can't finish it. This time the food came out and wasn't even at the top of the box. The chow fun wasn't as good and super oily. I can tell they changed their shrimp because they were so small I thought they forgot to add them into my order. The egg roll tasted off and wasn't as good as it usually was. I understand they're probably changing things to save money but I'd rather pay more and get good food than pay the same and get bad quality and quantity food. I don't think I'll be coming back sadly. I miss the old rice box but probably won't find it here. read more

I placed a pickup order last night, which was the first time I'd tried Rice Box on Katy Freeway. While they are less than a mile from home, I hadn't tried them and decided to forego ordering from our "regular" neighborhood Chinese restaurant and see what Rice Box was all about. First word that comes to mind is disappointment. I placed my order online and it said ready in, "now to 15 minutes, don't be late". I arrived 10 minutes after placing the order and it was ready as soon as I arrived. A great start!! Unfortunately, the person at the pickup counter was very curt and almost rude. I told her my name, she confirmed it and pushed the bag towards me and never say thanks, come back, or go to hell. Apparently having no including a tip on my pickup order had some effect on the counter person. I don't feel compelled to tip at a fast-food restaurant with counter pickup and service involved. Once I got home, the disappointment started. First blunder was they only gave me a 16-ounce Wonton Soup although I'd ordered the 32-ounce portion; they did charge me for the 32-ounce portion. I should have checked the bag before I left the store. We ordered 1) Wonton Soup: setting aside their error on size, the bone both was very bland, wontons were "ok" but no flavor, strange strips of egg noodles?? added. 2) Fred Pork and Nappa Cabbage Dumpling: again bland, appeared to be deep fried rather than pan fried with flavored oil, same pork filling as the bland wontons in the soup. 3) Chongqing: Advertised as Spicy and Mouth Numbing, so I was excited to try it. It was the only thing from Rice Box that had any flavor. While it was far from "mouth numbing" it was "ok." Overall, their food was lacking. Appears Rice Box is to Chinese food what Taco Bell is to Mexican Food. I'll be going to back to my mom and Pop for my future Chinese food orders. read more

The food is decent and the price/portion ratio is also good but the standout reasons to eat here include the late hours (they close at 12am), the exceptional selection of veggie options, and the location off the 10 is very accessible. read more

They had the order ready. Music was good. And they recommend the GENERAL TSO platter. read more

The Rice Box - Electric Menu - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Service was ok, the place itself is nice but a little dirty. Seems like they don't really clean after someone leaves. Food portions were good, I tried this place once because a friend brought it to a gathering once, trying it in person was ok not what I expected. I think I had high expectations but kinda disappointed. I think a lot of people order to go and I can see why. read more

The Rice Box - Inside - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Since the response to reviews always asks for date and time, here it is. I went to pickup takeout at 5:42pm on 4/14/25. When I arrived, nobody greeted me. I walked directly up to one of the employees and told them I was picking up an order. He asked my name, looked for the order and said he didn't see it. He asked for my name again, then turned around and repeated my name to another employee. He then proceeded to tell me that their WiFi had been down and that caused orders not to come through. I got notified on my phone that the order had been picked up, but I was still waiting. The seating inside is all metal stools and they are very uncomfortable! We ordered the Orange Chicken, Peppersteak Beef, and Baby Back Ribs. The Baby Back Ribs were very dry and there was no sauce. I didn't feel like driving back just to pick up sauce. The Orange Chicken was very soggy and really didn't have much flavor. The Peppersteak Beef was the better of all 3 dishes we ordered. However, it tasted very greasy! None of the food was fresh and tasted as though it had been sitting there all day! We will never order from here again and would not recommend it to anyone! read more

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The Rice Box has several locations throughout Houston and I was pretty stoked to find out that they had opened this location! If you've ever seen and liked Blade Runner, this restaurants esthetic is certainly up your alley!! With its futuristic anime design and engaging digital menu, it left me in aww! Their parking like isn't that big but parking goes by fast. With the layout of the restaurant and its fast pace Togo box inspired Chinese menu, patrons are in and out! There is plenty of space to sit and eat outside with giant fans to keep patrons cool during the warmer days! Their food consists of their Chinese classics which date back from when they used to own a food truck in 2011. Believe it or not, I'm an. OG from those days! This brick and mortar location did not disappoint! I ordered their curry with shrimp as my protein along with a veggie egg roll! Sooo good! You've got the taste of complex flavors like garam masala, tumeric and other spices that made this curry taste a little on the milder side! It was a little fruity which allows it to be desired once I had my fill! The employees were very nice and helpful! Offering many delicious side to go along with your meal! Advice: you don't need anything additional! The food is pretty good as is!! Bonus: order their Nitro Thai tea on tap! It's light and full bodied! read more

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I was super excited to find out they opened a rice box on the westside on the city but after eating eating here I would probably never come back. In the past I've ordered the Orange Chicken and General Tso's which were decent. so I decided to try something new and got the pepper steak. I thought it was good. My boyfriend got the chicken fried rice which was ok tasting. Everything was kind of pricey. I think you're better off going somewhere for "Chinese" food. read more

The Rice Box - Chinese Near Me - Houston, Texas

I've been seeing this place on TikTok a lot so I wanted to come by and check it out for myself! We really liked the futuristic theme that they had it just made it a bit difficult to read the menu Ordered the Orange chicken with lo mein noodles and a chicken egg roll, Chicken Curry with fried rice and a chicken egg roll, steamed chicken dumplings, and a Thai tea I wasn't a big fan of the curry chicken and the fried rice but everything else was pretty good!Orange chicken was definitely my favorite with lots of flavor! Service was also really good, the waiters were super nice! Overall we had a good time but it was a bit more expensive than we were planning it to be. The portion sizes are pretty good but the prices are also pretty high, you're definitely paying a bit for the theme read more

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Awesome! Delicious food, cyberpunk vibes, personalized friendly service. Small indoor and outdoor eating. We went for late lunch on Saturday and it was about 1/3 full. We sat outside and the servers still came and checked on us. Staff brought food to us, and sauces, and bags near the end of the meal. Attention to detail is everywhere, including in the food. Only downsides are few to none desserts, outdoor space is close to highway. Salt n Pepper Stacks Tofu was flavorful and crunchy outside, soft inside! Everything comes with multiple protein options, so very vegan friendly. There are popular movies playing on the TVs at the bar (Star Wars, Batman). Spacious unisex single stall restrooms with diaper changing stations; wheelchair accessible although you'll need help with the doors. read more

Delicious food, good service and interesting decor. This is American Chinese and heavy on the salt and sugar. Everyone liked the food in our family, though. Wings, fried eggplant, salt toasted proteins and generous portions. Often crowded and parking can be challenging. Their website is good and we have it delivered. Tai hoa le! read more

First time here, decor and vibe nice, little cold in the restaurant but fine. Portion sizes were great, food was good, like that they are served in to go containers cause you will take some home! Orange Beef and Lo Mien great, Crab Rangoon delicious! Staff was friendly, little inexperienced, like when they stopped making our drinks to answer their cell phone, otherwise ok. Water stations where you can get Sparkling or Still water a great idea, wish they were not attached to the center bar where people sat. Main issue, cleanliness, terrible. Main dining floor dirty with food everywhere. Counters were dirty, sticky, and seemed like they had not been wiped down at all. Bathrooms were filthy, unkept and in dire need of attention. Food was worth it, but I would recommend getting it to go to avoid the uncleanliness. read more

The service was decent, the portions were huge, but the flavor and quality was average. Would not eat there again, tried it and that's all we need. The bathroom was very dirty so I can only imagine the kitchen looks the same. read more

The food here is not very good and yet it is pricey. Neither me nor my friends enjoyed our meals at this restaurant. This is mostly a fast food restaurant as their are only bar stools to sit at in the restaurant. Most of the customers get take out here. If you want fast food chinese, go to panda express where you will get better quality food for a better price. read more

Good place for quick Chinese take out. Highly recommend the dumplings for kids. The fried rice xtra spicy is perfect end of the night meal after a long day of drinking specially. The pepper steak was ok read more

Ordered take out. Spent $50 plus tip and delivery fee. I requested sauces on the side for my entree. They did not put any sauces in the bag for the entree. Imagine Mongolian beef with no sauce. When I called and asked them to either provide me a partial refund or have them resend the manager advised me that she could refund me a $1. Keep in mind the entree is upwards of $15 when you order a protein in it. How does that factor to a dollar refund for a dry meal? I understand their side sauces are $1 but this is not a side sauce. It is the sauce to my entree. Additionally she advised me I could drive it back and she would "toss it for me". If I could drive to pick it up why would I have ordered delivery?! I quite literally spent $400 there in the month of August on takeout. Needless to say I will not be back. read more

Very colorful and animated restaurant and not a real sit down stop. So one has to think all the money that went into the advertising and the beauty of the building and restaurant how's the food gonna be well unfortunately the food isn't as colorful and exciting. I love Chinese food but unfortunately, won't be back, we tried the beef cumin, beef with broccoli, chicken, egg roll, vegetable egg roll and wonton soup all works extremely bland and not at all. Tasty portions were small like the atmosphere, but not the food. read more

I love The Rice Box when it comes to quick "Chinese takeout". My go to order is curry with chicken medium spice, with noodles, and the scallion pancake. The egg rolls are pretty good also. The ambiance is unique and casual. read more

Food was good The only con about this place is that every protein is an additional charge. The ambiance is very nice but the high bar stool sitting arrangement is not meant for lounging around. read more

I stopped by Rice Box for takeout craving fried noodles. The dish was... okay. Nothing special, just your standard stir-fry with decent-enough flavors but no wow factor. The noodles were cooked fine, the veggies were fresh enough, but it didn't feel like anything I couldn't whip up at home. What really got under my skin was the pricing. The noodles were already overpriced at $18, but then they tacked on a $2 packaging fee for takeout and had the audacity to pre-charge a 15% tip on the bill. I hate when restaurants do that--I'd rather tip what I feel is fair based on the service, not have it assumed for me. With those extra charges, my "just okay" noodles ended up costing over $20, which is outrageous for a dish that was so unremarkable. I saw another review posted something similar and agree - it's frustrating to see packaging charges and forced tips inflate the bill for no good reason. read more

When we went for dine-in, we had a great experience! The menu is very versatile--you can choose different sauces over different base with a selection of proteins, and it is surprisingly semi-authentic in what they offer, for a Chinese/American type place. The decor is kinda obnoxious but at least different and fun. Would recommend! read more

I am so sad to post a bad review for The Rice Box but this was our first time at this new location and it was just bad. Being super busy and understaffed was one thing. The staff was kind and informative. They did their best to be attentive to everyone that would approach the bar. The drinks were flat and I just kindly notified one of the employees and she told us that's how the were supposed to be. I've been drinking the Nitro drinks for years and they have never been flat... but okay. The food just is not as good here. All of us woke up with upset stomachs. What we ordered: House Fried Rice Orange Chicken Chicken Egg Rolls Lo Mein Noodles Sweet and Sour Chicken Nitro Thai Tea Nitro Jack Burton Sprite Ambiance is always a fantastic BUT THIS LOCATION DOES NOT HAVE MUSIC.... Which was not a vibe. I do not plan to come back to this location ever. read more