Chef Chu's

Business Hours:: Sun: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Mon: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Tue: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Wed: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Thu: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Fri: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM; Sat: 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM

Restaurant Location: Major city

Number of Employees: 51+

Number of Seats: 200+

Restaurant Type: Full service

Cuisine: American-Chinese

Awards and Honors

Top 100 Overall Excellence (2009)

Top100 Local Favorites (2009)

Top100 Overall Excellence (2007)

Top100 Metro Favorites in 10 Cities (2007)

Top100 Overall Excellence (2005)

Top100 Overall Excellence (2004)

Vote and Comments

food:

AVG:(5.0)

services:

AVG:(5.0)

sanitation:

AVG:(5.0)

decor:

AVG:(5.0)

Number of voting: 1 people have voted

	Reviewed by : Chi Y. On: 3/17/2013 1:32:00 PM Had a great dinner at Chef Chu's last night - really wanted to give them at least 4.5 star which they deserve it.I went there 30 years ago and was not that impressed then, yet, it totally changed my impression this time.The food was definitely above average - fresh ingredient, nice preparation and presentation. The service was especially superb - the best I have ever had in a Chinese restaurant. We had a vegetarian in the group and she was treated with nice dishes to suit her. We were greeted and chatted with the owner. We ordered their house wine - Cab which was above my expectation with very very reasonable price.Will go back for sure.
	Reviewed by : Christopher K. On: 3/17/2013 7:12:00 AM We know Chef Chu personally.Food here is amazing. Great quality and great ingredients. Even better selection of choices. You can get everything from super americanized, super authentic, to amazingly unique!Try:Shrimp lettuce cupsBasil BeefSizzling rice with chicken/veggies
	Reviewed by : Rosie W. On: 3/11/2013 4:25:00 PM I didn't pay for this meal but I imagine it was pretty expensive. Not only was this place in Palo Alto but they set up your meal for you - which place does that anymore?They do all this on the side before placing each individual plate in front of you:Place the duck into the bunsPut the meat into the lettuce wrapsScoop each bowl of soup... etc.. not even PF Chang's does that right? Over the top, I'm just not used to it! It was nice though.The food was pretty good, no real complaints here. Although my husband did complain about MSG afterwards (he is MSG intolerant), so that's probably why their food tasted good. From looking at other tables, it appeared they tailored to non Asian folks. You can probably get the same type of food, with less MSG, for less $ elsewhere, so here you go with 3 stars Chef Chu's!
	Reviewed by : Victoria C. On: 3/10/2013 1:36:00 PM I wasn't really a fan of their food but man is their service good. We called up fairly late in the evening with a huge order that they had ready right on time. It was a big order too. Probably like 20 items that were fresh and ready to go exactly when they said it would be.The food wasn't as good as I had anticipated. Just your basic Chinese restaurant with the same dishes as any other place. The fried rice was just fried rice but I wasn't happy with the sesame chicken. It was really sour when it is supposed to be sweet and crunchy. Like I've said before, I judge a Chinese restaurant by the crispy-ness of their chicken dishes. Not one item was crispy. Just your usual soggy mess. The pineapple chicken wasn't much better. Sweet but more like a sweet and sour sweet, not a pineapple sweet and the bread was mushy.Parking was a disaster. A tiny parking lot that is usually completely full. The restaurant itself is small as well.As far as Chinese food goes, this place is a real disappointed but sometimes good service can make it slightly better.
	Reviewed by : Evey G. On: 3/3/2013 11:38:00 AM This place came recommended by some of my husbands coworkers so we tried it out for lunch today. It was very very busy and crowded, which is not surprising on a Sunday afternoon. Other reviewers are correct in that it was full of white people. I'm okay with that.Walking into the place reminded me so much of all the Chinese restaurants on the east coast. I was immediately happy and comforted. My husband had the pineapple chicken lunch special that came with a spring roll and white rice, and I ordered the sichuan broccoli and some vegetable chow mein for us to share. We finished everything and it was pretty good. The sichuan broccoli really wasn't spicy at all. I don't know if they mellowed it out thinking a white girl couldn't handle the spice, or if that's just how they make it despite the "spicy pepper" warning on the menu. It was a great flavor, but no spice at all. The spring roll was really tasty, the chow mein was average but good, and my husband said his chicken was good too. All that for under $30 and very fast and accurate service.I would definitely come back here and may consider bringing some visitors here as well. The menu is enormous, and the quality of the food was really very good.
	Reviewed by : Darren S. On: 3/3/2013 11:27:00 AM Chef Chu's is the classic hyped-up restaurant syndrome that you occassionaly run into on Yelp. The restaurant has quite a reputation, has been around for years, celebrities frequent the place, so one can imagine how a reputation can get blown out of proportion.This is one such restaurant.Please people, let's all calm down a little bit. Relax. Let your heart rate come down a bit....OK....let's talk.This is not a bad restaurant. In fact, I like it. But it's not over the top like everyone is saying. It has it's charm. It's an institution for crying out loud, it's Chef Chu's!! But just because you've been around forever, doesn't mean you automatically get 5 stars. You have to earn it.First point, this restaurant caters to the American palate. It's full of white people. There's nothing wrong with that--it's just a reality. It's got an American-Chinese feeling, that's all. You don't see many Asians eating here. It's an amped-up Panda Express.Here's what we've ordered.HONEY WALNUT PRAWNS: Not bad, not great. Just what you'd expect for this dish.PORK FRIED RICE: Not good. If a Chinese place can't do fried rice right, then something is wrong. Their rice is about the same as Panda, and I don't like Panda's rice. It's dry and flavorless.KUNG PAO ANYTHING: We've had several Kung Pao dishes and they're good. Not spicy enough, but they will do.I will echo what other reviewers have said. People get distracted with the charm and hospitality of this place. The staff does do a nice job of connecting with people and the whole social thing...but it seems more like a social club for the people with money. I get the feeling that some Palo Alto snobs like to go around saying..."I dined at Chef Chu's."But really. It's overpriced and overrated. I would much rather go to Hunan Garden or China Rose in Milpitas.Truth be told, I go to Chef Chu's because it's convenient. My daughter has a weekly class right next door, and her class ends right around dinner time. So it's an easy dinner fix. But seriously, otherwise I'm not a big fan.Read through the reviews. The people who really know are taking my same point of view.
	Reviewed by : Richard G. On: 3/2/2013 3:32:00 AM Since joining a new firm they have a wonderful tradition of continuing to hold an annual holiday party in this day of cost cutting, austerity and affordability. This year we had to contribute a small sum to help defray the costs, but it was worth every penny.For some reason I really enjoy good Chinese fare during the winter months and Chef Chu's is one of the remaining institutions on the peninsula that offers great consistent food quality, large portions, and great service.I really looked forward to returning from last year as they had the banquet room upstairs reserved for just our firm. Compared to last year they changed the entree's which made it a new experience instead of same-old-same-old. We started this year with the lettuce wraps that the servers urged us to eat 'like a taco.' Then came the small bowl of hot and sour soup to awaken our taste buds on a cold winter day. The rest of the entree's were served family style and wound up as an impromptu team building exercise with a bunch of strangers we made sure everyone was satisfied. Sine everyone at the table were minor stakeholders in paying for the luncheon there was nothing left on the plates.Our servers did an exemplary job of keeping the water and tea pots filled and whisking away our plates when done with each course.If you have a moderate size group I really would recommend holding your luncheon here!Looking forward to same time next year!
	Reviewed by : Ketki W. On: 2/28/2013 1:38:00 AM Kung pao tofu and vegetable chow mein yuuum; almost everything here is delicious! highly recommend the basil chicken and/or the black bean salmon!
	Reviewed by : S m. On: 2/27/2013 6:34:00 PM Chef Chu's was the place to go with my family ever since i could remember.Why the one star then?Throughout the years we could tell the quality of food was degrading but we ignored it until this Monday.My friend and I decided to go there on Monday to celebrate my new job. We ate, the food was delicious.Everything was great except for the fact that every time i picked up a food to eat my plate was SNAPPED from under me so quick i couldn't even see where or when it was taken.Anyway, that's not the reason for the one star. the reason is this place gave me and my friend FOOD POISONING!and i KNOW it was this place because i ONLY had two meals that day, and one of them was my own home cooked meal. The other was this place and also the only thing that kept coming out of me was the Beef and broccoli.I called them up asking how they had treated the food because I needed to figure out what I had. The guy on the phone apologized but REFUSED to believe it was his food. He said that I was the only one to call that day (at the time it was 10 am) and somewhat had a tone in his voice that I was lying. He said he would "credit" me back my money....next time i go it's free. IM NEVER COMING BACK! you obviously knew that! that's NOT crediting back money!I, nor anyone in my family or groups of friends, will EVER return here.I came here to celebrate my job, but ended up having to stay home one day from work because I got sooooo sick.Trust me, don't go here. It's all about the looks and hospitality at this place now and NOTHING about the quality of food.Bye Chef ChusI will NEVER return after what you did to me.
	Reviewed by : Kunal P. On: 2/24/2013 5:32:00 AM Mouthwatering chinese food..
	Reviewed by : Chris N. On: 2/20/2013 1:10:00 AM I've been coming to this restaurant since I was a kid. I've probably ordered the majority of Chinese food in my life from Chef Chu's and for good reason. Their services is great, their food is amazing, and the ambiance in the dining room, while a bit busy, is still perfect for either a quiet family dinner or a first date.If you're looking for great Chinese takeout, you can stop reading right now and give them a call.One tip: parking is a real pain, so even if you're going to do pickup, park around back rather than trying to find a space that's close. They have a spillover lot that's about a 90 second walk away.If you're heading east (coming from Foothill Expressway) on San Antonio Road, make the right turn on the side street just before Armadillo Willy's (Loucks Ave) just prior to the intersection with El Camino. It's the fastest way to get into the parking behind the restaurant. If you're confused, check Google Maps.
	Reviewed by : Rick P. On: 2/17/2013 2:40:00 AM Very good. I've lived in the South Bay for 2 yrs now and consider this the best of the very limited options we have.
	Reviewed by : Dominique J. On: 2/15/2013 4:50:00 PM This must be a great restaurant based on the number of people waiting for a table and/or the endorsement that came along with it.But the food was MEH. I thought for sure this place would be great Chinese food since it is so popular, and after all we are in the Bay Area. But no, it was just ok.
	Reviewed by : Jackie H. On: 2/12/2013 5:30:00 PM Parking is convenient and there is ample seating with the two-story restaurant. The decor is classy--especially on the second floor--and ambiance is soft. Servers are quick with food, the selection is great and the food is pretty good(in consideration of the MSG). It's classier than Panda, however it also is Americanized like Panda Express. I would come back again for a family gathering as it is more family style in my opinion than date-night style.
	Reviewed by : Jeffrey A. On: 2/12/2013 9:24:00 AM Great take out food! Always fresh and tasty. Recommend the mayonnaise prawns with honey walnuts!
	Reviewed by : jori m. On: 2/1/2013 7:12:00 PM The best thing about this restaurant is the ambiance from the outside. Cute Chinese lanterns and dark wood. That's the last thing that impressed me about dining here, sorry to say. Inside it's got that light teal / light pink / beige color scheme, and needs a makeover. The food wasn't good. It wasn't "bad", but it really was not good. I ordered the honey walnut prawns and it was completely tasteless. Have never experienced this dish being ruined before. How do you get shrimp to taste like cardboard? My friends said their dishes were nothing special either. Over-salted in one case. Service was mediocre. And pricing was too high considering the quality. All three of us agreed, we would not return.
	Reviewed by : Ryan M. On: 1/31/2013 7:21:00 AM My grandma LOVES this place and I have good memories since this is where we ate a number of meals. food here is better than average. I have a hard time paying too much for Chinese food just cause but I love the chicken salad. I know cliche. But you can order a number of American Chinese dishes and they specialize in duck too. Would recommend this any day over PF Changs.
	Reviewed by : Faith X. On: 1/31/2013 4:48:00 AM This place was okay. Americanized chinese food that's definitely a step above Panda Express and the like, but not quite authentic-tasting like places you'd find in a chinatown. The dishes we got were tasty (basil chicken, szechuan beef, hot&sour soup) were pricier than what I usually like to pay for Chinese food. Perhaps it was just the dishes we got, but they were too sauce-y for my taste. I wouldn't mind coming back here, but wouldn't put it at the top of my list if I'm craving Chinese.Service is very good, waiters are dressed nicely, dining experience is a step above casual, and overall ambience is pleasant.
	Reviewed by : Shanna W. On: 1/28/2013 3:09:00 AM First of all, this is definitely not "real" Chinese restaurant, the food is Americanized and you can tell it's aimed towards the westerners (i.e. if you go inside, you hardly see any Asians eating there other than the staff)I tried the Seafood Blossom Soup, it was very salty, and it had taste of MSG, nothing special other than saltiness and MSG.I ordered the grilled miso sea bass, my partner ordered Tangerine Beef. One word for both dishes: saltyMy sea bass was rather bland (other than tasting salty), compared to the miso Sea Bass at Kappo Nami Nami (a Japanese restaurant on Castro), this was far worse.Tangerine beef was a-okay, nothing special.Price is definitely on the high end for Chinese food, we had the soup, two dishes, and 2 beers, total was $60 (not including tips or taxes).For authentic, tasty and inexpensive Chinese food, try the ones in Cupertino :)
	Reviewed by : Aniket S. On: 1/26/2013 2:00:00 AM This place is the bomb. I went back after 4-5yrs and the food is still the same from what I experienced before. Its fresh, tasty and good quantity for take out. Take out is also fantastic and fast. Deff recommend this place.
	Reviewed by : Jens-Peter A. On: 1/17/2013 5:27:00 AM My all time favorite Chinese Restaurant! This is an awesome place, the food is excellent, and very, very consistent! Never had a bad experience here, and I used to eat here at least once a week, when I lived in CA. Since they would let me bring in my own Gluten Free Soy sauce, and would make me a special GF version of my favorite dish, Mongolian Beef. Last time I visited California, I had to visit this place, and they had GF soy-sauce there, so they can make many of the dishes GF. I love it! The only improvement would be if all the dishes were GF, but that will be a hard sell...
	Reviewed by : Analisa S. On: 1/14/2013 6:58:00 AM My parents have been going to Chef Chu's for years and decided this Christmas eve they were going to cater from Chef Chu's for their holiday party.I placed the food order 2 hours prior to pickup on Christmas eve and when I got there, it was obvious many other people had the same idea of catering for their holiday party. The food was ready on time, as promised and the staff was incredible. Instead of being siloed in one role, the staff was taking on multiple jobs for maximum efficiency.Their quality of food didn't go down either. My favorite dish they serve is the lover's prawns. I'm a fan of both the garlic white wine sauce and the spice red sauce. I liked their Hot & Sour Hunan Style Beef and Singapore Style noodles. I think the only thing I haven't really liked are their fresh vegetables, but that also has to do with the fact my parents order it steamed with light sauce - I think you only eat those for nutrition, not flavor.I highly recommend Chef Chus, even if you're just looking for a quick bite to eat. It's a great family business with superior customer service and delicious food.
	Reviewed by : Emily H. On: 1/6/2013 6:14:00 AM Authentic Chinese food. Family-style plattersGreat place to bring someone for a fancy date or business lunch. The restaurant is upscale and the waiters even wear dress shirts with bow ties.I always have a great time here, the food never disappoints.
	Reviewed by : Courtney K. On: 1/3/2013 7:02:00 PM As if Chef Chu's really needs another great review . . .Ok, I would really like to give Chef Chu's 4.5 stars. The only flaw was that food was really slow to come to the table. Also, we had a reservation but were seated 20 minutes late. And since I had a flight to catch these two delays seemed extra slow.Walking into Chef Chu's you know its something special because (1) you can see into the kitchen which more closely resembles a factory - lots of people and lots of action, (2) there is a long line of people waiting their carry-out, (3) there is a mass of people waiting for a table and (4) the wall is full of pictures of famous people who ate at Chef Chu's.Our party of four had a reservation for 6pm but were seated late, as noted above. However Chef Chu's son, who seems to run the front of the house and does so quite well, offered us all a beverage and was apologetic for the wait. The food was scrumptious - spring rolls, wonton soup, mu shu pork, and a few other entrees. So, yes, in summary I started with spring rolls, stuffed my belly full of Chinese-goodness and then rolled out of there.The menu here is huge and I really look forward to coming back here and trying some dishes.
	Reviewed by : Asli O. On: 1/2/2013 7:56:00 AM Elegant and classically Chinese Chef Chu's is meant for big tables of family & friends heartily scooping up noodles, rice, ox tail, duck, chicken, steamed vegetables, hot & sour soup, beef, tofu, prawns.Chef Chu's, still standing strong since 1970, has walls covered with the photographs of the rich & famous who've eaten here. It's an iconic part of Silicon Valley.Chef Chu's has it's own parking lot & you don't pay for it by the hour, coming from San Francisco it's like a DREAM!Cooking classes, food-to-go & catering are also available. Service is very attentive, almost always in your face or at your side ensuring you like the food, if you want more, if you need more to drink, how you'd like to split the bill - this I can tell is authentic & reminds me of back home in Istanbul.For a table of 8, we paid $98 - very fair pricing for so many delicious plates & bowls!
	Reviewed by : Theresa L. On: 12/31/2012 8:33:00 PM best Hu-Nan ToFu ever had!!now a days , no chef can make Bean Curd this good, authentic flavor,nice texture, flavor! I thought they cook for non-Chinese speaking guests, but they are cooking real!!Clam Soup, clear, hot, tres Bien!Lamb chop, Lobster Noodle!braised Brown Sauce Ox Tail.fair pricing and unforgettable CHU"s Special hospitality!!
	Reviewed by : Leslie H. On: 12/31/2012 12:28:00 AM As soon as you enter, you will see some of their famous customers since they have their pictures lined up in the wall. It's a two story place and parking is quite convenient. They have a very good selection of Chinese food. The decor is very classy specially if you're on the second floor. They even have a room for cooking classes of some sort.Food is great. Very flavorful minus the msg. Great selection including alcohol. Service is quick and prompt. The servers are quite friendly and professional. It's not your typical Chinese restaurant where they will just put the food down on your table and will not refill your drinks promptly unless you ask them. It's reasonably priced as well and good portion for sharing.
	Reviewed by : Kathy S. On: 12/25/2012 8:18:00 AM I was in the mood for Chinese food and after browsing through the pics on Chef Chu's Yelp page, I was drooling all over my macbook, ready for some of that hot and sour soup!We got there around 6:45 on a Saturday night. When you walk in, there will be hordes of people waiting around. Don't just wait with them.. they're ordering takeout so walk past them. We put our name on the waiting list and were seated within 20 mins which was pretty sweet.The dining area is very casual but they still have white tablecloths and nice booths which step it up a 'lil.So, of course we ordered the hot and sour soup.. I highly suggest you order the large and share it because the serving size for 1 person is TOO SMALL!! It's just not enough soup to satisfy you. I call it a tease as it was one of the best hot and sour soups I've ever had!DO NOT order the eggplant garlic dish. It's so oily that it's soggy. MINUS 1 star for the oil drench. Sorry!!The thick rice noodle dish was delicious but again a little oily, MINUS another star. I contemplated 2 stars as both of the dishes we ordered weren't what we expected however there are so many other potentially awesome items on the menu that it wouldn't be fair to give a low rating until I try out a few more things. I will be back and I'm getting a LARGE hot and sour soup to share!
	Reviewed by : John J. On: 12/22/2012 4:45:00 AM If it's good enough for Jeremy Lin, it's good enough for me. No, but seriously, Jeremy Lin is a native of Palo Alto, so it's expected that there's a picture of him and Chef Chu framed on the lobby wall. We had to wait a little, but that was to be expected for lunch on a Saturday.Me and two other friends ordered the Kung Pao Calamari, Mongolian Beef, and Yu Shang Pork. I still remember this with vivid acuity even though it was over two weeks ago that I had them. We each got a bowl of rice and we shared the dishes family style. We devoured every last morsel because the dishes were so good. I think what made them good was the seasoning and the general freshness of the ingredients. Now my friend wants to go back for round two.
	Reviewed by : Allison M. On: 12/20/2012 8:58:00 PM Hooooh my goodness. This place was recommended to me multiple times, but I had no idea what I was in for.We got seated (two of us) pretty quickly at 6:30 on a Friday night, which was a pleasant surprise given the reputation of the place. We did get just enough time to peruse the wall of famous visitors to the place-- what a mix! (Justin Bieber, Steven Seagal, and Jimmy Carter all have been here. Of course)The eggplant and garlic dish (braised eggplant in garlic sauce) and the salmon chef special were both absolutely phenomenal. You don't get a huge amount of food for the price, but the taste absolutely overcomes you with every bite. It's worth it. We're so lucky to live by this place!
	Reviewed by : Lusi F. On: 12/17/2012 8:06:00 AM If you're looking for a more upscale Chinese restaurant, this is the place. We got to meet Chef Chu and his son, seems like he goes out of his way to greet guests.Depending on what you want, there's an "american" menu and a "chinese" menu, though it's mixed together.The service is top notch, but you pay for it, especially since the portions are a bit smallerIf you're looking for good Chinese food, there are other places you can go that will be at least 25% cheaper or moreIf you're looking for a Chinese place to take none Chinese people who want a classier experience, then come here for good food, good service, but expect to pay more.Don't forget to check out the celebrity wall and ask about his 3rd son!
	Reviewed by : Mily W. On: 11/27/2012 5:06:00 AM Fun fact : Justin Bieber likes this restaurant lol :) . They have a signed poster around the bar area.Great food, awful service experience1. General 's chicken $12.95: tasty soft crispy chicken. Yummmm2. Sautéed spinach $8.75: fresh spinach . The sauce was yummy tooService: our waiter looked very annoyed and had a bad attitude when I asked for things, such as tea. Moreover we asked for home style sautéed spinach which came with fresh sliced jalapeño and spicy sauce which ours clearly did not. When I asked the waiter he said it was like that. I've ordered before so I know how it looks like. I didn't want to make a scene and the regular sautéed was good too so I let it go; but as a customer I don't like being lied to.Last time I came service was good, so maybe is just this one waiter ...I was sitting at a corner table 4d on 11/24 at around 5PM and there was not many people. Last time I came was super packed for dinner though .They have their own parking lot. The entrance is on the side facing San Antonio rd.
	Reviewed by : Ryan S. On: 11/23/2012 8:07:00 AM Really, really good Chinese food. Something about this place just tastes more authentic. It reminds me quite a bit of the real Chinese restaurants I have eaten in, IN CHINA! Mirrors on the walls, random fish tanks, haphazard placement of art, strange layout, large lazy susan at each table, never ending pots of tea, and of course, workers yelling in CHINESE the whole time! LOVE IT! If you're looking for an authetic Chinese experience, or just some really good Chinese food, this is your spot! Fantastic lunch specials too! Out of there in just under 11$, and you'll feel like you're so full that you don't need to eat again! All in all, LOVE ME SOME CHEF CHU's!Xie Xie!!
	Reviewed by : Sarah R. On: 11/14/2012 9:16:00 PM Great Chinese food! I learned about this place from watching Great Chefs - Great Cities on PBS!So... We just had to try it.First off, the place packed!! Must've been good food.....and it was. It's hard to find general tso's chicken and my husband says it was delicious. I had the Mongolian beef. I could honestly say that they put way too much green onions, but the meat was very tasty! I had other Mongolian beef dishes and this was best.Would definitely go again...or maybe just order for pick up since it was overly crowded.
	Reviewed by : PK p. On: 11/13/2012 2:20:00 PM I'm really torn between two stars and three stars. Let me tell you why.The food itself was very good. We had the fried rice, sea bass, prawns with candied pecans, and a beef and vegetable dish. On that alone I would have returned with my whole extended family!However, there were multiple flies around. When I'm eating, I really don't like having to shoo flies away from the food. That's the kind of thing I expect eating at a hole in the wall place, not here. Just looking up we saw three or four flies resting on one blade of the ceiling fan. The food was tasty, but now I'm wondering if I swallowed any fly eggs...More importantly, I noticed that certain people seemed to be treated a lot better than others. I thought maybe it was just me until I came back and read some reviews and saw one person agree with me. And this was just reading the first page, so who knows how many others have experienced this. Yes, unfortunately it seems like being white will get you better service, or at least a much friendlier server, than being asian. The chef or host (the son?) will definitely be nicer to you (or even acknowledge you). I saw our server greet a group of white women and was wondering where this friendly server suddenly came from. The service wasn't HORRIBLE, but if I'm noticing a discrepancy then something is really wrong.I really hope the Chef Chu's people will read these reviews and wake up. If you're gonna treat people well, treat EVERYONE well, not just the white folks. Is it because you think we're bad tippers? Or maybe you think we're so used to crappy Chinese restaurants with bad service, you don't feel the need to even try? Really, I would love to know your reasoning.So to sum up, food was a solid 4, maybe 4.5. Service plus fly shooing drops it to a 2, sorry.
	Reviewed by : Donna M. On: 10/18/2012 10:39:00 PM Our group of nine had a pleasant dining experience here! None of us had dined here before and everyone was completely satisfied and stuffed from all the food. We ordered about seven dishes which was more than enough. The service was excellent! My boyfriend and I arrived a tad late but they served us our soup piping hot while the others moved onto the entrees. Speaking of, here are a few recommendations:Prawns with Sizzling Rice: 5/5 Sooo good! My favorite dish of the bunch. At first, I had no idea what this was since they came out with a bowl of crispy rice. They proceeded to pour the sauce and you can see the rice just mush together - it was awesome and delicious.Tangerine Chicken: 4/5 Kinda tastes like the orange chicken from Panda Express.. which isn't a bad thing. It's crunchy and has a nice tangy flavor to it.General chicken: 3/5 Wasn't too WOWed by this dish, maybe because I was expecting something a little spicier. It's good though, the flavors pop, just wish it had more of a kick.Mongolian beef: 4/5 Super good! The beef is tender and it wasn't too oily or drenched in sauce - big bonus in my book.Can't remember what else we ate but they were all pretty tasty. Since it was a birthday, they gave the birthday girl a complimentary ice cream dish, while everyone else at the table got two small pieces of fried banana with chocolate sauce, a fortune cookie, and a dollop of whipped cream.Overall, a decent Chinese restaurant! Recommended for large groups.
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: Dishes such as the moo shu pork with unusually tasty pancakes and the dry-braised seafood are excellent at this popular and long-standing restaurant. Mandarin specialties satisfy, but adventurous diners should opt for less common items ...?
	Reviewed by : Contributor On: The Scene The big dining room at Chef Chu's looks a little dated, but the takeout business is booming. The family dinners and gourmet package deals are a cheap way to try a range of familiar Chinese-American dishes. The Food ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1996-03-17 Consistantly average. The only way I can explaining the reputation is that the chinese food here is clearly aimed at a clientele that is developed enough to try a new dining experience (like chinese...) but not savvy enough to know if ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1996-06-17 Well, this place was extremely average. My friend had heard some very good reviews about Chef Chu's, but after eating here we wondered if there was some other Chef Chu's. The atmosphere was pretty good, but the food average. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1996-07-15 I love this place! It was my favorite when I lived in California 1990 until 1991. Each time I come back to the Bay Area I have to stop by or my friends from the Bay Area invite me for a reunion. Mr. Chu's personally takes the time to ask ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1996-09-06 I must admit, I think the place is highly overated; although my wife loves it. It is good food, but there are soo many very good to excellent places in the area. Back in the late 70's I would concur with my wife, but in the last 8, ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1996-11-13 The food was OK. The waiter was below average in their attitude. One minute after we placed our order, we could not change our order for the soup. Generally the food is a little bit salty. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1997-02-04 The key words from the above reviews are "not what it used to be" and "coasting on its reputation". 20+ years ago, my parents and I would come all the way from Burlingame to eat dinner at what was unquestionably the best Chinese ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1998-02-15 This place is fully average, perhaps a little better. I want to explain the expectations against which some are reacting. This was one of the first upscale Chinese restaurants in the area, and has a long history on that basis. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 1998-06-25 The food tastes okay. Until today, I thought that the food was sanitary. I purchased the almond chicken and found that some of the almonds were coated in paint (literally, paint)! Chef Chu needs to check the food supplier that he uses. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2000-08-09 This restaurant appeals more American tastes than Chinese tastes. The food is well-prepared, but a bit pricey. The service is okay. The restaurant seems to attact celebrities...not sure why. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2001-10-30 Atmosphere: Normal Crowd: Varies Dress: Casual Food: Good Noise: Average Service: Average (Friendly) Comments: Chef Chu's has good food and nice servers but nothing extraordinary. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2002-03-18 Atmosphere: Above average Crowd: Varies Dress: Casual Food: Above average Noise: Average to somewhat quiet Service: Average Comments: We went here for lunch. The service was somewhat sketch. We had the Dragon Dinner ($13.95 each) plus we ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2002-04-06 Atmosphere: Above average Crowd: Varies Dress: Casual Food: Average to above average Noise: Average Service: Below average to average Comments: I went here for dinner tonight with friends. We sat in the upstairs room (nice atmosphere). ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2002-05-10 Atmosphere: Above average Crowd: Varies Dress: Casual Food: Above average Noise: Average Service: Above average Comments: I went here today for lunch with a friend. Our experience was much better than last time. We had consistent, prompt ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2002-11-15 Great take out food. The wait can be a bit long during rush hour, which is a good excuse to have one of their excellent Mai Tai drinks. Favorites include combination Won Ton soup, chef's special fried rice, savory Mongolian beef, spicy ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2003-11-24 well this is 'the' classic chinese restaurant in the peninsula area - definately not a 'hole in the wall' atmosphere so if that is what you like don't go here. however, the menu is extensive (even have Peking Duck), priced reasonable if ...?
	Reviewed by : rebecca_lui On: 2004-01-25 Chef Chu's is one of the best chinese restaurants in the Bay Area. Attentive services, healthy, fresh chinese food! I love the chinese chicken salad, sweet & sour soup and tofu with black bean sauce. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2004-04-18 A bit more expensive then many Chinese restaurants but overall it delivers very good Chinese food. Family friendly. We had a very friendly waiter for dinner this evening (4/18/2004). Reasonable service. Excellent Potstickers, Chinese Chicken ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2004-08-18 Would agree that the restraunt needs a face lift. I've been going here for 15 years. I guess the place has grown on me as I don't mind the lack of change. Food is a bit above average. I appreciate the fact the Mr. Chu still makes the ...?
	Reviewed by : m1kegbrown On: 2004-10-18 Chef Chu's offers old world charm, with modern day excellence in cuisine. Many years of operations have proven that Chef Chus is a tradition for generations ...?
	Reviewed by : sarika_24 On: 2005-02-05 I heard a lot about this place before I dined there last night with my husband. The service was good, but the food was less than mediocre. We started with hot and sour soup. It was drowned in black pepper, which really muted the other ...?
	Reviewed by : gilmoore On: 2005-04-08 This is a good restaurant. I think if you are looking for cutting edge asian fusian then this is not your place. But, if you are looking for the classic chinese dishes, plus some very original ones, then this is the place. ...?
	Reviewed by : tiger26 On: 2005-06-21 A family run restaurant that has been open 35 years, now with that track record they got to be doing somethng right. The hot & sour soup is unlike no other, spicy and full of flavor. Chicken salad is my favorite. Accomodating chefs ...?
	Reviewed by : bosoxbw On: 2005-07-04 I ordered take-out there and got home (20 minutes away) and found that my order had been filled incorrectly. I called and told them. After trying to convince me that I was mistaken, they told me that the menu on their website was outdated. ...?
	Reviewed by : A D. On: 2005-07-16 One of the best known Chinese Restaurants in the Bay Area, and it also happens to be family-owned and operated. The menu is classic with all the favorites. The portions are good-sized and the atmosphere is warm �C it's generally packed. ...?
	Reviewed by : Dinnie McLaughlin On: 2005-08-04 For those of you who have not had a chance to enjoy Chef Chu's, do your self a favor and visit. They really have someone of the most consistent and tasty Chinese food in the area. I would highly recommend the chicken salad and the wor wonton ...?
	Reviewed by : abbie5505 On: 2005-08-07 This is the best Chinese I have had since I moved here. Starting with the service, this place makes you feel like a regular. Food was just right, I had some special requests and my waitress was more than accomodating. Will definately go ...?
	Reviewed by : danroberts On: 2005-09-02 Excellent food!!! very impressed w/the food & service. Couple of my favourite dishes: Minced Shrimp in Lettuce Cup, Tofa w/ham in black bean sauce (must try!) ...?
	Reviewed by : Olggie Z. On: 2005-10-18 This place rocks. My spouse and I have actually gone here for both of our birthdays. Usually Im not so fond of Chinese food, but this place makes it all good. You can just see all the calories on the food, but you just cant resist it. ...?
	Reviewed by : Shannon W. On: 2005-11-03 Mom mom took me to Chef Chu's when I was a baby and it was a hole in the wall. Larry Chu has managed to grow him business into a wonderful, well known restaurant. The menu has just about everything. House speciality is the Chinese ...?
	Reviewed by : davidmoghtader On: 2005-11-19 Chef Chus has been my favorite restaurant for many years (its been open since 1970). Its a non-chain restaurant owned by a very nice family who try to make the experience of the customer a pleasant one. Theres nothing not to like about ...?
	Reviewed by : JeanMarc F. On: 2005-11-24 I first went to Chef Chu three years ago and was not impressed with service nor food. It took me a while to try it again. I returned recently with a group of colleagues, and had a very decent meal. We were seated upstairs, and service was ...?
	Reviewed by : bbzeta439 On: 2005-12-07 My family and I went there for our weekly dinner with our relatives who are going back to Taiwan. We heard raven reviews about the food and particularly their vegetarian dishes. The host was very friendly and service was great. ...?
	Reviewed by : Palo Alto Soccer Club On: 2006-05-02 Here is what I tend to order. Chef Special Chow Mein. "delicious" Chef Special Fried Rice" excellent" Mongolian Beef "Yummy" Kunpao Chicken Xtra Spicy "Hot Hot" I would recommend anyone in the BayArea altleast come to eat at Chef Chu's ...?
	Reviewed by : Tina M. On: 2006-05-09 Reasonably priced, very clean and good at getting you in and out for a work day lunch, Chef Chus is one of our office's favorite places to go. Ample parking and a friendly staff make it all the better... PROS: I have never been served a ...?
	Reviewed by : Ben L. On: 2006-05-26 Chef chu is famous for their chinese chicken salad... they may not have invented the dish but they sure perfected it. Definitely the best chicken salad out of the many I've sampled. Great for takeout. Usually I'll pick up food to go, ...?
	Reviewed by : RichardR216866 On: 2007-01-22 California. Grilled Beijing beef is highly recommended. Don't miss the carved carrot art display. Always enjoys great patronage, which is richly deserved. Besides being a very good restaurant, an excellent cooking school is housed within. ...?
	Reviewed by : baydiner On: 2007-02-09 I don't understand why people have raved and talked about this restaurant for so many years! From the Moment I walked into the restaurant I was disappointed! Until recently, I was invited to Chef Chu's for lunch because my friends had never ...?
	Reviewed by : Soundarya R. On: 2007-04-01 Even though we had booked a table ahead of time,we had to wait for more than 30 minutes.But the food was tasty and they have lots of appetizers,you wont know which one to try! ...?
	Reviewed by : RogerS1043222 On: 2007-04-09 above. Consistent high quality, everything today fresh, use many vegetables to compliment entrees while providing good nutrition balance. Service is always prompt, courteous and unerringly friendly. ...?
	Reviewed by : lmor On: 2007-04-20 I love this place! The food is consistently great , the service friendly and the prices when compared to other restaurants I eat out at are so reasonable. If you really want to try some authentic chinese dishes, you have got to order ...?
	Reviewed by : JB M. On: 2007-04-23 I recently went to Chef Chu's with my family. I had heard about it and driven by many times and finally decided to give it a try. I have a 2 year old son and they were very accomodating. The food was way above the average chinese restaurant. ...?
	Reviewed by : __bion On: 2007-06-22 I have been a customer of theirs for over 20 years and their food has always been Superb! Their food is the standard by which other places should be judged by. The Chef "Larry" Chu, as he is casual and humble remembers people even if ...?
	Reviewed by : Showa46 On: 2008-01-31 This is one of my favorite places to eat. Food is always great, prices are very reasonable and chef Chu is usually in the kitchen cooking the food himself. The dinner sets give you a good variety of popular dishes. The decor needs a serious ...?
	Reviewed by : CortneyG379188 On: 2008-03-13 the children of the wonderful Chef Chu at the intersection of Los Altos, Palo Alto and Mountain View. Delicious Chinese food that hasn't changed in decades. Their sizzling rice soup is one of my favorite comfort foods. ...?
	Reviewed by : McTasty On: 2008-03-24 out delicious Chinese food at reasonable prices. After you've been there once or twice, you'll notice some familiar faces greeting and serving you, including the son of the chef who appears to run the place. ...?
	Reviewed by : LVTinMP On: 2008-04-14 to go to Chef Chu's every time. His bar tending skills make this the best Chinese Mai Tai around. The food is always great and the experience is constantly solid with wonderfully friendly service and a very accommodating attitude when it comes to special requests. ...?
	Reviewed by : Meredith M. On: 2008-04-20 Apparently, Chef Chu's been rated as one of the best restaurants in the state (and even country). I definitely agree! My family have been dedicated customers for years and years, and we never get tired of it. (In fact, I almost wish I still ...?
	Reviewed by : A TripAdvisor Member On: 2008-12-07 I was so looking forward to going here after a six hour drive from LA and it was a huge disappointment. I was starving and was rushed into ordering this disgusting duck dish. The duck was very fatty and tasted like bad KFC (old grease ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2009-01-28 Wow, tonight was our first time at Chef Chu's. I guarantee we will be frequent guests there. The chicken with sizzling rice was just delicious! They have a special tea-smoked duck that's supposed to be incredible. The taste didn't appeal to me, so what did they do? Waived the bill for the duck! We didn't even complain, they just made note of the fact that we didn't eat it or want to take it home. Very classy place. You could take out-of-town guests there and be proud. The menu says they've been in business 37 years, and I know why. Great food and great service! They really need to replace that dirty red carpet, though.?
	Reviewed by : DarrellH7284 On: 2009-02-27 His Tangy Lemon Chicken is the best we've ever had. The same is true of the Jumbo Prawns with Candied Pecans. And this review is from a vegetarian but I can't say no to these two dishes. The rest of the menu is great too. ...?
	Reviewed by : cdahan On: 2009-02-27 Always avoids the worst sins of local Chinese fair--never greasy, always fresh, simple flavors, delicious. The special events (speeches from the Commonwealth Club, fundraisers, etc.) always dmeonstrate Chef Chu's generosity to the local ...?
	Reviewed by : KristineE3624 On: 2009-03-08 without losing any of its charm. Worth the long wait and the obstacle course parking lot. Standout wok-seared scallops. Surprisingly affordable lunch specials. Fast and friendly service. ...?
	Reviewed by : DaveL8479 On: 2009-03-09 cannot be beat. Every meal here is terrific, in spite of the huge menu. Chef Chu's is always a bit crowded and reasonably noisy, but the food and pricing make up for this. ...?
	Reviewed by : WilliamN220215 On: 2009-03-25 years. We've never been disappointed. You won't be either, but you've got to get the Chinese Chicken Salad, Mu Shu Pork, Kung Pao Chicken, and Mongolian Beef just like we always order. ...?
	Reviewed by : PegC3012 On: 2009-03-29 What a wonderful personality, to go with his wonderful food! Try the Chinese cooking classes or join in a Chinese New Year's banquet with friends - reserve ahead. ...?
	Reviewed by : Anish J. On: 2009-06-26 Chef Chu's is considered an institution and almost a landmark in Los Altos, but the food is not as tasty as it was 5 years ago. Still, the food here is some of the best Chinese in the area. The best dishes include the specials such as ...?
	Reviewed by : A TripAdvisor Member On: 2009-07-14 Our party of 6 ate as this restaurant on a Friday night. The decor is nice, the furniture is comfortable the area we were seated in was clean. We ate family style sharing 6 different meal choices. None of these were outstanding in taste or ...?
	Reviewed by : Joy W. On: 2009-07-31 Chef Chu's usually has decent food. BUT... I found a cockroach in my take home brown rice YUCK!!!! I'm sorry to say that I will never eat there again. ...?
	Reviewed by : AnneB2116 On: 2009-09-26 I was expecting unusual food, but was disappointed. Much of the menu was typical 'American' fare. The tea had no character. The curried food seemed to be missing the curry. The tangerine beef was marvelously tender with a hint of citrus, but overly oily. The Pon Pon Chicken was nicely ...?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2009-11-16 our fav chinese restaurant in los altos?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2008-06-19 As a visitor from the UK I was guided to Chef Chu's as the best Chinese restaurant in the Bay area. The food was decent Chinese food. It did not the delicacy, lightness or balance to be anything better than average. And the special sauce was surprisingly like Heinz Ketchup with a dash of chilli!?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2008-08-03 Their food is good, but pricey. Then again, after trying numerous chinese food places, I'd rather pay a little more and get quality and taste than garbage and a stomach ache.?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2009-07-04 Best place for Chinese food around town! The best dishes are the chef specials, they are excellent. Some favorite dishes are the tangerine beef, praline prawns and scallops. When feeling a bit under the weather, we crave their hot and sour soup. Enjoy!?
	Reviewed by : Anonymous On: 2009-09-14 Best Chinese food EVER! We travel from the South every year and always stop in to eat here the first night we are in town and the last. The food is outstanding and the service even better. You won't be disappointed. Try the Chinese Chicken Salad for sure and the Moo Shoo is great too! If you are really daring get a Mai Tai, but I suggest only one! :) Enjoy and say hello to Chef Chu and his son Larry while in there?

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