My Wife has been comingto this place forthe last 13 years and never had a bad experience this is how this place is about !! great people great food great prices
(5)
Maylin B.
As with most Chinese restaurant's I stick with what work's for me on the menu. I've had good results other than the one time I tried something different on the menu. That dish was so-so... The customer service is good and they are friendly although they appear to have an aversion towards refilling people's iced tea if you dine-in. Not a bad choice if you live nearby or happen to be passing by. I wouldn't go out of my way for this establishment though.
(3)
Eric K.
Don't you hate it when you crave a certain food only to have that food taste horrible when you finally get to eat it? I had the General Chicken and my wife ate the Beef & Broccoli. The General was perhaps the worst I've ever eaten (I have been to countless Chinese restaurants across the country and only eat General) and my wife said she would rather have eaten Subway because her beef tasted nasty and even the broccoli was no good. This place gets 2 stars because the staff was all very attentive and friendly. Because of the disappointing food though, we won't be going back to this place again.
(2)
Harvey S.
Ever since I moved to the East Valley a few months ago, (heck, really, ever since I moved to The Valley 5 years ago), I've been looking for a good Chinese restaurant with fresh-tasting food and a more authentic feel (to me, authentic is as simple as using traditional Chinese vegetables like bok choy instead of zucchini)! I believe I've found such a really good Chinese restaurant in Yao's. And not only must the food be good...other restaurants got rave reviews on the food...but so too, the service. Because good food can be soured by poor service. Typical in some of these "authentic" Chinese restaurants: non-communative waitstaff or those who don't care. Yao's was different...right from the friendly greeting when we entered to the cheerful waitress who stopped by every so often to check on us (granted, it was only late afternoon on a Sunday). But the food was very good, too. Following the lead of other Yelpers, I ordered the egg roll. It was indeed nice and crispy, not greasy on the outside, containing slightly crunchy, flavorful veggies and other ingredients inside. It definitely tasted like they made it, not the common freezer-to-fryer ones found elsewhere. The won ton soup in a cup was a small serving, mostly broth with a little shredded cabbage and stuffed wontons at the bottom. Very light, not substantial, really just enough to warm you up a bit and move to the next course. The moo shoo shrimp was good: all pancakes with contents were pre-wrapped by the kitchen, with hoison sauce on the side. They stayed moist that way without crumbling or getting too soggy--just perfect. Veggies were flavorful, as was the flavoring inside. Shrimps were reasonable size, plump and tasty. I definitely will be back again.
(4)
T. U.
Stopped by to pick up dinner here last night - ordered pan-fried noodles, chicken with broccoli and fried tofu with veggies... Taste was not bad. But everything looked and tasted pretty much the same. Nothing as special as the other reviews would suggest. Would not bother to try again.. Also, they packed the food in a cardboard box. I hate it when Chinese restaurants do this since the sauce inevitably ends up spilling out, seeping through the box and ultimately ending up on the seat of your car. Use plastic bags, people! If you hate the environmental impact, make them biodegradable and charge a few extra cents!!!
(3)
Michael S.
This place is awesome. Try the Egg Blossom and Orange chicken. Great price for the amount of food you get.
(5)
Ostin G.
I love this place. Best Chinese food in the east valley BY FAR. I literally have been coming here since day 1, when they opened 11 years ago. I lived across the street and would walk here with my best friend every week after we got our allowance. The atmosphere hasn't really changed in the last 11 years (which is completely fine because its nostalgic) but i don't go somewhere for atmosphere. Now the food, amazing. I read a review about salt overload; you're getting Chinese food. Why are you so shocked that you feel bloated? Go eat a Thai salad if you don't want to feel like that. And for anyone hesitant, no it does not taste extremely salty. It's perfect. Anyways, I have not once had something that i was disappointed in. Never. Ever. I'm pretty sure I've had everything on their menu too. My go to is the pork egg fu young lunch special. For $6.95 you get a HUGE portion: two egg patties, a ton of assorted veggies, a bowl of soup (dine in only), fried rice, crab puff, and spring roll. Way better than nasty Panda Express and half the price. Love their won ton soup. So much flavor in the broth. Mongolian beef is awesome. Spicy but in a good way. Beef and broccoli is good. I also had their kung pao chicken. Just so you know, I can't stand KPC, but I definitely like theirs. Service is friendly even if you aren't a regular. They're insanely quick during lunch hour. I can be in and out within 30 minutes even if it's packed. I can go on and on about this place. I absolutely love it and always bring my friends here. I definitely do not go to any other Chinese restaurant. Love you Yaos!
(5)
Crys Q.
Great customer service, the ladies are always friendly. The food always comes out nice and hot. Fairly inexpensive. What I recommend is the chicken noodles so delicious!!
(5)
April G.
I'm so glad we tried Yaos. We ordered the crab puffs, orange beef, teriyaki chicken and chicken fried rice. Everything was very good other than the teriyaki chicken which was a bit on the bland side. The food was ready for pick up in 15 min and the staff there was very friendly. Maybe one these days they'll offer delivery but it's still worth the drive.
(4)
Stephanie A.
Really good food and very reasonably priced. we loved everything except their fried rice, it tasted like brown rice and soy sauce, which was disappointing since it's one of my favorites at Chinese restaurants. Other than that everyone was very nice and polite even with the language barrier, place was clean and they were very quick to get our drinks, food, and bill since we were in a hurry. All in all pretty good place.
(4)
Tonya P.
Hunan chicken is not on the menu and they were so gracious to make it. Every thing tasted wonderful. Just the right spiceyness. Very very sweet staff. Huge portions. Thanks a bunch
(5)
Samantha C.
It's ok. Nothing great like the reviews reflect. I was telling someone how difficult it was to find good Chinese food locally and she started raving about this place. We have ordered a take out 3 times and each time I'm disappointed we didn't drive a little further to our favorite Chinese restaurant. I like the way they package the sweet and sour sauce separately from your main dish so that it's not soggy by the time you get home. Also, it's still very hot by the time we get home and it's a good 15-20 minutes away. My biggest gripes: *Salt overload. Holy Cow! Every time. The day after I eat here I am so bloated I can hardly fit into my clothes let alone get my rings on my fingers. *I'm funny about my meat. The pork in the fried rice is so fatty, I pick it out. I justify this because the fat has to add flavor during the cooking process. *Back the meat. I took a bite of sweet and sour chicken last night and the chicken was nothing but gristle. It was so disgusting I had to spit it out. *The chicken in the sweet and sour tastes a little like fried shrimp/ or has a slight seafood taste. I was wondering if they fry all their meats in the same oil? If you were in a pinch and 'needed' Chinese food, you could consider going here, but it's not my favorite.
(3)
Monaliza S.
We go here almost every other Sunday after church. I've tried most of the dish and so far no complaints. My children's favorite dish is the orange chicken. The best part is that they serve you wonton, egg drop, or sweet and sour soup first. Very friendly!
(5)
Fausto G.
Food is awesome. This is the spot if you're looking for good chinese food. Service is really fast and efficient
(5)
Virginia S.
Never disappointed!!! We found this place last year, has the best lunch specials, great price, delicious food, awesome service. Huge portions. Love the wonton soup! Egg fu young is the best I've ever had. We loved every dish. We go in about 1-2 times a month and they remember us. Can't say enough about this place.
(5)
Erica S.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for my favorite Chinese Food restaurant in the East Valley. I must go to this restaurant at least once a month. It is so good and it is around the corner from me. The lunch specials are an amazing deal and the dinner portions are huge. My favorite is the chicken & broccoli, house fried rice, sesame chicken, and the egg rolls. Let me go back to the egg rolls for a minute. They are some of the best you can get. I think I went there once and got just egg rolls and rice. Yep...they're that good. I love this place!!
(4)
Martha H.
Have been there numerous times over the years with family and friends. Have also used take-out and had a party catered. *Yes, you should try it! *One of the best in Gilbert. *Food was always very good, less of that 'out of the can' food, that I seem to get at other Chinese restaurants. Always a nice presentation. Large portions. *Not a fancy place, but comfortable. Good for family, or even meeting a friend....can chat because the music isn't too loud. *Lunch specials are a bargain. *Service is courteous and prompt. *Mushu pork is one of my favorites, and the shrimp with vegetables. Hubby loves the sweet and sour pork. A Gilbert gem! Go give 'em a try.
(5)
Karen A.
Best Chinese food- my husband and I come here every time we crave Chinese food. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the service is the best. For about $6 you get lots of food.
(5)
Judi E.
Yaos is good, everyday Americanized Chinese food. Soup is good. Mongolian beef, lettuce wraps, house noodles are all favorites. Service is attentive & food comes out quickly.
(4)
Michael T.
We have been searching for a Chinese restaurant of the caliber of Jade Empress since that palace to oriental cuisine closed more than 20 years ago and today we may have finally it. Yao Fine Chinese Cuisine was a wonderful experience, the staff was friendly, the food was outstanding and most importantly the prices were amazing! We started with egg rolls which were large, crispy and delicious without being greasy. The hot and sour soup was delicious without the sharp tang of vinegar that is true of so many other Chinese places. Yao serves a dish called General Chicken (Similar to General Tso Chicken) that is tender chicken served in a slightly sweet yet spicy sauce with crisp broccoli. It was a treat to be sure, but the dish that really was a hit was the Black Pepper Beef. Strips of tender beef cooked with chopped bell peppers, onion, jalapeno peppers, a delicious sauce all sprinkled with loads of fresh black pepper. Oh my! We enjoyed our meal immensely but it became twice as wonderful when the check came, Wow! Least expensive we've had out in quite some time. You really need to check them out.
(4)
Belinda B.
Yao is YUMMY. I love their hot & sour soup and their Snow Hill Chicken. Quick service, great food, and fair prices, can't ask for more.
(5)
Chris S.
I would say that Yao's serves up the best Lo Mein I've ever had with a nice flavor from a hot wok. We have had several of their chicken dishes and it never disappoints. The mu shu pork (sp?) it also very good and has excellent flavor. I also like how they leave their veggies slightly crisp which gives them a great texture with the noodles and rice. I have not dined in yet there as my house is so close but the dining room is rather bland looking. It does look clean however.
(4)
Tyler V.
Been going here for a couple years, and I love it. The owners know my family and I well. The food is tasty the atmosphere not bad. Their orange chicken and egg fu young are top notch!
(5)
Nicolette K.
We ordered from Yao Fine the day before Thanksgiving to have something quick to eat without dirtying the kitchen. We have tried our fair share of Chinese restaurants in the Gilbert area but haven't found "the one" yet - but our search maybe over. We ordered the walnut shrimp, general's chicken, shrimp chow mein and hot and sour soup - we also had the egg rolls and a crab Rangoon. Everything was tasty and the walnut shrimp, egg roll (which was huge), Rangoon and generals chicken are probably the best I have ever had in Gilbert. The shrimp chow mein was also good, and was a huge serving, but my husband would have liked more shrimp so next time we will add extra. The only thing that was at all disappointing was the hot and sour soup - while tasty it didn't have a very good vegetable to broth ratio but I don't know if that was a one time occurrence or not so I will try it again sometime to see. Lastly, the fact that they don't deliver makes me sad - but only because if they did I would exclusively order from here. But on those days when we can order and pick up we will definitely order from Yao Fine!
(5)
Vishal B.
Very nice food. Complete value for money. We ordered for King pao chicken, orange chicken,veg chowmin. Everything was delicious. Would eat again when visit Chandler.
(5)
Shirley D.
We've come here for a few years now. Good priced food and good tasting. Friendly service. We enjoy getting the dinner combinations...PuPu platter is a goI'd appetizer to share.
(5)
D M.
I just discovered this place after living in the area for years and driving by it tons of times. After hearing about the lunch special I decided to stop in today to give it a shot. You get a ton of food for $6 and the General Tso was great.
(5)
AJ T.
Great food! Came in for the egg foo young, and it was fantastic. Also tried orange chicken, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, and was impressed by all. Clean, fast, great service. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Erika C.
Love their authentic Chinese cuisine. Kung pao is the best I've ever had, eggplant in garlic sauce is a dream and the crispy orange beef is perfection! My kids are all about the wonton soup!
(5)
Shannon L.
We came because it was close but now we come ALL the time because the food is phenomenal, the prices can't be beat and the owner and staff are unparalleled in service. It's hard to come by special places like this, it's a must!
(5)
Bill K.
Another lunch and I asked them to cook the vegs a little more which they were glad to do and they were perfect. I printed out my 1st review and left it with them. We don't have a 4.5 rating so I will ask them to put a few peas and corn in the fried rice so I can give them a 5 star review. Love the egg rolls and my wife gave me half of hers so all in all, a great late lunch.
(4)
Valerie A.
For Chinese food this place is pretty good. Inside lacks a bit decor but what do you expect from a Chinese restaurant. They can accommodate large groups, and by large groups in talking around 12-16! Yes we had a group of 16 at this place. Some fav menu items: sesame chicken, honey walnut shrimp, and house fried rice. We've been here almost once a month since July. And the ladies know us pretty well now.
(4)
Kimo K.
I would give this place 3.5 stars. Went for lunch yesterday with my GF. This place is .5 miles from our house and we were in a rush for lunch since we got detained at home by a late contractor doing some work. So we decided to give this place a try. I am a stickler for good Cantonese food and was not expecting much. But I was pleasantly surprised with the food and the pricing, which were both pretty good. We had sesame chicken (I know, I know -- this is white people's Chinese food, but my GF loves sesame chicken) which was very good. We had fried tofu with assorted veggies in a brown sauce which also was very good. I ordered Mongolian beef which was good and it was served over a bed of deep fried mai fun, which I really don't care for, but it was OK. And lastly, I ordered beef chow fun which was good too. The noodles were thinner (not the width but the thickness) chow fun noodles which were OK but I like the thicker chewier kind. But all in all, the dishes were good and the prices appropriate @ $8.95 per dish.
(4)
Sarah S.
The place is very small and not very busy but the service is great. Filled my wine glass to the TOP!
(4)
Yong L.
Friendly staff and good food. Can't say that they have anything unique but if you are in a mood for good American Chinese food, it is a safe bet.
(4)
Michael K.
First time here today, went there for take out, there was no minimum order required. I had the black pepper beef. It was really good, better than I had expected. This will be my new place for Chinese food!! The lady working the counter was real nice and helpful pick out something. Keep up the good work!!
(5)
Raymond P.
Good American Style Chinese food. (Is that a paradox?) We have been coming here since they opened. They make Chow Fun w/ Black Bean Sauce for me, even though it is not on the menu. Sometimes, if you are lucky , you can the Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce. The only bad experience / horror story, was the two and a half hours we spent waiting for food on Christmas Eve. (No really!) @#$%! It was like a crazy Chinese Black Friday. I will never do that again,...
(4)
Bruce K.
I live pretty close by so I frequently grab take out. I am always pleased with the quality of both their service and food. Great prices , great food, and friendly service. general ts'o chicken plate is pretty much my go to for cheat day cravings, and the crab rangoones are killer.
(5)
David M.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and ordered a dinner size shrimp with garlic sauce. The ingredients were of good quality and my meal tasted great. The service was quick, my server was friendly, and the restaurant was clean. I will definitely visit again and would recommend Yao.
(4)
Michael B.
Fine go to Chinese in the Gilbert area- especially compared to their competitors. Portions are extremely large- so for takeout it is more than enough to split platters.
(5)
Bdiddy D.
Chineese food is not easy in the dessert, but this place got it right. Im from New Jersey where take out is great almost everywhere. Yaos has great food, service is just right. We ordered mongolian beef and was awesome. Chow Mein A+.....
(5)
Michael K.
Having lived in the NY & NJ area for 30 years I've become spoiled with good Chinese food. Last night my girlfriend and I decided to try this place in Gilbert. The menu was extensive and the prices looked great. We were shocked when I went to pick it up as to the large portions . The General Chicken was soft and not over cooked and the potstickers were hot and tasty. Definitely the best Chinese Food I've tasted since I've been here. I can't wait to order again!!!
(5)
Alfred C.
Best Chinese around! They have Hong Kong fried noodle.....best I've ever had any where. Staff is friendly. Lunch specials are inexpensive and give you alot. A must try!
(5)
Don B.
First time here today. Food was good with decent prices. Wait staff wasn't the friendliest, but came to eat. Overall had a good experience and will come again.
(4)
Steve C.
The food is pretty good, sweet and sour sauce is horrible! At first I thought it was just a bad day, but no....they don't make the sauce right:( how do you get sweet and sour wrong?? Runny, like water. Good thing the is a Frys near by to get some decent bottles sauce. Come on guys, make it right!!
(2)
Aishan S.
We used to come here a lot when my family lived in Gilbert, so I'm surprised I never wrote a review for this place. It definitely gets five stars, because the food is delicious, and staff are all really nice, and the place looks great. I've never had a bad experience here. The servers are all warm and friendly. They greet us when we come in, and often stop by during the meal to check on us. Portions here are nice and filling, and you get a lot for a great price. I still often come here for lunch or dinner whenever I am stopping by in Gilbert.
(5)
Trisha N.
Stopped in tonight. It's the day after Christmas, and I am not the only one in the area sick of the Christmas feast. I walked in to find a very busy restaurant, but service was still good. There were many people working hard, never skipping a beat it seemed. I ordered cashew chicken and sweet and sour shrimp, with fried rice. Pretty delicious. The shrimp were a good size and the cashew chicken was a huge portion. Good flavor and well worth the wait. I will definitely be trying this place again!
(4)
Jennifer H.
Always get takeout from here and the food is very good. I can't say the "best" because I've had the best in Gulfport, MS. This is my place though for Chinese in AZ. Pork Fried Rice; Lo Mein; Sweet & Sour Pork/Chicken/Shrimp; Twiced Cooked Pork and Sesame Chicken are always great choices. Kung Pao Chicken can be spicer, but you can always ask for spicer and I do wish the chicken was diced instead of sliced. Nice inside, but actually never ate inside just takeouts, but busy usually during the rush hrs. Makes me hungry just writing this review!
(4)
Eddie C.
Great lunch specials! I got the Chicken Chow Mein, it was really good. I would definitely go back again.
(5)
Bob N.
I really like this place. It's clean and taste like the food back east. They will even make dishes that are not of the menu.
(5)
Kimberly H.
Food is really authentic and tasty. The fried rice comes with so many veggies and meat, and the orange chicken is always hot and fresh, never dry. Staff is friendly and have quick service
(4)
John M.
Really terrific family Chinese food. Very friendly and hospitable staff. I stop by for lunch a couple of times a month and have never been disappointed. For about $6 you get soup, egg roll, crab puff, fried rice and your choice of entry. I usually opt for the egg foo young, decent egg foo young is surprisingly hard to find in the Valley. Very tasty sauce, crisp snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts and tender chicken. Two good sized patties. Really good food at a really good price!
(5)
K N.
This is the best Chinese food we have had in the East Valley. Always delicious and consistent. It's very reasonably priced too. We have been several times and tried different items and not had a bad experience.
(5)
Jay M.
I was feeling Chinese so i chose this place from the yelp reviews. Glad I did. Service was on the spot & the food was great! It was a pretty inexpensive meal in top of that. Looks like I'll be adding this place to my musts......
(4)
Veronika P.
We have been coming here for 2 years now and we love it! It's so hard to find a good NY style Chinese place in AZ and this comes close. We always get the twice cooked pork, general tso, sweet and sour pork it's perfect every time. They have great lunch specials and their positions are very generous!
(5)
Gabriel S.
Ok Chinese food. Appetizers are excellent, main dishes are OK. Had orange chicken and beef and broccoli. Don't like that brown orange sauce, and the beef was a little to mushy, if there's such a thing. Referred by friends, our main Chinese stop is Golden Valley at Extension and baseline. Yao's did not top that.
(3)
Cendy K.
We went with our family on Christmas Eve. Apparently, the entire city of Gilbert thought they would go too! So, the wait to get out table was long and once we were sat, it took a long time to give our order. However, once we got our food, it was yummy! Mongolian beef was spicy, but not too spicy. It was light on the beef though. The chicken fried rice was great! Huge platter! Egg rolls were huge! Others in our party got moogoo guipan, happy family, coconut shrimp and egg flower soup. They all said they were good too! We'll have to go some other non-holiday weekend to see how the service is.
(3)
Trae E.
My family and I love coming here! The staff is always friendly and the food is so good. My favorite dish is the beef lo mein. We live really close and the lunch menu (till 3pm everyday) is only $5-6, it's a great deal for great food!
(5)
Jenna B.
Dinner specials are nothing special! They are pretty expensive and the portions are not anything better than the lunch sizes. I will be back for lunch but I will not be back for dinner. (Also the lady didn't package our left overs like usual)
(3)
Sean M.
We go here for lunch on the weekends fairly consistently and order from the "Lunch Menu". The food is consistently delicious! I love the Won Ton soup, and the spring roll that comes with the meal. They gladly substitute white or brown rice for the fried rice. And the staff is always smiling and pleasant and swift! Of course this is NOT authentic chinese cuisine...but that's not what I want! I enjoy getting a good sized meal, with unlimited refills on my drinks for me and my lady and spending well under $20. You'll have to ask for chopsticks, but they have them :)
(4)
Logie Z.
We come here once in awhile for the lunch combos. We usually get the orange chicken since the kids love that sweet & sour flavor with the crunch. It's way too sweet for my taste, so I order the beef broccolli or egg foo young. I'm not too crazy about the egg roll filled with the hideous cabbage with nutmeg. The good thing about this place is at least they don't have the same brown sauce for everything like most Americanized Chinese restaurants. The service is always good. It's a good place to have inexpensive family lunch!
(3)
Monique H.
Consistently delicious Chinese food. Reasonably priced for the quality of food you get. You know the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld? If you try to switch out the spring roll for an egg roll on their lunch special, you'll meet their version.
(3)
John P.
Really good. Very friendly and we get take out once a week Pork noodle soup, teriyaki chicken, spring rolls, Singapore noodles and beef and broccoli are great Huge portions
(4)
Catalina S.
Food comes quickly, but not suspiciously quickly. And the food is delicious! The orange chicken has the perfect crisp, and tasty sauce. Good amount of meat comes with the chow mein dishes. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Christine B.
Customer service is excellent here! My family and I felt as if we were coming into their home and they were very nicely welcoming us in. Loved the vegetarian and pescetarian choices. (Cannot wait to try them all) My hubby loved the sauce on his kung pao chicken. The prices are very reasonable. The restaurant is a tab bit far from where we live, but we would happily drive out of our way to eat here again and again!
(5)
Reggie Q.
I am very picky when it comes to Chinese food. Growing up in San Francisco most of my life, I was spoiled with great prices and great food. I moved to southern California and I could not find a good Chinese restaurant for an entire year of living there. I mean not even good, now I live in Arizona and Yaos is the most amazing Chinese I've had since my childhood. Great portions, service with a smile, cleanest restaurant for Chinese food I've been to in years and the food was just excellent. Big portions and great tastes and friendly staff you can't go wrong. I already made a date with the wife to come back jn two days and I'm still eating as I write this.
(5)
Cyril A.
This is my to go place when I don't know where to have lunch. The staff, including the owner, is very friendly and amazingly fast. They have lunch specials which includes soup, egg roll and crab puff. I usually take their orange chicken as you get a lot of chicken which fills up your plate. I also like their chicken with veggies, chicken lo mein when I'm starved and need carbs (comes with soft noodles and rice). The food is pretty good for what you pay and it is always a joy to go there and chit chat with the staff when not too busy.
(3)
Belinda B.
Great little hole in the wall, they are always very friendly and the food is served FAST. I loved the Snow Hill Chicken, and also a fan of the Cashew Chicken, both were very fresh with lots of good vegetables. Good fried rice on the lunch special and the Hot & Sour Soup and the Eggrolls are delicious. I like this place and eat here whenever I'm in the area.
(4)
Veronica F.
Love the food, love the service. Every experience eating at Yao is enjoyable. The first visit we felt welcomed and now as regulars we feel like friends. Every dish I have tried is delicious. Great lunch specials. A must try if you are in the area.
(5)
Michael C.
I can't believe the positive reviews listed here. The food is marginal, not authentic. The quality of the ingredients is poor to fair. The only saving grace is the low prices. The ambiance is non existent. So, if you want belly filling Chinese and are desperate, than go for it. I restrict myself to take out, when I'm sick of pizza and fried chicken.
(1)
Jim W.
Yo, Yao serves Americanized Chinese food that is pretty good. The food falls solidly in the 3-3.5 star range. In my only visit to Yao the service was definitely lacking. I don't know if this is the norm or they were short-staffed. I had to wave people down through the entire time I was at Yao to get: -refills on water -refills on tea -boxes to take home leftovers -the check -I finally gave up waiting for someone to take the bill and took it to the counter. I would try Yao again but probably just for takeaway.
(3)
Laura S.
I LOVED the customer service I got here! You can't beat it! I chose Yao because of it's Yelp and the fact that they were still open and willing to serve me a to go order at 8:45 pm. As I waited for my food, the women were both super friendly and genuinely interested in who I was. I felt like my 15 minute wait just flew by! The food was pretty dang good and definitely decently priced! I will for sure be going back to Yao!
(5)
Marc M.
Very bad Wor Wonton soup no wonton skin just starchy dough pockets with very little meat stay away from this soup no shrimps nor slices of pork . I went to another Chinese Restaurant about four miles from them and got a good ole' fashion Wor Wonton soup the way I've had it for years.
(2)
Eric G.
I agree with some of the review here, Yao's is a typical Americanized Chinese restaurant that is well priced and good customer service. When me and wife went we were instantly greeted with a friendly and helpful staff. The food is OK and is priced accordingly, I had the Kung Pao chicken which was a little on the sweet side. I did however love that they have chestnuts in their food!!! My wife had the Orange Chicken, it was extremely sweet and a little over whelming. We saved it for leftovers. Overall: You pay for what you get, don't have high expectations, but its worth a try if your in the area.
(3)
Carly H.
Very nice lunch specials always very consistent . My Sugestion is to go eat in instead of Togo as you don't get soup and the portion is smaller.. Otherwise always good and fresh!
(4)
Terri L.
We've been going here for years since our son told us about it. The food is awesome, as is the service. Nice, light interior and always clean! You'll be seated promptly, given water & offered another beverage if you want one. I've had many, many dishes on the menu & they're all great! My husband's fave is the double-pan fried noodles. My favorite menu item is the pot stickers. You get 8 big ones, plenty for sharing. the Snow Hill dishes are great, too. Great food, great service, & if you go late enough in the evening & if you're a regular - you might score free soup! Don't miss out on this wonderful neighborhood gem!
(5)
Mr. E.
The food is always fresh and tastes great. I really enjoy coming in for lunch in between work and my appointments. I can order an entree, soup, wonton, and spring roll for less than $7 during lunch time. Kung Pao chicken and the sweet and sour shrimp are great. Yes, this is slightly americanized, but it has been in business for quite some time and the staff and owners are always friendly. They do not hesitate to remember your face and say hello. This is by far my favorite place to take a friend for a quick bite to eat if we want chinese.
(5)
Jim O.
Yao has become our favorite Asian food restaurant in the Chandler/Gilbert area. Food is extremely consistent and fresh tasting. Plenty of vegetables in the dishes that are cooked correctly and not mushy. Spicy entres are excellent and I feel are much fresher and healthier tasting than our previous regular stop. (Pei Wei) Top it off with very friendly service and reasonable prices and I'm kind of shocked they aren't busier.
(5)
Brian S.
We typically order their Chicken with Broccoli and Pork Fried Rice. They are able to customize your order without any hesitation and the food arrives steaming hot and fresh. The food tastes great but I am slightly disappointed in the consistency of the quality of the chicken. The service is usually super friendly; however, one time they charged my card twice and argued with me about it when i showed them my bank statement the next week. I had to wait for the owner to drive home to get her copies of the credit card receipts. She eventually reimbursed me but I was furious that she wasted my time and I had to sit at the restaurant waiting before she returned to admit the mistake.
(3)
KristinMark M.
There should be more than 5 stars!! 1st time. Tried the lunch" general chicken" with fried rice. I've been looking for that ' just right' spice in my Chinese food and I've found it here! !! I will return if my newly preg belly allows!! I'm so pleased to have found a awesome place. Plus it had great yelp reviews!
(5)
Tracy V.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants. My family loves it, the staff is super friendly. I always get the lo mein and fried rice. The only con is that at least twice the server entered in the wrong amount into the cash register, she had to go back, cancel the incorrect amount and put the correct amount in. It was a little frustrating, but for the most part I really enjoy eating here.
(4)
Alan Z.
Wonderful Fresh Food, I highly recommend them
(4)
Renata K.
Friend and I got our nails done together next door and saw the sign for their lunch specials and decided to give them a shot. Lunch specials are like $5.50 and include soup and egg roll. Your typical selections, but they were nice enough to let us both substitute chicken for the beef in the "beef and broccoli". The food was quick and tasty. For the price, can't be beat. I'm sure we'll be back when we get our nails done next door again.
(4)
K W.
Me and my wife got take out one night, we were not to impressed it was ok. There is a minimum $ amount for takeout so we had to order more than we really wanted. To top it off I woke up at 2AM sick as can be with liquids coming out of both ends. Needless to say I havnt/won't be back again. I would say 3 stars but when I wake up at 2am puking I have to say 0.
(1)
John G.
My wife and I have been visiting Yao for several years. The food is good and the price is very reasonable. I have to say that Shirley, the owner, is what keeps us coming back. She always greets her customers with a warm smile and friendly "hello". I also love this place because it reminds me of my first experience with Chinese food as a kid. Ironically Yao offers a nice break from the PF Chang-style Asian cuisine in both it's simplicity and its price. I have noticed that on busy nights the staff can get a little backed up with the influx of To-Go orders, but I've always been very please with the service level and attentiveness of the wait staff. Can't say enough nice things about this place as it's a real favorite.
(5)
Andrew H.
Yao's is excellent. I go there 2-3 times a month and have been for almost two years... and I live 30 miles away. It is a pleasant atmosphere, not too loud or too crammed, and the owner is usually there talking to customers. She or the waitress (if she's not there) always make time to chat with me. Food is pretty good and there's a lot of it, especially on the combo meal. Crab puffs are great, plus good soups and great shrimp dishes.
(5)
Steve Y.
Good Chinese food at a reasonable price, with a friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Julie M.
We started with veggie spring rolls which were nicely fried and not too greasy as spring rolls can tend to be at times. Next up was the wor won ton soup. It was full of all kinds of veggies as well as pieces of chicken, beef and shrimp. The won tons themselves tasted a little too ginger-y, but if you get some of the broth in your bite, they taste just fine. Our main course consisted of Mongolian Beef and Broccoli Chicken. The Mongolian Beef was sufficiently flavorful, though the dish is a bit deceiving - it looks like you're getting a big plate of meat, but really the meat is served over crispy, white noodles, so it's not as much meat as you think. The Broccoli Chicken had PLENTY of chicken which was nice because a lot of times with this dish you'll get way more broccoli than meat. The owner was very sweet and came by a couple of times to make sure everything was OK. It was also obvious that she knew, or was at least familiar with a few of the other patrons, which is cool because you know that people are repeat diners. Total bill was about $35 for two of us, with no alcohol. The menu also features dinner combo specials for $11.50 pp and even cheaper lunch specials. This is a very casual place that definitely has the potential to become my "go-to" Chinese restaurant. I have to try a few more in the area before I settle on one...
(4)
JJ B.
Good Chinese place! Friendly staff! Great lunch specials.
(5)
Andi M.
The Hot and Sour soup is perfection. The right balance of heat and sour. The steamed dumplings were moist and tasty. I do wish the sauce that comes with it has more spice. The food tastes fresh, nice textures and plenty to pick from on the menu. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is they don't deliver. It's still worth the short drive tho!
(4)
Niki B.
Portions are big, prices are reasonable, service is friendly!
(4)
Nikita H.
great food, awesome price!! If you are a Chinese food lover, you should try this place!
(5)
James M.
It's great food, much better than the average Chinese restaurant of the Phoenix area. The only one in Arizona that is better is Lucky's in Tucson, but that's as much for location and atmosphere as it is for food. The other commenter about the "soup nazi" staff was right on, and I was so amused by this that I will go back again and again. I had my order in a message on my phone. I was looking at my phone when I was ordering at the counter. She told me I was too busy... that I shouldn't be texting... I tried really hard not to laugh, because she was dead serious. It nearly took me back to the 1970s and Goff's restaurant in Dallas. Four stars for the Snow Hill Chicken and an extra star for the admonition over "texting".
(5)
M M.
This restaurant had excellent customer service the waitresses were very friendly and attentive. The food on the other hand was bland. I had the orange chicken and it did not taste like orange chicken. it was likechicken with somesort of sauce on it. The chicken was tender but the sauce was tasteless, it did not have citrus flavoring. We also had fried rice and it was bland. I wouldn't consider this restaurant to be authentic Chinese food.
(3)
richard o.
I'm Asian and love authentic, down home Chinese food but sometimes I get the hankerin' for good old Americanized Cantonese food like at Yao. The owners are super nice and the place is clean and fast and the portion sizes are out of control. Also $2 Tsingtao Beers anytime!! It's easy to drive by and never feel like stopping in but the the place is great. Don't Panda, Don't Pei Wei, Don't PF - go to Yao and support local, hard working folks.
(4)
Kyle H.
Excellent for at a very reasonable price. I order the general chicked extra spicy and orange chicken and it's alway been great. Feed a family of 4 for around $20.
(5)
Carol K.
Yum!! First time there tonight and it reminded me of the places back home in Chicago! Especially the egg rolls!
(4)
Pucca P.
YAY! I've found it! OK, No. It's not authentic Chinese food, but it is authentic American Chinese food. To be even MORE specific, New York Style Chinese food. I grew up on the east coast and this is what Chinese food is like. Now onto the business at hand, I'm Chinese and I have to say this place is SOLID...aka...DEEEELISH! The 2 dishes I always test with are the hot and sour soup and Chicken with Garlic Sauce. These 2 shows alot of how the chef was trained and can pretty much tell you how the rest of the dishes will be. And both were mouth watering! The dinner portion is ginormous, both hubby and I could barely finish 1 dish. I'm sure lunch portion would be the same, enough to take back to your desk and munch on to survive the rest of the work day cravings. I totally agree with reviewer #1 for the need to support local business owners. Skip PeiWei and resist the temptation to dine at "trendy" Chinese eateries. EARTH TO ALL: CHINESE FOOD IS NOT TRENDY. It was never intended to be either. The fancier the decor, the higher score on the cool-factor, the worse the food is. I've searched and searched for a hole in the wall serving Chinese food...and I've found it. This is one is a winner.
(5)
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Address :2487 S Gilbert Rd,Ste 102
Gilbert, AZ, 85295
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Marco D.
My Wife has been comingto this place forthe last 13 years and never had a bad experience this is how this place is about !! great people great food great prices
(5)Maylin B.
As with most Chinese restaurant's I stick with what work's for me on the menu. I've had good results other than the one time I tried something different on the menu. That dish was so-so... The customer service is good and they are friendly although they appear to have an aversion towards refilling people's iced tea if you dine-in. Not a bad choice if you live nearby or happen to be passing by. I wouldn't go out of my way for this establishment though.
(3)Eric K.
Don't you hate it when you crave a certain food only to have that food taste horrible when you finally get to eat it? I had the General Chicken and my wife ate the Beef & Broccoli. The General was perhaps the worst I've ever eaten (I have been to countless Chinese restaurants across the country and only eat General) and my wife said she would rather have eaten Subway because her beef tasted nasty and even the broccoli was no good. This place gets 2 stars because the staff was all very attentive and friendly. Because of the disappointing food though, we won't be going back to this place again.
(2)Harvey S.
Ever since I moved to the East Valley a few months ago, (heck, really, ever since I moved to The Valley 5 years ago), I've been looking for a good Chinese restaurant with fresh-tasting food and a more authentic feel (to me, authentic is as simple as using traditional Chinese vegetables like bok choy instead of zucchini)! I believe I've found such a really good Chinese restaurant in Yao's. And not only must the food be good...other restaurants got rave reviews on the food...but so too, the service. Because good food can be soured by poor service. Typical in some of these "authentic" Chinese restaurants: non-communative waitstaff or those who don't care. Yao's was different...right from the friendly greeting when we entered to the cheerful waitress who stopped by every so often to check on us (granted, it was only late afternoon on a Sunday). But the food was very good, too. Following the lead of other Yelpers, I ordered the egg roll. It was indeed nice and crispy, not greasy on the outside, containing slightly crunchy, flavorful veggies and other ingredients inside. It definitely tasted like they made it, not the common freezer-to-fryer ones found elsewhere. The won ton soup in a cup was a small serving, mostly broth with a little shredded cabbage and stuffed wontons at the bottom. Very light, not substantial, really just enough to warm you up a bit and move to the next course. The moo shoo shrimp was good: all pancakes with contents were pre-wrapped by the kitchen, with hoison sauce on the side. They stayed moist that way without crumbling or getting too soggy--just perfect. Veggies were flavorful, as was the flavoring inside. Shrimps were reasonable size, plump and tasty. I definitely will be back again.
(4)T. U.
Stopped by to pick up dinner here last night - ordered pan-fried noodles, chicken with broccoli and fried tofu with veggies... Taste was not bad. But everything looked and tasted pretty much the same. Nothing as special as the other reviews would suggest. Would not bother to try again.. Also, they packed the food in a cardboard box. I hate it when Chinese restaurants do this since the sauce inevitably ends up spilling out, seeping through the box and ultimately ending up on the seat of your car. Use plastic bags, people! If you hate the environmental impact, make them biodegradable and charge a few extra cents!!!
(3)Michael S.
This place is awesome. Try the Egg Blossom and Orange chicken. Great price for the amount of food you get.
(5)Ostin G.
I love this place. Best Chinese food in the east valley BY FAR. I literally have been coming here since day 1, when they opened 11 years ago. I lived across the street and would walk here with my best friend every week after we got our allowance. The atmosphere hasn't really changed in the last 11 years (which is completely fine because its nostalgic) but i don't go somewhere for atmosphere. Now the food, amazing. I read a review about salt overload; you're getting Chinese food. Why are you so shocked that you feel bloated? Go eat a Thai salad if you don't want to feel like that. And for anyone hesitant, no it does not taste extremely salty. It's perfect. Anyways, I have not once had something that i was disappointed in. Never. Ever. I'm pretty sure I've had everything on their menu too. My go to is the pork egg fu young lunch special. For $6.95 you get a HUGE portion: two egg patties, a ton of assorted veggies, a bowl of soup (dine in only), fried rice, crab puff, and spring roll. Way better than nasty Panda Express and half the price. Love their won ton soup. So much flavor in the broth. Mongolian beef is awesome. Spicy but in a good way. Beef and broccoli is good. I also had their kung pao chicken. Just so you know, I can't stand KPC, but I definitely like theirs. Service is friendly even if you aren't a regular. They're insanely quick during lunch hour. I can be in and out within 30 minutes even if it's packed. I can go on and on about this place. I absolutely love it and always bring my friends here. I definitely do not go to any other Chinese restaurant. Love you Yaos!
(5)Crys Q.
Great customer service, the ladies are always friendly. The food always comes out nice and hot. Fairly inexpensive. What I recommend is the chicken noodles so delicious!!
(5)April G.
I'm so glad we tried Yaos. We ordered the crab puffs, orange beef, teriyaki chicken and chicken fried rice. Everything was very good other than the teriyaki chicken which was a bit on the bland side. The food was ready for pick up in 15 min and the staff there was very friendly. Maybe one these days they'll offer delivery but it's still worth the drive.
(4)Stephanie A.
Really good food and very reasonably priced. we loved everything except their fried rice, it tasted like brown rice and soy sauce, which was disappointing since it's one of my favorites at Chinese restaurants. Other than that everyone was very nice and polite even with the language barrier, place was clean and they were very quick to get our drinks, food, and bill since we were in a hurry. All in all pretty good place.
(4)Tonya P.
Hunan chicken is not on the menu and they were so gracious to make it. Every thing tasted wonderful. Just the right spiceyness. Very very sweet staff. Huge portions. Thanks a bunch
(5)Samantha C.
It's ok. Nothing great like the reviews reflect. I was telling someone how difficult it was to find good Chinese food locally and she started raving about this place. We have ordered a take out 3 times and each time I'm disappointed we didn't drive a little further to our favorite Chinese restaurant. I like the way they package the sweet and sour sauce separately from your main dish so that it's not soggy by the time you get home. Also, it's still very hot by the time we get home and it's a good 15-20 minutes away. My biggest gripes: *Salt overload. Holy Cow! Every time. The day after I eat here I am so bloated I can hardly fit into my clothes let alone get my rings on my fingers. *I'm funny about my meat. The pork in the fried rice is so fatty, I pick it out. I justify this because the fat has to add flavor during the cooking process. *Back the meat. I took a bite of sweet and sour chicken last night and the chicken was nothing but gristle. It was so disgusting I had to spit it out. *The chicken in the sweet and sour tastes a little like fried shrimp/ or has a slight seafood taste. I was wondering if they fry all their meats in the same oil? If you were in a pinch and 'needed' Chinese food, you could consider going here, but it's not my favorite.
(3)Monaliza S.
We go here almost every other Sunday after church. I've tried most of the dish and so far no complaints. My children's favorite dish is the orange chicken. The best part is that they serve you wonton, egg drop, or sweet and sour soup first. Very friendly!
(5)Fausto G.
Food is awesome. This is the spot if you're looking for good chinese food. Service is really fast and efficient
(5)Virginia S.
Never disappointed!!! We found this place last year, has the best lunch specials, great price, delicious food, awesome service. Huge portions. Love the wonton soup! Egg fu young is the best I've ever had. We loved every dish. We go in about 1-2 times a month and they remember us. Can't say enough about this place.
(5)Erica S.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for my favorite Chinese Food restaurant in the East Valley. I must go to this restaurant at least once a month. It is so good and it is around the corner from me. The lunch specials are an amazing deal and the dinner portions are huge. My favorite is the chicken & broccoli, house fried rice, sesame chicken, and the egg rolls. Let me go back to the egg rolls for a minute. They are some of the best you can get. I think I went there once and got just egg rolls and rice. Yep...they're that good. I love this place!!
(4)Martha H.
Have been there numerous times over the years with family and friends. Have also used take-out and had a party catered. *Yes, you should try it! *One of the best in Gilbert. *Food was always very good, less of that 'out of the can' food, that I seem to get at other Chinese restaurants. Always a nice presentation. Large portions. *Not a fancy place, but comfortable. Good for family, or even meeting a friend....can chat because the music isn't too loud. *Lunch specials are a bargain. *Service is courteous and prompt. *Mushu pork is one of my favorites, and the shrimp with vegetables. Hubby loves the sweet and sour pork. A Gilbert gem! Go give 'em a try.
(5)Karen A.
Best Chinese food- my husband and I come here every time we crave Chinese food. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the service is the best. For about $6 you get lots of food.
(5)Judi E.
Yaos is good, everyday Americanized Chinese food. Soup is good. Mongolian beef, lettuce wraps, house noodles are all favorites. Service is attentive & food comes out quickly.
(4)Michael T.
We have been searching for a Chinese restaurant of the caliber of Jade Empress since that palace to oriental cuisine closed more than 20 years ago and today we may have finally it. Yao Fine Chinese Cuisine was a wonderful experience, the staff was friendly, the food was outstanding and most importantly the prices were amazing! We started with egg rolls which were large, crispy and delicious without being greasy. The hot and sour soup was delicious without the sharp tang of vinegar that is true of so many other Chinese places. Yao serves a dish called General Chicken (Similar to General Tso Chicken) that is tender chicken served in a slightly sweet yet spicy sauce with crisp broccoli. It was a treat to be sure, but the dish that really was a hit was the Black Pepper Beef. Strips of tender beef cooked with chopped bell peppers, onion, jalapeno peppers, a delicious sauce all sprinkled with loads of fresh black pepper. Oh my! We enjoyed our meal immensely but it became twice as wonderful when the check came, Wow! Least expensive we've had out in quite some time. You really need to check them out.
(4)Belinda B.
Yao is YUMMY. I love their hot & sour soup and their Snow Hill Chicken. Quick service, great food, and fair prices, can't ask for more.
(5)Chris S.
I would say that Yao's serves up the best Lo Mein I've ever had with a nice flavor from a hot wok. We have had several of their chicken dishes and it never disappoints. The mu shu pork (sp?) it also very good and has excellent flavor. I also like how they leave their veggies slightly crisp which gives them a great texture with the noodles and rice. I have not dined in yet there as my house is so close but the dining room is rather bland looking. It does look clean however.
(4)Tyler V.
Been going here for a couple years, and I love it. The owners know my family and I well. The food is tasty the atmosphere not bad. Their orange chicken and egg fu young are top notch!
(5)Nicolette K.
We ordered from Yao Fine the day before Thanksgiving to have something quick to eat without dirtying the kitchen. We have tried our fair share of Chinese restaurants in the Gilbert area but haven't found "the one" yet - but our search maybe over. We ordered the walnut shrimp, general's chicken, shrimp chow mein and hot and sour soup - we also had the egg rolls and a crab Rangoon. Everything was tasty and the walnut shrimp, egg roll (which was huge), Rangoon and generals chicken are probably the best I have ever had in Gilbert. The shrimp chow mein was also good, and was a huge serving, but my husband would have liked more shrimp so next time we will add extra. The only thing that was at all disappointing was the hot and sour soup - while tasty it didn't have a very good vegetable to broth ratio but I don't know if that was a one time occurrence or not so I will try it again sometime to see. Lastly, the fact that they don't deliver makes me sad - but only because if they did I would exclusively order from here. But on those days when we can order and pick up we will definitely order from Yao Fine!
(5)Vishal B.
Very nice food. Complete value for money. We ordered for King pao chicken, orange chicken,veg chowmin. Everything was delicious. Would eat again when visit Chandler.
(5)Shirley D.
We've come here for a few years now. Good priced food and good tasting. Friendly service. We enjoy getting the dinner combinations...PuPu platter is a goI'd appetizer to share.
(5)D M.
I just discovered this place after living in the area for years and driving by it tons of times. After hearing about the lunch special I decided to stop in today to give it a shot. You get a ton of food for $6 and the General Tso was great.
(5)AJ T.
Great food! Came in for the egg foo young, and it was fantastic. Also tried orange chicken, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, and was impressed by all. Clean, fast, great service. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Erika C.
Love their authentic Chinese cuisine. Kung pao is the best I've ever had, eggplant in garlic sauce is a dream and the crispy orange beef is perfection! My kids are all about the wonton soup!
(5)Shannon L.
We came because it was close but now we come ALL the time because the food is phenomenal, the prices can't be beat and the owner and staff are unparalleled in service. It's hard to come by special places like this, it's a must!
(5)Bill K.
Another lunch and I asked them to cook the vegs a little more which they were glad to do and they were perfect. I printed out my 1st review and left it with them. We don't have a 4.5 rating so I will ask them to put a few peas and corn in the fried rice so I can give them a 5 star review. Love the egg rolls and my wife gave me half of hers so all in all, a great late lunch.
(4)Valerie A.
For Chinese food this place is pretty good. Inside lacks a bit decor but what do you expect from a Chinese restaurant. They can accommodate large groups, and by large groups in talking around 12-16! Yes we had a group of 16 at this place. Some fav menu items: sesame chicken, honey walnut shrimp, and house fried rice. We've been here almost once a month since July. And the ladies know us pretty well now.
(4)Kimo K.
I would give this place 3.5 stars. Went for lunch yesterday with my GF. This place is .5 miles from our house and we were in a rush for lunch since we got detained at home by a late contractor doing some work. So we decided to give this place a try. I am a stickler for good Cantonese food and was not expecting much. But I was pleasantly surprised with the food and the pricing, which were both pretty good. We had sesame chicken (I know, I know -- this is white people's Chinese food, but my GF loves sesame chicken) which was very good. We had fried tofu with assorted veggies in a brown sauce which also was very good. I ordered Mongolian beef which was good and it was served over a bed of deep fried mai fun, which I really don't care for, but it was OK. And lastly, I ordered beef chow fun which was good too. The noodles were thinner (not the width but the thickness) chow fun noodles which were OK but I like the thicker chewier kind. But all in all, the dishes were good and the prices appropriate @ $8.95 per dish.
(4)Sarah S.
The place is very small and not very busy but the service is great. Filled my wine glass to the TOP!
(4)Yong L.
Friendly staff and good food. Can't say that they have anything unique but if you are in a mood for good American Chinese food, it is a safe bet.
(4)Michael K.
First time here today, went there for take out, there was no minimum order required. I had the black pepper beef. It was really good, better than I had expected. This will be my new place for Chinese food!! The lady working the counter was real nice and helpful pick out something. Keep up the good work!!
(5)Raymond P.
Good American Style Chinese food. (Is that a paradox?) We have been coming here since they opened. They make Chow Fun w/ Black Bean Sauce for me, even though it is not on the menu. Sometimes, if you are lucky , you can the Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce. The only bad experience / horror story, was the two and a half hours we spent waiting for food on Christmas Eve. (No really!) @#$%! It was like a crazy Chinese Black Friday. I will never do that again,...
(4)Bruce K.
I live pretty close by so I frequently grab take out. I am always pleased with the quality of both their service and food. Great prices , great food, and friendly service. general ts'o chicken plate is pretty much my go to for cheat day cravings, and the crab rangoones are killer.
(5)David M.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and ordered a dinner size shrimp with garlic sauce. The ingredients were of good quality and my meal tasted great. The service was quick, my server was friendly, and the restaurant was clean. I will definitely visit again and would recommend Yao.
(4)Michael B.
Fine go to Chinese in the Gilbert area- especially compared to their competitors. Portions are extremely large- so for takeout it is more than enough to split platters.
(5)Bdiddy D.
Chineese food is not easy in the dessert, but this place got it right. Im from New Jersey where take out is great almost everywhere. Yaos has great food, service is just right. We ordered mongolian beef and was awesome. Chow Mein A+.....
(5)Michael K.
Having lived in the NY & NJ area for 30 years I've become spoiled with good Chinese food. Last night my girlfriend and I decided to try this place in Gilbert. The menu was extensive and the prices looked great. We were shocked when I went to pick it up as to the large portions . The General Chicken was soft and not over cooked and the potstickers were hot and tasty. Definitely the best Chinese Food I've tasted since I've been here. I can't wait to order again!!!
(5)Alfred C.
Best Chinese around! They have Hong Kong fried noodle.....best I've ever had any where. Staff is friendly. Lunch specials are inexpensive and give you alot. A must try!
(5)Don B.
First time here today. Food was good with decent prices. Wait staff wasn't the friendliest, but came to eat. Overall had a good experience and will come again.
(4)Steve C.
The food is pretty good, sweet and sour sauce is horrible! At first I thought it was just a bad day, but no....they don't make the sauce right:( how do you get sweet and sour wrong?? Runny, like water. Good thing the is a Frys near by to get some decent bottles sauce. Come on guys, make it right!!
(2)Aishan S.
We used to come here a lot when my family lived in Gilbert, so I'm surprised I never wrote a review for this place. It definitely gets five stars, because the food is delicious, and staff are all really nice, and the place looks great. I've never had a bad experience here. The servers are all warm and friendly. They greet us when we come in, and often stop by during the meal to check on us. Portions here are nice and filling, and you get a lot for a great price. I still often come here for lunch or dinner whenever I am stopping by in Gilbert.
(5)Trisha N.
Stopped in tonight. It's the day after Christmas, and I am not the only one in the area sick of the Christmas feast. I walked in to find a very busy restaurant, but service was still good. There were many people working hard, never skipping a beat it seemed. I ordered cashew chicken and sweet and sour shrimp, with fried rice. Pretty delicious. The shrimp were a good size and the cashew chicken was a huge portion. Good flavor and well worth the wait. I will definitely be trying this place again!
(4)Jennifer H.
Always get takeout from here and the food is very good. I can't say the "best" because I've had the best in Gulfport, MS. This is my place though for Chinese in AZ. Pork Fried Rice; Lo Mein; Sweet & Sour Pork/Chicken/Shrimp; Twiced Cooked Pork and Sesame Chicken are always great choices. Kung Pao Chicken can be spicer, but you can always ask for spicer and I do wish the chicken was diced instead of sliced. Nice inside, but actually never ate inside just takeouts, but busy usually during the rush hrs. Makes me hungry just writing this review!
(4)Eddie C.
Great lunch specials! I got the Chicken Chow Mein, it was really good. I would definitely go back again.
(5)Bob N.
I really like this place. It's clean and taste like the food back east. They will even make dishes that are not of the menu.
(5)Kimberly H.
Food is really authentic and tasty. The fried rice comes with so many veggies and meat, and the orange chicken is always hot and fresh, never dry. Staff is friendly and have quick service
(4)John M.
Really terrific family Chinese food. Very friendly and hospitable staff. I stop by for lunch a couple of times a month and have never been disappointed. For about $6 you get soup, egg roll, crab puff, fried rice and your choice of entry. I usually opt for the egg foo young, decent egg foo young is surprisingly hard to find in the Valley. Very tasty sauce, crisp snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts and tender chicken. Two good sized patties. Really good food at a really good price!
(5)K N.
This is the best Chinese food we have had in the East Valley. Always delicious and consistent. It's very reasonably priced too. We have been several times and tried different items and not had a bad experience.
(5)Jay M.
I was feeling Chinese so i chose this place from the yelp reviews. Glad I did. Service was on the spot & the food was great! It was a pretty inexpensive meal in top of that. Looks like I'll be adding this place to my musts......
(4)Veronika P.
We have been coming here for 2 years now and we love it! It's so hard to find a good NY style Chinese place in AZ and this comes close. We always get the twice cooked pork, general tso, sweet and sour pork it's perfect every time. They have great lunch specials and their positions are very generous!
(5)Gabriel S.
Ok Chinese food. Appetizers are excellent, main dishes are OK. Had orange chicken and beef and broccoli. Don't like that brown orange sauce, and the beef was a little to mushy, if there's such a thing. Referred by friends, our main Chinese stop is Golden Valley at Extension and baseline. Yao's did not top that.
(3)Cendy K.
We went with our family on Christmas Eve. Apparently, the entire city of Gilbert thought they would go too! So, the wait to get out table was long and once we were sat, it took a long time to give our order. However, once we got our food, it was yummy! Mongolian beef was spicy, but not too spicy. It was light on the beef though. The chicken fried rice was great! Huge platter! Egg rolls were huge! Others in our party got moogoo guipan, happy family, coconut shrimp and egg flower soup. They all said they were good too! We'll have to go some other non-holiday weekend to see how the service is.
(3)Trae E.
My family and I love coming here! The staff is always friendly and the food is so good. My favorite dish is the beef lo mein. We live really close and the lunch menu (till 3pm everyday) is only $5-6, it's a great deal for great food!
(5)Jenna B.
Dinner specials are nothing special! They are pretty expensive and the portions are not anything better than the lunch sizes. I will be back for lunch but I will not be back for dinner. (Also the lady didn't package our left overs like usual)
(3)Sean M.
We go here for lunch on the weekends fairly consistently and order from the "Lunch Menu". The food is consistently delicious! I love the Won Ton soup, and the spring roll that comes with the meal. They gladly substitute white or brown rice for the fried rice. And the staff is always smiling and pleasant and swift! Of course this is NOT authentic chinese cuisine...but that's not what I want! I enjoy getting a good sized meal, with unlimited refills on my drinks for me and my lady and spending well under $20. You'll have to ask for chopsticks, but they have them :)
(4)Logie Z.
We come here once in awhile for the lunch combos. We usually get the orange chicken since the kids love that sweet & sour flavor with the crunch. It's way too sweet for my taste, so I order the beef broccolli or egg foo young. I'm not too crazy about the egg roll filled with the hideous cabbage with nutmeg. The good thing about this place is at least they don't have the same brown sauce for everything like most Americanized Chinese restaurants. The service is always good. It's a good place to have inexpensive family lunch!
(3)Monique H.
Consistently delicious Chinese food. Reasonably priced for the quality of food you get. You know the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld? If you try to switch out the spring roll for an egg roll on their lunch special, you'll meet their version.
(3)John P.
Really good. Very friendly and we get take out once a week Pork noodle soup, teriyaki chicken, spring rolls, Singapore noodles and beef and broccoli are great Huge portions
(4)Catalina S.
Food comes quickly, but not suspiciously quickly. And the food is delicious! The orange chicken has the perfect crisp, and tasty sauce. Good amount of meat comes with the chow mein dishes. I will definitely be returning.
(5)Christine B.
Customer service is excellent here! My family and I felt as if we were coming into their home and they were very nicely welcoming us in. Loved the vegetarian and pescetarian choices. (Cannot wait to try them all) My hubby loved the sauce on his kung pao chicken. The prices are very reasonable. The restaurant is a tab bit far from where we live, but we would happily drive out of our way to eat here again and again!
(5)Reggie Q.
I am very picky when it comes to Chinese food. Growing up in San Francisco most of my life, I was spoiled with great prices and great food. I moved to southern California and I could not find a good Chinese restaurant for an entire year of living there. I mean not even good, now I live in Arizona and Yaos is the most amazing Chinese I've had since my childhood. Great portions, service with a smile, cleanest restaurant for Chinese food I've been to in years and the food was just excellent. Big portions and great tastes and friendly staff you can't go wrong. I already made a date with the wife to come back jn two days and I'm still eating as I write this.
(5)Cyril A.
This is my to go place when I don't know where to have lunch. The staff, including the owner, is very friendly and amazingly fast. They have lunch specials which includes soup, egg roll and crab puff. I usually take their orange chicken as you get a lot of chicken which fills up your plate. I also like their chicken with veggies, chicken lo mein when I'm starved and need carbs (comes with soft noodles and rice). The food is pretty good for what you pay and it is always a joy to go there and chit chat with the staff when not too busy.
(3)Belinda B.
Great little hole in the wall, they are always very friendly and the food is served FAST. I loved the Snow Hill Chicken, and also a fan of the Cashew Chicken, both were very fresh with lots of good vegetables. Good fried rice on the lunch special and the Hot & Sour Soup and the Eggrolls are delicious. I like this place and eat here whenever I'm in the area.
(4)Veronica F.
Love the food, love the service. Every experience eating at Yao is enjoyable. The first visit we felt welcomed and now as regulars we feel like friends. Every dish I have tried is delicious. Great lunch specials. A must try if you are in the area.
(5)Michael C.
I can't believe the positive reviews listed here. The food is marginal, not authentic. The quality of the ingredients is poor to fair. The only saving grace is the low prices. The ambiance is non existent. So, if you want belly filling Chinese and are desperate, than go for it. I restrict myself to take out, when I'm sick of pizza and fried chicken.
(1)Jim W.
Yo, Yao serves Americanized Chinese food that is pretty good. The food falls solidly in the 3-3.5 star range. In my only visit to Yao the service was definitely lacking. I don't know if this is the norm or they were short-staffed. I had to wave people down through the entire time I was at Yao to get: -refills on water -refills on tea -boxes to take home leftovers -the check -I finally gave up waiting for someone to take the bill and took it to the counter. I would try Yao again but probably just for takeaway.
(3)Laura S.
I LOVED the customer service I got here! You can't beat it! I chose Yao because of it's Yelp and the fact that they were still open and willing to serve me a to go order at 8:45 pm. As I waited for my food, the women were both super friendly and genuinely interested in who I was. I felt like my 15 minute wait just flew by! The food was pretty dang good and definitely decently priced! I will for sure be going back to Yao!
(5)Marc M.
Very bad Wor Wonton soup no wonton skin just starchy dough pockets with very little meat stay away from this soup no shrimps nor slices of pork . I went to another Chinese Restaurant about four miles from them and got a good ole' fashion Wor Wonton soup the way I've had it for years.
(2)Eric G.
I agree with some of the review here, Yao's is a typical Americanized Chinese restaurant that is well priced and good customer service. When me and wife went we were instantly greeted with a friendly and helpful staff. The food is OK and is priced accordingly, I had the Kung Pao chicken which was a little on the sweet side. I did however love that they have chestnuts in their food!!! My wife had the Orange Chicken, it was extremely sweet and a little over whelming. We saved it for leftovers. Overall: You pay for what you get, don't have high expectations, but its worth a try if your in the area.
(3)Carly H.
Very nice lunch specials always very consistent . My Sugestion is to go eat in instead of Togo as you don't get soup and the portion is smaller.. Otherwise always good and fresh!
(4)Terri L.
We've been going here for years since our son told us about it. The food is awesome, as is the service. Nice, light interior and always clean! You'll be seated promptly, given water & offered another beverage if you want one. I've had many, many dishes on the menu & they're all great! My husband's fave is the double-pan fried noodles. My favorite menu item is the pot stickers. You get 8 big ones, plenty for sharing. the Snow Hill dishes are great, too. Great food, great service, & if you go late enough in the evening & if you're a regular - you might score free soup! Don't miss out on this wonderful neighborhood gem!
(5)Mr. E.
The food is always fresh and tastes great. I really enjoy coming in for lunch in between work and my appointments. I can order an entree, soup, wonton, and spring roll for less than $7 during lunch time. Kung Pao chicken and the sweet and sour shrimp are great. Yes, this is slightly americanized, but it has been in business for quite some time and the staff and owners are always friendly. They do not hesitate to remember your face and say hello. This is by far my favorite place to take a friend for a quick bite to eat if we want chinese.
(5)Jim O.
Yao has become our favorite Asian food restaurant in the Chandler/Gilbert area. Food is extremely consistent and fresh tasting. Plenty of vegetables in the dishes that are cooked correctly and not mushy. Spicy entres are excellent and I feel are much fresher and healthier tasting than our previous regular stop. (Pei Wei) Top it off with very friendly service and reasonable prices and I'm kind of shocked they aren't busier.
(5)Brian S.
We typically order their Chicken with Broccoli and Pork Fried Rice. They are able to customize your order without any hesitation and the food arrives steaming hot and fresh. The food tastes great but I am slightly disappointed in the consistency of the quality of the chicken. The service is usually super friendly; however, one time they charged my card twice and argued with me about it when i showed them my bank statement the next week. I had to wait for the owner to drive home to get her copies of the credit card receipts. She eventually reimbursed me but I was furious that she wasted my time and I had to sit at the restaurant waiting before she returned to admit the mistake.
(3)KristinMark M.
There should be more than 5 stars!! 1st time. Tried the lunch" general chicken" with fried rice. I've been looking for that ' just right' spice in my Chinese food and I've found it here! !! I will return if my newly preg belly allows!! I'm so pleased to have found a awesome place. Plus it had great yelp reviews!
(5)Tracy V.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants. My family loves it, the staff is super friendly. I always get the lo mein and fried rice. The only con is that at least twice the server entered in the wrong amount into the cash register, she had to go back, cancel the incorrect amount and put the correct amount in. It was a little frustrating, but for the most part I really enjoy eating here.
(4)Alan Z.
Wonderful Fresh Food, I highly recommend them
(4)Renata K.
Friend and I got our nails done together next door and saw the sign for their lunch specials and decided to give them a shot. Lunch specials are like $5.50 and include soup and egg roll. Your typical selections, but they were nice enough to let us both substitute chicken for the beef in the "beef and broccoli". The food was quick and tasty. For the price, can't be beat. I'm sure we'll be back when we get our nails done next door again.
(4)K W.
Me and my wife got take out one night, we were not to impressed it was ok. There is a minimum $ amount for takeout so we had to order more than we really wanted. To top it off I woke up at 2AM sick as can be with liquids coming out of both ends. Needless to say I havnt/won't be back again. I would say 3 stars but when I wake up at 2am puking I have to say 0.
(1)John G.
My wife and I have been visiting Yao for several years. The food is good and the price is very reasonable. I have to say that Shirley, the owner, is what keeps us coming back. She always greets her customers with a warm smile and friendly "hello". I also love this place because it reminds me of my first experience with Chinese food as a kid. Ironically Yao offers a nice break from the PF Chang-style Asian cuisine in both it's simplicity and its price. I have noticed that on busy nights the staff can get a little backed up with the influx of To-Go orders, but I've always been very please with the service level and attentiveness of the wait staff. Can't say enough nice things about this place as it's a real favorite.
(5)Andrew H.
Yao's is excellent. I go there 2-3 times a month and have been for almost two years... and I live 30 miles away. It is a pleasant atmosphere, not too loud or too crammed, and the owner is usually there talking to customers. She or the waitress (if she's not there) always make time to chat with me. Food is pretty good and there's a lot of it, especially on the combo meal. Crab puffs are great, plus good soups and great shrimp dishes.
(5)Steve Y.
Good Chinese food at a reasonable price, with a friendly atmosphere.
(4)Julie M.
We started with veggie spring rolls which were nicely fried and not too greasy as spring rolls can tend to be at times. Next up was the wor won ton soup. It was full of all kinds of veggies as well as pieces of chicken, beef and shrimp. The won tons themselves tasted a little too ginger-y, but if you get some of the broth in your bite, they taste just fine. Our main course consisted of Mongolian Beef and Broccoli Chicken. The Mongolian Beef was sufficiently flavorful, though the dish is a bit deceiving - it looks like you're getting a big plate of meat, but really the meat is served over crispy, white noodles, so it's not as much meat as you think. The Broccoli Chicken had PLENTY of chicken which was nice because a lot of times with this dish you'll get way more broccoli than meat. The owner was very sweet and came by a couple of times to make sure everything was OK. It was also obvious that she knew, or was at least familiar with a few of the other patrons, which is cool because you know that people are repeat diners. Total bill was about $35 for two of us, with no alcohol. The menu also features dinner combo specials for $11.50 pp and even cheaper lunch specials. This is a very casual place that definitely has the potential to become my "go-to" Chinese restaurant. I have to try a few more in the area before I settle on one...
(4)JJ B.
Good Chinese place! Friendly staff! Great lunch specials.
(5)Andi M.
The Hot and Sour soup is perfection. The right balance of heat and sour. The steamed dumplings were moist and tasty. I do wish the sauce that comes with it has more spice. The food tastes fresh, nice textures and plenty to pick from on the menu. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is they don't deliver. It's still worth the short drive tho!
(4)Niki B.
Portions are big, prices are reasonable, service is friendly!
(4)Nikita H.
great food, awesome price!! If you are a Chinese food lover, you should try this place!
(5)James M.
It's great food, much better than the average Chinese restaurant of the Phoenix area. The only one in Arizona that is better is Lucky's in Tucson, but that's as much for location and atmosphere as it is for food. The other commenter about the "soup nazi" staff was right on, and I was so amused by this that I will go back again and again. I had my order in a message on my phone. I was looking at my phone when I was ordering at the counter. She told me I was too busy... that I shouldn't be texting... I tried really hard not to laugh, because she was dead serious. It nearly took me back to the 1970s and Goff's restaurant in Dallas. Four stars for the Snow Hill Chicken and an extra star for the admonition over "texting".
(5)M M.
This restaurant had excellent customer service the waitresses were very friendly and attentive. The food on the other hand was bland. I had the orange chicken and it did not taste like orange chicken. it was likechicken with somesort of sauce on it. The chicken was tender but the sauce was tasteless, it did not have citrus flavoring. We also had fried rice and it was bland. I wouldn't consider this restaurant to be authentic Chinese food.
(3)richard o.
I'm Asian and love authentic, down home Chinese food but sometimes I get the hankerin' for good old Americanized Cantonese food like at Yao. The owners are super nice and the place is clean and fast and the portion sizes are out of control. Also $2 Tsingtao Beers anytime!! It's easy to drive by and never feel like stopping in but the the place is great. Don't Panda, Don't Pei Wei, Don't PF - go to Yao and support local, hard working folks.
(4)Kyle H.
Excellent for at a very reasonable price. I order the general chicked extra spicy and orange chicken and it's alway been great. Feed a family of 4 for around $20.
(5)Carol K.
Yum!! First time there tonight and it reminded me of the places back home in Chicago! Especially the egg rolls!
(4)Pucca P.
YAY! I've found it! OK, No. It's not authentic Chinese food, but it is authentic American Chinese food. To be even MORE specific, New York Style Chinese food. I grew up on the east coast and this is what Chinese food is like. Now onto the business at hand, I'm Chinese and I have to say this place is SOLID...aka...DEEEELISH! The 2 dishes I always test with are the hot and sour soup and Chicken with Garlic Sauce. These 2 shows alot of how the chef was trained and can pretty much tell you how the rest of the dishes will be. And both were mouth watering! The dinner portion is ginormous, both hubby and I could barely finish 1 dish. I'm sure lunch portion would be the same, enough to take back to your desk and munch on to survive the rest of the work day cravings. I totally agree with reviewer #1 for the need to support local business owners. Skip PeiWei and resist the temptation to dine at "trendy" Chinese eateries. EARTH TO ALL: CHINESE FOOD IS NOT TRENDY. It was never intended to be either. The fancier the decor, the higher score on the cool-factor, the worse the food is. I've searched and searched for a hole in the wall serving Chinese food...and I've found it. This is one is a winner.
(5)