Imperial Palace
5510 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46254
Imperial Palace Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5510 Lafayette Rd
Indianapolis, IN, 46254 - Phone (317) 299-3388
- Website https://www.imperialpalacechinese.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- 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 : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
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.
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Catherine B.
AMAZING! Great experience. It is pricy but the portions are huge. The service was phenomenal which is unusual for a takeout Chinese restaurant. The Crab Rangoon are HUGE and delicious. The best takeout I've had.
(5)Amber P.
We keep trying different Chinese delivery places to see if we can find anything better than our current favorite. From the reviews posted here, we thought we'd found the one. Meh... Not so much. We won't be switching from Wonder Wu though. The fried rice was better, but the General Tso's chicken was far to sweet and wangy and didn't have enough spice. Also, the chicken didn't hold up - meaning after soaking in all that sauce, it just got soggy. Soggy General Tso = Sad panda.... and hungry Amber. I mean, it was ok. The driver was very friendly and prices were competitive, but we'll be sticking with old faithful.
(3)Jennifer R.
Had dinner here with two other people on Saturday 6/20. First - the ambience is pretty low-end even for a strip mall. And they don't do free refills on drinks which I find obnoxious in our area. The food was kind of a mixed bag - the moo shu pork, yum yum chicken and potstickers were all great. The fried rice and crab rangoons were on the lower side of meh - the rangoons were about 97% cream cheese which is disappointing. However, the hot and sour soup was gross - and I mean inedible. So....I probably won't go back...but it was nice to try a new place.
(3)Jane M.
Best Chinese Food! I had sweet and sour chicken & General chicken. Very enjoy. Chicken is crisp and sauce is tasty. Love it!
(5)Gillian S.
Stopped here for lunch and had a pleasant experience. Their lunch specials are nicely priced at $6.99 which includes a spring roll. After seeing the deep, rick color of their wonton soup, I had to get a bowl to try. I felt there was a heavy sesame flavor that over powered the soup but for only $2 I am not that bothered I tried it. My lunch dish was tasty with a great level of spice - I ordered the medium. There was nothing wrong nor was there anything really great about this place for me. Perhaps I will give it another try and it will change my feelings.
(3)Jeff H.
It's alright. I had the sweet and sour chicken but the sauce tasted more like ketchup and there was not anywhere near enough rice. Good service tho!
(3)Janet M.
Best Chinese food on west side of Indy!! Large succulent shrimp! Always use fresh ingredients! Everything is always perfect!! We go back again and again! Never tire of it!
(5)Katrina C.
If it's Chinese we're craving, Imperial Palace is where it's at! One of our favorites is the peppered steak. They make everything fresh daily, and the service is fantastic.
(5)Joe H.
Just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I have eaten there several times. I have always enjoyed the great food I love talking with Bobby about old times in Taipei. On Friday night my GF & I went for dinner and had a great time not only was the meal wonderful but we had time to meat and talk with Bobby's nephew Ben and his wife Alice about times and places in the south of China. Just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
(5)Joseph D.
Imperial Palace has great Chinese food! Bobby makes sure to tell you he's cooking your order/meal fresh. I've been to IP several times and it's a joy to watch Bobby do his thing on the wok! It's also kinda pleasing to hear him sing a little Frank Sinatra while he's cooking. Reasonably priced and generous portions, this is a fantastic place to eat. My favorite is the Yum Yum Chicken!
(5)Matt G.
This is the most amazing Chinese I've ever had. Normally when you ask for General Tso's Chicken extra spicy it has a little bit of a kick to it and that's all. I ask for it extra spicy and they asked on a scale of 1-10, I decided to be mindful and went with an 8. This was blow my mind perfect spiciness for General Tso's. I also bought an order of Crab Rangoon with my meal, it comes with 4 of them that are the size of a child's fist! It amazed me when I opened them up! I was only able to eat half of my General Tso's and 2 of the Crab Rangoon before I was stuffed. I am definitely coming back to this place and thrilled I live only 10 minutes away!
(5)Jessey J.
Bobby and his family were super kind and hospitable. I arrived 15 minutes before they closed but still enjoyed my dinner. Great food and great people!
(5)Tad S.
There is only one way to start this review, Bobby is the man! Bobby is the single employee in chef of imperial palace. Sometimes orders will take a bit longer, but it's truly because Bobby cares about your food and he wants it to be just as great as his well kept restaurant that has about four tables, he has Marilyn Munro and Frank Sinatra all over the place! Music kindhearted man with much enthusiasm for what he does and it shows in his food! If you are truly looking for authentic Chinese food this is the place to go!!!
(5)Johnny M.
So I had been to this restaurant before, and I thought the food was pretty good. It is not the closest and my favorite place nearby, but my favorite place, the owners were on vacation. So to get my food fix, I called in a carryout order here on a Saturday night at about 6:45pm. The gentleman who answered, said that he was pretty busy, and that my order would be ready in 35-45 minutes. At 7:30, I arrived with my 3 year old to pick up our order. I was reminded of the peculiar atmosphere with all the plants and Sinatra music. I noticed there was only one elderly couple eating together in the restaurant. The gentleman greeted me and told me to have a seat as it would be 10-15 minutes. I waited with my toddler who was growing impatient. I noticed that he bent over and picked a couple containers, maybe spices or leaves off the floor 10 minutes later I realized he was still reaching in to the refrigerated cooler to grab food to cook for my order. I began to lose my patience. All this time, there were no other orders, I questioned how busy he actually was, as he stated on the phone. I took my daughter to the restroom, which definitely could use a good thorough cleaning and then back. I wanted to show her some of the decorations around the place and it caught my eye as he dropped a piece of chicken or crab rangoon (uncooked) on the floor. Speaking of floor, I was floored, when he reached down, nonchalantly, and picked it up, placing it back on the prep table with the rest of my food. Unbelievable. I immediately picked up my daughter and walked out the door, unnoticed by him. Hungry and waiting, I went to an Italian chain drive through, at about 8:10, nearly one hour and half later, I got a voice mail stating that my order was ready to be picked up. Needless to say, I will never be back and I have also notified the local health department to investigate.
(1)Christopher C.
Best place to get some Quality Chinese food. If your a out- towner like I'm make it point to see bobby. As for the guy with one star don't listen to him he has no idea what he is taking about. For one the his favorite Chinese restaurant was closed that weekend and then was stuck with a toddler that was " inpatient" as all of them are. Plus look he's the only one to give one star
(5)M. S.
This is a hole-in-the-wall kind of place. I think this is a good thing because it allows the owner to really interact with the patrons. The owner really cares about customer service. I had the Yum Yum chicken from the list of lunch specials. It was very tasty. I would go back to try other things from the menu if I come back to the area.
(4)D W.
First time here, placed a take out order at 5:30 and arrived to pick it up at 6:15 and it still wasn't ready. So if you expect fast food like most Chinese take aways do, don't go here. It really is a one man show. A group of four game in for a sit down meal and he told them it would be 1 hour and 20 mins before he could serve them. The food was good but I've had just as good made in 15 minutes. Definitely a man who takes pride in his work.
(3)Dana M.
Bobby rocks! We live near his restaurant (an awesome treasure in a strip mall off of Lafayette Road and 56th Street). When you walk in, you feel like you are in a jungle of beautiful plants and pictures of Marilyn Monroe while Frank Sinatra plays in the background. Bobby is basically a one-man show who usually works as server, cashier, phone order taker, and chef. The wait (usually not long) is worth it! Most people do takeout, there is definitely space to eat in there and enjoy the vibe. We come so often he knows me by name, and I love that kind of customer service. Hubs and I almost always order egg rolls and house fried rice (the shrimp are huge!). My favorite dish is Mongolian beef that is slightly sweet with stir fried green veggies and mushrooms. Hubs was having a hard time finding a dish that he truly loved at Imperial. One time when we were in the restaurant, he noticed there was an orange shrimp dish but not an orange chicken. He asked Bobby if he could make orange chicken, and Bobby said, "Of course!" Now Hubs gets it every time. Bobby will personalize your dish if you want it to be spicy (he'll usually ask you to rate what you want on a scale of 1-10). This is my favorite Asian restaurant in Indianapolis. Go. Go right now to see Bobby.
(5)Julie N.
I went to Imperial Palace based on its rating. Numerous people said nothing but good things about the restaurant, so I had to see what they hype was about. I ordered Yum Yum Chicken and it was all that and more - delicious. My friend got general tso's chicken and was not impressed, however. Their food is good - but nothing that I haven't seen before at any other chinese restaurant in the area.
(4)Christine K.
Slow service but best fast Chinese food I've ever had. A tad pricier as well but worth it!
(4)Daisy L.
He really catered to what I like. I said spicy, and man, he gave me spicy! Seriously, the best Chinese food I've had in Indianapolis. Bobby isn't a one-man-band, he is a one-man-army! Great atmosphere, highly recommended.
(5)Lauren D.
My family has been going to Bobby's (I honestly never remember the actual name of the place- it's even in my phone as "Bobby's") for years. My first job was at the Starbucks in the same strip as Imperial Palace, and during my lunch break I'd run over there and stuff my face with fried rice and dread going back to that evil Coffee Siren. When my nice manager was working, we'd bring over free coffee for Bobby, and he'd be thrilled. Once I quit the 'Bucks and went to college, I didn't see Bobby for years. One day, probably 5 years later, I was craving Chinese, real Chinese, not PF Chang's crap- I live downtown but my boyfriend was willing to drive. When we picked up the food, Bobby recognized me, name and everything, asked how I was, how my sister is, my family, etc. And it isn't just me- he knows all his customers. He's the only man in the place, and he's not young, but he's a natural people-person and an amazing cook. He has conversations with every person who walks in (Bobby picked my boyfriend out for a vegetarian after he ordered a veggie plate- told him he'd make my boy some special tofu next time). You're gonna wait for your food, but Bobby will tell you to sit, and you'll listen to Frank Sinatra and see Marilyn Monroe on the walls. Then you'll get your food, and you'll eat it (there or home), and it'll be GOOD. Big hunks of fresh chicken and veggies. Nice hot, steamy rice. I have leftovers at home. I gotta get them now.
(5)Zb L.
We came in late for dinner. We did not expect much since the restaurant is very small. The owner was very nice to cook for us for our order. We ordered pepper steak and yum yum chicken. They are very delicious. The beef is so tender and fresh. We wanted a little spicy on the pepper steak. The food came right into the flavor that we wanted. Unfortunately, we are so far from this restaurant. The people live nearby are lucky to have such a good restaurant. We hope to come back again.
(5)Trevor C.
Let me preface this review by saying most of the others have this place pegged perfectly: it's an American Chinese restaurant with good food and ASTOUNDINGLY GOOD customer service. Highlighting the latter is the sole reason for this review, but I'll throw some compliments at the food as well. I walked in with a friend from out of town, we were both feeling ravenous after a few hours of climbing. Alas, it was approaching 10PM on a weeknight - not exactly the best time to find decent grub. Imperial Palace (better called "Bobby's") was one of the few places open 'till 10, and we got there literally 5 'til. (For the record, normally avoid coming in near closing time - in this case, glad I didn't!) The parking lot was deserted, the restaurant devoid of customers and, to our chagrin, the door locked. "Better luck next time" we thought while walking away. But no! Bobby, the owner, quickly unlocked the door and let us in, explaining that he keeps it locked late at night in the interest of safety. Instead of being miffed at us for walking in so late, Bobby was both friendly and patient. We spent a few minutes eyeballing the menu and settled on a rather large order for two people: General Tso's Chicken, Shrimp Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Spring Rolls. After ringing us up -- but before charging my card -- Bobby said "This will be about 20 minutes - is that okay?" This floored me, not only was the guy willing to let us in almost at close, he was actually concerned about making us wait! At this point there was no question we were willing to, but our throats were a bit parched and a drink seemed in order. He suggested we walk next door to some sort of hybrid bar/restaurant, then swing by whenever we were finished with the drink. Unfortunately, the place was closed, so we returned to SG. Bobby asked what brought us back so quickly, we mentioned the closing and asked if it was okay for us to sit & chat. What happened next ranks among the best customer service I have ever received (and most certainly for anything under $$$$): while my friend & I were chatting, Bobby brought us two empty cups then set a bottle of "grape juice" next to us. "Please," he said, "Enjoy." The three of us toasted, chatted for a few minutes, then Bobby went back to making the food. It was done almost exactly 20 minutes after the time printed on my receipt. It took about as long to get back to my house, and the food was still piping hot. Everything was quite good, and a special shout-out for the spring rolls - absolutely awesome! For the service alone, this is easily my favorite Chinese place in Indianapolis. That the food is also among the best is icing on the cake.
(5)Howard B.
This ranks as some of the best Chinese food I've ever eaten...and that's saying a mouthful! I stopped because I was hungry and it was there. Frankly, after seeing the obligatory backlit posters of food you seem to see at every Chinese take-out joint, I wasn't expecting anything other than to get full. I figured the chicken and cashews would likely be a safe bet, and got an order to go. It was outstanding, No, REALLY outstanding. I also ordered an egg roll, which was one of the worst egg rolls, outside of a Chinese buffet that I have ever had. Too much cabbage, and no peanut butter. It just tasted bitter and bland. I took off 1 star for that. Other than that mis-step, I heartily recommend this place!
(4)Grace N.
Bobby made my day. He is great, as he is mentioned in many other reviews- I can validate he's the real deal. The food was great he cooked it fresh in front of me. The place itself is a little small but clean and decorated well. Not what I expected in a good way!
(5)Tom K.
I just wanted to be one of the many people who are singing the praises of this place. Imperial Palace is an unassuming Chinese joints in the middle of a strip mall, just like a million other Chinese joints across America. Give it a chance though and you will be very impressed with the quality. Imperial Palace is a one man show, at least from what I can tell. The owner, Bobby is a really nice guy that a lot of passion for what he does. He makes an effort to get to know his customers and will remember your name if you're a regular. Even if it's you're first time there, he treats you like a long time customer, great guy. The food is wonderful. Aside from that time I had food in Chinatown in Chicago, I have never had high quality Chinese food. For the most part, it's your old standbys, but the quality of the food is a few notches above what you'd typically find in a restaurant like this. Everything just tastes so FRESH and is all cooked to order. That being said, I would recommend you call ahead. An order on a busy night can take 45 minutes to an hour Keep in mind that Bobby is the only one working. Even with the wait though, the food is WELL worth the wait. If you're unsure of what to get, I'd recommend you start with the Yum Yum chicken.
(5)Josh S.
The prior reviews are spot on. Well worth the extra wait for the food. Definitely our new favorite Chinese spot in Indy. Plan ahead as the wait was over an hour today for pickup (which I was told was not normal).
(4)Mike R.
My first time here, went based on very favorable Yelp feedback. When we arrived at 6:00 on a Monday evening, we were the only dine-in patrons, there was one person waiting for carry-out. The owner (Bobby) was the only worker in the store, serving as cook, waiter, and everything else. I know his daughter sometimes works with him, but that may only be on busier nights. It took a while for bobby to come and take our order, as he was busy cooking a couple of take-out orders, but we were prepared for the leisurely service so no matter. We ordered a Pot Sticker appetizer, 6 large Pork based filled dumplings, and they were obviously freshly made right then - a great mix of flavors in with the pork filling. For the main courses we had Spicy Tofu with vegetables and Double Cooked Pork. Both were again excellent, with the sauces clearly very different from one another, all very fresh ingredients, and Bobby's carefully marinated and twice cooked pork in the incredibly flavorful Double Cooked Pork. If you are not concerned about fast service (but it is very friendly), and don't care about no alcohol, just want the best Chinese dishes that I have found in the Indy area, this is the place.
(5)Judy D.
The best Asian food I've ever had. Bobby uses fresh ingredients and everything is made to order. Be sure to call ahead because fresh takes time.
(5)Lorand M.
Very nice people..obviously a loyal following based on the congenial familiarity of owner and patron. Food was quite good...fresh and high quality ingredients...reasonably authentic...would have liked more vegetables and less beef...but...I did not mention that, and should have. Perhaps the server could have paid a bit more attention to the dining room..but..it was obvious they were getting a large take away order ready. Even though I go to BJava quite frequently...never noticed this place..and were it not for recent yelp reviews...would not have discovered it. Why don't these places promote each other in the same strip mall ??? Very reasonably priced...and an excellent overall value.
(4)Chris C.
Went here based on other Yelp reviews... yep, they were right! The food is very fresh and Bobby takes pride in ordering good-quality ingredients. The fried rice is the best I have ever had. The yum-yum chicken is delicious... there is a light seasoned coating that gives it a slightly crispy bite, and not greasy in the slightest bit. A lot of care and passion goes into every dish... my suggestion: if you want carry-out, call ahead - Bobby will tell you exactly when it will be ready. I would highly recommend this place for a whimsical date... red and white checkered table cloths, pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Sinatra on the walls, and Amy Winehouse music coming from the stereo. Bobby is a natural host, and his food is delicious.
(5)Beth B.
Yup, Yup! I may change my review to five stars after I've had a chance to visit again. I ordered carryout on new years day (night). We ordered the double cooked pork, beef lo mein and spring rolls. All were delicious. I had to wait a while for my order when I got there as (others have mentioned) there is only one gentleman working. Worth the wait though. He was very kind to both me and my young son...offering him a fortune cookie while we waited. The menu is small and is more traditional tasting than a strip mall Chinese spot. I will be back for seconds. As of now, it's my second favorite Chinese in Indy
(4)Debbie D.
Bobby was great and so was the food! The place is not much to look at, but Bobby and the food make up for it! Would definitely go here again. Only real disappointment was a stale fortune cookie, but I didn't have the heart to tell Bobbie!
(5)Robert S.
Great food here and service, kinda a one man show at least it was the other night, I go to the Starbucks next door all the time and was hungry so figured would try out the Imperial Palace fats prompt service here I walked in and the owner took my order then he went back to Finnish the order he was working on and mine also, they both came out at almost the same time I got the Chicken Low Mien (sp) it was very tasty and made me want more but as I had gotten it to go and was eating it on the road that wasn't a option, but I will b back to try some more dishes for dinner
(5)Jay S.
A true Gem. Family owned. The owner obviously is very proud about the food he makes and it shows in the quality of his food and that he remembers return customers. Unique in that everything is made to order with fresh ingredients and fantastic flavors that have completely changed my opinions about Chinese food (i did not really like it before eating here). I have had the Fragrant Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, and the Spicy Tofu with Vegetables. The dishes all have flavors that are much more complex than normally are present in your everyday run of the mill Chinese restaurant. Prices are very fair and the portions will not dissapoint. 1 warning - "spicy" means spicy! The owner makes any visit worthwhile, singing or humming along to Elvis or Sinatra. I have been here several times and plan on returning several times.
(5)Brenton A.
The only place worth going for Chinese food in town. The high quality ingredients make the food taste fresh and fantastic, but Bobby is the real selling point here. he runs the place alone with his daughter. I walked in, and it was just him, puttering around in the kitchen like it was his home, singing along to Frank Sinatra. He greeted me by name (I'd ordered over the phone) and took the time to really talk to me. He knew it was my first time in, and asked what I thought. He was incredibly friendly, his food was delicious, and it was very reasonably priced. Don't waste your time going anywhere else. I'll be going back to check his more signature dishes, but his General Tsos and Vegetable LoMein were fantastic, with all the vegetables retaining their individual flavors and not being boiled away into oblivion. I've never had better.
(5)Lora C.
I'm really glad to have discovered this place. I've only driven by, oh, 500 times but have somehow never noticed it. I asked Bobby the owner how long they've been open and he said 9 years...! Food was excellent. It is a one man show so it can take awhile if there are several orders in front of you, but the food was worth the wait. For reference, I ordered General Tso's Chicken which was sweet and spicy and my husband ordered Chicken and Broccoli and was excellent. Everything tasted very fresh and I enjoyed the way Bobby interacted with the customers. We will go back for sure!
(5)Nick L.
This is a fabulous Chinese restaurant. Family owned with the owner preparing all the food. Has take out and sit down services, so its kind of between a take out and a sit down place. It is not a buffet type place but more of a little restaurant where the owner will remember you the next time you come in. He also takes your order and prepares your dinner. The owner loves Frank Sinatra and has Sinatra posters up and Sinatra songs playing amid the Chinese decorations, but that is not the only surprise! The food is excellent, and many dishes have the owner's special sauces, one of which, the "fragrant sauce" is addictive. It is both spicy and lightly sweet and a perfect complement to chicken or shrimp. I usually don't like Chinese dishes with beef, but the beef here--which the owner special orders--is extremely tender and full of flavor. The owner prides himself in selecting only the finest ingredients, so you are getting dishes made with superior ingredients and that shows in the taste. The shrimp he uses are huge! Really, this is just a dazzling place on the Northwest side, Lafayette Rd., not far from the 56th St. entrance to Eagle Creek, and it is a hidden gem. If you love Chinese dishes do yourself a favor and stop in.
(5)David N.
This is definitely a place worth checking out if you're in Indy and are sick of fast food and/or meals over 2000 calories. I come from the east coast, and the food won't be revolutionary compared to what you might find in New York or Chicago. You won't find dishes drastically different from what you might be familiar with. But the service and quality are both excellent and almost guarantee a great eating experience. The place is run by the owner and his daughter, but only he was there when my group of five ate there. The restaurant is in a strip mall (as I've found much of the best Chinese food is), and has 6 four-tops and pictures of Marilyn Monroe on the walls. We walked in at 5:30 and it was empty, with one couple dining and two people waiting for carry out when we left. When we arrived the owner/chef/maitre-d/waiter came out to greet us and was very friendly. Its good the place doesn't seem to get incredibly busy, because the owner took our order very personally, asking us about spice level on a scale of 1-10 (with advice) and even engineering our meal a little bit, taking one of our dishes and recommending it as an appetizer, which turned out to be the exact right amount of food. He also made all the food fresh, most of which could be witnessed fairly easily from the dining room to the kitchen. As an appetizer we order the Yum-Yum chicken (I don't think there's a proper translation from Mandarin) which was "their specialty" (and not on the menu), a very good crispy chicken dish with what tasted like a light hoisin sauce, similar to what's put on Peking duck but not as thick. One of the people in my group ordered a wonton soup, which was also surprisingly good (as in, better than that which I get from my local take out place that I love). For dinner, we had Spicy Tofu with Vegetables (one of two vegetarian options on the menu, although I'm sure the owner could work with vegetarians to come up with more options), Singapore style Meefun noodles, Singapore style Beef, and General Tso's chicken (for one of my less adventurous friends). All the food was very high quality. A review on the wall explained that the owner can order especially good meat and maintain low prices because of the non-existant labor costs. The Meefun was definitely the best dish of the night, having a more mild but very flavorful taste and full of chicken and shrimp. The Singapore chicken was also great, which was slightly sweet. The tofu was the spiciest thing we ordered (we told him an 8 out of ten for that) and didn't disappoint. I didn't get a chance to try the General Tao's chicken, but it was finished very quickly. All in all, we had a great eating experience, leaving a big tip. If you're looking for any food in Indianapolis that isn't thoroughly unhealthy or thoroughly North American in origin, I would definitely come here for a change of pace.
(5)Rick S.
As you can see from the reviews, this is a one-man show. If you've eaten here a few times you get to know Bobby and his wonderful food. We eat here often, it is hands-down the best Chinese food in town. Eaten take-out from here nearly a dozen times, it has been excellent quality good every time.
(5)Tim K.
As the previous reviews great food. Quick service. Small seating area but very nice place. Had the sesame chicken very large portion. Very friendly staff. Definitely will stop again on my way thru Indiana.
(5)Jeff H.
It's alright. I had the sweet and sour chicken but the sauce tasted more like ketchup and there was not anywhere near enough rice. Good service tho!
(3)Janet M.
Best Chinese food on west side of Indy!! Large succulent shrimp! Always use fresh ingredients! Everything is always perfect!! We go back again and again! Never tire of it!
(5)Katrina C.
If it's Chinese we're craving, Imperial Palace is where it's at! One of our favorites is the peppered steak. They make everything fresh daily, and the service is fantastic.
(5)Joe H.
Just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I have eaten there several times. I have always enjoyed the great food I love talking with Bobby about old times in Taipei. On Friday night my GF & I went for dinner and had a great time not only was the meal wonderful but we had time to meat and talk with Bobby's nephew Ben and his wife Alice about times and places in the south of China. Just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
(5)Joseph D.
Imperial Palace has great Chinese food! Bobby makes sure to tell you he's cooking your order/meal fresh. I've been to IP several times and it's a joy to watch Bobby do his thing on the wok! It's also kinda pleasing to hear him sing a little Frank Sinatra while he's cooking. Reasonably priced and generous portions, this is a fantastic place to eat. My favorite is the Yum Yum Chicken!
(5)Matt G.
This is the most amazing Chinese I've ever had. Normally when you ask for General Tso's Chicken extra spicy it has a little bit of a kick to it and that's all. I ask for it extra spicy and they asked on a scale of 1-10, I decided to be mindful and went with an 8. This was blow my mind perfect spiciness for General Tso's. I also bought an order of Crab Rangoon with my meal, it comes with 4 of them that are the size of a child's fist! It amazed me when I opened them up! I was only able to eat half of my General Tso's and 2 of the Crab Rangoon before I was stuffed. I am definitely coming back to this place and thrilled I live only 10 minutes away!
(5)Jessey J.
Bobby and his family were super kind and hospitable. I arrived 15 minutes before they closed but still enjoyed my dinner. Great food and great people!
(5)Tad S.
There is only one way to start this review, Bobby is the man! Bobby is the single employee in chef of imperial palace. Sometimes orders will take a bit longer, but it's truly because Bobby cares about your food and he wants it to be just as great as his well kept restaurant that has about four tables, he has Marilyn Munro and Frank Sinatra all over the place! Music kindhearted man with much enthusiasm for what he does and it shows in his food! If you are truly looking for authentic Chinese food this is the place to go!!!
(5)Catherine B.
AMAZING! Great experience. It is pricy but the portions are huge. The service was phenomenal which is unusual for a takeout Chinese restaurant. The Crab Rangoon are HUGE and delicious. The best takeout I've had.
(5)Amber P.
We keep trying different Chinese delivery places to see if we can find anything better than our current favorite. From the reviews posted here, we thought we'd found the one. Meh... Not so much. We won't be switching from Wonder Wu though. The fried rice was better, but the General Tso's chicken was far to sweet and wangy and didn't have enough spice. Also, the chicken didn't hold up - meaning after soaking in all that sauce, it just got soggy. Soggy General Tso = Sad panda.... and hungry Amber. I mean, it was ok. The driver was very friendly and prices were competitive, but we'll be sticking with old faithful.
(3)Jennifer R.
Had dinner here with two other people on Saturday 6/20. First - the ambience is pretty low-end even for a strip mall. And they don't do free refills on drinks which I find obnoxious in our area. The food was kind of a mixed bag - the moo shu pork, yum yum chicken and potstickers were all great. The fried rice and crab rangoons were on the lower side of meh - the rangoons were about 97% cream cheese which is disappointing. However, the hot and sour soup was gross - and I mean inedible. So....I probably won't go back...but it was nice to try a new place.
(3)Jane M.
Best Chinese Food! I had sweet and sour chicken & General chicken. Very enjoy. Chicken is crisp and sauce is tasty. Love it!
(5)Gillian S.
Stopped here for lunch and had a pleasant experience. Their lunch specials are nicely priced at $6.99 which includes a spring roll. After seeing the deep, rick color of their wonton soup, I had to get a bowl to try. I felt there was a heavy sesame flavor that over powered the soup but for only $2 I am not that bothered I tried it. My lunch dish was tasty with a great level of spice - I ordered the medium. There was nothing wrong nor was there anything really great about this place for me. Perhaps I will give it another try and it will change my feelings.
(3)Julie N.
I went to Imperial Palace based on its rating. Numerous people said nothing but good things about the restaurant, so I had to see what they hype was about. I ordered Yum Yum Chicken and it was all that and more - delicious. My friend got general tso's chicken and was not impressed, however. Their food is good - but nothing that I haven't seen before at any other chinese restaurant in the area.
(4)Christine K.
Slow service but best fast Chinese food I've ever had. A tad pricier as well but worth it!
(4)Daisy L.
He really catered to what I like. I said spicy, and man, he gave me spicy! Seriously, the best Chinese food I've had in Indianapolis. Bobby isn't a one-man-band, he is a one-man-army! Great atmosphere, highly recommended.
(5)Johnny M.
So I had been to this restaurant before, and I thought the food was pretty good. It is not the closest and my favorite place nearby, but my favorite place, the owners were on vacation. So to get my food fix, I called in a carryout order here on a Saturday night at about 6:45pm. The gentleman who answered, said that he was pretty busy, and that my order would be ready in 35-45 minutes. At 7:30, I arrived with my 3 year old to pick up our order. I was reminded of the peculiar atmosphere with all the plants and Sinatra music. I noticed there was only one elderly couple eating together in the restaurant. The gentleman greeted me and told me to have a seat as it would be 10-15 minutes. I waited with my toddler who was growing impatient. I noticed that he bent over and picked a couple containers, maybe spices or leaves off the floor 10 minutes later I realized he was still reaching in to the refrigerated cooler to grab food to cook for my order. I began to lose my patience. All this time, there were no other orders, I questioned how busy he actually was, as he stated on the phone. I took my daughter to the restroom, which definitely could use a good thorough cleaning and then back. I wanted to show her some of the decorations around the place and it caught my eye as he dropped a piece of chicken or crab rangoon (uncooked) on the floor. Speaking of floor, I was floored, when he reached down, nonchalantly, and picked it up, placing it back on the prep table with the rest of my food. Unbelievable. I immediately picked up my daughter and walked out the door, unnoticed by him. Hungry and waiting, I went to an Italian chain drive through, at about 8:10, nearly one hour and half later, I got a voice mail stating that my order was ready to be picked up. Needless to say, I will never be back and I have also notified the local health department to investigate.
(1)Christopher C.
Best place to get some Quality Chinese food. If your a out- towner like I'm make it point to see bobby. As for the guy with one star don't listen to him he has no idea what he is taking about. For one the his favorite Chinese restaurant was closed that weekend and then was stuck with a toddler that was " inpatient" as all of them are. Plus look he's the only one to give one star
(5)M. S.
This is a hole-in-the-wall kind of place. I think this is a good thing because it allows the owner to really interact with the patrons. The owner really cares about customer service. I had the Yum Yum chicken from the list of lunch specials. It was very tasty. I would go back to try other things from the menu if I come back to the area.
(4)D W.
First time here, placed a take out order at 5:30 and arrived to pick it up at 6:15 and it still wasn't ready. So if you expect fast food like most Chinese take aways do, don't go here. It really is a one man show. A group of four game in for a sit down meal and he told them it would be 1 hour and 20 mins before he could serve them. The food was good but I've had just as good made in 15 minutes. Definitely a man who takes pride in his work.
(3)Dana M.
Bobby rocks! We live near his restaurant (an awesome treasure in a strip mall off of Lafayette Road and 56th Street). When you walk in, you feel like you are in a jungle of beautiful plants and pictures of Marilyn Monroe while Frank Sinatra plays in the background. Bobby is basically a one-man show who usually works as server, cashier, phone order taker, and chef. The wait (usually not long) is worth it! Most people do takeout, there is definitely space to eat in there and enjoy the vibe. We come so often he knows me by name, and I love that kind of customer service. Hubs and I almost always order egg rolls and house fried rice (the shrimp are huge!). My favorite dish is Mongolian beef that is slightly sweet with stir fried green veggies and mushrooms. Hubs was having a hard time finding a dish that he truly loved at Imperial. One time when we were in the restaurant, he noticed there was an orange shrimp dish but not an orange chicken. He asked Bobby if he could make orange chicken, and Bobby said, "Of course!" Now Hubs gets it every time. Bobby will personalize your dish if you want it to be spicy (he'll usually ask you to rate what you want on a scale of 1-10). This is my favorite Asian restaurant in Indianapolis. Go. Go right now to see Bobby.
(5)Grace N.
Bobby made my day. He is great, as he is mentioned in many other reviews- I can validate he's the real deal. The food was great he cooked it fresh in front of me. The place itself is a little small but clean and decorated well. Not what I expected in a good way!
(5)Lauren D.
My family has been going to Bobby's (I honestly never remember the actual name of the place- it's even in my phone as "Bobby's") for years. My first job was at the Starbucks in the same strip as Imperial Palace, and during my lunch break I'd run over there and stuff my face with fried rice and dread going back to that evil Coffee Siren. When my nice manager was working, we'd bring over free coffee for Bobby, and he'd be thrilled. Once I quit the 'Bucks and went to college, I didn't see Bobby for years. One day, probably 5 years later, I was craving Chinese, real Chinese, not PF Chang's crap- I live downtown but my boyfriend was willing to drive. When we picked up the food, Bobby recognized me, name and everything, asked how I was, how my sister is, my family, etc. And it isn't just me- he knows all his customers. He's the only man in the place, and he's not young, but he's a natural people-person and an amazing cook. He has conversations with every person who walks in (Bobby picked my boyfriend out for a vegetarian after he ordered a veggie plate- told him he'd make my boy some special tofu next time). You're gonna wait for your food, but Bobby will tell you to sit, and you'll listen to Frank Sinatra and see Marilyn Monroe on the walls. Then you'll get your food, and you'll eat it (there or home), and it'll be GOOD. Big hunks of fresh chicken and veggies. Nice hot, steamy rice. I have leftovers at home. I gotta get them now.
(5)Zb L.
We came in late for dinner. We did not expect much since the restaurant is very small. The owner was very nice to cook for us for our order. We ordered pepper steak and yum yum chicken. They are very delicious. The beef is so tender and fresh. We wanted a little spicy on the pepper steak. The food came right into the flavor that we wanted. Unfortunately, we are so far from this restaurant. The people live nearby are lucky to have such a good restaurant. We hope to come back again.
(5)Trevor C.
Let me preface this review by saying most of the others have this place pegged perfectly: it's an American Chinese restaurant with good food and ASTOUNDINGLY GOOD customer service. Highlighting the latter is the sole reason for this review, but I'll throw some compliments at the food as well. I walked in with a friend from out of town, we were both feeling ravenous after a few hours of climbing. Alas, it was approaching 10PM on a weeknight - not exactly the best time to find decent grub. Imperial Palace (better called "Bobby's") was one of the few places open 'till 10, and we got there literally 5 'til. (For the record, normally avoid coming in near closing time - in this case, glad I didn't!) The parking lot was deserted, the restaurant devoid of customers and, to our chagrin, the door locked. "Better luck next time" we thought while walking away. But no! Bobby, the owner, quickly unlocked the door and let us in, explaining that he keeps it locked late at night in the interest of safety. Instead of being miffed at us for walking in so late, Bobby was both friendly and patient. We spent a few minutes eyeballing the menu and settled on a rather large order for two people: General Tso's Chicken, Shrimp Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Spring Rolls. After ringing us up -- but before charging my card -- Bobby said "This will be about 20 minutes - is that okay?" This floored me, not only was the guy willing to let us in almost at close, he was actually concerned about making us wait! At this point there was no question we were willing to, but our throats were a bit parched and a drink seemed in order. He suggested we walk next door to some sort of hybrid bar/restaurant, then swing by whenever we were finished with the drink. Unfortunately, the place was closed, so we returned to SG. Bobby asked what brought us back so quickly, we mentioned the closing and asked if it was okay for us to sit & chat. What happened next ranks among the best customer service I have ever received (and most certainly for anything under $$$$): while my friend & I were chatting, Bobby brought us two empty cups then set a bottle of "grape juice" next to us. "Please," he said, "Enjoy." The three of us toasted, chatted for a few minutes, then Bobby went back to making the food. It was done almost exactly 20 minutes after the time printed on my receipt. It took about as long to get back to my house, and the food was still piping hot. Everything was quite good, and a special shout-out for the spring rolls - absolutely awesome! For the service alone, this is easily my favorite Chinese place in Indianapolis. That the food is also among the best is icing on the cake.
(5)Howard B.
This ranks as some of the best Chinese food I've ever eaten...and that's saying a mouthful! I stopped because I was hungry and it was there. Frankly, after seeing the obligatory backlit posters of food you seem to see at every Chinese take-out joint, I wasn't expecting anything other than to get full. I figured the chicken and cashews would likely be a safe bet, and got an order to go. It was outstanding, No, REALLY outstanding. I also ordered an egg roll, which was one of the worst egg rolls, outside of a Chinese buffet that I have ever had. Too much cabbage, and no peanut butter. It just tasted bitter and bland. I took off 1 star for that. Other than that mis-step, I heartily recommend this place!
(4)Tom K.
I just wanted to be one of the many people who are singing the praises of this place. Imperial Palace is an unassuming Chinese joints in the middle of a strip mall, just like a million other Chinese joints across America. Give it a chance though and you will be very impressed with the quality. Imperial Palace is a one man show, at least from what I can tell. The owner, Bobby is a really nice guy that a lot of passion for what he does. He makes an effort to get to know his customers and will remember your name if you're a regular. Even if it's you're first time there, he treats you like a long time customer, great guy. The food is wonderful. Aside from that time I had food in Chinatown in Chicago, I have never had high quality Chinese food. For the most part, it's your old standbys, but the quality of the food is a few notches above what you'd typically find in a restaurant like this. Everything just tastes so FRESH and is all cooked to order. That being said, I would recommend you call ahead. An order on a busy night can take 45 minutes to an hour Keep in mind that Bobby is the only one working. Even with the wait though, the food is WELL worth the wait. If you're unsure of what to get, I'd recommend you start with the Yum Yum chicken.
(5)Josh S.
The prior reviews are spot on. Well worth the extra wait for the food. Definitely our new favorite Chinese spot in Indy. Plan ahead as the wait was over an hour today for pickup (which I was told was not normal).
(4)Mike R.
My first time here, went based on very favorable Yelp feedback. When we arrived at 6:00 on a Monday evening, we were the only dine-in patrons, there was one person waiting for carry-out. The owner (Bobby) was the only worker in the store, serving as cook, waiter, and everything else. I know his daughter sometimes works with him, but that may only be on busier nights. It took a while for bobby to come and take our order, as he was busy cooking a couple of take-out orders, but we were prepared for the leisurely service so no matter. We ordered a Pot Sticker appetizer, 6 large Pork based filled dumplings, and they were obviously freshly made right then - a great mix of flavors in with the pork filling. For the main courses we had Spicy Tofu with vegetables and Double Cooked Pork. Both were again excellent, with the sauces clearly very different from one another, all very fresh ingredients, and Bobby's carefully marinated and twice cooked pork in the incredibly flavorful Double Cooked Pork. If you are not concerned about fast service (but it is very friendly), and don't care about no alcohol, just want the best Chinese dishes that I have found in the Indy area, this is the place.
(5)Judy D.
The best Asian food I've ever had. Bobby uses fresh ingredients and everything is made to order. Be sure to call ahead because fresh takes time.
(5)Lorand M.
Very nice people..obviously a loyal following based on the congenial familiarity of owner and patron. Food was quite good...fresh and high quality ingredients...reasonably authentic...would have liked more vegetables and less beef...but...I did not mention that, and should have. Perhaps the server could have paid a bit more attention to the dining room..but..it was obvious they were getting a large take away order ready. Even though I go to BJava quite frequently...never noticed this place..and were it not for recent yelp reviews...would not have discovered it. Why don't these places promote each other in the same strip mall ??? Very reasonably priced...and an excellent overall value.
(4)Chris C.
Went here based on other Yelp reviews... yep, they were right! The food is very fresh and Bobby takes pride in ordering good-quality ingredients. The fried rice is the best I have ever had. The yum-yum chicken is delicious... there is a light seasoned coating that gives it a slightly crispy bite, and not greasy in the slightest bit. A lot of care and passion goes into every dish... my suggestion: if you want carry-out, call ahead - Bobby will tell you exactly when it will be ready. I would highly recommend this place for a whimsical date... red and white checkered table cloths, pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Sinatra on the walls, and Amy Winehouse music coming from the stereo. Bobby is a natural host, and his food is delicious.
(5)Beth B.
Yup, Yup! I may change my review to five stars after I've had a chance to visit again. I ordered carryout on new years day (night). We ordered the double cooked pork, beef lo mein and spring rolls. All were delicious. I had to wait a while for my order when I got there as (others have mentioned) there is only one gentleman working. Worth the wait though. He was very kind to both me and my young son...offering him a fortune cookie while we waited. The menu is small and is more traditional tasting than a strip mall Chinese spot. I will be back for seconds. As of now, it's my second favorite Chinese in Indy
(4)Debbie D.
Bobby was great and so was the food! The place is not much to look at, but Bobby and the food make up for it! Would definitely go here again. Only real disappointment was a stale fortune cookie, but I didn't have the heart to tell Bobbie!
(5)Robert S.
Great food here and service, kinda a one man show at least it was the other night, I go to the Starbucks next door all the time and was hungry so figured would try out the Imperial Palace fats prompt service here I walked in and the owner took my order then he went back to Finnish the order he was working on and mine also, they both came out at almost the same time I got the Chicken Low Mien (sp) it was very tasty and made me want more but as I had gotten it to go and was eating it on the road that wasn't a option, but I will b back to try some more dishes for dinner
(5)Jay S.
A true Gem. Family owned. The owner obviously is very proud about the food he makes and it shows in the quality of his food and that he remembers return customers. Unique in that everything is made to order with fresh ingredients and fantastic flavors that have completely changed my opinions about Chinese food (i did not really like it before eating here). I have had the Fragrant Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, and the Spicy Tofu with Vegetables. The dishes all have flavors that are much more complex than normally are present in your everyday run of the mill Chinese restaurant. Prices are very fair and the portions will not dissapoint. 1 warning - "spicy" means spicy! The owner makes any visit worthwhile, singing or humming along to Elvis or Sinatra. I have been here several times and plan on returning several times.
(5)Brenton A.
The only place worth going for Chinese food in town. The high quality ingredients make the food taste fresh and fantastic, but Bobby is the real selling point here. he runs the place alone with his daughter. I walked in, and it was just him, puttering around in the kitchen like it was his home, singing along to Frank Sinatra. He greeted me by name (I'd ordered over the phone) and took the time to really talk to me. He knew it was my first time in, and asked what I thought. He was incredibly friendly, his food was delicious, and it was very reasonably priced. Don't waste your time going anywhere else. I'll be going back to check his more signature dishes, but his General Tsos and Vegetable LoMein were fantastic, with all the vegetables retaining their individual flavors and not being boiled away into oblivion. I've never had better.
(5)Lora C.
I'm really glad to have discovered this place. I've only driven by, oh, 500 times but have somehow never noticed it. I asked Bobby the owner how long they've been open and he said 9 years...! Food was excellent. It is a one man show so it can take awhile if there are several orders in front of you, but the food was worth the wait. For reference, I ordered General Tso's Chicken which was sweet and spicy and my husband ordered Chicken and Broccoli and was excellent. Everything tasted very fresh and I enjoyed the way Bobby interacted with the customers. We will go back for sure!
(5)Nick L.
This is a fabulous Chinese restaurant. Family owned with the owner preparing all the food. Has take out and sit down services, so its kind of between a take out and a sit down place. It is not a buffet type place but more of a little restaurant where the owner will remember you the next time you come in. He also takes your order and prepares your dinner. The owner loves Frank Sinatra and has Sinatra posters up and Sinatra songs playing amid the Chinese decorations, but that is not the only surprise! The food is excellent, and many dishes have the owner's special sauces, one of which, the "fragrant sauce" is addictive. It is both spicy and lightly sweet and a perfect complement to chicken or shrimp. I usually don't like Chinese dishes with beef, but the beef here--which the owner special orders--is extremely tender and full of flavor. The owner prides himself in selecting only the finest ingredients, so you are getting dishes made with superior ingredients and that shows in the taste. The shrimp he uses are huge! Really, this is just a dazzling place on the Northwest side, Lafayette Rd., not far from the 56th St. entrance to Eagle Creek, and it is a hidden gem. If you love Chinese dishes do yourself a favor and stop in.
(5)David N.
This is definitely a place worth checking out if you're in Indy and are sick of fast food and/or meals over 2000 calories. I come from the east coast, and the food won't be revolutionary compared to what you might find in New York or Chicago. You won't find dishes drastically different from what you might be familiar with. But the service and quality are both excellent and almost guarantee a great eating experience. The place is run by the owner and his daughter, but only he was there when my group of five ate there. The restaurant is in a strip mall (as I've found much of the best Chinese food is), and has 6 four-tops and pictures of Marilyn Monroe on the walls. We walked in at 5:30 and it was empty, with one couple dining and two people waiting for carry out when we left. When we arrived the owner/chef/maitre-d/waiter came out to greet us and was very friendly. Its good the place doesn't seem to get incredibly busy, because the owner took our order very personally, asking us about spice level on a scale of 1-10 (with advice) and even engineering our meal a little bit, taking one of our dishes and recommending it as an appetizer, which turned out to be the exact right amount of food. He also made all the food fresh, most of which could be witnessed fairly easily from the dining room to the kitchen. As an appetizer we order the Yum-Yum chicken (I don't think there's a proper translation from Mandarin) which was "their specialty" (and not on the menu), a very good crispy chicken dish with what tasted like a light hoisin sauce, similar to what's put on Peking duck but not as thick. One of the people in my group ordered a wonton soup, which was also surprisingly good (as in, better than that which I get from my local take out place that I love). For dinner, we had Spicy Tofu with Vegetables (one of two vegetarian options on the menu, although I'm sure the owner could work with vegetarians to come up with more options), Singapore style Meefun noodles, Singapore style Beef, and General Tso's chicken (for one of my less adventurous friends). All the food was very high quality. A review on the wall explained that the owner can order especially good meat and maintain low prices because of the non-existant labor costs. The Meefun was definitely the best dish of the night, having a more mild but very flavorful taste and full of chicken and shrimp. The Singapore chicken was also great, which was slightly sweet. The tofu was the spiciest thing we ordered (we told him an 8 out of ten for that) and didn't disappoint. I didn't get a chance to try the General Tao's chicken, but it was finished very quickly. All in all, we had a great eating experience, leaving a big tip. If you're looking for any food in Indianapolis that isn't thoroughly unhealthy or thoroughly North American in origin, I would definitely come here for a change of pace.
(5)Rick S.
As you can see from the reviews, this is a one-man show. If you've eaten here a few times you get to know Bobby and his wonderful food. We eat here often, it is hands-down the best Chinese food in town. Eaten take-out from here nearly a dozen times, it has been excellent quality good every time.
(5)Tim K.
As the previous reviews great food. Quick service. Small seating area but very nice place. Had the sesame chicken very large portion. Very friendly staff. Definitely will stop again on my way thru Indiana.
(5)