Pacific Eatery is a not-so-well-kept secret on the northwest side. It's American Chinese cuisine that is true to both traditions. They have everything you could want for the mainstream palate, and an authentic Chinese menu to venture (slightly) off the beaten path. I love their hot pots, and their chicken curry pot is one of my Favorite Things Ever. The service is friendly and two dining room areas to accommodate bigger groups. They do a lot of carryout service as well. On our last trip, we ordered dumplings - gotta love that sweet and spicy sauce (you know, the kind that comes with the General Tso's!). Hot pots - chicken curry for the spouse, and seafood tofu for me - excellent and filled with vegetables, meat and tofu (in mine). So good, so close to home!
(4)
Arvid Y.
*Disclaimer* I'm picky when it comes to Chinese food, even "Americanized" Chinese food. I was not impressed with my General Tso's Chicken yesterday. Granted, it's hard to really mess up the dish, but I found it to be a bit too sweet and not spicy enough. The staff was pleasant, the food came out quickly, the portions were large and the price was fare. Unfortunately, taste-wise, it just didn't do it for me. Maybe I would come back to try their more "authentic" items, but when it comes to General Tso's Chicken, I would go elsewhere.
(3)
Kayre H.
I moved to the Kenny/Henderson area several months ago, and there are tons of Chinese restaurants in strip malls on Kenny, Henderson and Bethel within a 1 or 2 mile radius. I think I've decided this one is going to be my go-to. The first time I went was eat-in with a friend. When we got inside it was a little nicer looking than I expected. It was also really empty, but it was a Thursday evening so maybe just not a busy day. Also, I'd passed this place tons of times without noticing it, maybe others had too? I got the Yu Hsing Chicken and my friend got the Chicken with Asparagus (it has their "favorite brown sauce" on it, after all!). They were both really good! I thought the prices were reasonable considering how large the portions were and that it was good quality food. Could you get cheaper Chinese somewhere? Yes. If you want Panda Express quality. But I definitely like this place and have been back several times for carry out, and they've not let me down!
(4)
Allison A.
I ordered the seafood hotpot for 14.95 last night which is described as: Jumbo shrimp, crab meat, calamari, scallops sauteed with mixed vegetables in sizzling hot pot. I got three shrimp, one scallop and a ton of tofu-threw most of it out.
(1)
F Z.
I liked Pacific Eatery before the place changed ownership. The previous owner was polite and courteous, and the chef(s) concocted delectable, authentic dishes. (The fried szechuan fish was my dish of choice at PE.) The main server, however, always acted like she had a bad case of PMS every frickin' day of the year, so needless to say, I couldn't be any more happier to see her leave. The new owners have maintained a similar look and feel for the restaurant, but have completely destroyed all traces of authenticity in the dishes. Sadly, PE now serves fast-food quality dishes with table service and jacked-up prices. I like my orange beef to actually taste orangey and not beef with general tso's sauce; a crispy texture would be nice too, as opposed to a pile of soggy General Tso's beef... err, I mean orange beef. I also like how when I order a bowl of soup, I expect the bowl to be at least 3/4 full, not 1/4. Thanks.
(2)
Holly C.
Disclaimer: I really only like authentic Chinese food, so none of this is about the Americanized stuff. I only had the spicy fish fillet and mapo tofu during lunch. They were both really good, and I think they were great sizes for lunch portions. I still couldn't even finish my food and took it home. I would go back for lunch or dinner to try some other things. Don't miss the left turn at the light like I did! It's right across from Staples on Kenny.
(4)
Michael D.
Went there for lunch and had very good meal. Hot and sour soup was yummy, as was the egg roll and the chicken wing appetizer. I had the spicy chicken with fried rice and was very pleased. Service was good and the atmosphere was nicer than you would expect when you see this place from the street. Very good!
(4)
Tash L.
Terrible. Terrible. Did I say terrible? We came here for some takeout on Christmas Day. The reviews weren't bad and there were a ton of people in the restaurant so we decided to try it out. Ordered egg and vegetable rolls, chicken wings, shrimp dumplings, hot and sour soup, and Kung pao chicken. The kung pao chicken was absolutely 100% inedible. Flavorless and the chicken tasted like it had gone bad. The entire dish went in the trash. The hot and sour soup didn't taste like hot and sour soup. The shrimp dumplings were okay. The egg rolls were fine but not great. The chicken wings were dry and very fried but probably the only thing that we could actually eat. And to add insult to injury, they only gave us one fortune cookie for two people :/ Will definitely not return. What a disappointing meal!
(1)
Cherie R.
OK, so I have a weird background when it comes to Asian food. Raised on Korean food (but allergic to a lot of it) in small town America where Americanized Chinese food is popular, lived with roommates of Indian heritage in college in a dorm full of kids of Chinese heritage ten minutes away from Chinatown in Chicago. So I like weird things. I like homecooked Chinese and Indian food. I like both Americanized and "authentic" Chinese restaurant food. I will eat Korean food of any type, because it's comfort food to me. So I had one of those weird days where I was craving both General Tso's chicken and some "authentic" food. I ordered the General Tso's, beef with wide rice noodle, and ma po tofu. The General Tso's was as good as any other General Tso's - I'd get it again from here if I had the craving, but it won't stop me from trying other places. The beef with wide rice noodle - the noodles were definitely from a package and were probably the dried type. I'm used to the kind that are made fresh and then frozen, or just fresh... they were just lacking the right texture. But the flavor was good. The tofu was the most disappointing - if you've ever cooked with tofu before, you know how you have to account for the release of water from the tofu and the bland-ish flavor by adding just a little more seasoning? Yeah, well they didn't do that. Ugh. Bland. There's nothing like a good ma po tofu with the silky texture of the tofu with a hint of that "mala" spice mixed in with that oh so savory flavor and the little bits of ground pork.... this definitely was not it. I've had better ma po tofu from the packaged sauce. So I will continue the hunt.
(3)
Lisa S.
I grabbed take-out from this place on a Wednesday evening on my way to my sister's; normally I get chinese from Sun Tong Luck (Helena is amazing) but that would have meant having to back track while driving, which I hate doing. I called in for an order of their steamed dumplings and the Kung Pao chicken. I had a little trouble understanding the person taking my order. They said 10 minutes and the food was ready when I got there. The price for the steamed dumplings (order of 6) was around $6, which I think is actually pretty good for an appetizer. There was a lull waiting for my sister to get home so they weren't completely hot but still tasted good warm. The Kung Pao chicken was just okay. It was ~$10 which I think is overpriced for the dish; although it tasted fine, the chicken was more like tiny slivers and hardly substantial. However, the water chestnuts were cooked perfectly, which I've found is always hit or miss at most chinese venues. If it's on my way again it's likely I'll stop by and order, and hope to maybe have more than a "eh" reaction next time.
(3)
Barri J.
We went here about six months ago after hearing it'd won awards. We were pleasantly surprised the first time. Now my children and I are regulars and we love it every single time! Try the Pad Thai and the Chicken Fried Rice.
(5)
Rob H.
The best Asian American restaurant in Columbus...great food and great prices!
(5)
Luke T.
I gotta tell ya...I'm with Catherine and Brittany on this one. I stopped here on a whim, looking for something a) I hadn't tried before and b) didn't have 50 reviews already. I had already made up my mind to go here after Dosa Corner was closed, but seeing Catherine's stamp of approval did give me some reassurance. When I walked in, I was a bit surprised at the dining area. The storefront certainly belies what awaits inside. Others mention the price point being a bit high, but I gotta tell ya, part of what you pay for is ambiance, and they have taken the appropriate steps to make it the sort of place that would charge a tad more. Everything was super clean, there are tablecloths, cloth napkins, high quality menus, and the staff is dressed the part as well. Oh, and there was pleasant soft jazz playing, much better than your typical Chinese joint. Also of note, while they offer maybe only 8 or so wines by the glass, the offerings are at least decent, recognizable brands. I don't think that's very typical of other Chinese restaurants I've been to. The menu is pretty vast, although the vegetarian section leaves a lot to be desired (only because it's small comparatively). The seafood menu makes up for it for all the pescetarians out there. While some of the prices are a bit higher than you'd expect ($10 for egg foo young seems excessive), the appetizers are all cheap (nothing over 6.50 that I saw, with most around $5), and if you pick the right dish, you won't pay more than $10 for your entree. That said, most of the entrees are $13-15. But these are huge seafood stews, whole fish fillets, chef specials, etc. As others note, there is also an "authentic" menu in the back, but unlike some other places, it is in English as well so us Westerners can order from it. I know I write long reviews. Sorry. But if you made it this far, here's the best part: the service was fantastic. The server was attentive, polite, friendly, chatted me up a bit before I left (although that may have been my doing), AND took my meal to the back to box it for me, PLUS gave me more fried rice for later at no charge. I've known of a handful of other places to do this, but it's rare in my experience. Jeez, I nearly forgot the food...I ordered the shrimp dumplings to start and the spicy salted tofu as my main dish. Dumplings were $5.25 and the entree was $8.45. Not that bad imo. Both dishes were delicious and were several notches above the quality I get from cheaper places I go - again, I feel the prices are justified. The dumplings were moist, tender, and succulent, while the tofu was crisp, golden and well flavored. The dish was served with garlic and jalapeno. It was truly salty, so if you don't like a lot of sodium, steer clear, but man, was it good. It was also plentiful. I've got enough for a meal tomorrow. I will return.
(4)
John S.
We have been coming here for years. We moved away but needed to revisit when we moved back. This place will never disappoint us. General tso is incredible. Chicken with jalapeño was the best. Sauces are spot on and flavorful. We will be back again and again.
(5)
Catherine J.
I'm surprised to see low reviews of Pacific Eatery. It's been a family favorite for years, and I know several Chinese who also like this place. It's not your average Chinese takeout joint-- there is actual atmosphere (though a little outdated) inside. Think white tablecloths, glass goblets, cloth napkins. We don't always get food from Pacific Eatery, but when we do, we eat in. There was only one other patron there on a Wednesday night, but several people came in for carryout. The menu is divided into two parts: the Americanized version and the "authentic" Chinese version. I can't speak to the accuracy of the "authentic" menu, but the more interesting dishes will be found here. We ordered the Eggplant stuffed with shrimp, and the black pepper steak. The eggplant came in nice servable portions for a group. There were maybe a dozen or so "units" on the platter of little eggplant "sandwiches" stuffed with a delicious shrimp paste. The sauce was light-- enough to keep everything moist but not drowning. I was surprised that the black pepper steak came lightly battered and fried. Not a big deal, just not expected. The final steps of preparation were performed tableside, with the steak strips being poured onto a hot-stone-type dish and then the sauce poured over, sizzling and binding to the meat. It was great! The two dishes complimented each other very well. Neither of these dishes would have been very good as carry out-- they needed to come right from the kitchen, and eaten right away. Reaheating is never great for eggplant or fried foods. We also ordered two apps: steamed dumplings and chicken wraps. Nothing too special compared to other restaurants. The chicken wraps are less spicy than they used to be in years past. They don't serve much rice with the meals, which is neither good nor bad. I love rice, but I'm sure the Chinese don't eat rice to the volumes served with Americanized dishes. We had two small bowls to split among three people. We didn't ask for more (didn't need it), but I'm sure they would bring more if asked. Service was attentive and non-invasive. Water glasses stayed filled, our needs produced prompt responses.
(4)
Bruce L.
Uh.... We ordered the carry-out from them, just finished the dish. Bamboo Shoots & Spiced Tofu with Pork and Beef with Wide Rice Noodle. A bit greasy, and food is not tasty. We felt like the food is cooked halfway done, just stirring all ingredients in the sauce and then quickly taken out from the pan. Have already tried tons of Chinese restaurant in town. It is the first time visit to Pacific Eatery but it is also the last time. Not going back.
(2)
Kevin G.
A quaint little chinese restaurant down the street from my house. We got soup and a couple of chicken dishes. All of the food was good and we had a nice time. If you need somewhere to go in a pinch, its a fun little shop on Kenny Road. One thing i would recommend now is the szechwan fish. it is served like generals two chicken, but is definitely a different experience. I throughly enjoyed it and this is were we go now if we have a hankering for chinese fish.
(4)
Christopher V.
Big fan of this place. There's some charm to be found inside, but I've only ever gotten take out. The food comes fast, so I've never needed to call ahead. I suggest you give the Empress Chicken a shot as the spice is delicious!
(5)
Brittany S.
It absolutely breaks my heart that the negative reviews on here might keep people from trying some of the best Chinese food I've ever had. Over the past few years, my husband and I have eaten here numerous times. I have tried dishes that weren't to my taste (I just don't like basil!), but never have I had anything prepared poorly or incompetently. The wait staff are AWESOME. Let them give you recommendations; they are super-friendly and they know the menu well. Plus, if you let them know whether you're looking for authentic or American-style Chinese, it will be more likely that you'll get what you want. I really enjoyed the spicy salted calamari (also on the authentic menu). If you don't want that, try the egg rolls or the crab rangoon. The sweet and sour sauce they have is not that disgusting pink goop most places serve, it is thinner and has actual pineapple in it (delicious). My favorite thing they serve is the hot and sour soup; I will order it even if I don't want it and keep it in the freezer. It's full of sea weed, mushrooms, and Chinese vegetables. The broth is fabulous to boot. I've had some great entrees from the "regular" menu. They have some interesting preparations, including black pepper (salmon, chicken, scallops - savory, but not overwhelmingly peppery, perfectly seasoned) and Basil (chicken and I've seen some Basil seafood specials). For people looking for Americanized Chinese: the Mongolian beef or chicken is very tasty (green onions and fabulous plum sauce). My husband swears by Empress Chicken (WAY too sweet for my taste, but would appeal to people who are big fans of Mark Pi's or similar); the Hunan preparation (chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, or veggies) is similar, but less sweet. I like Moo Shu vegetables and their greasy-but-delicious lo men, too. They've done a lot to make the interior of the restaurant more upscale; it's a lot nicer inside than it used to be, and they have wine and other drinks now, too. I don't know when the management changed, but the staff's been the same since we've gone there, and the food has always been great.
(5)
Megan S.
Found this little restaurant on Yelp for take out at lunch with co-workers. Lunch menu has lots of options and includes soup. We were all very surprised with the wonderful food. It was ready in 10 minutes and was steaming hot when we got back to work. Hunan Chicken with fried rice was amazing! The hot and sour soup was really good as well. Nice serving size for the price. Overall wonderful experience. We will definitely go back!
(5)
Christopher B.
I have ordered carryout twice from here and just last night took the family here to eat. The cost is on the higher side if your used to eating at Mark Pi's. These are family style portions and my Lo Mein alone could have fed 4 people. We also got a tofu dish which seems to be completely different at any given restaurant but good all the same. My appetizer of chopped chicken on lettuce or lettuce wraps, not sure what they call it. Was huge as well. Came out in 4 portions. Nearly killed my entire appetite. Great food, nice staff, clean restaurant. I would recommend eating here.
(4)
Cassandra M.
The best general tsao's in the city is obtained at the Pacific eatery. It's got the perfect amount of caramel sweetness and spice. This is something that no food lover should miss!
(5)
Bill F.
Wednesday 2:45 PM I was the only customer price was $5-6 for entrees which seemed very reasonable. I ordered 2 appetizers, fried dumplings, warm sesame noodles and iced tea $13-14 - Went to PE&C because I couldn't think of any other place to go. The fried dumplings were among the best I have ever had. The dough was light and the dumplings were pan fried to a lightly crispy golden brown. The dipping sauce was perfect not to heavy not to watered down. I also had sesame noodles which were quite good but a little too sweet for my taste. The noodles were cooked just right. I was served by a very pleasant man who I took to be the owner but I may be mistaken. Service was prompt courteous and unobtrusive. He willingly engaged in a discussion after I asked him about the preparation of a type of dumpling (shao lum bao) that I have been unable to find in Columbus. I found the dining experience very positive and will be going back to try some of the entrees. I don't know any of the history of the restaurant but the I did not recognize the place as similar to the prior review. I would like to see some other reviews as it seems to have potential. I gave it a 4 star a bit prematurely since I haunt had any entrees but that's because if I had looked at the other review I would not have eaten here and I would have missed out on some really good fried dumplings.
(4)
Tisha A.
The food is not as good as it was when I first started going there. I was not aware of a change in ownership a while back. Some of my favorite dishes are no longer on the menu. The tangerine chicken was amazing. But the Beef Rice Noodle is still my absolute favorite. Prices are a bit high but with the decent sized portions it isn't too bad. Still have to stop by every month or so.
(3)
Brian A.
Last night was my 1st time here. I was with friends at Brewskies bar which is right next door. I ordered the Kung Pow chicken and a spring roll. When I got my food all I saw was water chestnuts with some minced chicken and some peanuts thrown on top. I became angry right on the spot. I order chinese food every where I go. I know how something should taste compared with price. These dummies charged me 9.95 for a bunch of water chestnuts and minced chicken. Plus my spring roll wasn't a spring roll it was an egg roll. Like I can't tell the difference. I took my food right back and asked for my money back. The lil man got an attitude with me and pleaded with me to try something else. I ordered the general tso's. How a place makes their General Tso's tells you everything about how they approach the whole restaurant. So I waited for the General Tso's. It was absolute garbage. Sauce was watery and bland. No veggies to brighten the dish. Just an ugly colored sauce. I will never go back. I could have slapped the man for the poor attitude, service, and food. Brewskies Bar sucks even harder. Reed and Henderson is just a scummy area all together.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar 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.
Donna O.
Pacific Eatery is a not-so-well-kept secret on the northwest side. It's American Chinese cuisine that is true to both traditions. They have everything you could want for the mainstream palate, and an authentic Chinese menu to venture (slightly) off the beaten path. I love their hot pots, and their chicken curry pot is one of my Favorite Things Ever. The service is friendly and two dining room areas to accommodate bigger groups. They do a lot of carryout service as well. On our last trip, we ordered dumplings - gotta love that sweet and spicy sauce (you know, the kind that comes with the General Tso's!). Hot pots - chicken curry for the spouse, and seafood tofu for me - excellent and filled with vegetables, meat and tofu (in mine). So good, so close to home!
(4)Arvid Y.
*Disclaimer* I'm picky when it comes to Chinese food, even "Americanized" Chinese food. I was not impressed with my General Tso's Chicken yesterday. Granted, it's hard to really mess up the dish, but I found it to be a bit too sweet and not spicy enough. The staff was pleasant, the food came out quickly, the portions were large and the price was fare. Unfortunately, taste-wise, it just didn't do it for me. Maybe I would come back to try their more "authentic" items, but when it comes to General Tso's Chicken, I would go elsewhere.
(3)Kayre H.
I moved to the Kenny/Henderson area several months ago, and there are tons of Chinese restaurants in strip malls on Kenny, Henderson and Bethel within a 1 or 2 mile radius. I think I've decided this one is going to be my go-to. The first time I went was eat-in with a friend. When we got inside it was a little nicer looking than I expected. It was also really empty, but it was a Thursday evening so maybe just not a busy day. Also, I'd passed this place tons of times without noticing it, maybe others had too? I got the Yu Hsing Chicken and my friend got the Chicken with Asparagus (it has their "favorite brown sauce" on it, after all!). They were both really good! I thought the prices were reasonable considering how large the portions were and that it was good quality food. Could you get cheaper Chinese somewhere? Yes. If you want Panda Express quality. But I definitely like this place and have been back several times for carry out, and they've not let me down!
(4)Allison A.
I ordered the seafood hotpot for 14.95 last night which is described as: Jumbo shrimp, crab meat, calamari, scallops sauteed with mixed vegetables in sizzling hot pot. I got three shrimp, one scallop and a ton of tofu-threw most of it out.
(1)F Z.
I liked Pacific Eatery before the place changed ownership. The previous owner was polite and courteous, and the chef(s) concocted delectable, authentic dishes. (The fried szechuan fish was my dish of choice at PE.) The main server, however, always acted like she had a bad case of PMS every frickin' day of the year, so needless to say, I couldn't be any more happier to see her leave. The new owners have maintained a similar look and feel for the restaurant, but have completely destroyed all traces of authenticity in the dishes. Sadly, PE now serves fast-food quality dishes with table service and jacked-up prices. I like my orange beef to actually taste orangey and not beef with general tso's sauce; a crispy texture would be nice too, as opposed to a pile of soggy General Tso's beef... err, I mean orange beef. I also like how when I order a bowl of soup, I expect the bowl to be at least 3/4 full, not 1/4. Thanks.
(2)Holly C.
Disclaimer: I really only like authentic Chinese food, so none of this is about the Americanized stuff. I only had the spicy fish fillet and mapo tofu during lunch. They were both really good, and I think they were great sizes for lunch portions. I still couldn't even finish my food and took it home. I would go back for lunch or dinner to try some other things. Don't miss the left turn at the light like I did! It's right across from Staples on Kenny.
(4)Michael D.
Went there for lunch and had very good meal. Hot and sour soup was yummy, as was the egg roll and the chicken wing appetizer. I had the spicy chicken with fried rice and was very pleased. Service was good and the atmosphere was nicer than you would expect when you see this place from the street. Very good!
(4)Tash L.
Terrible. Terrible. Did I say terrible? We came here for some takeout on Christmas Day. The reviews weren't bad and there were a ton of people in the restaurant so we decided to try it out. Ordered egg and vegetable rolls, chicken wings, shrimp dumplings, hot and sour soup, and Kung pao chicken. The kung pao chicken was absolutely 100% inedible. Flavorless and the chicken tasted like it had gone bad. The entire dish went in the trash. The hot and sour soup didn't taste like hot and sour soup. The shrimp dumplings were okay. The egg rolls were fine but not great. The chicken wings were dry and very fried but probably the only thing that we could actually eat. And to add insult to injury, they only gave us one fortune cookie for two people :/ Will definitely not return. What a disappointing meal!
(1)Cherie R.
OK, so I have a weird background when it comes to Asian food. Raised on Korean food (but allergic to a lot of it) in small town America where Americanized Chinese food is popular, lived with roommates of Indian heritage in college in a dorm full of kids of Chinese heritage ten minutes away from Chinatown in Chicago. So I like weird things. I like homecooked Chinese and Indian food. I like both Americanized and "authentic" Chinese restaurant food. I will eat Korean food of any type, because it's comfort food to me. So I had one of those weird days where I was craving both General Tso's chicken and some "authentic" food. I ordered the General Tso's, beef with wide rice noodle, and ma po tofu. The General Tso's was as good as any other General Tso's - I'd get it again from here if I had the craving, but it won't stop me from trying other places. The beef with wide rice noodle - the noodles were definitely from a package and were probably the dried type. I'm used to the kind that are made fresh and then frozen, or just fresh... they were just lacking the right texture. But the flavor was good. The tofu was the most disappointing - if you've ever cooked with tofu before, you know how you have to account for the release of water from the tofu and the bland-ish flavor by adding just a little more seasoning? Yeah, well they didn't do that. Ugh. Bland. There's nothing like a good ma po tofu with the silky texture of the tofu with a hint of that "mala" spice mixed in with that oh so savory flavor and the little bits of ground pork.... this definitely was not it. I've had better ma po tofu from the packaged sauce. So I will continue the hunt.
(3)Lisa S.
I grabbed take-out from this place on a Wednesday evening on my way to my sister's; normally I get chinese from Sun Tong Luck (Helena is amazing) but that would have meant having to back track while driving, which I hate doing. I called in for an order of their steamed dumplings and the Kung Pao chicken. I had a little trouble understanding the person taking my order. They said 10 minutes and the food was ready when I got there. The price for the steamed dumplings (order of 6) was around $6, which I think is actually pretty good for an appetizer. There was a lull waiting for my sister to get home so they weren't completely hot but still tasted good warm. The Kung Pao chicken was just okay. It was ~$10 which I think is overpriced for the dish; although it tasted fine, the chicken was more like tiny slivers and hardly substantial. However, the water chestnuts were cooked perfectly, which I've found is always hit or miss at most chinese venues. If it's on my way again it's likely I'll stop by and order, and hope to maybe have more than a "eh" reaction next time.
(3)Barri J.
We went here about six months ago after hearing it'd won awards. We were pleasantly surprised the first time. Now my children and I are regulars and we love it every single time! Try the Pad Thai and the Chicken Fried Rice.
(5)Rob H.
The best Asian American restaurant in Columbus...great food and great prices!
(5)Luke T.
I gotta tell ya...I'm with Catherine and Brittany on this one. I stopped here on a whim, looking for something a) I hadn't tried before and b) didn't have 50 reviews already. I had already made up my mind to go here after Dosa Corner was closed, but seeing Catherine's stamp of approval did give me some reassurance. When I walked in, I was a bit surprised at the dining area. The storefront certainly belies what awaits inside. Others mention the price point being a bit high, but I gotta tell ya, part of what you pay for is ambiance, and they have taken the appropriate steps to make it the sort of place that would charge a tad more. Everything was super clean, there are tablecloths, cloth napkins, high quality menus, and the staff is dressed the part as well. Oh, and there was pleasant soft jazz playing, much better than your typical Chinese joint. Also of note, while they offer maybe only 8 or so wines by the glass, the offerings are at least decent, recognizable brands. I don't think that's very typical of other Chinese restaurants I've been to. The menu is pretty vast, although the vegetarian section leaves a lot to be desired (only because it's small comparatively). The seafood menu makes up for it for all the pescetarians out there. While some of the prices are a bit higher than you'd expect ($10 for egg foo young seems excessive), the appetizers are all cheap (nothing over 6.50 that I saw, with most around $5), and if you pick the right dish, you won't pay more than $10 for your entree. That said, most of the entrees are $13-15. But these are huge seafood stews, whole fish fillets, chef specials, etc. As others note, there is also an "authentic" menu in the back, but unlike some other places, it is in English as well so us Westerners can order from it. I know I write long reviews. Sorry. But if you made it this far, here's the best part: the service was fantastic. The server was attentive, polite, friendly, chatted me up a bit before I left (although that may have been my doing), AND took my meal to the back to box it for me, PLUS gave me more fried rice for later at no charge. I've known of a handful of other places to do this, but it's rare in my experience. Jeez, I nearly forgot the food...I ordered the shrimp dumplings to start and the spicy salted tofu as my main dish. Dumplings were $5.25 and the entree was $8.45. Not that bad imo. Both dishes were delicious and were several notches above the quality I get from cheaper places I go - again, I feel the prices are justified. The dumplings were moist, tender, and succulent, while the tofu was crisp, golden and well flavored. The dish was served with garlic and jalapeno. It was truly salty, so if you don't like a lot of sodium, steer clear, but man, was it good. It was also plentiful. I've got enough for a meal tomorrow. I will return.
(4)John S.
We have been coming here for years. We moved away but needed to revisit when we moved back. This place will never disappoint us. General tso is incredible. Chicken with jalapeño was the best. Sauces are spot on and flavorful. We will be back again and again.
(5)Catherine J.
I'm surprised to see low reviews of Pacific Eatery. It's been a family favorite for years, and I know several Chinese who also like this place. It's not your average Chinese takeout joint-- there is actual atmosphere (though a little outdated) inside. Think white tablecloths, glass goblets, cloth napkins. We don't always get food from Pacific Eatery, but when we do, we eat in. There was only one other patron there on a Wednesday night, but several people came in for carryout. The menu is divided into two parts: the Americanized version and the "authentic" Chinese version. I can't speak to the accuracy of the "authentic" menu, but the more interesting dishes will be found here. We ordered the Eggplant stuffed with shrimp, and the black pepper steak. The eggplant came in nice servable portions for a group. There were maybe a dozen or so "units" on the platter of little eggplant "sandwiches" stuffed with a delicious shrimp paste. The sauce was light-- enough to keep everything moist but not drowning. I was surprised that the black pepper steak came lightly battered and fried. Not a big deal, just not expected. The final steps of preparation were performed tableside, with the steak strips being poured onto a hot-stone-type dish and then the sauce poured over, sizzling and binding to the meat. It was great! The two dishes complimented each other very well. Neither of these dishes would have been very good as carry out-- they needed to come right from the kitchen, and eaten right away. Reaheating is never great for eggplant or fried foods. We also ordered two apps: steamed dumplings and chicken wraps. Nothing too special compared to other restaurants. The chicken wraps are less spicy than they used to be in years past. They don't serve much rice with the meals, which is neither good nor bad. I love rice, but I'm sure the Chinese don't eat rice to the volumes served with Americanized dishes. We had two small bowls to split among three people. We didn't ask for more (didn't need it), but I'm sure they would bring more if asked. Service was attentive and non-invasive. Water glasses stayed filled, our needs produced prompt responses.
(4)Bruce L.
Uh.... We ordered the carry-out from them, just finished the dish. Bamboo Shoots & Spiced Tofu with Pork and Beef with Wide Rice Noodle. A bit greasy, and food is not tasty. We felt like the food is cooked halfway done, just stirring all ingredients in the sauce and then quickly taken out from the pan. Have already tried tons of Chinese restaurant in town. It is the first time visit to Pacific Eatery but it is also the last time. Not going back.
(2)Kevin G.
A quaint little chinese restaurant down the street from my house. We got soup and a couple of chicken dishes. All of the food was good and we had a nice time. If you need somewhere to go in a pinch, its a fun little shop on Kenny Road. One thing i would recommend now is the szechwan fish. it is served like generals two chicken, but is definitely a different experience. I throughly enjoyed it and this is were we go now if we have a hankering for chinese fish.
(4)Christopher V.
Big fan of this place. There's some charm to be found inside, but I've only ever gotten take out. The food comes fast, so I've never needed to call ahead. I suggest you give the Empress Chicken a shot as the spice is delicious!
(5)Brittany S.
It absolutely breaks my heart that the negative reviews on here might keep people from trying some of the best Chinese food I've ever had. Over the past few years, my husband and I have eaten here numerous times. I have tried dishes that weren't to my taste (I just don't like basil!), but never have I had anything prepared poorly or incompetently. The wait staff are AWESOME. Let them give you recommendations; they are super-friendly and they know the menu well. Plus, if you let them know whether you're looking for authentic or American-style Chinese, it will be more likely that you'll get what you want. I really enjoyed the spicy salted calamari (also on the authentic menu). If you don't want that, try the egg rolls or the crab rangoon. The sweet and sour sauce they have is not that disgusting pink goop most places serve, it is thinner and has actual pineapple in it (delicious). My favorite thing they serve is the hot and sour soup; I will order it even if I don't want it and keep it in the freezer. It's full of sea weed, mushrooms, and Chinese vegetables. The broth is fabulous to boot. I've had some great entrees from the "regular" menu. They have some interesting preparations, including black pepper (salmon, chicken, scallops - savory, but not overwhelmingly peppery, perfectly seasoned) and Basil (chicken and I've seen some Basil seafood specials). For people looking for Americanized Chinese: the Mongolian beef or chicken is very tasty (green onions and fabulous plum sauce). My husband swears by Empress Chicken (WAY too sweet for my taste, but would appeal to people who are big fans of Mark Pi's or similar); the Hunan preparation (chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, or veggies) is similar, but less sweet. I like Moo Shu vegetables and their greasy-but-delicious lo men, too. They've done a lot to make the interior of the restaurant more upscale; it's a lot nicer inside than it used to be, and they have wine and other drinks now, too. I don't know when the management changed, but the staff's been the same since we've gone there, and the food has always been great.
(5)Megan S.
Found this little restaurant on Yelp for take out at lunch with co-workers. Lunch menu has lots of options and includes soup. We were all very surprised with the wonderful food. It was ready in 10 minutes and was steaming hot when we got back to work. Hunan Chicken with fried rice was amazing! The hot and sour soup was really good as well. Nice serving size for the price. Overall wonderful experience. We will definitely go back!
(5)Christopher B.
I have ordered carryout twice from here and just last night took the family here to eat. The cost is on the higher side if your used to eating at Mark Pi's. These are family style portions and my Lo Mein alone could have fed 4 people. We also got a tofu dish which seems to be completely different at any given restaurant but good all the same. My appetizer of chopped chicken on lettuce or lettuce wraps, not sure what they call it. Was huge as well. Came out in 4 portions. Nearly killed my entire appetite. Great food, nice staff, clean restaurant. I would recommend eating here.
(4)Cassandra M.
The best general tsao's in the city is obtained at the Pacific eatery. It's got the perfect amount of caramel sweetness and spice. This is something that no food lover should miss!
(5)Bill F.
Wednesday 2:45 PM I was the only customer price was $5-6 for entrees which seemed very reasonable. I ordered 2 appetizers, fried dumplings, warm sesame noodles and iced tea $13-14 - Went to PE&C because I couldn't think of any other place to go. The fried dumplings were among the best I have ever had. The dough was light and the dumplings were pan fried to a lightly crispy golden brown. The dipping sauce was perfect not to heavy not to watered down. I also had sesame noodles which were quite good but a little too sweet for my taste. The noodles were cooked just right. I was served by a very pleasant man who I took to be the owner but I may be mistaken. Service was prompt courteous and unobtrusive. He willingly engaged in a discussion after I asked him about the preparation of a type of dumpling (shao lum bao) that I have been unable to find in Columbus. I found the dining experience very positive and will be going back to try some of the entrees. I don't know any of the history of the restaurant but the I did not recognize the place as similar to the prior review. I would like to see some other reviews as it seems to have potential. I gave it a 4 star a bit prematurely since I haunt had any entrees but that's because if I had looked at the other review I would not have eaten here and I would have missed out on some really good fried dumplings.
(4)Tisha A.
The food is not as good as it was when I first started going there. I was not aware of a change in ownership a while back. Some of my favorite dishes are no longer on the menu. The tangerine chicken was amazing. But the Beef Rice Noodle is still my absolute favorite. Prices are a bit high but with the decent sized portions it isn't too bad. Still have to stop by every month or so.
(3)Brian A.
Last night was my 1st time here. I was with friends at Brewskies bar which is right next door. I ordered the Kung Pow chicken and a spring roll. When I got my food all I saw was water chestnuts with some minced chicken and some peanuts thrown on top. I became angry right on the spot. I order chinese food every where I go. I know how something should taste compared with price. These dummies charged me 9.95 for a bunch of water chestnuts and minced chicken. Plus my spring roll wasn't a spring roll it was an egg roll. Like I can't tell the difference. I took my food right back and asked for my money back. The lil man got an attitude with me and pleaded with me to try something else. I ordered the general tso's. How a place makes their General Tso's tells you everything about how they approach the whole restaurant. So I waited for the General Tso's. It was absolute garbage. Sauce was watery and bland. No veggies to brighten the dish. Just an ugly colored sauce. I will never go back. I could have slapped the man for the poor attitude, service, and food. Brewskies Bar sucks even harder. Reed and Henderson is just a scummy area all together.
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