photo- Lee Ann Stallato
Check Out Chen’s Kitchen
by Cate Murway
Asian food was introduced to the USA in the mid-1800's when Chinese immigrants from Canton began settling in California. The first Chinese restaurant that was reported to open in San Francisco on Dec. 10, 1849 was located on Jackson Street and was called "Canton."
It was not until after WWII that these modern restaurants as we Americans know them today, flourished. Now, one can enjoy high-quality, authentic Chinese food right on friendly Mill Street in historic Bristol on the Delaware, without a trip to China.
Lanying “Maggie” Wu and her husband, Ginin “Mike” Chen and their two children, along with her brother, Baosong “Ryan”, have moved into the Borough. They previously owned a restaurant in Georgia and have relocated their business onto the corner property, formally known as Angelo’s Place. Their family-owned Chen’s Kitchen, a rather terrific eatery with an extensive menu of classic dishes for dining in or take out, has found its very own sweet spot for a restaurant.
So, welcome to Chen’s Kitchen. The food, of course, has to be delicious. The service has to be impeccable and the atmosphere has to be warm and friendly. But most importantly, the people at Chen’s Kitchen aim to please every customer who walks through their doors.
They will tempt you with the standards: Egg rolls, General Tao's Chicken, Broccoli & Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Hot & Sour Soup, Wonton Soup, Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Foo Young, and of course Fried Rice, but dare to be adventurous.
"Preserve the old, but know the new." [Chinese Proverb]
One of America's most popular and favorite comfort food choices, an integral part of the American dining scene, is the mysterious and delicious Chinese food that can truly be a healthful and nutritious ethnic cuisine.
Select a well-prepared entree with lots of vitamin-packed vegetables, such as chop suey with steamed rice and water chestnuts and steamed dumplings, and a ‘fit’ match is achieved. Chen’s offers a great selection of nutritionally balanced meals, low in fat and calories and quite affordable.
Finally the big reveal! They have been opened since July 15th.
General Tso chicken is a favorite? Well, it actually has some basis in Chinese history since General Tso/Gau/Gao, a frighteningly gifted military leader, truly existed! His name in Chinese was Zuo Zongtang. He served with brilliant distinction during China's greatest civil war, the 14-year-long Taiping Rebellion. The dude quelled the revolt and nearly toppled the Qing dynasty [that’s huge!], but it is not known whether he was the one who first made the chicken. Perhaps some admirer of his just wanted to name a rather hot dish after him.
Now, Chop Suey is an almost entirely American stir-fried hash invention, born in California and translates to "odds and ends". So, what is Chop Suey? A stir fried celebration of authentic, modified, exotic, and mainstream cuisine. This dish ended up becoming one of the most popular dishes of all time. Wonder if General Tso is offended?
Air Force Senior Airman/IT administrator Steven Markovich confirmed, “I’ve lived all around the country; I’m ex-military and was stationed in California. I’ve been in Chinatown and the food is just as great here. I’ll be back. The General Tso chicken has a good spice to it and it was a good portion.”
Seems that we, as a people, prize comfort above all else, both emotionally and physically. To sit in the living room with a plate of Lo Mein and half an egg roll is about as safe and stable as life gets!
Besides being economical, it is eminently suited to take out, so order some ‘to go’ for your next Lions Park music excursion. You’ll find that every dish tells a story.
Remember to purchase a container of their house-made “Yummy-Yummy” sauce-to-go and don’t forget a "Fortune Cookie! This Chinese-American cookie into which has been folded a printed message predicting one's fortune is like philosophy stuffed into their traditional rice cookie; ‘sort of’ a Confucius tamale. The message will most likely be correct if it is “see you soon”.
Chen’s Kitchen will surely have been a great experience. You will then have found your new Chinese restaurant. You will be back and this will be your new "go to" Chinese place.
Craving Chinese food? Then, give your taste buds a treat. Embrace your neighborhood Chen’s Kitchen as an exceptional local place offering the flavors of exotic cuisine.
Carry-out or dine-in, Chen’s Kitchen takes pride in ensuring that every order is made efficiently and to the highest possible quality. If you have been accustomed to chain-standard, you'll find a most welcome reprieve here. No fancy ambience, but it is clean, fast, inexpensive and delicious. The superfecta of satisfying take-out!
Note: Family specials are their “Big Save”.
Lunch Specials [until 3:30pm] includes fried rice and a choice of soup.
Your time is valuable. Give them a call ahead and your meal will be ready for you when you arrive, combining the art of Chinese cuisine and the culture of American fast food.
Veterans and Seniors receive [2] complimentary egg rolls with their meal.
Stop in on August 7th for their ‘First Friday on Mill Street’ special- [4] egg rolls for $4.00.
Mention this “Spotlight” and receive a FREE can of soda with your meal.
Chen’s Kitchen
[Mon-Thurs: 11:00 am- 10:00 pm/ Fri & Sat: 11:00 am- 10:30 pm / Sunday: noon- 9:30 pm]
407 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.826.8027
