Yu's Mandarin Restaurant

09/29/06

Great food - if you can stand the wait and gruff service

by ad572 at Citysearch

When I saw them proudly displaying their "Best Chinese" citysearch award when I picked up a carryout order today, I felt compelled to share that Yu's is now officially Way Overrated.

Now don't get me wrong, I was as enthusiastic a fan of Yu's as you could find when I first got to the area 7 years ago. The food is good, no doubt, but here's what's irritating: good luck finding a pleasant face on a staff member in that restaurant. It's really remarkable if you stop to look around while waiting for your carryout order--the entire staff just seems kinda angry.

I find myself getting increasingly steamed at how lacking the customer service is. This thought started when I brought a large group there only to have very very slow, impolite service such that I felt rather embarrassed to have suggested the restaurant. In return visits, the theme seemed to continue regardless of what server we'd have. They're always busy, so perhaps the thought is they don't need to be nice.

If you want great authentic Chinese food in the burbs, head up to Palatine to Szechuan House, aka laoszechuandotcom on Northwest Hwy at the Hicks Rd split in the Ace Hardware Plaza. There you have much nicer ambience inside, much friendlier management and staff, and far fewer crowds especially at lunch. The only thing they don't offer there that keeps me begrudgingly going to Yu's to get abused is the Noodle Platter, which sadly is to die for.

08/10/06

Good Chinese

by andrea1972 at Citysearch

I liked this place. It's not my favorite Chinese Restaurant, but I WILL definitely go back. They have great appetizers in all sizes and a huge menu. If you ask the waiter/waitress about the Chinese menu on the back of their English menu, they'll tell you the hidden entrees they have on there - I totally recommended doing that. Overall, give the place a try - it's fresh, clean and good tasting. Again, I will be coming back for sure.

• Pros: Good appettizers
• Cons: Can't think of any

01/30/06

best chinese

by gluv28 at Citysearch

Although service isn't that great, Yu's has the BEST chinese food i have ever eaten!!! Everything on the menu is great! and it is soo affordable. you get alot of food, and it's worth the money. Their salt & pepper tofu appetizer is so yummy too:)

• Pros: taste, value of food, atmosphere
• Cons: long wait, parking, sometimes bad service

09/30/05

What to order

by slevin_exp at Citysearch

I have been going to Yu's for almost 20 years, and I have tried most everything there. There are indeed some duds on the menu, but here are the hits... word to the wise - skip the apps and go straight to the entrees: Mabo Tofu; Sesame Beef (tough but tasty); Chicken with Garlic Sauce (not "Garlic Chicken!"); Szechwan Eggplant; Hot Braised Fish; Xiao Ping Pork. Order these and you will not be disappointed. Going before the big dinner rush usually results in tastier preparations.

• Pros: Awesome food, Eggplant? Yes!
• Cons: Mediocre appetizers, Mediocre soups

09/27/05

Are We Talking About The Same Place?

by cheflouie at Citysearch

I am amazed at the negative reviews I'm reading. Are we talking about the same place? This is, quite probably, the BEST Chinese restaurant I've ever experienced. I've been to Chinatown in Frisco, New York & Chicago MANY times. Lot's of good places. None like Yu's.

09/25/05

The window to the kitchen is the best part

by amaragold at Citysearch

The food was quite bland. I had the garlic chicken, and it was not very flavorful, but the pieces of chicken were of good quality. The sizzling rice soup was good. Watching your food being prepared in the kitchen was very interesting, and the best part of the experience. Our waitress wasn't very nice, and was rather snippish. The tea was quite good, because I like weak tea.

• Pros: kitchen window, good quality chicken, tea
• Cons: food rather bland, waitress almost rude

Locals come here for Szechwan and Mandarin classics, offered in a high-energy setting.

by Jennifer Olvera at Citysearch

In Short
Families and couples on dates buzz with conversation at this restaurant decorated with dark wood accents and a glassed-in display kitchen. The Chinese menu begins with crab Rangoon, barbecue spare ribs and egg rolls. Follow-ups include usual suspects like General Tso's chicken, twice-cooked pork and beef broccoli. More deluxe options include Peking duck, honey-glazed walnut shrimp and kung pao squid.

08/19/05

Good Chinese Restaurant in the suburb

by JendyV at Citysearch

One of the best Chinese restaurant in the suburb. Their hot noodle soup is the best. Don't miss it.

• Pros: Good Chinese Food
• Cons: Always crowded

07/08/05

One of the best in the Chicagoland area

by tjmjjung at Citysearch

I agree with the other reviewer who said that Yu's is good, but not THAT great. When in Chicago, I always dine at Yu's and take guests there as well. I always order the Peking Noodle Platter (what Yu's is known for). It's pretty consistent. I'd say that the traditional Chinese dishes are better--but unfortunately you have to be able to read Chinese. So, ask your server to help you choose. I particularly like the 8 Treasures Tofu dish on the Chinese menu. From the regular menue, I also like the General Tso's Chicken and Sizzling Rice Soup. But to tell you the truth, I think "Tasty Cuisine Chinese Restaurant" located on the SE corner of on Elmhurst and Algonquin is better than Yu's. They have one dish that is Fried Chicken stuffed with shrimp. It's out of this world--it is something like $34, but worth the once-in-a-lifetime try.

• Pros: food, view of kitchen
• Cons: long lines

03/10/03

Not too bad for Yu

by jimmy2timz at Citysearch

This place is usually very busy so expect to wait a little. The set-up is fine and having the kitchen exposed through a window is a nice touch. It makes you feel like your watching an episode of the Iron Chef. My dish was above average and just spicy enough, not over the top. My date and I also enjoyed a stiff singapore sling on the side which was rather tasty. I would drop in again...

• Pros: Atmosphere, Food / Drinks
• Cons: Lengthy Wait