House of Chen: A Brief Review July 20, 2009
Posted by CE in American Chinese, Dinner.Tags: chicken, chinese food, Dinner, fried food
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Sunday July 11 8:40 PM
Hunan Chicken
Veggie Deluxe Chow Fun
Chen’s Appetizer Platter
Cost: 30.15
July 11 was a special day in Oregon this year. Until this year state records had shown no measurable precipitation ever recorded in the Willamette Valley. So naturally, it poured buckets.
It was a Sunday and my father was driving me back into Eugene from a weekend getaway to my hometown. We were feeling famished and unsure of what to eat when we finally pulled into town. Eventually we pulled into a Chinese restaurant at 8:40 PM called House of Chen because not much else was open so late on a Sunday (which I think is ridiculous; people who frequently eat out late at night do so every day of the week) and it was nearby the campus.
We split the Hunan Chicken, Veggie Deluxe Chow Fun and Chen’s Appetizer Platter, and walked away pretty happy with what we got. All in all the House of Chen is a “good average” kind of restaurant. The food was tasty when received, but the veggies didn’t do so well as leftovers. I must say though, the BBQ Pork on the appetizer platter was especially delicious!
The decorations were pretty and the service was good. The menu was huge and full of variety, but lacked a kind of signature from what I could tell.
For $30 I’m not sure yet if I’ll go back. For its location and variety it may be a better option than China Blue, which is just off of 13th on the adjacent side of campus, and is just as good for fewer monies. In all the best Chinese I’ve found in Eugene has been at Jade Palace off of 7th and Blair. If you can get there from campus you’re privy to a constantly refreshed buffet to which you have endless access to for only $9 (including a soft drink!).
Tip: If you don’t like soft leftover sauced chicken avoid microwaving at all costs. Broil on a low heat the chicken over a tin-foiled cookie sheet in either an oven or microwave oven.
I’ve been to House of Chen before. I loved all of the pretty decorations inside — and that was the best part. Personally, I thought the fried rice had too strong of a pepper taste, like black pepper. Some people like that sort of thing. I am not one of them.
But, that’s my two cents.
My favorite Chinese restaurant in Eugene so far has been Maple Garden on Alder Street (then again, I haven’t tried a ton of Chinese food in Eugene yet.) There’s a place in Newberg called Lucky Fortune which has the best Chinese food I’ve ever tasted, and is relatively cheap. I’ve heard from fellow Newbergites that Lok Yaun out on West 11th is the closest to Lucky Fortune that they’ve had, although I’ve never been there.
I have yet to try Maple Garden, but I have eaten at Jade Palace over on 7th and Blaire. I love the buffet they do there. For $10 it is quite the value!
Having lived in Newberg are you telling me you are not a fan of Chans??