Chef Chu's

The food is good but, besides the duck, nothing extraordinary and sometimes plain. The duck had no odor and was not overly fatty. The four seasons cold plate was also good. Each piece was unique in style and flavor. I say keep it small and only go for their duck or their special menu section. Everything else didn't seem quite worth the price. The mushrooms in the braised triple mushrooms were of varying quality of freshness. The mu shu was nice with nice wok hei but it didn't really stand out and the dipping sauce is really salty. If you do enjoy the food though, it's an amazing place to share dishes with a large party. The service itself is oddly friendly and unfriendly. But they are considerate in a lot of ways. For all dishes they brought extra servings utensils so it's easier to share. They bring additional plates for you to share. If you eat here, you'll never worry about running out of tea, they are ON IT for that. Like the service here is definitely more good but don't expect to talk to them or anything. They do pack up your to go orders for you. Again, my chef complaint is just the price for what you get on some or these dishes.

Not sure what the hype about this place is. Food is delicious, not outstanding. I can get similar food quality at other restaurants in the area Servers were attentive and courteous. We were well taken care of. However, there was a long wait between appetizers and main dishes that left us wondering whether anything was coming after appetizers Appreciate having round tables for our group. It made mingling much easier than long tables

Absolutely loved eating here! The Chinese food is amazing and we met Chef Chu himself! He is so nice and we told him we loved his son’s movies! The sweet & sour pork was amazing! Even my extremely picky toddler ate it and loved it! My favorite dish was the mu-shu pork! It was the best I’ve ever had. This is a great upscale atmosphere. Highly recommend this place to anyone who loves good Chinese food.

Food was very flavorful and portions were good. We got the dragon hot wings, Mongolian lamb and tangerine chicken. The dragon wings, while expertly cooked, were not spicy at all. Service was very attentive and quick. Will certainly go back.

Visited Chef Chu’s on a bustling weekend evening—this spot is known for its traditional Chinese dishes and was packed with diners, creating a lively atmosphere. The menu offers a solid range of classic flavors. Most dishes were tasty, though a bit on the oily side. The roast duck was just average, but everything else hit the spot. Service was attentive and friendly; staff quickly offered to pack up leftovers, which was a nice touch. Parking can be tricky, as the lot is shared with other businesses and spaces are limited—plan ahead if you’re driving! 🚗 Tip: Expect crowds on weekends and arrive early to avoid a wait. If you prefer lighter food, you might want to request less oil when ordering. Verdict: Great for a traditional Chinese meal with family or friends. Not the best roast duck, but overall a satisfying experience with excellent service! 👍

Came here for a birthday dinner with the parents. Made a reservation the day before and pre-ordered the Peking duck. Duck presentation was beautiful and was deftly served. Skin was perfectly crisp, meat was delicious, sauce was well balanced, green onion was thinly shredded, bun was nice and fluffy. Steamed sea bass flaked perfectly. Mom remarked that she wished there were pea sprouts and a staff member overheard and said it was available. The warm sesame balls at the end with the ice cream was such a nice birthday surprise. Thank you so much!

My favorite Chinese restaurant. You need to go early 5:00-5:30, reservations are required. Loved the pot stickers, pork fried rice and mayo prawns with candied pecans.

My best friend, Dean, surprised me and brought me to lunch for my birthday to Chef Chu’s. I had the honor of meeting Chef Lawrence Chu and Larry Chu, Jr.. They were so nice and so gracious especially when they learned it’s my birthday. The food was absolutely amazing! No wonder it’s a Los Altos institution for 55 years and counting!

Came in to see if the restaurant was worth the hype and left pleasantly surprised! On a Saturday around 12:30pm, the restaurant was extremely packed. We got the last parking spot in the main lot, but there's a large lot behind that with additional parking. We were also lucky enough to snatch the last available table without having to wait. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with Jon Chu's accomplishments, which was super cute. We ordered the four seasons cold plate, black pepper steak, and chao ma mian (jjampong noodles). The four seasons cold plate is much larger than what's advertised in the photo on the menu. It came with marinated cucumbers, bamboo shoots, vegetarian goose, and pickled tomatoes. The tomatoes had a sugar plum taste, which was so unique to me - I've never had pickled tomatoes before. The cucumbers were also a hit, super refreshing with a kick of spiciness and garlic(?). The jjampong/chao ma mian was packed with more seafood and chicken than I had anticipated. The broth was on the spicier end, but really warm and flavorful. I'm a sucker for a good jjampong, and it's always a delight to see it on the menu at a Chinese restaurant. The noodles were chewy and absorbed the broth well. The black pepper steak was tender and well seasoned, with the sweeter tangy sauce contrasting the black pepper. I liked how the mushroom, string beans, and onions absorbed the flavor as well. The portions here were honestly bigger than expected, the server was very friendly and attentive, and the food was Chinese-parent approved! Their signature cocktails look fancy - would love to try next time :)

maybe norcal just has slim pickings for chinese food but chef chu's easily has the worst chinese food I've ever had, so much so that it's a hard pass when it's suggested as an option. presentation is not there and nothing looks remotely of quality or appetizing. and the ambiance doesn't quite match the menu pricing. not sure what delulu cocktails they're serving.

First things first, I recommend reservations. This place is always busy. Parking can be a problem so give yourself some extra time. The restaurant has an old school vibe which adds to its charm. We were a party of 4 and ordered family style. We ordered one of the clay pot meals, some chow mein, a chicken dish and a beef dish. All were very flavorful and delicious. Their cocktails are also very good. Our only complaint was that our sever seemed to be bothered when we ordered cocktails at different times- not all together. He smiled and was attentive but you could feel the underlying annoyance. Aside from that, we enjoyed our meal and will be back.

PEKING DUCK!!!! Decided to make a reservation for Chef Chu's after hearing about it for a while but never gone. You can call a few days in advance to make a reservation and you need to reserve the peking duck at least 1 day in advance. Showed up a bit earlier than they opened so we were wandering in the parking lot but got let in early because the waiter saw us LOL. Parking lot is limited but if you go early it should be ok and there's other shopping centers nearby. Pretty standard chinese restaurant decor with lots of movie posters/articles as the owner's son directed Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians. I think the only thing that's worth getting here is the peking duck. The duck was smokey, super juicy, skin super crispy, and deboned!!! Probably the best duck I've had in the bay. The other items were okay, not really worth the price tag. Seems like there are a lot of regulars so they get the special attention. Didn't feel like service was all the great for us. Would only come back for the peking duck!

I kept my expectations low, I knew it's only famous because of the relation to crazy rich Asians. My step father's favorite movie is C.R.A so he really wanted to eat here for Father's Day celebration. The good news is that the food is better than I thought, but again, I kept my bar very low. In general, this isn't good Chinese food. I don't even think it's good Americanized Chinese food, but it isn't the worst I ever had. Although they offer some dishes that are known to be more traditional, I dont think it would be fair to compare this restaurant to an authentic Chinese restaurant nor the way those traditional dishes are made, that's not the population chef chu is trying to cater to. However overall, chef chu is very much in name than it is in quality. None of the flavors stand out, everything is just mid. I also initially thought the prices were surprisingly not bad but after you see the portions you'll change your mind. Definitely one and done. If you dine here it would be for the name but I would prefer Panda Express if I wanted Americanized Chinese food.

Nice Chinese restaurant with good service. The food here is pricier than other places so you're paying for the name and the experience. The BBQ pork appetizer (4/5) was good. I just wish they had this as an entree instead of a small appetizer. The garlic string beans (3.5/5) were fresh and cooked well. I prefer mine to be more peppery, more garlicky though. The fried rice (4/5) was good too, no complaints. The general chicken (3.5/5) was good but wasn't spicy at all. To me the stand outs were the Hong-Kong Style Crispy Angel Hair Noodles (4.5/5) and the Candied Pecans with Jumbo Prawns (5/5)!! You get a good amount of vegetable in the chow mein which I love. The prawns were a good size, had the perfect crunch, and had amazing flavor as well. Overall glad to have finally tried this place!

I am little disappointed with our last experience, it was my birthday and we made a reservation for four. We were on time and we got the table immediately. The server was very pushy and kept on saying order everything now or you will be late in getting our order. We ordered the food and were rushed to leave in 30 mins. We ordered hot and sour soup - it was good and hot Chicken wings- very dry and no taste Shrimps in white and red sauce - it was good Chicken schezwan in clay pot- it was not at all tasty very bland and not at all spicy. I returned to the restaurant after one year to celebrate my birthday and its was not worth it.

Yum! The food was really tasty, though the portions were a bit on the smaller side. I came here after learning that the owner is the father of the director of Wicked! The place was super crowded on a Sunday night, so we decided to get everything to-go to avoid waiting. We tried the Hot & Sour Soup, Chef's Special Fried Rice (Bay shrimp, BBQ pork, peas, and onions), Classic Mongolian Beef, Beef Chow Fun, and Sichuan Style String Beans. Everything was delicious! The fried rice and beef chow fun were standout dishes. The inside is cool, with photos of the director and the Wicked movie cast. Loved seeing those pics! It definitely added a fun touch to the experience!

We have been dining at Chef Chu's for many years and have always enjoyed their food. Last night, we had a very important guest whom we wanted to impress, so we took her to Chef Chu's for dinner. As usual, I took the lead and ordered the dishes for the three of us, including a lamb dish that I remembered being very delicious in the past. I suggested that our guest start with that lamb dish, confident in its quality. However, as soon as she took her first bite, she spat out the meat and informed us that it was full of gristle. Both my wife and I tried it as well, and unfortunately, we found it to be filled with unchewable gristle, making the dish inedible. This experience was quite embarrassing, especially given the significance of the occasion and our desire to make a good impression. Sadly, this incident has caused us to reconsider dining at Chef Chu's in the future, as it has quite disappointed us and compromised the experience we hoped to share with our guest.

A staple AMERICAN Chinese restaurant in the bay. Note the emphasis on American. This place does well in term of getting food texture nicely and dishes are lightly seasoned with healthy level of oil. This is not a place for you if you want that umami flavor of Chinese cuisine. Best dish of the day is house fried rice. Each grain is well coated in flavor but doesn't feel greasy. Both "spicy" dishes (fried beef and green bean) have zero taste of the Szechuan chili

Yes, the owner's son is Jon Chu, director of movies like Crazy Rich Asians and more recently Wicked. It's been a popular Chinese restaurant far before Jon's directing career though. They have a wall of pictures of celebrities/politicians who've ate here previously. Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, Jeremy Lin, The Bush family, also apparently Margaret Thatcher ate here (damn, she ate this food and still managed to destroy UK's industry? hey-ooo) I was afraid that this restaurant was going to be too westernized, but I think they do a good job of striking a balance between western and Chinese authentic taste. Most of the food was delicious, though the Mongolian Beef didn't taste that great. That's usually one of my go-tos when trying to determine a Chinese restaurant's chops. Parking can be challenging though they have additional parking at a private lot down the neighborhood road and is a mild walk to and from the restaurant. It's a 3.5 but rounded down for me, the service was kinda meh and all the seating arrangements were very tight and crammed.

I wanted to try Chef Chu's because of it is owned by the family of Jon Chu, the film director. I wasn't expecting much to be honest but the dishes we got did surprise me. We got the chef's special fried rice and the crispy sichuan beef, this combo together was so delicious, I couldn't get enough. The portions are a bit small. But I would recommend trying to make a reservation if you can. We came on a Saturday at 5:15pm (15 minutes after opening) and there was already a 45min wait for a two person table to open up. Luckily since we were a small party, they were nice enough to offer us seats at the bar to eat dinner there. We did and it was fine for us. All the workers there were very nice, there's a bunch of posters and pictures posted up on the walls which is fun to look at. The parking lot is a bit small next to the restaurant but they also have a second parking lot that's just a short walk down the road in case of overflow.

Chef Chu's is not just a random restaurant. They are the parents of John Chu, the famous movie director of Wicked, In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asian. This is an Chinese Americanized cuisine with a typical Chinese family dinner style. Each table came with a suzy table . Server were great in orienting us with the menu. The salad and the soup was my personal favorite. It was original and tasty. Wintermeleon puree in the soup gave the soup extra depth. Grilled Beijing Beef was tender and not too salty. These dishes are not mind blowing Chinese food as this is Chinese American. It was still decent. Chef Chu's Famous Salad Shredded, skinless fried chicken, lettuce, carrots and cilantro, tossed in a hot mustard and sesame oil dressing. Topped with peanuts and crispy, rice noodles. Seafood Blossom Soup Fresh shrimp, scallops, crab meat, tomatoes and tofu, stewed in a rich chicken broth. Sprinkled with cilantro. With wintermelon puree Grilled Beijing Beef Sliced, tender beef, wok-seared and tossed in a Beijing-style bean sauce. Served over a bed of crisp rice noodles. Seasonal Vegetable Delight Fresh, seasonal vegetables. Choice of sauce: light seasoning, black bean, or spicy garlic. Cooked your way: stir fried or steamed.

This place is so busy! Highly recommend coming with a reservation if you can. My dad recommended this place so we came here for a family dinner. While it is a Chinese restaurant, the style of service is a bit Americanized which I wasn't exactly used to and neither were my parents. We're so used to ladling our own soup but here, they do it for you. We ordered the rainbow fish filets, sizzling rice soup, crisp aromatic duck, and the four seasons cold plate. The rainbow fish filets were my favorite as it was flavorful yet super light. I recommend getting the four seasons cold plate as an appetizer to try a little bit of everything! Our plate came with some marinated tomatoes that I thought were amazing. I would skip the sizzling rice soup next time. The broth was flavorful but the ingredients were just okay. The aromatic duck was pretty good though! Overall, I think my parents still enjoyed Chef Chu's so I'd bring them back again.

The wait was around 15 mins for a group of 9 around 8pm on a Thursday, so this place is pretty poppin' ! They have a downstairs and upstairs seating area. This place is great for family style eating, since they have lazy susans and big round tables. Plus, their menu is huge, so more people = more variety. The food was good - my favorites were the General Chicken and Hunan lamb. Service was not bad - they were very patient with us even though we wrapped up right around closing time. They did get one of our items wrong but replaced it right away.

Chef Chu's is a famed Chinese restaurant in Silicon Valley. It's hosted celebrities and dignitaries, and is the family restaurant of the accomplished film director Jon Chu. I've heard many mixed reviews about the food here and was eager to finally try it for myself! The menu and flavors on offer fell somewhere between Chinese American and authentic Chinese food. One of the signature appetizers (on the Chinese American side) was the Famous Chicken Salad, made with shredded fried chicken, lettuce, carrots, cilantro, peanuts, and crispy rice noodles. We continued with Fried Jumbo Prawns and Classic Beijing Duck, whose meat and crispy skin were stuffed into steamed buns with scallions and hoisin sauce. For our entrees, the Hunan-style Smoked Pork was made with smokey, salty pork belly slices sauteed with leeks, peppers, and garlic; the Yee Mein were soft stir-fried egg noodles topped with seafood; the Fried Rice with egg and vegetables was topped with shrimp; the Braised Tofu was cooked in sauce along with BBQ Pork, shiitake mushrooms, and snow peas; the Garlic String Beans were simply sautéed with fresh garlic; the Beef Saute was made of marinaded beef slices cooked with vegetables; and the Twice-Cooked Pork was made of boiled fatty pork slices sautéed with bell peppers, cabbage, and tofu in a hot bean sauce. But my favorite entree by far was the Steamed Chilean Sea Bass, which was seasoned with a simple black bean sauce and was fall-apart tender with a fatty, unctuous flavor. To cap off the meal, we had a simple duck soup, in which the bones and meat of the roasted Beijing Duck was stewed with glass noodles, napa cabbage, and tofu. Overall, the food here didn't have quite the same flavor profiles as authentic Chinese food, but they weren't quite as simple as those of Panda Express either. The dining experience was uniquely Chinese American (similar to a retro steakhouse), featuring heavy, custom-branded plates and dressed-up waiters in a quaint dining room, but offering a menu of Chinese-inspired dishes.

My experience at Chef Chu reminds me of classic old-time Chinese restaurants. The service attitude was great. I recommend sticking with traditional American Chinese food entries on the menu. The restaurant was quite busy on a Friday night with a mix of big families and friends/couples. We ordered some uncommon items on the menu but they turned out to be hit and miss. The chicken salad was not worth the price and the char siu buns were too much dough with very little filling.

IMHO You know what stands out to me from my first visit to Chef Chu's? Yes, the food was wonderful, but it was the epic customer service we received from the onset and the graciousness of everyone on staff throughout our meal that impressed me the most! Everyone who came in was warmly greeted as though they were old friends and loyal customers, and I'm sure they were! My friend and I arrived at lunchtime and there were already people waiting for a table. I thought, "Uh oh, we're gonna have to wait." Host Larry Jr. asked us if we'd like to sit at the bar? You bet! Two place settings were already prepared on the bar for any takers. As we settled into our seats, Chef Lawrence came out to say hello! We enjoyed chatting with him and he made us feel welcomed and special. They have a lunch menu for $19.95 with your choice of entree and either a veggie spring roll or soup of the day and steamed or brown rice. My friend chose the Prawns in Lobster Sauce (stir-fried prawns in a traditional 'lobster' sauce of black beans, garlic, onions and egg flowers) and I opted for the Pineapple Chicken (lightly battered chicken pieces, deep-fried until golden and tossed with chunks of pineapple, bell peppers and onions in a sweet & sour sauce.) We also enjoyed the Chicken Lettuce Cups as an appetizer. Everything was very tasty and flavorful, and the portions were generous. As a musical theater lover, I enjoyed seeing the movie posters of "Wicked", "Crazy Rich Asians", and "In the Heights", all directed by Chef Lawrence's son, Jon M. Chu. There is also an amazing celebrity photo wall of fame! Go check it out! You'll be impressed, I was! When the front parking lot is full, there is a designated second lot a short walk away. Thank you, Chef Chu! Yep, I'll definitely be back for the great food and the wonderful, genuine service.

We've been seeing this restaurant and it looks always busy so we were glad we got a chance to try it out for ourselves. The service is great for sure, everyone is super friendly and makes everyone welcome. The food was ok. I'm not sure if we ordered the wrong items but there wasn't much flavor other than from the oil. We got a fried rice which was decent as you'd expect the oil and was nice comfort food. The spicy beef and the chicken dishes we ordered didn't have much flavor though. We had ordered a tofu dish as well which the server forgot but with the taste of the other dishes we were kinda glad to be honest that we didn't get it. The price is not too bad but I had expected a bit larger portion sizes.

This is a Bay Area landmark. It was a favorite of Steve Jobs and still patronized by other Techies. Tends to be busy and would recommend booking on the weekends. Very professional and attentive service. Food was well cooked but a little bland. Even items marked with a chilli didn't have any heat. Has parking all around the building and generally not hard to find.

Came here for my farewell lunch from work! The large space, elaborate decor and many news articles and celebrity photos stood out! For food it was definitely americanized but still good! The kung Pao tofu was good (better than the chicken!) So was the spiralized cucumber and the Hunan lamb.

Very popular. Arrived right at 5pm on saturday and a long queue of line already. Many deliver orders as well. Put my name down with a nice gentleman and waited 35 minutes to be seated. Wife got apple martini, (was too sweet for me) and lychee martini for me. Appreciate the amount of actual liquor that went in the drinks, they did not skimp out. Chicken wings were delicious, slightly crispy outside and moist inside, a lot of onions, garlic, and jalopenos. Vegetarian goose was amazing. I would not have known that it was vegetarian if wife didnt tell me. Full of delicious mushrooms. And my fav, the lobster noodles. Ton of lobsters with garlicky, savory noodles, forget ur diet, must try dish. Corn soup was very good but for me, it tasted too healthy. Wanted a lil bit of msg to sprinkle lol. Imperial pork tho! We didn't have any expectation for this dish but were pleasantly surprised. Even tho it was coated in thick, sweet sauce, the batter inside was still crunchy! The pork in the center was not hard nor dry either. We know now why Chef Chu's is so popular. 10/10 would recommend.

This restaurant definitely meets its standards. Was greeted by the owner, chef chu himself at the door. friendly and welcoming vibes! you can definitely see values and personality of the chef with the interior design. came here to celebrate CNY with family and we had an enjoyable and delicious dinner. it is advised to make a reservation before coming! parking is limited but we were fortunate to find one asap. i would love to come back here during lunchtime.

Had a lovely Saturday lunch here to celebrate a birthday! The service was wonderful, refrigerating and then bringing out, cutting, and serving the cake along with singing happy birthday. The chef also came out to say hello and thanked us for coming at the end of our meal. We had a table of 5 and ordered the hot and sour soup, garlic string beans, shrimp chow mein, mongolian beef, and rainbow fish fillet. Everything was very solid but my highlights were the string beans and fish! I've also tried the fresh whole rock cod (ordered crispy with spicy garlic sauce) they serve here another time, and highly recommend that as well. The menu here is so large, there's something to please everyone- I've had a great experience taking both friends here to introduce them to Chinese cuisine and family who have very high standards for Chinese food. Lots of seating, but always full when I've come here!

The food is good but, besides the duck, nothing extraordinary and sometimes plain. The duck had no odor and was not overly fatty. The four seasons cold plate was also good. Each piece was unique in style and flavor. I say keep it small and only go for their duck or their special menu section. Everything else didn't seem quite worth the price. The mushrooms in the braised triple mushrooms were of varying quality of freshness. The mu shu was nice with nice wok hei but it didn't really stand out and the dipping sauce is really salty. If you do enjoy the food though, it's an amazing place to share dishes with a large party. The service itself is oddly friendly and unfriendly. But they are considerate in a lot of ways. For all dishes they brought extra servings utensils so it's easier to share. They bring additional plates for you to share. If you eat here, you'll never worry about running out of tea, they are ON IT for that. Like the service here is definitely more good but don't expect to talk to them or anything. They do pack up your to go orders for you. Again, my chef complaint is just the price for what you get on some or these dishes.

I ordered a few dishes: Mongolian beef Lovers prawns Lemon chicken Chicken fried rice Chicken in lettuce cups The only dishes I found passable were chicken in lettuce cups & chicken fried rice. The chicken mixture for the lettuce cups had good chopped ingredients along with chopped peanuts. I was looking for sauce like hoisin to go with it but there was none. The chicken fried rice was good; I wouldn't change anything. The lemon chicken had a strange red sauce & I was expecting a yellow lemon sauce. The Mongolian beef was horrible. I was expecting a crispy texture not covered with tons of green onions in a brown soupy sauce. I felt there was more green onions than there was beef . The best Mongolian beef I had was at mandarin gourmet. Chef Chu's version is a disgrace. The lovers prawns was just ok; I wouldn't order it again. I was expecting a crispy light batter to the prawns in the 2 different sauces. The best lovers prawns I've had was at the mandarin gourmet that had chopped jalapenos with it. I was sadly disappointed with this meal. I was expecting a bit more. Perhaps try Mandarin Gourmet & you'll understand what I mean.

The food is consistently good. hot/sour soup, legit potstickers with their special sauce, yum!! people fight over the sauce hunan style tofu, yum sizzling rice chicken, always a kid pleaser. who doesn't like crispy rice and sizzle!?! service is good. they filled our water and tea. elegant white table cloth service. Ambiance, love the mix of all the cultures, families that come for family dinners and celebrations. always a birthday happening. and your occasional Stanford athletes, and celebrity. only negative is sometimes they are soo packed during prime hours. but if you can wait until 8pm, you should be good to go!

Celebrating my daughters birthday Always satisfied A very sweet home party Best of service Best best atmosphere Best food in Bay area

We ordered to go on a Sunday evening. Food was out in 30 min from the call as they promised, and the food was all delicious. We ordered tangerine beef, mushu with beef, chow mein with beef, candied pecans with shrimp, and all tasted great! Nothing was too spicy, salty, or sweet. Good size portions to do family style among 6 people plus a toddler and baby.

WOW, who in the world voted less than 5 Stars. Has to be grumpy-critical-Old Chinese Couple from old country who gripes about everything ‼ Me, American Foodie with critical taste buds. My Very close friends are ABC, with parents from old country. I have eaten extensively Chinese Food for 40 years, at the very best of Chin.. restaurants, where they get special treatment & special menus for Important Chinese celebrations. (Off menu items) I know a little bit about 5 star Chinese food. When I say Chef Chu's is 6 Stars consistently, I mean that. Now over 50 years, Opened 1970, It has never wavered from excellence! Yes, they revise the menu over time, so if your favorite is gone, order it, they'll make it! Yes, a few of their dishes has changed with time. Some good, some not so good changes .......But never a bad dish, just a dish I prefer the original recipe. BIG HINT Try not to go on special Chinese Holidays or say High schoolers graduation time, Mothers or Father's Day etc.... Then you will be in very long waits, so crowded, people everywhere, possible order confusion and your favorite dish being hum, different. This is due to Managed Chaos in the Kitchen & don't forget, double work on the Chefs as there is just as many take out orders‼ This is Why I say, don't go on Chinese & some American Holidays. Not certain about you, when I spend Money & effort to eat out, then I want the taste of the food to be an exquisite experience on my taste buds, each & every time. ******Kids are grown On the wall You will find pictures of the many famous people who have eaten there, shaking hands with Chef Chu. Even John Kennedy Junior ate here Cocktails are another Big Plus Chu's newer Motto is, "Everyday is a Grand Opening" meaning they treat each dish everyday as the first time they have served it -------This is why he never opened another location, but many many people have tried to get him to over the years . He wanted his Legacy to be known as a great Chef. He also had many sons to assure the quality can be the same throughout the years ahead. YES, girls can do as good if not better however he had mostly sons. This is all why there is NO 4 Star food at Chef Chu's, only 5 The atmosphere is calm & serene with a lot of chatter. The decor is very casual upscale but not fancy ::::::::::::::::::::::::I personally believe now is time for a full remodeling to bring it into today's century! He should turn over those reigns to his most "creative son or daughter" to create a Masterpiece that rivals his Quality & increases Capacity. Maybe also org the kitchen to handle higher capacity output, for those insanely busy days The remodel will pay for itself over 3 years! Ok, my favorite dishes {Top 2 Must be purchased together! Complement each other. Bite of one, then a bite of the other. [Chick Ovr Sizzle Rice + Szechuan Beef] Shrimp Over Sizzling Rice (***or****) Chicken Over Sizzling Rice 3Extra Fried Rice Crisps on side Szechwan Beef [Very Mild] Beef-Pork Chow Fun Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass ‍ Braised Triple Mushrooms Mu Shu Pork [Mostly Veggies] Mojitos Lemon Drop Long Island

This is for a take out order only. Paid $18 for 6 BBQ pork buns, and there is no pork inside. The filling is about the size of a quarter. I feel totally ripped off.

Located by the intersection of San Antonio and El Camino, parking spots are plentiful and difficult to find. There's an abundant amount of seating for groups of all sizes. Food is pretty good. The chicken in black bean sauce was tender, but the flavor was a bit overwhelming. The braised eggplant in garlic sauce was good too. Also quite heavy in flavor. Between these 2 dishes, both the chicken and eggplant didn't fully soak in the flavor which was probably why the flavor was overwhelming. Customer service is good. Overall, Chef Chus food quality has taken a slight dip. Nonetheless the food is still quite yummy.

This place SLAPS. 10/10 best Asian food I have ever had. Will be coming again and again and again.

Top echelon takeout This is NOT a gourmet Chinese restaurant. It is extremely well executed Chinese takeout. And it is extremely delicious. Given its storied history and connection to crazy rich Asians, probs difficult to snag a reservation during the peak hours. We came for weekday lunch and were able to be seated right away. We got the lettuce wraps and the shrimp with lobster sauce lunch special. Came with a wonton soup. All was well made and delicious. Service here is excellent as well. Clearly they maintain standards as opposed to the usual hole in the wall restaurant. Def will be coming here when the takeout craving hits

Chef chu's is an institution that no longer lives upto the standards of what the community expects. The last time I visited was about a year ago, and dining here today reminded me why I stopped visiting. Sure the family has made movies and hosted celebrities. However, today the restaurant has rude wait staff that slam food on the table unnecessarily, lack the basic courtesy to talk patiently to their guests. With all the family's success and legacy of ceo visits, it seems like they no longer truly care about what's served to the common folk. With All the fanfare of published magazine articles, and the books they sell didn't do anything for me as a paying customer. I still went in, got low quality less than mediocre food and service and walked out. I wouldn't recommend going in here for a date night- absolutely not! Hot and sour soup was only sour- it had the amount of vinegar you would pour into your dishwasher to prevent it from frothing up. No Chinese restaurant, let alone a high and mighty reputed one like chef chu's should be preparing this in their kitchen. Kung pao chicken- slimy texture, fatty chicken pieces, poor quality oil left an unpleasant after taste Veggies and shrimp- goopy, overflowing with cornstarch, with low quality ingredients that were prepared with no care. $50 fare - not worth it for the common regular middle class person. The interiors can definitely do with a modest refresh such as a basic carpet replacement (takes perhaps half a day!). The dark brown carpetting looks like it is crying out to be spared. I won't be visiting again. The vegetables and kungpao is worse than a fast food restaurant. panda express does serve up higher quality food.

Cherry funny! But seriously wonderful food and fun atmosphere. Thank you, Larry, for a great time!

"Chef Chu's: Where Family Legacy Meets Culinary Symphony" Chef Chu's in Los Altos isn't just a local Chinese restaurant--it's a family-run institution that feels like the beating heart of the community. And if the name Chu rings a bell, yes, that Chu--Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians and Wicked--grew up in this whirlwind of organized chaos, and it shows. You wonder where Jon got his inspiration? It wasn't just Singapore's skyline or couture gowns--it was this place. The hustle, the energy, the choreography of kitchen staff weaving between sizzling woks and shouting servers, all while never missing a beat. It's like watching a culinary symphony unfold. You half expect a crash, but it never comes. Just steam, speed, and skill. And if you're rubbernecking? That's normal--the main lobby literally faces the kitchen like it's a live show. Now, onto the food: Chef Chu's serves authentic Chinese cuisine tailored to local palates without dumbing it down or sliding into food appropriation territory. It's lemon chicken, not General Tso. Familiar enough to welcome you in, flavorful and real enough to keep you coming back. The menu is extensive and can be overwhelming for newcomers to authentic Chinese dining. To help navigate, here are some standout dishes: * Pot Stickers: A signature dish, these pork-filled dumplings boast a crispy bottom and a juicy, gingery filling. * Classic Beijing Duck: A must-try, this dish features crispy skin and tender meat, often served with pancakes and hoisin sauce. * Chinese Chicken Salad: A refreshing starter with shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing. * Snow White Chicken: Delicate slices of chicken paired with snow peas, offering a light yet flavorful experience. * Candied Pecans with Jumbo Prawns: A delightful combination of sweet and savory, this dish is both crunchy and succulent. The Chu family's success is steeped in something better than money: tradition, grit, and a deep love for food and people. It's no surprise Jon Chu tells stories with heart--he was raised in a restaurant that's been living the American dream, one hot plate at a time.

In A Nutshell: -Chef Chu's is a legendary Chinese restaurant that has been open since 1970. -I love their tasty dishes, which explode w/ flavor in each bite. -This is a great place to bring your fellow employees who are now back in the office, your friends, family, a date & even for solo meal. Overall, you gotta love the celebrity aspect of the establishment as well!

If I'm rating this restaurant as an authentic Chinese restaurant, I will give it three stars. But in this case, I'm also giving them three stars for an Americanized Chinese restaurant. I think the 3 stars sums it all up. It's not a very clean restaurant. Its decor is stuck in the 80s. I'm not really sure why it's so popular. I have yet to find an amazing Chinese restaurant in the area. I can't say I will ever return to this restaurant. Sorry General Chu.

I finally tried the infamous Jon Chu's family restaurant! I came here with a big group of friends and we luckily snagged a reservation for 8:00 PM the day of which was really nice. We were seated on the second floor which seems to be more intimate as there were probably less than 10 tables on this level. With Chinese restaurants, there is always the mistake of overordering so that is exactly what we did! Though there were many things to write home about, my favorite dishes were the Szechuan crispy beef, pan-fried noodles, and the braised eggplant. I don't think I ever had a Chinese style crispy beef before so I didn't know what to expect but Chef Chu's did a wonderful job on this dish; it was crispy and the sauce had that tangy mala flavor which I really liked. The pan-fried noodles had such a nice crispy top glazed with sauce and plentiful toppings. The braised eggplant was so yummy too, with each piece very soft and tender. We also ordered the crispy duck and it was definitely a different experience since i usually eat Peking duck however with the bun and the sauce, it still tasted just as good. This is definitely a great place to bring friends and family as there's a great family atmosphere. Bonus, we also caught a glimpse at THE Chef Chu so that made the dinner a lot more enjoyable.

Had a great New Year's dinner here. It was packed, but we luckily got a table right away. The vibe is traditional, yet Americanized at the same time. The menu is huge and the service is quick and attentive. Loved that they had a few different duck options (one of my favorite dishes from childhood).

I've been here a few times, my first time primarily eating Chinese American food and the most recent time trying their authentic Chinese food. On both of those visits Chef Chu came by to speak to our group. On the first visit my friends and I stopped by after seeing Crazy Rich Asians and Chef Chu told us about going to the premiere. We could tell he was so proud of his son! I loved the food on both visits, with the chicken salad being one of my favorite dishes. I also enjoyed the Singapore Rice Noodles, the tea smoked duck, sauteed snow pea shoots, and the chicken in lettuce cups. The service on all visits has been nothing short of excellent. I found the servers to be very attentive without being intrusive. Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. They have a small parking lot but there are nearby lots as well that share the space. I noticed a lot of takeout orders. If I lived closer to Chef Chu's I would be eating here more often. If you're in the area please do try Chef Chu's.

Agree with previous yelpers- this place is very much Americanized Chinese food. Not a bad thing, but not a fare comparison to more traditional Chinese restaurants in Chinatown or southbay. However it is an iconic restaurant that has stood the test of time. Price of dishes are on the moderately high range and dishes are not huge. Ambience is nice and staff were very friendly and helpful in navigating the huge menu. Taste ranges depending on what you get. Some dishes like the black pepper steak and the seasonal vegetables were well done, whereas I found others a bit salty. For those that value ambience and want a nice place to eat with family or friends, this is a good option in the PA/LA/MV area.

It's funny that I haven't written a review for Chef Chu's yet, I've been eating here for over 15 years. The funny part is I've only dined in once, ever other time I've ordered to go. My go to dish is their world famous Chinese chicken salad, I always get the large and ask for extra sauce "amazzzing, so good" the large is enough for 2 people and comes with a ton of chicken. The inside of the restaurant has "literally" a who's who of famous people photographs who have eaten here including x presidents. Bottom line Chef Chu's is an institution and if you live in the area and haven't been..... well you've been living under a rock. ;-) Excellent food, excellent service, and an excellent atmosphere

This is one of the best traditional Chinese restaurants in the area. As you walk in, you will see it's elegantly decorated and has many celebrity pictures. I remember when we visited before with friends, the Peking duck was excellent. For this visit, I arrived in the area late, so just stopped by and bought food to go. The service was prompt and friendly. I ordered Taiwanese style rice noodles (in the back of the menu) and Hot and Sour soup. Both were excellent for taste and the ingredients used. I was especially impressed that I found a shrimp in the soup!

Dined at Chef Chu's for my birthday with my best friends. One of them has been wanting to take us for so long and we finally went! Perfect timing too since I had just seen Wicked and found out the director's parents own this restaurant. We started off with mai tai's (my favorite cocktail) which was pretty good! Then ordered the sweet corn cream soup (not pictured, miso-glazed chilean sea bass, boneless crisp aromatic duck, and beef chow fun. Everything was so yummy! They were busy on a weeknight -- we could only get a reservation at 5pm. I highly recommend coming here for Chinese food -- all the dishes were so flavorful and their menu is extensive so I'd like to try new dishes. I will definitely be back!

Is Chef Chu's primarily an Americanized-Chinese food restaurant? yes. but it is the best at what it does. it has refined Americanized-Chinese cuisine into its own art. all dishes are expertly crafted. flavorful, and cooked with just the right amount of heat for just the right amount. I've had the pleasure to dine here 4-5 times in my 20+ years in the Bay Area and have never been disappointed. There is a lot of superb Chinese cuisine in the Bay Area, particularly in Cupertino, Milpitas, and Fremont (and to a lesser extent SF and Oakland), but Chef Chu's is one of a kind. Some people might be put off by Americanized-Chinese, but there is definitely a place for it to shine as its own cuisine. that place is Chef Chus. bonus: their son was the director for Crazy Rich Asians, which is a movie I loved, especially having spent significant amount of time in Singapore over the period of 11+ years.

It's now our second time at Chef Chu's. Food was delicious just like our first lunch here. Before coming in on Easter Sunday's opening time at 11:30, we called around past 10 to confirm if they were indeed open. It's a good thing we did as they were accepting reservations even that close to the actual slot. This time, the staff were way friendlier than our previous experience here. Our server Peter was funny and accommodating. When asked if he could take our family's photo, he obliged us with that favor and even asked if we wanted another one just in case we didn't like the shots. He plated our soup, appetizers and the Beijing Duck in the little plates prior to setting them on the table. Peter was also thoughtful, as he presented us the Beijing Duck in all it's roasted glory prior to chopping it into pieces. Even the hosts kept checking in our table and making us feel welcome with their quips and service. Libation: 1. Complimentary Tea serve in a ceramic pot and cups 2. CC's Famous Mai Tai 3. Lychee Martini Dishes: according to serving order 1. Fried Jumbo Prawns 2. Crab and Cheese Puffs 3. Seafood Sizzling Rice Soup 4. Classic Beijing Duck 5. Yu Shang Pork 6. Chef Chu's Special Fried Rice F&D were mouth watering and refreshing as expected. Took the last two dishes to-go as we were too full even for dessert. Got our booking set for June as we overheard the host talking to the regulars that graduation season is getting packed. Didn't want to take our chances and also placed a reservation for the Beijing Duck. I guess we got lucky with both our lunches as we got this often sold-out slow cooked poultry both times. CC's Classic Beijing Duck is the reason I chose to dine in this Los Altos mainstay.

Love it! A must, Great Food, great environment and Excellent service! We ordered the crispy duck, kung pao chicken, combination fried rice, the egg rolls ( were delicious) and we enjoyed eating the bananas with vanilla ice cream. Yum! Yum!