Kim G.
Yelp
Sometimes you want the Americanized version of Chinese food from your youth, and in Portland, that's hard to find. When I'm craving an egg roll, not a tiny spring roll, but a real egg roll, overstuffed with cabbage, pork and other veggies, I head to Chen's. This is also my go-to for spare ribs, not it the chopped up version, the full Slab of ribs coated in sweet red Chinese barbecue sauce. And while I'm at it, I get an order of their pork fried rice which is loaded with pork, peas, carrots, onions and egg - the way it's supposed to be!
I've never ventured from this order because these are the items that bring me to Chen's, the American Chinese versions that I can't find elsewhere. If I'm craving shrimp and snow peas or Mongolian beef I go to Shandong or Kong Pow! But for greasy American Chinese, it's Chen's all the way!
Typically I order in the lobby and wait for them to prepare the food which is ready in 10 minutes. There is a bar to the left; it's super dark inside, surprisingly, I've actually seen small crowds in there during Happy Hour. The restaurant section with the old fashioned booths is to the right and it is usually empty or has just a few tables occupied.
They have a small parking lot attached to the restaurant plus Easy street parking out front ion NE Broadway.
Never once have I eaten at the restaurant. It's a bit too dark and the atmosphere is not appealing to me so I order take out and have my guilty pleasure at home, which is part of the enjoyment.