Empire 19

I usually like to order here because it’s convenient and the food isn’t tooooo greasy, but there’s one guy who works here who is a complete failure of a person. He’s so mean and he told me I better be home when my food got here? Did he threaten me? It’s really not hard to find my house, I keep the lights on… when the service is that bad there’s something wrong with the management and I just dont trust these people with my credit card number. Just saying.

Typical Chinese fast food crap. No flavor, poor quality and nasty a cashier. This «greasy spoon» offers nothing for the palate. They truly strive for mediocrity. Their egg rolls are filled with an unknown substance which would make a starving person turn it down. Their chicken with peanuts was a mishmash of dubious flavors and textures. What a shame that this is in Riverdale. They don’t care about their customers or the quality of their slop. One can only hope that they will shut down and something better will take its place. Save your money and cook at home.

It is definitely a store front establishment. But what, again, are you expecting way out in the middle of nowhere. I for one am happy to have the option somewhere in walking distance. I’ve stopped by late after Kappock Café has closed, and was thrilled that the lights were on. Is it dumplings from Chinatown or Flushing? No. That is why New York has Chinatown and Flushing.

I’ve only had the chicken with broccoli and wonton-​egg drop soup but it’s been spot on everytime.

This is just well cooked Chinese food from a nice clean kitchen. I have never tried the Japanese menu and I think anyone who expects good sushi from a Chinese joint is bound to be disappointed.
Never had any problems with delivery and don’t believe the strange stories written here about the same. The delivery woman is always on time and courteous.
They can execute dumplings, beef and broccoli and general Tso’s just fine, and nobody should really be looking for anything more exotic here.
A solid bet and a welcome part of Knoll’s Crescent since replacing the defunct and dirty Great Wall which used to be located here.

This place is DISGUSTING! I ordered delivery and this guy didn’t walk up to my apartment. Just as I was in the middle of enjoying my fried rice and Szechuan chicken. I find a HUGE SPIDER tossed in with it. I will never order from this place!
Order at your own risk

Ordered food while I was at work, usually have a very good meal, no complaints. This time however, I’m assuming someone got lazy because by the time my delivery came, as I sat down and started to open my meal, all the rolls I had ordered were barely even rolled. The contents were all over in the box, and it just overall looked very lazy & careless :/​very upset.

I am a greasy spoon, Chinese food junkie. Something about fattening Chinese food is comforting and easy! Rarely is it a cuisine that can be screwed up beyond belief and the order won’t break the bank. What else is there not to like? Except perhaps the calories and nutritional value… ha.
It’s important to note that Empire 19 was around for as long as I have lived in the neighborhood (~4 years) and seems to have been closed for at least 6 – 10 months. I wonder if Empire 19 went through some adjustments with management? I can tell you the quality of food has most certainly changed and for the better.
With a re-​opening that wasn’t really publicized as one, I am pleasantly surprised with the food, current sanitary A grade and the all day dinner special. We ordered from the all day dinner special menu which is ~$ 8 comes with an eggroll or soup: a solid portion size. Their sesame noodles and lo mein is pretty good– dare I say that the noodles are made at their restaurant? If not, its pretty darn good and passable for homemade ones. WOW, I know! We’ve tried their egg drop soup, fried tofu, general tso’s chicken and beef with mushrooms. All solid meal choices.
So far, I haven’t encountered any service issues and very happy about that.

Staff needs a lesson in customer service. I was the only person waiting to place an order while the person behind the desk was on the telephone taking an order.
He hangs up the telephone and a customer walks in and he begins to take
his order. I said to the guy behind the desk was I not standing here while you were on the phone waiting to place an order?
Food was not hot and the chicken and broccoli sauce was not very good.
Won’t go back!!!

Good food, good presentation, charge extra for delivery and delivery guy with bad attitude about how much must I tip him (he suggested $ 5.00, over a $ 2.00 mandatory delivery charge, this attitude ruinned my meal), beside this food is good.

Pleasantly surprised by its quality for the inexpensive price. It has both lunch and dinner combo options. I ordered take-​out from the place after my roommate recommended it one night. I ordered Szechuan chicken dinner combo with fried rice and singapore mei fun. I liked both. The mei fun has a decent spice to it. Chicken is pretty good. Definitely worth the 20 bucks including tax and tips for 2 eatings.
With this place, I think I won’t consider Jade or Hunan Balcony for take out anymore. Definitely the best Mei Fun in the area.

Cheap, speedy Chinese and Japanese takeout. It’s not glamorous, but the sushi here is of surprisingly good quality, and is always fresh. They do have a decent amount of seating in the restaurant, but the décor isn’t all that appealing. Since the sushi options in Riverdale aren’t stellar, this place is great if you don’t want to spend a lot of money.
There *are* better sushi places in the area, but you can’t beat these prices ($ 3.75 for a nicely portioned roll).
The Chinese food is standard fare… dumplings are great, as is the sesame chicken (way better than Empire Schezuan, and for $ 5 less).
Delivery is always quick and the food is always hot when it arrives. This is my favorite take-​out place in the neighborhood.

Lovely presentation surprising for take out. Super nice staff. Gets crazy busy when the weather is bad since it doesn’t seem that anyone in the neighborhood actually cooks. Go with the soft shell crab appetizer. Sizzling spice to the Singapore Mei Fun. Pleasant addition to the dearth of options that passes for cuisine in the meager array of Riverdale eateries.