VIP Restaurant

the problem with this restaurant is that it keeps changing owners and thus chefs so the quality of the food isn’t consistent. the quality of the food is currently in a lull but with the average pricing you really get what you pay for. We usually order the standard fare of dishes and they arent bad, just not good either.
3 Stars is about right.
Good Neighbor is across the street and serve practically the same food so I suggest you go there if this place is packed.

We switch off between this place and good neighbor restaurant. I don’t know why we bother to switch off though, because they are about the same… same price… same food… well maybe this place is a little bit more expensive than the other place. but relatively similar. I’ve never eaten here before though. I usually just get takeout… it’s good if you don’t wanna cook.

You have to pick the right dishes here. They have a sweet and sour rib that is excellent. And they do a couple other things well. But it’s spotty, not consistent good. My first experience here, I came with an uncle who knew what to order and everything seemed great. I came back 2x after and ordered some of the same thing, but it just wasn’t as good. Brought my dad here and he was like, yuck.
There’s too many good cantonese restaurants in the area for any place to be mediocre though. But I might give it another try sometime.

I have to agree with Eric W.
The previous owner sold it. When I tested the food after the transition back in early, might of been Spring of 2007, the food was not good, sauce was bad. The quality wasn’t there. The new owner told me the new chef is the same which I found it untrue. I know good Chinese food when I taste it. After this experience, we never went back again.
The old owner’s husband was the chef and he came from big restaurant background. Business was family run. Hopefully they’ll open another one that we could come across one day.
If anyone just recently ate there and receive positive exp. Please share it, perhaps ownership change again and we’ll be more than happy to try it again.

Update — 9÷13÷07
Quality of food has gone downhill. The crab over rice dish was not as good. The sweet and sour pork was actually disgusting. Quite disappointed.
This neighborhood restaurant has changed ownership many times. According to the server, the chef remained the same. However, business seemed to have slowed since the current owner took over. On our last 2 visits, the place was practically empty at 6pm on the weekend (it used to be so busy that we had to arrive before 5:30pm to get a table on the weekend). We thought the quality of their food was good for the price we paid. Service was actually improved because they were not busy. This place is especially good for take-​outs on those cold lazy nights in the winter.

*Update 5/​14/​07*
The ownership has changed. The menu largely remains the same, but I found it very strange that the workers now all speak Mandarin instead of Cantonese, even though this is a Cantonese restaurant. I assume the chefs have left as well, since all of our regular orders were smaller, and not nearly as tasty. I truly hope that the original owners were able to sell the joint for a pretty penny, and not fire sale it because they deserve a nice reward for all the hard work they have put into the place. Too bad they couldn’t stick around, for whatever reason.
What I first gave four stars has now turned into two. From this point on, off to Good Neighbor (
) right across the street I go!
*Original 2/​1/​07*
This is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in the local area. The three items for $ 15 menu just can’t be beat. Such popular dishes as fried fish with corn, four seasons green bean with chicken or beef, braised beef stew in clay pot, stuffed fried tofu, taro chicken in clay pot, and a myriad of others can all be had at this price. They also serve a variety of fresh fish.
Unlike many other places that offer the same type of deal, portions at VIP are quite large, and even if they were offered at $ 7 per plate, it would still be a good deal. However, one thing I must mention is that sometimes it can be inconsistent, which is understandable. It’s not so much the chef’s own fault, but rather the quality of the meat and vegetables, which we all know can have a wide range of discrepancy.
The clientele here is about 95% Chinese, with the only non-​Chinese being the obligatory WM/​AF couple. It must be noted that if you have a choice, take out is best. The L shaped room can get very cramped, and wiggle room is limited at best. If you are the type who likes to sprawl out and eat in peace, I suggest ordering to go. As expected, it can also get rather warm inside.
Competition is very fierce in this part of town, known as the «Four Corners,» so the fight for your hard earned dollars is reflected in the quality, quantity, and price. Right across the street is VIP’s direct competitor, Good Neighbor, which serves up a very similar cuisine, a more Southern Chinese (Cantonese) family style. On the other side is the dim sum restaurant, Royal Garden Seafood, and right down the street is Venus Café, which specializes in HK style café food.
In addition to Chinese establishments, there is a gamut of other Oriental cuisines, such as the four sushi bars, three phở shops, and even Thai, Filipino, and Korean. In other words, practically any type of Asian food you lust for can be found on this block. On the day you are feeling like down home, family style Southern Chinese cooking, VIP is definitely the Very Important Place you should head to.

Very affordable — they have a huge list of items for $ 5 and most other dishes range from $ 7 – 9. Staff was very friendly, and the food was good. Good value, good food.

VIP is comparable to Good Neighbor and what was Yong Kang. They have the 3 items/​dishes for $ 15 and some house soup. The food is just as tasty but the restaurant is a lot smaller and little bit more cramped. The price is cheap, the service is fast, and the food is very tasty. The only weird thing I encountered with this restaurant is that I went on a few occasions and they were randomly closed. Maybe it was just in the beginning when they were first opened? I haven’t been there recently, but that doesn’t mean the food isn’t good. It’s very tasty traditional chinese with authentic dishes and a variety of items to choose from for a great price!

Really not bad. The interior is bright and clean (does not smell) and the owner and waiter are friendly.
The food is quite good. Space is tight and there are mostly large banquet-​style tables inside.

I think I’d give 3.5 stars for VIP as the taste of their food hasn’t been consistant. Sometimes the food is just awful but we keep going back coz there aren’t a lot of choices in the area. I like their $ 15 for 3 dishes and their fried noodles and noodle soup are good.

Latest Comment: (2008)
This restaurant is closed.
New Comment: (Oct 22, 2007)
I am lower my rating from 5 star to 2 star. The dish becomes smaller. The owner is not as friendly.
I went there once after the owner change. I plan not going back unless I cannot find other alternates.
Now my favorite is «Good Neighbor» on Newark Blvd. It is near by and same style of food.
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Old Comment:
This is our favorite restaurant. I love their spareribs.

I have dined here 3 times, the first time I went with my boyfriend and just ordered the standard chinese eats: mongolian beef and garlic chicken. Not impressed.
Went back with my mom and SHE ordered and got some great authentic dishes. Some brothy soup that has been boiled for the whole day, great tender vegetables, a clay pot dish with tofu and veggies, pieces of whitefish fileted and sauteed with onions, great food that is traditionally Chinese, I would have never known if I was just ordering off the menu in English.
Tip: bring someone that reads Chinese. They have a separate menu with items only in Chinese just like other Chinese restaurants. I know life isn’t fair. Deal with it.

I have been here a couple of times I like the General Chow’s Chicken. Pretty much standard fare for Chinese food.