South China Chinese & American Restaurant

South China is a Southside staple. My parents went on dates to the original location when they were in high school. The food is made by the family that owns and operates the restaurant. They have the best egg rolls, lemon chicken, and egg drop soup in town! I drove from the area by the Pearl to come here tonight.

I’m sorry, but honestly speaking ’ this was the most bland tasteless Chinese food I have ever had. I should’ve left as soon as I got there because I asked for hot tea and this chinese restaurant does not serve it. The waitress said no one ever request it, so they don’t even keep any for those who do want hot tea. Chinese restaurant!!! No hot tea!!! We ordered the sweet and sour shrimp. It was neither sweet or sour (tasteless). The lemon chicken was not lemony at all, not even tangy (tasteless). The won ton soup was just hot clear broth (tasteless). It only had won ton noodles, but not won ton dumplings with meat or chicken like almost every other Chinese restaurant I’ve ever been to. The egg rolls weren’t crispy or hot. They sucked. And then to top it off, our waitress who I think is the daughter — was not a happy person much less friendly. I usually don’t post here, but don’t waste your time or your money. … I did and I never will eat here again. … :-(

The restaurant is very clean. The lemon chicken did not have any flavor. The sauce was missing something and the chicken was good but no flavor. The rice was light and tasty. The wonton soup was delicious. I would give them 5 stars for cleanliness and 3 stars for food/​flavor.

2 stars for the service. The food is THE worst «Chinese» food I’ve ever had.
I felt compelled to write a review because Unilocal brought me here, never again. I ordered the «Spicy sesame seed chicken» lunch special and an egg drop soup to start.
Egg drop: Is the grossest egg drop I’ve ever had. It had large chicken cubes with very little egg, extremely oily. If you were to grind up Church’s Chicken into a soup, this is it.
«Spicy Sesame» was a absolute disaster. It was basically defrosted chicken cubes, thrown into a sweet sauce and topped with sesame seeds. The chicken was almost raw and gamey, I hate sweet food — it was really sweet. I was forced to eat it, I already used my hour lunch break.
Steamed Rice: HOW can you screw up rice?! The rice was hard and sticky. Basically, un-​flavored rice-​crispy treats.
Service was perfect which is the reason I couldn’t complain but seriously, the other reviewers of this restaurant must lack taste buds or just have no other options. I’ve had REALLY bad Chinese before, this is now the worst Chinese joint I’ve ever been to.

The service is always quick and the waitress is friendly and attentive. I have gone to this place for about 15 years and they are consistent with food, friendliness and service;). My favorite menu item is the egg roll! Egg roll is a bit greasy but packed with flavor!

I was in the area so I decided to stop in and have their lunch special. I haven’t been here in ages, but I did remember that they have good lemon chicken. I stopped in for a quick lunch and was quickly helped upon being seated, I ordered the lemon chicken which was one of 3 lunch specials for $ 5.39. It came with fried rice, but I ordered the white rice instead, since it is healthier than fried. It also came with your choice of won ton or cream cheese won ton or egg roll. Since I was hungry, I wanted both an egg roll and the cream cheese won tons. An order of 5 cream cheese wontons is $ 2.99, and I just wanted one ! So, I had to purchase the egg roll on the side and order the won tons as part of the lunch special.
I got my egg roll first before my lunch and I was not happy with the way the egg roll looked– very greasy and almost flat ! It was soo greasy in fact, I had to use a paper napkin to blot the grease up. ! The rest of my order arrived quickly thereafter. I was happy with the way the food was arranged on my plate– lemon sauce bowl in the middle surrounded by golden fried chicken chunks on bed of white rice ! The fried chicken was just right –lightly breaded, tender and juicy. The lemon sauce which I happily poured on my chicken was mildly sweet and very good. I liked the fact that the waitress gave me that option to have my sauce on the side, rather than have some gooey sugary lemon chicken which you typically get at most Chinese restaurants ! The cream cheese wontons were delicious and fried just right — light and crispy. The white rice was great, but the egg roll flavor was good, despite being super greasy. I did mention this to the waitress, but next time I know just to go with the cream cheese wontons instead ! All in all the food was great, much deserving of 5 stars, but something needs to be done about that egg roll !

This has to be the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. the egg rolls are the best and so is the egg drop soup.

Seriously, I don’t know why I let my guy do this to me. I know this is suppose to be American Chinese food. I’m Chinese, I’m not going to claim to be an expert, but I know what I like and this is not it.
Mongolian Chicken — My guy got this and I’ve never seen it in a white gravy.
Lemon Chicken — The chicken was actually okay, but the sauce was pretty bland. The rice was not good.
Egg Roll — Probably first or second worst egg roll I’ve ever tasted… it could be first since I can’t remember how the other one taste like anymore. It was too peppery and not much filling. Just yuck!

So there are not many options in the Southside for Chinese food to begin with. Great Chinese food is even trickier. But, South China has always been my go to. Maybe because I grew up with it? Not too sure but it’s been around forever so someone other than me must like it.
It has been owned and operated by the same welcoming family for as far as I can remember. They made a move further down Military drive in the early 00’s but their food has always sustained its tastiness.
I have an undying love for their egg rolls. They are super crispy and way more flavorful than most. Their chicken dishes are made with all white meat. Sauces are tangy and flavorsome. And most importantly It’s always a 15min to pick up wait :0D

Have been eating here since I was in elementary I love the food I am always craving the food from here :)
Lemon chicken with some sweet&sour sauce :))

I have eaten here twice and both times I was not impressed.
First off, the crab rangoons had a stringy mozarella type cheese in them. Cream cheese should be used. I was horrified. I love rangoons but I only eat the good ones. This place does not have tasty rangoons.
Second, the chicken tasted like frozen food. It wasn’t terrible but it was awfully bland. Come to think of it, frozen food is a pretty apt description of this whole meal. It all tasted pre-​packaged.
If i can add one positive its that the food is VERY cheap. Unfortunatey, in this scenario you get what you paid for.