The Unappealing Asian Chao: A Chinese Restaurant Chain to Avoid
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When it comes to fast food, the best restaurants share a few key traits: swift service, a pleasant atmosphere, and generous portions of delectable food that are almost addictive. However, our least favorite Chinese restaurant chain, Asian Chao, falls short on all these fronts, as evidenced by the numerous negative reviews online. In a recent ranking by Tasting Table of 13 Chinese restaurant chains, Asian Chao finished at the very bottom, with an expert describing it as a "chain Chinese restaurant that we unequivocally recommend you avoid, no matter how much you're craving Chinese."
Asian Chao is part of Food Systems Unlimited Inc.'s portfolio of fast food chains, which also includes Chao Cajun, Maki of Japan, Sushi Fuji, Tobu, and Wok N Grill. The first Asian Chao restaurant opened its doors in 1991 at the Florida Mall in Orlando, and today, there are nearly 30 outlets across the country, aiming to become the go-to choice for shoppers in malls and airports seeking a quick and satisfying meal.
Unfortunately, the restaurants have consistently received poor ratings and negative reviews, with customers complaining about long wait times, bland food, small portions, and poor service. Even the chain's signature dish, Bourbon Chicken, has garnered consistent criticism online. Far from the "irresistible sweet and savory glaze" advertised on the website, one Google reviewer found "pieces of very hard chicken in it," while another on Yelp described it as "full of chicken skin and gristle." It's safe to say that making your own using our trusted sticky Chinese bourbon chicken recipe would be a better option.
Hairy Experiences
While airports are not typically known for gourmet dining, you can usually find something quick and convenient to eat. However, the Asian Chao outlet at Atlanta International Airport has received scathing reviews. One Tripadvisor user described a horror experience where a rude server threw bags of food at them and another child. The customer also had to wait five minutes to pay because the server decided to sit around. Another reviewer on the same outlet mentioned how the small container of noodles fell apart, sauce and all, by the time the traveler boarded their flight.
The situation is not much better at Asian Chao's outlet in Garden City, New York. In fact, it might be worse, with two separate Yelp reviews mentioning hair in the food. One user posted about finding a hair in their food and discovering that the bourbon chicken was raw. Another reviewer shared a friend's warning against eating at Asian Chao, as they had found hair in their food multiple times in the past. Despite ignoring the warning and ordering a portion of vegetables, the friend was indeed punished with an errant strand of hair, serving as a fitting "hair" right (pun intended).
Apart from the food quality and service, Asian Chao has received criticism for its lack of portion generosity. One dissatisfied customer complained on Yelp about a $9 combo that was "not even enough for one person." Another reviewer counted only four small pieces of meat in the tiny portion, indicating that even if you're really hungry, Asian Chao won't satisfy your cravings.
