Reading a China City menu feels like a treasure hunt, especially when their chef’s specials cost less than the standard combination plates. If you are looking for the real **China City menu with prices** before you call in your order, you have landed in the right spot. We have broken down the costs, portion sizes, and the best value picks so you can order like a regular without the guesswork.
Prices vary slightly by location, but the core menu structure stays the same. Most locations operate on a simple system: lunch specials, dinner combos, and a la carte items. Let us walk you through what you can expect to pay, what is worth your money, and how to avoid the common upcharges that catch people off guard.
China City Menu With Prices
Below is a realistic breakdown of the standard pricing tiers you will find at a typical China City restaurant. These figures reflect average urban and suburban pricing as of the last quarter. Remember that delivery apps add a markup of 15 to 30 percent, so calling directly always saves you cash.
Lunch Specials Pricing
Lunch is where China City shines for budget diners. The lunch window usually runs from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. You get a main dish, an egg roll, and your choice of fried rice or white rice. Some locations also throw in a can of soda or a cup of hot tea.
- Chicken with Broccoli Lunch Special – $7.95
- Kung Pao Chicken Lunch Special – $7.95
- Shrimp with Lobster Sauce Lunch Special – $8.75
- Beef with Snow Peas Lunch Special – $8.50
- Vegetable Delight Lunch Special – $6.95
- Sweet and Sour Pork Lunch Special – $7.50
These prices are hard to beat for the portion size. You usually get a generous scoop of protein and a full pint of rice. If you are feeding two people on a budget, you can order two lunch specials and have leftovers for the next day.
Combination Plates And Dinner Portions
After 3:00 PM, the menu switches to dinner portions. The price jumps by roughly two to three dollars per plate. The dinner combo includes the same sides as lunch, but the protein portion is noticeably larger. You also get a choice of wonton soup or egg drop soup on some locations.
- General Tso’s Chicken Dinner – $11.95
- Orange Beef Dinner – $12.50
- Shrimp with Garlic Sauce Dinner – $12.95
- Moo Shu Pork Dinner – $10.95 (comes with 4 pancakes)
- Beef with Peppers and Onions Dinner – $11.50
- Vegetable Fried Rice Dinner – $8.95
Do not assume the dinner portion is double the lunch portion. It is usually about 30 percent bigger, not 100 percent. If you are a light eater, stick to the lunch menu even if it is 4:00 PM. Many locations will still honor the lunch price if you ask nicely, but do not count on it.
Chef’s Specials And House Favorites
This is the section that confuses most first timers. The chef’s specials are listed on the back page or the last column of the menu. They look expensive at first glance, but they are often cheaper than the standard combination plates when you factor in the sides. For example, a regular combo plate with shrimp runs about $12.95, but a chef’s special like “Triple Delight” might cost $13.95 and include shrimp, chicken, and beef plus a side of rice.
- Happy Family (shrimp, chicken, beef, scallops) – $14.95
- Dragon and Phoenix – $13.50
- Seafood Combination – $15.95
- Hunan Double Delight – $12.95
- Szechuan Triple Crown – $13.25
The chef’s specials usually come with a small bowl of white rice, not fried rice. If you want fried rice, there is a $1.50 upcharge. That is standard across almost every Chinese takeout spot, so do not be surprised.
Appetizers And Sides Pricing
Appetizers are where the margins are highest for the restaurant. You can easily blow your budget here if you are not careful. The standard prices are listed below, but watch out for the “combo appetizer platter” which sounds like a deal but is often just two egg rolls and four crab rangoons for seven dollars.
- Egg Roll (pork or vegetable) – $1.75 each
- Spring Roll (crispy, vegetable) – $1.95 each
- Crab Rangoon (8 pieces) – $5.95
- Fried or Steamed Dumplings (6 pieces) – $6.50
- BBQ Pork Ribs (4 pieces) – $8.95
- Wonton Soup (quart) – $4.50
- Egg Drop Soup (quart) – $3.95
- Hot and Sour Soup (quart) – $4.25
One tip here: the quart of soup is enough for two people if you are also eating entrees. Do not order a pint unless you are dining alone. The pint is roughly half the volume but costs about 70 percent of the quart price.
Rice And Noodle Dishes
Fried rice and lo mein are the carb heavy hitters on the menu. They are cheap, filling, and often the best value per dollar. If you are on a strict budget, a large order of vegetable fried rice at $8.95 can feed two adults easily.
- Vegetable Lo Mein – $8.50
- Chicken Lo Mein – $9.50
- Shrimp Lo Mein – $10.50
- House Special Lo Mein – $10.95
- Vegetable Fried Rice – $8.25
- Chicken Fried Rice – $9.25
- Shrimp Fried Rice – $10.25
- House Special Fried Rice – $10.75
Notice that the “House Special” versions include a mix of meats, usually pork, chicken, and shrimp. They are the best choice if you want variety without ordering two separate dishes.
Dietary Modifications And Upcharges
Here is where the bill can creep up silently. Most China City locations will accommodate dietary restrictions, but they charge for it. Gluten free soy sauce is a common request, and it usually costs an extra $1.00 to $1.50 per dish. Brown rice instead of white rice is typically a $2.00 upcharge, which feels steep but is standard.
If you ask for extra vegetables in a meat dish, do not expect a free upgrade. The kitchen will add broccoli or peppers but will also add $2.00 to $3.00 to the total. If you ask for “light oil” or “no MSG,” there is usually no charge, but the dish may come out less flavorful.
Another hidden cost is the “extra sauce” request. A small container of duck sauce or plum sauce is free, but if you ask for extra peanut sauce or garlic sauce, they will charge you $0.75 to $1.25 per container. Always ask for the free sauces first.
How To Order To Minimize Cost
If you want the lowest possible total, follow this simple strategy. It works for pickup and delivery, but you must call the restaurant directly rather than using a third party app.
- Call the store and ask if they are running any current specials. Many locations have an unadvertised 10 percent discount for cash pickup.
- Order one chef’s special and one pint of steamed rice instead of two separate entrees. The chef’s special is usually enough protein for two meals.
- Skip the appetizers entirely. The soup that comes with the combo meal is enough to start.
- Ask for white rice instead of fried rice if you are watching your budget. There is no upcharge for white rice, but fried rice often adds $1.50.
- Check if the lunch menu is still available. Some stores run lunch until 4:00 PM on weekends.
This approach usually cuts your total by 20 to 25 percent compared to ordering a bunch of a la carte items. The trade off is less variety, but the portion sizes are large enough that you will not feel short changed.
Comparing China City To Other Takeout Spots
When you stack China City against other local Chinese takeout joints, the prices are generally mid range. They are not the cheapest greasy spoon in town, but they are also not the upscale fusion place that charges eighteen dollars for a tiny plate of noodles. You are paying for consistent quality and larger portion sizes.
One thing that stands out is the protein to rice ratio. Many competitors load up the rice and skimp on the meat. China City tends to be more balanced, which justifies the extra dollar or two per plate. If you have tried three other places in your neighborhood and been disappointed by skimpy chicken, this is likely a better bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the China City menu with prices the same for delivery?
No. Delivery through apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats will show prices that are 15 to 30 percent higher than the in store menu. The restaurant does this to offset the commission fees. If you call the store directly and ask for delivery, they may have a lower price but will charge a flat delivery fee of $2.00 to $4.00 depending on distance.
Why do some China City locations have different prices?
Franchise owners set their own prices based on local rent, labor costs, and competition. A location in a high rent urban area will charge two to three dollars more per dish than a suburban strip mall location. The menu items are the same, but the numbers on the right side differ.
Can I get a copy of the China City menu with prices online?
Yes, but be careful. Many third party menu websites scrape old data and show outdated prices. The most reliable source is the restaurant’s own website or a photo of the physical menu. If you call the store, they will often read the current prices to you over the phone.
Are there any secret menu items at China City?
Not officially, but many locations will make off menu combinations if you ask. For example, you can request “Kung Pao Shrimp with extra peanuts” or “Beef Lo Mein with extra sauce” without a problem. The kitchen is used to custom requests. Just expect a small upcharge for extra protein.
What is the cheapest way to feed a family of four at China City?
Order two combination plates and one large order of vegetable fried rice. This gives you four to six servings of food for roughly twenty five dollars. Add a quart of hot and sour soup for four dollars if you want a starter. That is the most cost effective strategy on the entire menu.
Before you finalize your order, double check the total on the receipt. Some locations automatically add a 5 percent “takeout packaging fee” that is not listed on the menu board. It is legal in most states, but it catches people off guard. If you see it and you do not want to pay it, ask them to remove it. Most cashiers will do so without a fuss if you are polite.
The bottom line is that China City offers solid value if you stick to the lunch specials and chef’s specials. The a la carte appetizers and soda drinks are where you lose money. Bring cash, call ahead, and do not be afraid to ask for the lunch price even if it is slightly after 3:00 PM. The worst they can say is no, and the best case scenario is you save three or four dollars on your meal.
Now that you know the pricing structure, you can walk in with confidence. You will not be the person staring at the menu board for ten minutes while the line builds up behind you. You already know what you want, what it costs, and how to get the best deal. That is the smart way to order Chinese takeout.
One last note on tipping: if you are picking up takeout, a 10 percent tip is appreciated but not required. If you are getting delivery, tip the driver 15 to 20 percent based on the distance. The drivers often pay for their own gas, so they rely on those tips to make a living wage. Be generous if the service was good.
Enjoy your meal. The portions are big, the prices are fair, and the food is consistently hot and fresh. That is a rare combination in the world of takeout, so take advantage of it while the location near you is still operating.