Authentic Szechuan flavors rarely travel far from their source, yet Taku Chinese Restaurant has been serving them up in this neighborhood for decades, and the menu prices reflect a commitment to tradition. If you have been searching for the Taku Chinese Restaurant Menu with Prices before your visit, you have landed in the right spot. We have broken down the full dining experience so you know exactly what to expect when you walk through the door.
This guide covers everything from lunch specials to family-style dinners. You will also find out which dishes are worth the extra cost and which ones offer the best value. No more guessing games when the server comes to take your order. You will be ready to point at the page and say “that one, please” with total confidence.
Why Taku Chinese Restaurant Stands Out
Taku is not a chain. It is a family-owned operation that has stayed in the same location since the early 1990s. The kitchen staff has barely changed over the years, which means the recipes have stayed consistent. That consistency is rare in the restaurant world.
The dining room is simple. Red lanterns hang from the ceiling, and the tables are covered with white paper over red tablecloths. The vibe is casual and loud, especially on Friday nights. You come here for the food, not the fancy decor.
Most customers order takeout, but dining in gives you access to the full menu. Some off-menu items exist, but you have to ask for them. The staff is friendly and will usually tell you what the chef recommends for the day.
Taku Chinese Restaurant Menu With Prices
Below is the current breakdown of the menu. Please note that prices can shift slightly based on market costs for ingredients. The management updates the printed menus every few months, so check the board at the counter for the latest daily specials.
Appetizers And Starters
You cannot go wrong with the classics here. The portions are generous, and the sauces are made in-house.
- Spring Rolls (2 pieces) – $3.50
- Vegetable Dumplings (6 pieces) – $6.95
- Pork Dumplings (6 pieces) – $7.25
- Shrimp Toast (4 pieces) – $5.95
- BBQ Pork Slices – $8.50
- Hot and Sour Soup (small) – $3.25 / (large) – $5.95
- Wonton Soup (small) – $3.50 / (large) – $6.25
- Egg Drop Soup (small) – $2.95 / (large) – $5.50
The pork dumplings are the fan favorite. They arrive steaming hot with a vinegar-ginger dipping sauce. Order two plates if you are sharing with a group of four or more.
Soup And Noodle Bowls
Noodle dishes at Taku are hand-pulled in the back kitchen. You can watch the chef stretch the dough through the service window if you sit near the counter.
- Beef Noodle Soup – $11.95
- Chicken Noodle Soup – $10.50
- House Special Lo Mein – $10.95
- Vegetable Lo Mein – $9.25
- Singapore Rice Noodles – $11.25
- Dan Dan Noodles – $10.75
The Dan Dan Noodles are a Szechuan classic. They come with a spicy sesame sauce, ground pork, and scallions. Ask for it mild if you are sensitive to heat, because the standard version has a real kick.
Chef’s Specialties
This section of the menu is where Taku really shines. These dishes are not on the standard American-Chinese takeout list. They represent the regional cooking of the Szechuan province.
- Mapo Tofu – $12.50
- Kung Pao Chicken – $13.95
- Twice Cooked Pork – $14.25
- Fish Filet in Chili Oil – $16.95
- Dry Fried Green Beans – $10.95
- Tea Smoked Duck (Half) – $18.50
- Chongqing Spicy Chicken – $15.75
- Boiled Beef in Hot Sauce – $16.25
The Fish Filet in Chili Oil is a showstopper. The fish is silky and the oil is fragrant with dried chilies and Szechuan peppercorns. It arrives bubbling in a clay pot. Be careful, it stays hot for a long time.
Chicken And Duck Dishes
If you prefer something familiar, the poultry section covers all the standards. The chicken is always fresh, never frozen.
- General Tso’s Chicken – $13.50
- Orange Chicken – $13.50
- Lemon Chicken – $13.25
- Moo Goo Gai Pan – $12.95
- Sweet and Sour Chicken – $12.95
- Kung Pao Chicken – $13.95
- Curry Chicken – $13.25
The General Tso’s is crispy and not too sweet. Some places drown it in syrup, but here the sauce clings to the chicken without making it soggy. The broccoli on the side is actually cooked, not raw.
Beef And Pork Dishes
Meat lovers have plenty of options. The beef is sliced thin and cooked quickly over high heat to keep it tender.
- Mongolian Beef – $14.95
- Beef with Broccoli – $13.95
- Pepper Steak – $14.50
- Szechuan Beef – $14.75
- Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce – $13.25
- Sweet and Sour Pork – $13.25
- BBQ Pork with Rice – $11.95
The Szechuan Beef is loaded with dried chilies and peanuts. It has a numbing spice that builds as you eat. Pair it with a cold beer to balance the heat.
Seafood Selections
Seafood prices are a bit higher, but the portions are still generous. The shrimp are large and cleaned properly.
- Shrimp with Lobster Sauce – $15.95
- Kung Pao Shrimp – $15.95
- Shrimp with Garlic Sauce – $15.50
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp – $16.95
- Scallops with Vegetables – $18.95
- Fish Filet with Black Bean Sauce – $16.50
The Salt and Pepper Shrimp are fried whole, shell and all. You eat them like popcorn shrimp. They are dusted with a spicy salt blend and fried jalapenos. Very addictive.
Vegetarian And Tofu Options
Vegetarians are not an afterthought here. The vegetable dishes are cooked in a wok that is reserved for non-meat orders, so there is no cross-contamination with meat juices.
- Vegetable Delight – $10.25
- Mapo Tofu (Vegetarian) – $11.50
- Eggplant with Garlic Sauce – $11.95
- Sauteed Snow Peas – $10.95
- Buddha’s Delight – $11.25
- Home Style Tofu – $11.75
The Eggplant with Garlic Sauce is a must-order. The eggplant is soft and absorbs the sauce perfectly. It is slightly sweet and slightly spicy. Even meat-eaters will enjoy this one.
Fried Rice And Chow Mein
These are the sides that round out your meal. The fried rice is wok-fried with day-old rice, which gives it the right texture.
- Vegetable Fried Rice – $8.95
- Chicken Fried Rice – $9.95
- Pork Fried Rice – $9.95
- Beef Fried Rice – $10.95
- Shrimp Fried Rice – $10.95
- House Special Fried Rice – $11.50
- Vegetable Chow Mein – $8.95
- Chicken Chow Mein – $9.95
- House Special Chow Mein – $11.50
The House Special Fried Rice comes with chicken, pork, shrimp, and egg. It is a full meal on its own. You could easily split it between two people if you also order an appetizer.
Lunch Specials
Lunch is the best time to visit if you are on a budget. The specials run from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Each lunch special comes with an egg roll, fried rice, and a choice of soup (wonton, egg drop, or hot and sour).
- Kung Pao Chicken Lunch – $8.95
- General Tso’s Chicken Lunch – $8.95
- Beef with Broccoli Lunch – $9.25
- Mongolian Beef Lunch – $9.50
- Shrimp with Garlic Sauce Lunch – $9.95
- Vegetable Delight Lunch – $7.95
- Sweet and Sour Pork Lunch – $8.50
The lunch portions are slightly smaller than the dinner portions, but they are still filling. The egg roll is crispy and filled with cabbage and a small piece of pork. The fried rice is plain, but you can upgrade to vegetable fried rice for an extra dollar.
Family Dinners
For groups of three or more, the family dinners are the best value on the menu. They include an appetizer platter, two main courses, and a large container of fried rice. You pick the mains from a list of about fifteen options.
- Family Dinner for 3 – $42.95
- Family Dinner for 4 – $54.95
- Family Dinner for 5 – $66.95
- Family Dinner for 6 – $78.95
Each additional person adds about twelve dollars to the total. The appetizer platter includes spring rolls, BBQ pork, and fried wontons. It is plenty of food, and most groups end up taking leftovers home.
Desserts And Drinks
The dessert menu is short. Do not expect anything fancy.
- Fortune Cookies (5 pieces) – $1.50
- Fried Ice Cream – $4.50
- Almond Cookie – $1.25
- Lychee Fruit Cup – $3.95
For drinks, you have the standard sodas, iced tea, and hot tea. They also serve a few Asian beers like Tsingtao and Sapporo. The hot tea is free with your meal and is refilled constantly.
Tips For Ordering
Here are a few practical tips to get the most out of your visit to Taku.
- Go during lunch hours for the best prices. The dinner menu is about thirty percent more expensive.
- Ask for the “Szechuan menu” if you want the real deal. There is a separate menu with more authentic dishes that is not always handed out to new customers.
- Specify your spice level when ordering. Level 1 is mild, Level 3 is medium, and Level 5 is very hot. Do not order Level 5 unless you know what you are getting into.
- Bring cash if you can. The restaurant offers a small discount (about five percent) for cash payments.
- Call ahead for takeout on weekends. The wait can be up to forty-five minutes on Friday and Saturday nights.
What The Prices Really Mean
Compared to other Chinese restaurants in the area, Taku sits right in the middle. You are not paying premium prices, but you are also not getting the cheapest greasy spoon experience. The extra dollar or two compared to a fast-food joint is worth it for the quality of the ingredients.
The portion sizes are large. Most main dishes can feed two people if you also order rice. A party of two can easily share one appetizer, one main dish, and one order of fried rice for under twenty-five dollars total.
The restaurant also does not charge extra for sharing plates. Some places add a “split plate” fee of two or three dollars. Taku does not do that, which is a nice touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Taku Chinese Restaurant have a separate vegetarian menu?
They do not have a separate printed menu, but the regular menu has a dedicated vegetarian section. You can also ask the server to make any vegetable dish without oyster sauce if you are strict about it.
Are there gluten-free options available?
Yes, but you have to ask. The kitchen can substitute soy sauce with tamari on request. Avoid the fried items and the dishes that use hoisin sauce, as those contain wheat.
What is the spice level of the Chongqing Spicy Chicken?
It is quite hot. The dish is loaded with dried chilies and Szechuan peppercorns. If you are not used to spicy food, order it at Level 2 or ask for the sauce on the side.
Does Taku offer delivery?
Yes, they deliver within a three-mile radius. The delivery fee is two dollars, and the minimum order is fifteen dollars. They do not use third-party apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats, so you have to call the restaurant directly.
Is there parking available?
There is a small parking lot behind the building. It fills up fast during dinner rush. Street parking is also available on the side streets, but pay attention to the signs because some spots are residential permit only.
Final Thoughts On The Menu
The Taku Chinese Restaurant Menu with Prices is straightforward once you know how to navigate it. Stick to the lunch specials if you want a bargain. Go for the chef’s specialties if you want an authentic Szechuan experience. And do not skip the dumplings.
This restaurant has survived for decades because it serves honest food at fair prices. The dining room may not be fancy, but the flavors speak for themselves. Next time you are in the neighborhood and hungry for Chinese food, you know exactly what to order and what it will cost.
One last note, the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Do not show up on a Tuesday or you will be staring at a locked door. Plan your visit accordingly and enjoy your meal.