Panda Express
4400 N. Lamar, 458-1077
Mon-Sat, 11am-9pm; Sun, 12-8pm
From its first location in Southern California in 1983, Panda Express has grown to 250 locations nationwide. The food isn’t exactly inspired, but if you’re in a hurry, dishes like beef with broccoli and orange flavored chicken are an economical and relatively healthy alternative to fast food. Entrees with fried rice or chow mein start at $4.09.
Taiwan Chinese Restaurant & Bar
420 William Cannon, 445-0677
Daily, 11:30am-10pm
In addition to all the obvious Chinese dishes (they’re all here), Taiwan serves uncommon house specialties like Lobster in Chili Sauce and Frog Legs With Hot Pepper Sauce. Hot and Sour Fish Soup is another one of Taiwan’s interesting permutations. Lunch specials in the $5 range include such favorites as pepper steak and curry chicken. There is also a full bar on the premises.
Snow Pea
3706 Jefferson Sq., 454-3228
Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun, 5-10pm
Snow Pea’s proximity to Seton Medical Center ensures a bustling lunch business. Lunch specials in the $5 to $6 range include an entrée, soup, egg roll, and rice. Jalapeño chicken and beef with hot garlic sauce are two good starting points. Snow Pea also has several vegetarian options such as Szechuan tofu and the ubiquitous Buddha’s delight. The pricier dinner menu includes a few Korean items such as bulgogi and kim chi.
Peony Asian Cuisine
5308 Balcones, 459-3341
Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10:30pm; Sun, 11am-9:30pm
This isn’t your everyday Chinese restaurant. Sure, Peony can serve up “All Time Favorites” like General Tso’s chicken and mu shu pork, but they also have tantalizing specialties like Filipino Pancit Bihon chicken noodles and Persian rack of lamb. You can find cheaper lunch specials, but paying a little extra for superlative dishes like Tofu in Hot Clay Pot, spicy crispy beef, basil shrimp, and baked salmon is not a bad deal at all.
Sun Hing
2801 Guadalupe, 478-6504
Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10:30pm
Sun Hing attracts plenty of UT students with lunch specials in the coveted $5 range. Chef’s specialties include chicken with lemongrass, orange-flavored beef, and Mixed Meat With Bean Curd in Hot Pot. Sun Hing also serves Vietnamese noodle soup and a variety of bún (vermicelli) dishes with charcoal-broiled pork, fried tofu, and other toppings.
Jade Chinese Restaurant
3704 N. I-35, 459-6001
Tue-Fri, 11am-2pm and 5-9:30pm; Sat-Mon, 5-10pm
All of the usual Chinese restaurant fare and then some. Let’s start with bargain lunch specials ranging in the $4 to $6 range. Mongolian beef, garlic chicken, and orange shrimp are just a few of the hearty offerings. You can also choose from a full menu of sushi. At dinner, Jade’s War Bars feature a variety of meats and vegetables served sizzling at your table. Not bad if you’re trying to impress a date.
Lim Ting Chinese
3900 S. Congress, 442-6330
Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-10pm
This South Austin institution has been around for quite a while. Yellowing autographs on the wall include Leonard Nimoy and former governor/dormitory namesake Beauford H. Jester. Foodwise, Lim Ting runs a decent $5.50 weekday lunch buffet, especially if you like lots of meat. Even the fried rice is packed with meaty goodness. Vegetarians would be better off ordering Szechuan bean curd or Buddha’s delight off the menu.
China on the Avenue
908 Congress, 474-0137
Mon-Thu, 11am-2:30pm, 5-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm
Catering to both the economy-minded lunch crowd and the upscale downtown dinner crowd, China on the Avenue serves everything from pepper steak and kung pao chicken to Duck with Ginger Root and Spicy Szechwan Fish. And then there’s the China Bird’s Nest, which features shrimp, chicken, and vegetables served in a bird’s nest woven from shredded potato. Prices range from $5.50 to $10.50, and free delivery is available in the downtown area.
This article appears in August 10 • 2001.