Chef Lee’s Mandarin House II

Mongolian beef is so tasty and the shrimp fried rice is delish. When SooChow closed we had to find a new place and this is it. Yummy food.

This place in my opinion has been a hit or miss type of restaurant through out the years. The last time I came to this restaurant (April 2016 in a Sunday afternoon after church) I had orange chicken, Beef chow mein and Spring beans with chicken dishes, all in which where prepared and made very delicious. I will have to come back some more to convince myself if this place is a go getter or is it a fluke. Maybe it was just the time and day. If they can stay consistent I will change this rating to 5 stars.

This place is delicious. The Green Onion Beef lunch plate is fantastic and the lunch portion sizes will last you a few meals. The service is quick and the people are kind. I’ve lived in Salinas for almost 2 years and this place is definitely my «Go-​To» when I get hungry. I highly recommend this restaurant.

First let me start by making a comment I’ve been reading a few of the reviews that other people have posted some people are of the opinion that you should expect lesser service for lesser quality food meaning that if you want good service you should frequent a restaurant that has expensive food in order to be served politely and with respect this is the most ridiculous and absurd comment I’ve ever read. It obvious that some of these individuals have no concept of what good or excellent customer service is or should be. That being said whenever you open the doors of your establishment hand someone a menu and have them sit at a table or bar that client or customer should expect the best service possible. it doesn’t matter if you’re frequenting a small mom and pop or family run restaurant or a big big conglomerate like Denny’s or Buffalo Wild Wings or the black bear. I base my reviews on service, cleanliness, food quality and atmosphere. I would like to think that i am providing a accurate unbiased review. No this isn’t Bön Appétit but if you read my reviews you should expect a honest review as I take pride and integrity to heart, something that I am afraid is missing in today’s world. Now = CHEF LEE’S ROCKS. Ok, its Chinese fast food but when you make the choice you know what you are walking into. service is good, food is hot and plenty of, they accommodate. Its all good. Santa Out…

My husband and I decided to try this restaurant tonight and we were pleasantly surprised by the interior and the food. I had the mushroom bean curd and my husband had the hot and sour soup. He said the soup was delicious and plentiful (the small is actually meant for 3 people to share but he ate ½ of it as his meal) and the small portion of rice and my meal was more than enough for myself with half of both to take home and tasted great.
The only drawback was the speed of the service. For a Monday night they seemed to have enough staff, just not enough hussle. It took quite a while for my fod to come out, and part of that time I attribute to the server assuming we were going to share the soup as an appetizer, which was no big deal, but it still seemed to take longer than it should have. So if you’re in a rush, best to call ahead and get the food to go, but for a date night, this would be a nice place to spend some time together.

I came here when I had a cold. The won ton soup they served pre-​meal was the best I’ve ever had. Really, really good and full of nice fat juicy won tons. My Mongolian beef, while a large serving and good quality beef, was not sauced well IMO — too much soy and salty, very strong taste. The restaurant itself is nice inside, and the service was fine. I will come back in the future to order a different dish to see if they just over-​flavor for my tastes — or just to have a bigger bowl of da bomb won ton soup!

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!!! When I first came to Salinas over 18 years ago, I never thought I would find a good Chinese restaurant. I tried many different Chinese food places, some which are now closed. Finally after living here for over a year my family came to visit and we went to chef lees. We ate an abundance of different dishes and I finally tried sizzling rice soup! Let me say, nothing, nowhere compares! Now fast forward 18 years later, we have iPhones, Unilocal and Chef Lees still and going strong!
Today has been a long day of mandatory education, and I’m craving a big bowl of soup, sizzling rice soup that is. I hoped in my car and made the trek clear across town to my favorite Chinese place! It’s located in a major shopping center with target on one side and a super Walmart on the other. Let’s not forget all the awesome stores in-​between (my favorite nail salon spot) to meet your shopping needs.
There is plenty of parking, and this place stays pretty busy (that’s a great sign). The ambiance is what we have all come to expect from our Americanized Chinese establishments — fish tank, budda belly guy, etched glass, classic red mahogany seating, glass table tops and hot tea to go with it. There are booths or table seating, with a huge dining room perfect for super big gatherings or parties.
I am always greeted with a smile and happy to see you again comments. I am a regular, but I notice they treat everybody warmly.
What I ordered was the usual– sizzling rice soup, and the chicken sizzling plater… Epic I tell you!
Apparently there is a theme here, I like sizzling things! The soup is very flavorful, full of water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, chicken, shrimp, and peas. The rice is added in at table side and gives off a spattering hiss that entices your taste buds. A small bowl is a meal for one, or a small bowl for two. The medium can feed 3 large or 4 small people. The large feeds our family of 5 at least two servings each. Today like everyday it was delicious and I want to know the recipe! Seriously I’d pay good money for that soups secrets!
The sizzling chicken platter followed next, giving off a steaming facial of food coma deliciousness! How can you go wrong. YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY! It’s my husbands favorite and he tries to eat it all, every time we order it. Alas it was all for me this time, and had to be boxed with 90 percent leftover for Chinese snack time later. I indulged too much in the soup… Bad ME! However the sizzling platter is done table side as well, with all onlookers wishing that they had this, ordered this, or asked what is this.?! Needless to say I felt their jealousy! It comes with a super hot cast iron platter with yellow airy noodles. The topping is then poured on and consists of delicious veggies such as broccoli, carrot, celery, mushroom, with chicken in a delicious brown gravy that screams at you to eat it! Diner Beware, it’s friggin HOT! Like burn your skin off your lips and mouth hot. Gotta wait and watch the bubbling action going on with all those jealous onlookers. Yes that’s mine, all mine my precious… all kidding aside if you come here please try the soup and the sizzling platter (you can chose different protein other than chicken). You won’t be disappointed!

Solely based on the food. Ordered Mongolian beef and Sweet n Sour Chicken. My best friend summed it up as McDonalds version of Chinese food. Beautiful presentation. but out of a box taste. Really wanted to like this place.

It’s a slop house. Mass produced food with just enough flavor to keep people coming back. The breaded shrimp was just a ton of bread, the beef and broccoli wasn’t bad, the rice soup needed salt. Prices are very affordable and portions are just fine too. Our server was friendly and attentive.

This is one my best places the food is really good everytime me and my friends go out we always come here such an chill place

We ordered shrimp chop suey and orange chicken. the shrimp chop suey tasted burnt and the orange chicken tasted like chicken dipped in soy sauce… not so great. Probably won’t be coming here again just because we didn’t enjoy our food.

A decent place for a double date or dinner with the fam. Had Mongolian beef and mandarin shrimp and was immediately hooked. The waitress didn’t crack a smile but once I tasted the food, her vibey essence melted away from my surroundings. Thank you delicious food making chef!

I moved from Salinas eight years ago, and I still think of Chef Lee’s MHII. I miss it so much. My favorite was the beef and tomato chow mein. They say you don’t know what you have till it’s gone, but I knew Chef Lee’s was special. Enjoy what you’ve got, Salinas.

A decent place for good Chinese food. The service is usually good. The restaurant can get noisy but it’s family friendly (bring the kids). The food is served promptly, warm and well-​seasoned. The servers are friendly and welcoming.
Decent parking and large, spacious waiting area/​lobby. Usually can get seated right away though.

I was invited for lunch at Chef Lee. Since I my group were Non Asians, they asked that I order something simple we would all be accustomed to.
Hot & Sour Soup, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Asparagus Beef and Steamed Rice. This is simple enough.
Simple as it sounds, our orders did not impress me.
The Hot & Sour Soup wasn’t hot or sour. The Asparagus Beef was tasty, but the Aspargus was not fully cooked. Honey Walnut Shrimp was fine. However, the batter was too thick.

We get take-​out here all the time. The food is decent though the prices are a little spendy. The reason for the single star is that I just took a bite of my orange beef and found myself chewing shards of glass… glass!!! I don’t know what happened that glass ended up in my food, maybe a kitchen mishap that wasn’t properly taken care of??? Whatever the reason, it is horrible! I still have a piece lodged in a crown that I can’t seem to get rid of. Worst experience with food in my life, including the time I ate bad tuna from a gas station. Ugh! Aahh!Gross!

It used to be my favorite place. Lunch specials are good.
I ordered a family dinner once (for two people) and made a couple of changes, when I arrived then charged me over $ 40! Seriously? For a meal of two?! Granted the portions are decent but $ 40 for two people is a lot. Maybe if the items on the «family» menu were items people actually wanted, we wouldn’t have to make some many changes. Just saying. Will start driving across town to China Star from now on. They just lost my business.

The best in town a must for any group the sizzling rice is awesome the atmosphere is the best soft music nice people harleybayo

Chef Lee’s II is one of the best Chinese food places in Salinas. This place is number one when it comes to a full family dinner for my family and I. Sure there are other Chinese restaurants that I eat at if I want something in particular, but as far as a full family meal, this is the spot.
I usually get the same few items, however, I have had experience with many items.
Chef lee’s Mandarin chicken is hands down my favorite item on the menu. You can choose between boneless and bone in I usually get boneless. The chicken is always Fried very well with a nice crispiness to it and a brown glaze sauce with a plenty of chili peppers and scallions mixed in as a nice garnish.
UPDATE– they no long serve salt and pepper shrimp. This is a huge disservice to the costumers
Next in my typical order, is the salt-​and-​pepper shrimp. While this is a great menu item, I recommend that you only get it if you are eating in house. Usually when I get it as take out, by the time he gets home the steam has eroded the tempura crispiness. For me that’s a very important factor. That being said, there is the right amount of salt and pepper and a slight bit of MSG a powder sprinkled on top to give it an excellent flavor. It is garnished off with plenty of scallions as well and shredded carrot and a few chili peppers. I think we’re starting to see a pattern here with my order and chili peppers!
Next my typical order is chef lee’s house fried rice. This is a typical fried rice that includes pork shrimp beef and chicken all inside a standard fried rice. For me what makes an excellent is the large amount of egg mixed in as well the option to put Sambal on the rice. What can I say about it it’s usually nice and warm with plenty of flavor.
Lastly, I will talk about the soup. It’s kind of funny that I have put this last because it’s usually the first item that I eat as an appetizer. The three soups I typically order are wor wonton soup, sizzling rice soup, or the hot and spicy soup. The wor Wonton has fallen off a bit but the sizzling r rice soup is excellent and can’t miss. This is typically my first choice. However, if I’m feeling under the weather, I tend to go with hot and spicy soup.
There are many other tasty items such as the Mushu pork, the double panfried Hong Kong style chow mein, etc.
Every time I leave here, I leave satisfied you really can’t go wrong for a family-​style dinner at chef lee’s II.

I love this place, honestly it’s the best in this town! I come here for lunch and dinner and there portions are huge! They definitely don’t disappoint.
Everything is fresh and made to order!
I’ve had the chicken chow mein, pork fried rice, beef and broccoli, Mongolian beef, sweet and sour chicken, Kung pao chicken, hot and sour soup, sizzling rice soup, and wonton soup!
Never once have I been disappointed with the service or the food. I always ask for Xiao (pronounced chow) she’s always happy and courteous. All the waitress are friendly and helpful!