Chen's Inn Deep in the Heart of Texas

-Name: Chen's China Inn
-Location: 302 S Timberland Dr. Lufkin, TX 75901-4066
-Cuisine: Americanized Chinese food, Mandarin cuisine
-Capacity: 120
-Offers: Dine In, Take Out, Drive Thru , VIP Room
-Signature Dish: General Tso's Chicken, Spring Roll, Jalapeno Chicken, Orange Beef, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Wonderful Shrimp
-Year of establishment: 1976
-Phone: (936) 632-1635
-Website: www.chenslufkin.com
-Owner: Ken Lin

Chen's Inn is doing a booming business despite the gloomy economy.  Deep in the heart of Texas in a town called Lufkin, customers are elbowing one another to get into this dine-in, take-out, drive-through and buffet bar joint. The prices are really reasonable, so just about anyone who wants to chow down on some home-styled Chinese American and Mandarin would have to be crazy not to take advantage of the indecently low prices.

The Faves That Everyone Rants About

What is it you want? Orange Beef or Queen Cheese Wonton? How about the enticing sounding Wonderful Shrimp? Lo Mein or Egg Foo Young? Each one comes in any assortment granted. Choose it with shrimp, pork, vegetable, chicken or mixed. Kids' meals? They've got them American styled chicken nuggets with French Fries! Yes, at a Chinese restaurant. Yet what Chen's is really known for are General Tso's Chicken, Spring Rolls and Jalapeno Chicken (nod nod wink wink to those spice loving Texans).  Chicken & Shrimp with Cashew Nuts, General Tso’s Shrimp, Yu-Shiang Chicken Slices, and Sweet & Sour Chicken are hot items as well.

The Queen Cheese (it almost sounds like a great play on words written by a pseudo comic with a taste for language) is popular for its unusual fillings and fresh flavor. The Orange Beef is prepared with, well, you guessed it: orange peel and fruit bits plus lemon juice. Chicken & Shrimp with Cashew Nut, General Tso's Chicken, General Tso’s Shrimp, Yu-Shiang Chicken Slices, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and many more are part of a long list of public favorites.  General Tso's Chicken uses authentic Mandarin sauce which gives it an edge over the competition.

A saying amongst the locals goes something like this, “if you crave good beef then go to Chen's China Inn.” What they didn't say was “and forget the BBQ” but maybe that's what they meant? Because what Texan doesn't make a barbeque on a regular basis? And what Texan doesn't demand a Chen's Spring Roll when they're in Lufkin? Everyone wants a spring roll here which is why between 700 – 800 of the little devils are sold each day at Chen's.

It is no exaggeration that every dish at Chen’s China Inn is well cooked and well received by the public. All of the foods are appealing. Everything is fresh. The chefs are renowned for their ten plus years cooking experience and outstanding culinary artistry.

At Chen's the food can be prepared in any number of ways – stir fried, steamed, grilled what have you. Since the concern for customer's health is right up there with “great taste”, Chen's makes food the way it's supposed to be; less salt and oil without any MSG. Mixed or steamed vegetables with white meat chicken or Pete's Special are winners with the mindful crowd concerned about their health.

Moving away from super health and onto the dessert, Chen's offers every diner a special free yummy, ice cream with each meal. This is a smart marketing tactic and doesn't cost that much.
It helps to spread word-of-mouth in a most positive light. With that type of personal publicity, Mr. Lin is almost assured a consistent place in the sun.

Drive-through Chinese

ARN has seen hundreds if not thousands of restaurateurs over the years. It is one rare exception to learn about a Chinese restaurant that is a drive-through. YES, you heard it here. Chen's Inn offers a drive-through service just like in McDonald's. So if you and the family want a bucket of Chow Mein, some Orange Beef and a steaming bowl of wonton soup, call in the order over the loudspeaker and drive away with it. Chopsticks, duck sauce, fortune cookie and all.

Get Inside for a Family Like Atmosphere

If you're not in the mood for take-out then step inside the 4800 square foot emporium and find a seat amongst the wooden tables decorated with white linen under glass. The 120 seater is mainly red, a surefire color set against yellow wallpaper. There are two areas to dine in. Just like Chinese menus found across the land, there is an A area and a B area. In area A one finds classical Chinese paintings adorning the walls. In area B, traditional Chinese arts such as embroideries, Chinese knots and big painted porcelain vases are highlighted. Each has a certificate of authenticity that are spotlighted.

Mr. Lin, Chen's Inn's owner is proud of his collection as well as the accolades Chen's Inn has been awarded over time. The “Best of Lufkin” award presented by The Lufkin Daily News has been Mr. Lin's for six consecutive years, as well as the publicity for “Best of East Texas” by the local TV station, KTRE, channel 9.

The main dining area is decorated with alley lamps that shed an off-white glow down what appears to be a street. One highlight of the room is the large crystal pendant lamp hung in the center of the ceiling in the buffet bar room. The lamp shines prisms of light onto the bar and all the food choices as well as the large fish tanks adjacent to the buffet bar.

Community Service

Mr. Lin is grateful to his customer's loyal support of his restaurant and staff over thirty years. Many of the local residents' parents supported Chen's when they had children. Now those children support Chen's by bringing another generation into the fold. One way that Mr. Lin repays the community is through donations to the free lunch program at the high school. They give gifts to regular customers on their birthdays. They also do special promotions on holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Future Leanings

Mr. Lin looks healthily to his future with plans of expanding his business. He'd like to open a second and third Chen's China Inn. Meanwhile he knows what it takes to make his dreams reality. His formula can be summed up with a motto: “Patience about what you are craving, positive about whatever you encounter and hard working in the job.”

When he came to America in 1994 his story, like thousands before him was typically hard. With a language barrier, cultural and customs obstacles to overcome and lowly positions as busboy, Mr. Lin rose slowly to meet his fate. In 2002 he took over Chen's China Inn as manager, having learned the hard and long way what was needed in the business.

Since many of the customer's were long term and had to be won over by Mr. Lin he did everything in his repertoire of experience to create a warm family type feeling inside the restaurant. That family feeling extends to the staff as well. These are some of the key ingredients that separate one bowl of noodles from another.

Tourists come from other states upon recommendations from hoteliers. Mr. Lin is honored and will continue to work prosperously for his customers at Chen's one and hopefully two and three.