Hong Kong Restaurant, a cozy family-style eatery, has been making residents feel at home since its opening in 1991. With its Chinese cuisine and traditional family-setting décor and ambiance, the restaurant has won over many regular customers. The lights are kept bright and they accent the hanging red lanterns, elegant vases, and ornate artwork on the walls. While conversing, customers can enjoy soothing music that is played softly in the background. The dining room is filled with round marble design tables and wooden chairs. Each of the tables is topped with a single flower as a symbol of respect to the customers.

Over the last two decades, Hong Kong Restaurant has become a beloved restaurant in the area and has been written about in the Manteca Bulletin. The restaurant is located on a busy thoroughfare and is very easy to spot. But that is not the only reason why the parking lot is always full; it has built quite a loyal and appreciative customer base full of people of all ages. The local firemen and policemen even joke that the restaurant is their second canteen. “This place has to be the best Chinese restaurant in town. The food is always so tasty and the prices can’t be beat.” commented one happy reviewer on Yahoo Travel’s website.

Hong Kong Restaurant

·         Location: 430 N. Main Street, Manteca, CA 95336

·         Cuisine:  Americanized Chinese cuisine

·         Capacity: 80

·         Offers: Dine-in & Take-out

·         Signature Dish:  Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken, Ginger Chicken (Sichuan Chicken)

·         Year of establishment: 1991

·         Phone: (209) 823-6080

Delectable Dishes

While there is no doubt that Hong Kong Restaurant is decorated impressively, the ambiance is not the owner’s primary focus. The focus is on the food. The lengthy menu is devoted to a variety of nostalgia inspiring Chinese classics as well as American style Chinese dishes, such as General Tso’s Chicken, Chow Fun, Chow Mein, and Foo Young. Even the more common dishes, such as crispy egg rolls and wonton soup, are exceptional. Hong Kong restaurant is definitely winning the hearts of the people from Manteca, California, as they never leave disappointed.

Among the many entrées featuring chicken, seafood, beef, and pork, the most popular dishes are the Kung Pao Chicken and the Orange Chicken. The Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy dish that mixes tender chicken morels with crunchy vegetables, such as celery, carrots, broccoli, onion and zucchini slices. An eye catching bed of reds, greens and whites perfectly garnish the dish creating ocular candy.  The orange chicken consists of lightly battered chicken pieces in a sweet orange sauce that is thickened into a glaze and garnished with orange slices. And while there is no specific vegetarian menu, the kitchen is always glad to make vegetarian meals upon request. Dishes will also be made light-flavored, steamed, poached, or without oil, salt, or other condiments per customer requests.

Hong Kong Restaurant also offers a take-out service. Owner, Mr. Chen, highly recommends the special combination platters for take-out orders. First, there is the Family Dinner Combination for per person at $6.75; Second is the Hong Kong Combination for per person at $8.75; and finally, the Gourmet Dinner Combination is served for per person at $9.25. The combination platters are a great deal for a well-balanced and generously portioned meal.

“I wasn't a huge fan of Chinese food until I went to Hong Kong Restaurant. Their food is extremely tasty, and the prices can't be beat! We love their Chow Mein, Garlic Chicken, and pretty much any dish we've ever had there. The fried green beans are incredible as well.” Reports another happy reviewer.

Martin Yan even commented the restaurant as a haven of delicious food and wonderful tastes.

Service with a Smile

Because Hong Kong Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant, the owners were able to establish their own management style. According to the owners, customer service is one of the most important aspects when it comes to a restaurant’s level of success. The staff members all work together to achieve the highest level of customer service—with a smile. Mrs. Chen’s philosophy is to always serve customers with a smile and speedy service.  With this in mind, the staff members are always happy to answer the telephone, pack to-go orders, and appropriately handle customer complaints.

As for take-out orders, speedy service can always be expected at Hong Kong restaurant. According to Mr. Chen, there are enough floor staff members on duty at all times to cover the dining room and enough kitchen staff members that take-out orders can be prepared in as little as five minutes. The staff cooperates well with each other to reach the best result—to ensure the customers get their accurately prepared orders in as little time as possible.

Additionally, customers never have to worry about Hong Kong Restaurant’s cleanliness. Everyone chips in to keep the restaurant up to par hygienically. According to a Mystery Dining Report, “The tables and all items on them were spotless, and the dining area was welcoming.”

Taking Pride in Ownership

“Keep studying.” That’s what the owners of Hong Kong Restaurant say. Mrs. Chen never rests until she has caught herself up on the latest and most innovative restaurant trends. She invested some money each year and in 2003, the Chen’s were able to remodel the restaurant to give the dining room a more up-to-date look.