Intelligence and Initiative, A Winning Combination

Cantontown Express has been established for more than ten years, already these four factors that make them stand apart from the rest:

1) A drive-through window with a streamlined menu. Many menus are scattered and confuse the customers and they can’t tell what to order. But if the menu is streamlined, the choices can be narrowed down and the customers can place the order immediately.

2) Sanitation is excellent. When scored by a mystery dining company, Cantontown Express achieved a score of 100 percent.

3) Speedy, friendly service.

4) Reasonable prices. “Most of our customers are ‘blue collar,’ and our affordable pricing helps win many regular customers,” said Cantontown Express owner Yong Guang Lin.

When asked what he was most content about, Lin explained that “we have a stable customer base and most of them are regular customers. Besides, we get on very well with each other.”

The Scene

Located in an area that is highly concentrated with businesses, with many restaurants around, Cantontown Express has many regular customers. Lin chose this particular location because “ it buzzed with numerous restaurants of various styles, and this area will come to mind when the diners want to eat out. It is the diner’s first choice,” said Lin. 

Cantontown Express is an inviting family-style take-out restaurant. In the very beginning, the restaurant had only 64 seats, but now the dine-in area has expanded to offer a capacity of 96 seats. The restaurant is furnished with wooden tables and chairs, and the décor is accented with elegant and classic Chinese touches. The dining room is clean, bright and well ventilated; it will surely impress you with its cozy and relaxing atmosphere.  

In Lin’s opinion, every establishment has their own characteristics that set them apart from the others. Small or large, casual or upscale, the restaurant relies on its uniqueness to thrive the market. For his own eatery, Lin thought he had found the right way: engaging himself in the community and serving the locals well.

The Food

Although Cantontown Express serves the ordinary American-style Chinese cuisine, many customers come in for their three specialties: Boneless Spicy Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Calabash Shrimp. They are all very common, and you may find them on the menu of many Chinese restaurants.

Although they use similar cooking techniques, the creations at Cantontown Express seem a little different, which is what makes the establishment popular. Outstanding cooking skills make all the difference.

In preparing the Boneless Spicy Chicken: the chicken leg is marinated and then fried until golden in order to make the chicken taste crispy outside and juicy inside.

Whether the Mongolian Beef is tasty or not lies in the quality of ingredients and the timing. Even a veteran chef can’t make a delectable invention with the absence of quality ingredients. At Cantontown Express, they choose the highest quality beef available. When cooking in the kitchen, the enticing flavor is irresistible and the lingering aroma wafts around your nose, which is part of the reason why many customers like to order it. The other reason is its affordable price.

In many Chinese restaurants, their healthy items refer to the vegetable dishes and the dishes prepared in less oil and salt. Cantontown Express offers the same. Their dishes can also be customized with the request that they be boiled or steamed instead of frying them in oil.

The Service

“’Customer comes first’ is our principle we continuously adhere to,” said Lin. “In general, our restaurant is buzzing with more diners during lunch hours. We will try our best to satisfy them and give them proper recommendations.”

Lin says that sincerity to the customers is key to keep them coming back.

“We never cheat the customers. Under any circumstances, will we tell them the truth,” said Lin.

According to the Mystery Diner that visited the restaurant anonymously, “the dining area is spic and span, and all the tableware is well maintained.”

Lin thinks that the clean and neat environment is a highlight that helps enhance the lovely ambiance. He always keeps watch on the daily cleaning practices, and will check the status every three hours. In addition, the staff at Cantontown Express work hard to keep an immaculate restaurant.

Staff members at Cantontown Express consist of Chinese staff and local people. According to Lin, the staff develops a close friendship with each other, especially the Chinese staff. The relationship between them and owner is not that of boss and staff but friends.

“We cooperate very well, either in the back kitchen cooking dishes or in the dining area coping with customers,” said Lin. “I fully trust them. Frankly speaking, they helped me to keep the restaurant in order. Of course, the part-time local waiters also help to boost the sales. Hiring the locals is one of the owner’s strategies. The local wait staff can communicate fluently with the customers and they have high moral values, which has helped keep a stable customer base. “

The Owner

Owner Yong Guang Lin came to the U.S. in 1993 and has engaged himself in the restaurant industry for nearly 16 years. The accumulated knowledge has laid a solid foundation for him to open his own establishment. He has acquired a skillful repertoire of cooking strategies to make a perfect match, not only in the flavor but also in presentation.

Over the last few years, Lin has decided to find out the most suitable management models and then stick to it. The restaurant is situated in a quiet town, thus it is practical to open a takeout eatery. The takeout restaurant model features timely service, common yet appetizing dishes and a fair price. Cantontown Express perfectly fits these qualities.

“Gaining the recognition of customers is what excites me and motivates me,” said Lin. “For example, on each Saturday, one loyal customer drives far to dine here and brings many dishes home so that he could enjoy our food on Sundays because the restaurant is closed on Sundays. “

Although Lin is a successful business owner, he maintains a pleasant character, and instead of longing for great success in the bustling cities, what he craves is a peaceful life, a simple and happy life that keeps himself aloof from the world.

“Just be yourself,” said Lin. “Keep a lighthearted mood and take good care of your family and business.”

Cantontown Express

Address: 205 N Longstreet St., Kingstree, SC 29556

Cuisine: American style Chinese cuisine

Signature Dish: Boneless Spicy Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Calabash Shrimp

Capacity: 96

Year of Establishment: 1993

Phone: 843-354-3020