Chinese On A Budget?

My fiance' and I really love Chinese. We used to have a good little place to go out in Shively that we really liked, but we've since moved to Bardstown Road in the Bashford Manor area, and have had a hard time finding a decent Chinese restaurant in the area to go to. We've tried two, but weren't very happy with them (yellow rice like they serve at buffets, undercooked meat, egg rolls dripping with grease- one of the two actually made us sick). Are there any good nonbuffet Chinese places in the area to go to on a budget (2 could get dinner for under $20)? I'm afraid to try anywhere else without a recommendation. It seems like the quality of chinese restaurants is all over the board.
Stacey

[Robin Garr]

Stacey, is Empress of China within your price range? It's one of the older local classics, but used to be pretty good. On north side of Hikes Lane just a block or two east of Old Bardstown Road.

My fiance' and I really love Chinese. We used to have a good little place to go out in Shively that we really liked, but we've since moved to Bardstown Road in the Bashford Manor area, and have had a hard time finding a decent Chinese restaurant in the area to go to. We've tried two, but weren't very happy with them (yellow rice like they serve at buffets, undercooked meat, egg rolls dripping with grease- one of the two actually made us sick). Are there any good nonbuffet Chinese places in the area to go to on a budget (2 could get dinner for under $20)? I'm afraid to try anywhere else without a recommendation. It seems like the quality of chinese restaurants is all over the board.
Stacey

It's not Chinese but it is Asian; you might check out Lee's Korean 1941 Bishop Lane 456-9714. They've been around since the Reagan (& maybe Carter?) era. They are really good, won't eat up your wallet too much and are very close to your location. If proximity is a factor then Lee's and Robin's suggestion of Empress are hard to beat. BTW, took the woman who is now my wife to Empress on our first date in 1983 when I was REALLY poor. So even then it was a cut above but pretty economical.

Won Ton Express on Hikes Lane at Klondike Lane.

Been there since the late 80's and best fast food chinese in town!

I can't believe that place is still around. Everytime I drove past it as a kid, I thought it was closed. Now, 20 years later, it's doing ok. One day, I'm going to try it.

Double Dragon on Goss near Eastern Parkway is me go-to Chinese place. Prices are good, portions are big, food is fresh and flavorful. It's more of a carry-out than a sit-down sort of restaurant (thougth they do have a couple of small tables), so if you're looking for a dining experience, it may not be what you want. I rank their food second only to Red Pepper as far as Chinese restaurants I've tried in Louisville.

I second Double Dragon on Goss -especially for lunch. Enough for two meals easy. Fresh and tasty, too.

Ditto to everything Clay said above.

But I will also add Great Wall on lower Brownsboro Road. It is the sister restaurant to Double Dragon, but I find it a tiny bit better. More of a take-out place but very very reasonable. Until Red Pepper opened, it was actually my favorite place for Chinese in the entire city.

These latest responders are forgetting the original poster wanted a Chinese "in the area" of Bashford Manor.

Won Ton Express is about 1.5 miles from the old mall.

Sorry, Won Ton Express is horrid IMO. Empress of China is really good and they have huge portions.

Sorry, Won Ton Express is horrid IMO. Empress of China is really good and they have huge portions.

It can't be that bad if it's been there operating for over 20 years!

Try these at Won Ton:

#13 - sweet and sour chicken
#17 - spicy pork
special fried rice - chicken, pork, shrimp, with pea pods and other veggies.

I'll try the spicy pork but I've had the sweet an sour chicken and it's about the same as anywhere else to me. I think the best chinese-american restaurants in Louisville are Jade Palace and Szechuan Garden(best won ton soup I've ever had.) I've actually been more into the authentic stuff from Red Pepper lately.

Sesame Chinese on Shelbyville Road/Hurtstborne Lane has always been a personal favorite of mine.

Wok Express at 234 W. Broadway. (corner of 3rd and Broadway) -- Very good food for very good price.

[Robin Garr]

Reminder, folks ... original poster is looking for good, affordable Chinese in the neighborhood of Bardstown Road and Bashford Manor.