This place is a small local take-out spot everything is made fresh, quickly and it's delicious consistently!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tbiddy Wag
Good food will be eating there again.
Larry S. J. Mitchell
Still one of my favorite Chinese takeout!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luis Miller
Very nice decor. Seated on time. Staff were all very pleasant and accommodating. Very busy. Wife and I imbibed in various tapas - most everything was fantastic. The only exception was the Tortilla Espanola - just was not our thing.
Sean Kenney
Best Chinese food around
M1805PTraymondg
I am a very long-time Melrose resident. During those years, for some unknown reason, Melrose has never been able to attract a good Chinese-American restaurant let alone even one true Chinese restaurant (and there is a difference). Over that time, #1 has never risen above an "acceptable" rating to me but has benefitted from – and received my business -- because the competition was. selling food of a quality below that level. I stayed with #1 for the same reason even though the dinners (combo and lunch) that they sold were not necessarily of good value - the size of the portions were not generous and they parcel out the quantity of fried rice that they give with a dinner order as if one of the main ingredients is gold. So for years I have paid extra to have more rice added, Gradually, because of quality, the list of appetizers that I would eat became smaller. What were always safe, however, were the chicken fingers -- until my most recent visit. What I found when I cut into the 1-1/2" plus diameter chicken finger was not a nice, plump piece of chicken but a thin cut strip, about 1/4 - 3//8 of an inch thick and 1 inch high (both, if that large) surrounded by endless dough. The contempt that a restaurant -- even a C-A takeout which does not have any high standards to meet -- has in serving such a product to its customers, coupled with their obvious belief that their customers are stupid enough so that they can get away with it, speaks for itself. That is why -- after all of these decades and through multiple ownerships – I will not be back. The above is just the personal opinion of one person, of course. Accept or reject it as you desire.
Jay M.
The current owners are very nice. The food is your average Chinese takeout fare. The quality and taste of the dishes are reminiscent of food I've had in Boston and NYC hole-in-the-wall Chinatown eateries. We've ordered from them in the past and have noticed recently that the containers and portions are getting smaller but the prices have increased. It's not a great bang for the buck anymore. Some Chinese restaurants North of Boston are more generous with their portions than Number 1 Taste.
Kristen Grant
The worst chinese food I've ever had. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I gave them 2 tries, each time they forgot sauces, gave overcooked, under seasoned food. Not worth saving a few bucks to have terrible food, ultimately that still makes it a loss.
Ayaan Love
We enjoy to go out. Last night we arrived in this superb restaurant which we didn’t know before. We enjoyed a delightful time there with very good dishes and a well-trained stuff and a distinguished cuisine. We put this restaurant in our phone list and we will no doubt return soon. Highly recommended.
Ordered here on New Year’s Day, best Chinese food ever ?!! great portion for family’s of 4 or more plus cheap prices! great location too
Kayla D
If you're looking for quality chinese food in Melrose, and want to support small business, I highly recommend this spot. Hidden gem that lives up to its accolades. Note: best for take out/delivery.
Andrew S.
I'm not saying this is a 5 star restaurant. But it's definitely the best takeout Chinese food in the area. When you order takeout Chinese food, there is a certain standard that you expect, and they deliver every time. They don't miss. I've been ordering from here for over 8 years and I can confirm the crab Rangoon just hit different. I've tried so many crab Rangoon in my life and these are IT. Would definitely recommend their food to anyone looking for an easy takeout dinner recommendation.
holloway lloyd
We like a lot going out. Last night we visited this excellent restaurant which we didn’t know before. We had a lovely evening there with great cooking and a nice team and a talented cook. We put this venue in our phone list and we shall no doubt come back very soon. Highly recommended.
C Quinn
Great and tasty food, I liked the character this place has, and the workers were friendly. Will surely eat here again.
Damn good Chinese food. Damn Good.
This place is a small local take-out spot everything is made fresh, quickly and it's delicious consistently!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food will be eating there again.
Still one of my favorite Chinese takeout!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice decor. Seated on time. Staff were all very pleasant and accommodating. Very busy. Wife and I imbibed in various tapas - most everything was fantastic. The only exception was the Tortilla Espanola - just was not our thing.
Best Chinese food around
I am a very long-time Melrose resident. During those years, for some unknown reason, Melrose has never been able to attract a good Chinese-American restaurant let alone even one true Chinese restaurant (and there is a difference). Over that time, #1 has never risen above an "acceptable" rating to me but has benefitted from – and received my business -- because the competition was. selling food of a quality below that level. I stayed with #1 for the same reason even though the dinners (combo and lunch) that they sold were not necessarily of good value - the size of the portions were not generous and they parcel out the quantity of fried rice that they give with a dinner order as if one of the main ingredients is gold. So for years I have paid extra to have more rice added, Gradually, because of quality, the list of appetizers that I would eat became smaller. What were always safe, however, were the chicken fingers -- until my most recent visit. What I found when I cut into the 1-1/2" plus diameter chicken finger was not a nice, plump piece of chicken but a thin cut strip, about 1/4 - 3//8 of an inch thick and 1 inch high (both, if that large) surrounded by endless dough. The contempt that a restaurant -- even a C-A takeout which does not have any high standards to meet -- has in serving such a product to its customers, coupled with their obvious belief that their customers are stupid enough so that they can get away with it, speaks for itself. That is why -- after all of these decades and through multiple ownerships – I will not be back. The above is just the personal opinion of one person, of course. Accept or reject it as you desire.
The current owners are very nice. The food is your average Chinese takeout fare. The quality and taste of the dishes are reminiscent of food I've had in Boston and NYC hole-in-the-wall Chinatown eateries. We've ordered from them in the past and have noticed recently that the containers and portions are getting smaller but the prices have increased. It's not a great bang for the buck anymore. Some Chinese restaurants North of Boston are more generous with their portions than Number 1 Taste.
The worst chinese food I've ever had. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I gave them 2 tries, each time they forgot sauces, gave overcooked, under seasoned food. Not worth saving a few bucks to have terrible food, ultimately that still makes it a loss.
We enjoy to go out. Last night we arrived in this superb restaurant which we didn’t know before. We enjoyed a delightful time there with very good dishes and a well-trained stuff and a distinguished cuisine. We put this restaurant in our phone list and we will no doubt return soon. Highly recommended.
Restaurantji Recommends
Ordered here on New Year’s Day, best Chinese food ever ?!! great portion for family’s of 4 or more plus cheap prices! great location too
If you're looking for quality chinese food in Melrose, and want to support small business, I highly recommend this spot. Hidden gem that lives up to its accolades. Note: best for take out/delivery.
I'm not saying this is a 5 star restaurant. But it's definitely the best takeout Chinese food in the area. When you order takeout Chinese food, there is a certain standard that you expect, and they deliver every time. They don't miss. I've been ordering from here for over 8 years and I can confirm the crab Rangoon just hit different. I've tried so many crab Rangoon in my life and these are IT. Would definitely recommend their food to anyone looking for an easy takeout dinner recommendation.
We like a lot going out. Last night we visited this excellent restaurant which we didn’t know before. We had a lovely evening there with great cooking and a nice team and a talented cook. We put this venue in our phone list and we shall no doubt come back very soon. Highly recommended.
Great and tasty food, I liked the character this place has, and the workers were friendly. Will surely eat here again.