ZipPicks Awards
Best Chinese in Upper East Side
Master Critic Review
Ellie's Chinese Restaurant
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A high-velocity Yorkville takeout shop that delivers the NYC Chinese takeout canon with dependable execution and fast turnaround. The best move is to order like a regular—one fried-rice or lo-mein base, one saucy protein, and one soup or dumpling side—so it lands as a complete meal, not a pile of extras.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wonton Soup, General Tso's Chicken, Lo Mein
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Classic NYC Chinese takeout done fast, hot, and reliably.
Who should go: Takeout loyalists and weeknight dinner planners
When to visit: Early evening before the delivery rush
What to order: Wonton soup, General Tso's chicken, lo mein
Insider tip: Pair one saucy main with one dry noodle/rice—skip doubling sauces.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive in the evening. Most locals walk or use delivery.
Dress code: Ultra-casual — anything from workout clothes to office casual is fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — functional takeout counter vibe rather than a dining-room buzz.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for pickup orders; longer during peak delivery windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable lo mein, fried rice, and tofu-based stir-fries are available.
Vegan options: Limited — vegetable dishes can work if you request no egg or oyster sauce.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some rice-based dishes may work, but soy-sauce-heavy prep makes strict GF difficult.
Best For
Better for: Fast, dependable NYC Chinese takeout with strong value and no-frills execution.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dining experience, specialty regional Chinese dishes, or a date-night atmosphere.