Very average old-school Chinese restaurant - like the ones you might have been to in the 1970s and 80s. If that is the type of Chinese food you prefer, I'd say No. 1 Chinese on William Street is better.The service is efficient and the food is not terrible per se, just not very interesting and quite expensive.I wavered between 2 and 3 stars, but I think the relative cost knocked it down to 2 stars.

Good stuff

UGH. I have to write this quickly just in case I die within the hour.I've wavered between 3 and 4 stars when considering the Chalet's review in my head before (nerd alert), but settled on a strong 2. "Meh, I've experienced better" is definitely a good summation of my various experiences with this restaurant.I've defended my decision to eat here to skeptical coworkers enough times, saying I wouldn't pay their prices if I didn't think it was worth it. For a while, it was...and only barely at that. I go between one of two dishes at standard (non-homestyle) Chinese places: shrimp fried rice, or shrimp with broccoli and white rice. Spicy, PLUS a side of hot oil, please. The standout feature of the fried rice is that China Chalet uses medium-to-large shrimp rather than the teensy ones most other places do, and it is seasoned well. I also prefer that my white rice is actually fried rather than being handed a bowl full of hot yellow rice with no other distinctive flavoring, and they also deliver on that front. The normal shrimp with broccoli order boasts perfectly textured shrimp that must've been fried twice, and broccoli still deliciously crunchy.The thing is, China Chalet is a little heavy-handed on the oil, so I tried once to get the shrimp and broccoli with less oil, and I could've sworn it came back swimming in twice as much. I joked about it then, but to be on the safe side , I asked for it steamed the next time. Broccoli - still good, shrimp - rubbery and twisted into weird shapes...I suspect it was overcooked.After today, I'm certain that the chef takes it very personally that I'm questioning his cooking skills, because though my coworker came with me and requested, in Chinese! (this was actually her idea...I had no idea why she was speaking to the host until he repeated the adjustments to my order in English and complimented her on knowing "how [I] like it"), less oil, there were actually TEASPOONS of oil left at the bottom of the takeout bowl when I finished eating. Now I know why only the first third of my meal was yummy, but it progressively felt more like I was trying to swallow gasoline. I can't go back anymore. I feel sick :(I feel guilty. The hosts - probably the owners - are adorable, and very animated. They also make an effort to get to know their patrons, and no one has ever mispronounced my name! The hot oil is the best I've ever tasted, which has me wondering whether they make it themselves. The mustard sauce is homemade, and it's awesome.Other things:Terrible fortune cookies (terrible cookies, terrible fortunes). The vegetable dumplings are green. Sat inside once and had lamb with scallions, and noodles, which was...good at the time, but unremarkable. My favorite thing about this place is the old-fashioned fancy Chinese restaurant decor. The novelty can make up for a lot, perhaps. I'm always half expecting Chinese businessmen who are actually in the mafia (is that a thing?) to take the table next to me, make plans in heated tones, laugh heartily, and exchange briefcases loaded with money.

Had some great authentic Chinese food right at Wall St! The place was "Wall St" prices, but nevertheless it was a tasty meal. Totally recommend the Spicy Beef plate, it was amazing an had me feeling big time.

Recently went here with some co-workers for an enjoyable lunch. Needless to say, the China Chalet provided that for us.Let me start off with- this place is gigantic inside. You walk up a flight of stairs and it seems like you walk through 10 rooms full of tables before you are seated. Not sure what they pay in rent, but dayum.I thought the food was OK, but OK is fine in this situation. It really met my expectation for a Chinese food place in the middle of the hustle & bustle of the Financial District.I'd probably go back here as it's one of the few sitdown Chinese places in the area. Seriously though, it isn't a bad place, thats why it's a 5 on the LBD.

Way overpriced and crappy fake Chinese food. Only my Jewish buddy from Long Island eats here (sorry Todd but it sucks).

This has become my goto for chinese delivery in fhe Financial District. The entree prices are not as out of line with what one would expect to pay for american style chinese takeout/delivery. I will agree with the other yelpers' that the prices for soup, egg rolls etc. are out of whack. Still, it isn't as if anyone is breaking the bank on eggrolls. Try the Juicy Pork Bun.

My family and I ate there last weekend and had no problems finding an open seat; for good reason. The food just didn't taste good. My Orange Chicken came out nearly burned and dried out. Apparently the Chicken Fried Rice came okay but the Lemon Chicken was drowning in sauce. I wondered what it was covering up but I wasn't in the mood to take chances. The service was fine but the restaurant itself was poorly maintained, a sure sign the managers didn't care about the experience. If you come across this place, keep walking.

Are these ridiculously high prices for Chinese food for real? And for what?? At least I had my weekly serving of oil. Yum.Options in FiDi are really beginning to frighten me.Next! But where? .............

I went to this place twice, always give a place a second chance. Both attempts were not good. The first trip, they made me and my guests check everything at the door because they didn't want wet coats on the seats, etc. ...?

Don't get me wrong, China Chalet serves excellent food, but it's just way to expensive for take out. I know that things are usually more expensive downtime, but it can't be that expensive! I mean, any generic chinese restaurant can make ...?

This is mediocre Chinese food at best, and is fairly expensive as well. If you can go to Chinatown, you can get much better for much cheaper. That said, it seems to be one of the only Chinese restaurants delivering to my area of Battery ...?

are extremely reasonable. The setting and theme of all three of the China Chalet restuarants are cozy and comfortable. Service is fast and friendly. Among my favorite restuarants, as a resident of Manhattan. I would definitely recommend visiting if youre in the ...?

would want to eat here is a mystery to me. Maybe it's ok for Staten Island, where they started, but not for a neighborhood that's within spitting distance of Chinatown. Never again!! ...?

good Chinese food for both dining in and take out, lunch as well as dinner. Popular take out for the late working crowd. Popular lunch spot for the wall street crowd as well. ...?

The delivery van from this place kill 2 little kids and injured many in some careless driving in chinatown. Keep this in mind when you want to patronize this restaurant.?

If you order one of the house favorites you MAY get something good otherwise it depends on the cook who makes your dish. The combo plates are just that a group food at a low price. I tried the place four times before choosing to pass ...?