Master Critic Review
Em's Restaurant
7.6
A Chinese-Latin takeout counter built for the Allapattah lunch rush, turning out oversized combo platters of lo mein, fried rice, and honey chicken alongside Dominican and Venezuelan staples like bistec de palomilla with black beans and plantains — all from the same wok line at sub-$14 prices. The staff remembers regulars by name and can have your order boxed and ready in 10-15 minutes, which is the point: this is a neighborhood utility, not a dining destination. Food quality holds steady on the core hits (Special Fried Rice, Pork Egg Rolls, Beef Lo Mein) but can wobble on the edges, so stick to what the crowd orders and you'll leave fed for the price of a fast-food combo.
Must-Try Dishes:
Special Fried Rice, Honey Chicken, Beef Lo Mein
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.5
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Allapattah's only quality Chinese restaurant doubles as a Chinese-Latin hybrid, serving traditional lo mein and fried rice alongside bistec de palomilla with white rice, black beans, and plantains—all from the same kitchen at bodega prices.
Who should go: Allapattah locals craving huge portions of homestyle Chinese-Latin comfort food.
When to visit: Weekday lunch for fastest service—kitchen closes early at 7pm.
What to order: Start with a Pork Egg Roll ($1.60 each, reviewers call them huge). A Combination Platter ($11.50–$14) is a full meal with entree, fried rice, and egg roll. The Special Fried Rice loaded with chicken, pork, ham, and shrimp is the #1 seller—order a large to split or save leftovers.
Insider tip: Call (305) 634-3009 for direct neighborhood delivery and pay by card over the phone—skip the Uber Eats markup entirely.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Private lot on-site—easy pull-in for pickup. Street parking on NW 27th Ave also available with no meters.
Dress code: Total come-as-you-are—shorts, flip-flops, work clothes all standard. This is a no-frills takeout counter with a few tables.
Noise level: Minimal—mostly a takeout/pickup operation. Small dining area with a TV, but most customers grab and go. Conversation is easy on the rare occasion you eat in.
Weekend wait: 10-15 minutes for food prep. No reservation waits—it's counter-service order-and-pickup.
Weekday lunch: 10-15 minutes typical. One reviewer was quoted 15 minutes and food was ready on time. Data shows average visit of 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—Chinese Mix Vegetables Platter ($11.50), Vegetables Fried Rice ($6.00), Vegetable Spring Rolls ($1.00), Vegetables Soup ($3.60), and most entree styles (Lo Mein, Chop Suey, Szechuan) can be ordered with vegetables instead of meat.
Vegan options: Limited—Vegetable Spring Roll is likely vegan. Fried rice contains egg. Call ahead to confirm oil and sauce ingredients for vegetable dishes.
Gluten-free options: Not specified online. No GF markings on menu. Call ahead to confirm—standard Chinese sauces typically contain soy (gluten).
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No — this is a no-frills takeout counter with a small eat-in area. Reviewers describe it as a 'lil shack' and one notes you 'order from a window.' There's a TV inside, fluorescent lighting, and minimal decor. The average visit is 10 minutes. Great for grabbing food together, but zero romantic ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, always. This is a walk-up counter-service spot — no reservations needed or expected. There's a small dining area with a few tables inside, but most customers order takeout or delivery. No wait times beyond the 10-15 minutes for food prep.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the casual, no-judgment atmosphere works well for families. Reviews mention bringing kids ('my picky toddler loved the egg rolls and honey chicken'). Portions are huge and shareable, prices are low, and nobody will care if kids are loud. No dedicated kids menu, but mild crowd-pleasers like Honey Chicken, Fried Rice, and Egg Rolls are easy wins. High chair availability not confirmed — call ahead if needed.
Is it good for groups? Possible for small groups. Restaurantji lists it as 'good for groups' and the dining area has some tables, but the space is small. Better for 4-6 people ordering a spread of combo platters to share. For larger groups, ordering a bulk takeout order (large fried rice, wings, platters) for an offsite gathering is the better play.
Is there outdoor seating? No dedicated outdoor dining area. Yelp shows 1 outside photo confirming a basic storefront with an ordering window. You can wait outside for your takeout order in the parking lot, but there are no patio tables or covered seating.
Best For
Better for: Huge portions of homestyle Chinese-Latin comfort food at Allapattah's lowest prices. Staff remembers regulars by name. Delivery available direct and via Uber Eats/Postmates. Bilingual menu (English/Spanish). The neighborhood's only qualified Chinese spot with consistent quality across 380+ reviews.
Consider Alternatives If: You want dine-in ambiance, regional Chinese specialties (dim sum, Peking duck), or a full-service sit-down experience. This is a counter-service takeout spot first—eating in is functional, not atmospheric.
Hours
Monday11am - 7pm
Tuesday11am - 7pm
Wednesday11am - 7pm
Thursday11am - 7pm
Friday11am - 7pm
Saturday11am - 7pm
Sunday12pm - 6pm