THE LEGEND OF LAO SZE CHUAN
Lao Sze Chuan is not only recognized locally as the Best Chinese Restaurant in Chicago by multiple mainstream food columns but has also received numerous national accolades including “The Best Chinese Restaurant”; “The Most Authentic Chinese Food”; one of the “Top Ten Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.”; “Best Chinese Restaurant for Celebrating Chinese New Year”
About us
The very first Lao Sze Chuan opened in 1998 in Chicago’s Chinatown and has since become one of the most beloved Chinese restaurants nationwide. The brainchild of Sichuan-born Chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan prides itself on providing traditional Sichuan cuisine with high-quality ingredients. In 1999, Lao Sze Chuan was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as “One of the Best,” receiving a “three fork” rating that was considered a prominent accomplishment for Chinese restaurants at that time.
Although Lao Sze Chuan has flourished since humble beginnings, our mission to offer, elevate, and promote gourmet authentic Chinese cuisine and provide exceptional customer service has never wavered. Our Grade A chefs are skillfully trained in Sichuan cuisine to provide the most authentic flavors at all locations. To this day, Lao Sze Chuan lives by the mantra “One Style For One Dish, A Hundred Dishes Have A Hundred Different Tastes,” a saying that keeps our most frequent customers coming back for more.
“The Top No.1 Chinese Restaurant Chain in the U.S.”
– Tasting Table 2024
“The Best Chinese Restaurant in America”
– Thrillist 2018
“No.1 Chinese Restaurant in the U.S.”
– Travel & Daily Meal 2015
“No.1 Chinese Restaurant in the U.S.”
– Travel & Leisure 2013
“Neighborhood Hero”
– Chicago Tribune 2012
“No.1 Must To Go Restaurant in Chicago”
– Choose Chicago
“One of the Best”
– Chicago Tribune by Monica Eng, WGN9
“Such A Wonderful Restaurant in the U.S.A., One Style for One Dish, Hundred Dishes Have A Hundred Different Tastes”
– World Journal
“This is The Best Sport for Szechuan Cuisine in Town”
– Time out Chicago
“Excellent Place for Authentic Chinese Cuisine”
– “Check Please” Channel 11
“TimeOut's Top Ten List in the U.S.”
– TimeOut 2023
“One of the Top Ten Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.”
– TimeOut 2016
“Best Chinese Restaurant in 2014”
– The Reader
“One of The 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans”
– Chicago Magazine Award 2012, 2013
“Appeared on the Michelin Bib Gourmand List Seven Times”
– 2010 - 2016
“Ambassador of International Chinese Cuisine”
– Chinese World Restaurant Association
“The Best Authentic Chinese Food”
– Zagat Survey
“Possibly the Most Interesting Menu in Chicago They Do A Super Job on All Selections”
– Chicago Reader
“The Closest to Chinese Home Cooking The Best Authentic Chinese Food. The Best Restaurant and The Best Dishes in Chicago”
– Chicago Magazine
“Rated Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.”
– Chinese Restaurant News
“One of the Top Ten Chinese Restaurants”
– Travel 2019
“The No.1 Best Chinese Restaurant and Best Takeout in the Country”
– The Daily Meal 2015
“One of the Top Ten Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.”
– Chinese Restaurant News 2009
“Lifetime Achievement”
– Timeout Chicago 2012
“'Three Forks' The Highest Award for Chinese Restaurants at That Time”
– Chicago Tribune 2000
“Famous International Restaurant for Chinese Cuisine”
– World Association of Chinese Cuisine
“Top Ten Spots for Spicy Food, Lao Sze Chuan is About As Good As Chinese Food Gets in This Part of The World”
– Mr. Phil Vettel (Chicago Tribune Critic)
“Absolutely The Best Chinese Foods in the Country Just Like Our Hometown Food. But Even Better”
– China Star News
“Hungry Hound”
– Recommended by ABC7, Steve Dolinsky
“The Best Chinese Restaurant in Lllinois All the Time”
– CNN