Important Reminder:The Foursquare City Guide app officially sunset on December 15, 2024, with the web version following in early 2025. However, your check-in journey doesn’t end here! Join us on Swarm, where new adventures await.
Planning a trip to Chicago?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant
Chinese Restaurant and Asian Restaurant$$$$
Armour Square, Chicago
The experts at Eater and Time Out Chicago recommend this place
"Lamb with pure cumin powder is amazing, as is the dry chili chicken."(25 Tips)
"Get the mapo tofu and/or the hotpot"(5 Tips)
"Try the hot pot! Best thing for a cold winter night!"(8 Tips)
"The mayonnaise shrimp appetizer is awesome."(2 Tips)
107 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- chili chicken
- spicy food
- beef
- great value
- good for groups
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Swift SwiftSeptember 4, 2017This is great Sichuan food. Recommendations: Ma Po Tofu, Bok Choy with Chilis, and Spicy Cabbage. The Dry Chili Chicken and Dan Dan Noodles were fine, but skipable if you're willing to be adventurous.
Scott KleinbergDecember 17, 2015The dry chili chicken is spicy but oh so good. It's in the middle of not exactly Americanized but not too traditional Chinese. Get extra water and enjoy.
Serious EatsMay 21, 2013Three Chili Chicken: Affectionately known as "crack chicken" for its truly addictive powers, the real secret behind this dish the combination of Sichuan peppercorns and chiles.
David HeiserJune 9, 2015Everything is good, but my favorite is the boiled beef in spicy Szechuan sauce. Be prepared to drink lots of water. Check in on Yelp to get free spring rolls.
T HDecember 27, 2017Lots of options for the plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian. A huge book of dishes, there’s a section devoted to veggie and tofu dishes. Confirm your dish has no MSG.
Time Out ChicagoJune 4, 2012Our favorites are Chengdu dumplings, Chinese eggplant with ground pork, twice-cooked pork, mapo tofu, Szechuan prawns and dry chile chicken. Trust us or choose at random—you won’t be disappointed.- Time Out ChicagoMay 23, 2012Our favorites are Chengdu dumplings, Chinese eggplant with ground pork, twice-cooked pork, mapo tofu, Szechuan prawns and dry chile chicken. Trust us or choose at random—you won’t be disappointed.-ASK Read more
Christopher TolbertDecember 21, 2013In the winter you won't want to be sitting by the door. The chill is real. Food is fantastic and you'll appreciate the complementary spiced cabbage.
April GeFebruary 26, 2017If you love spicy food, you have to try it. The hot pot and dry chili chicken and the boiled beef in spicy sauce are the best.
JuliannaAugust 16, 2016Crack chicken! Real name is Three Chili Chicken. Also, String Beans with Spicy Black Bean Sauce.
Peter JimenezAugust 4, 2013Amazing food and speedy service. The Tea Duck is to die for. If you're in the area you have to experience the deliciousness.
SepSep SphrAugust 16, 2013Best Authentic Chinese food I've ever had. Smoked duck (I don't remember the exact name) was awesome. Steamed Rabbit not so good.- Zach Solomon-BeloinOctober 7, 2014Everything is amazing. I try something new each time. Loved the hot and sour soup and crab rangoons
EaterJanuary 11, 2011One of four Chinatown spots owned by Tony Hu, the focus here is on Szechwan dishes, ranging from the basic to the downright adventurous. [Eater 38 Member]
Steven AndrophyMay 27, 2013Get the Chengdu Dumplings and the Dry Chili Chicken if you like spicy! If not, the tea smoked duck is fantastic.
MomensFebruary 18, 2014Eggplant or Aubergine as we Brits say, is to die for, so to speak. Yum yum big fat tum! :-)
Jeremy BacharachJanuary 22, 2010Hundreds of great options, but I love the Orange Beef and my wife swears by the Crispy Shrimp in Mayonnaise Sauce (they're breaded and have a sweet sauce -much better than the name sounds)
Stephanie SimonSeptember 3, 2014Tony's three chili chicken, mayonnaise crispy shrimp and tea-smoked duck top the list.
Suvam NeupaneDecember 7, 2013Great food but the fortune cookie was legendary. Best cookie I've ever eaten in my life
- Time Out ChicagoApril 17, 2012From the look of the multicultural, multigenerational throngs that flock to Hu’s restaurants nightly, Rahm could glean some tips on how to achieve universal popularity. Read more
Tom PowersFebruary 4, 2011Dry chili chicken is a must, love the hot pot, shrimp and mayonnaise is great. Service is better at Lao Beijing, ask for Michael
Eddy GonzalezNovember 8, 2015Spicy food but it gets really busy on the weekend, take out only took like 10mins
MQ QureshiAugust 11, 2013Dry chili chicken, dry chili prawns, house fried noodle with chicken. Never miss, every time!
Kenneth TiongJuly 20, 2012Spicy pig ear 4.75/5. Mapo tofu 4.5/5. Black glutinous rice (dessert) 4.5/5
Feb SJanuary 4, 2012Great food. One of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. Try the Shabu Shabu as well.
Gloria ChinJanuary 17, 2013try the String Beans with Spicy Black Bean Sauce & Tony's Three Chili Chicken!!
Chefs FeedAugust 5, 2014Tony Mantuano, chef of Spiaggia, eats here on his nights off. He loves the Twice-cooked pork. Read more
All you can eat hot pot ( the one with non-spicy broth), and if you are Thai bring your own sukiyaki sauce!
Nick HoniotesApril 22, 2013Food is great. Less than stellar wait staff. They pretend like you're not there most of the time.
May Cheow-DixonJune 18, 2012Hot pot here is not amazing, try one of their other dishes to make your trip memorable
RJ M.November 29, 2011Empress crab with dried chiles and Tony's Chicken with Three Chili are where it's at.
342 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant is Chicago’s premiere restaurant for gourmet, authentic Chinese cuisine, and is rated the best Chinese Restaurant in the USA.
Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 11:00 AM–Midnight
(312) 326-5040
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Visa & American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Cocktails
See More
You might also like
- 7.6
"Order the String Bean in Spicey Black Bean Sauce - soooo good! The potstickers are huge and cooked to perfection."
Joshua Chato - 7.8
"Looked for a dim sum option on the North Side and went on Yelp! Great recos. It was sooo delicious and is definitely my new favorite! I dare say beats The Phoenix in Chinatown!"
pinsuda sagooleim - 8.2
"Bright place, good food, open till very late(till 5 am!!).Reasonably priced with interesting variety and meal size. Best place to go and have food after a late night partying!!!"
Prachi
Places people like to go after Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant
- 7.7
"The stone bowls and bamboo shoot baked rice are amazing."
Sandra T - 8.5
"I had a good time in Chinatown, & it was definitely one of the highlights of my Chicago experience. Stock up on candy, bubble tea, & cultural goods! I just wish there were more entertainment options."
Daniel Crum - 9.3
"Beautiful place for a picnic or bird feeding. Small playground for children and also a stop on the water taxi tour"
Maia Feruzi
Appears on 302 lists
Created by Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
65 items • 662 followers
2012 Eat Out Award winners: Critics' picks
Created by Time Out Chicago
16 items • 315 followers
100 Best Places in Chicago: TOC Staff Picks
Created by Time Out Chicago
100 items • 2,284 followers
