City One Chinese Takeaway

I visit this place on regular basis, and just whenever my family and I feel like chinese food. The customer service is great. The food taste great and at a affordable price. Took my family to dine in the other day and it was just at my expectations. I strongly recommend this place if you want good chinese food.

The bloke runs it on his own during the day and 1 side kick at night. Always gets it right and I've never been disappointed. Good value and authentic Cantonese.

Authentic Hong Kong Food. Always enjoy my takeaway from City One.
The guy does a great job and after many visits can't say I've been disappointed yet.

City One Chinese Takeaway - Holland Park, Brisbane. In a small junction of shops just off Logan Road, City One has an inviting vibe to it run by a Chinese family. Wholly a take-away, comparatively cheap and very convenient, City One is another place I often visit - and for good reason.

The interior is more elaborate than most other take-aways (that are not chains). With some magazines for reading while waiting, a television and a fish tank it can curb the boredom for the impatient at waiting. There are also several Chinese-inspired decorations including a piggy-tip jar (though a little crude, it is worth a small laugh).

The owners are exceptionally friendly. If you are lucky, they sometimes throw in a small freebie (such as a bottle of soda). They allow substitutions on the packs and with meals (see further down).

As with most Chinese places that do take-away, there are several packs for the indecisive and groups. There is Pack A (which has the usual fare), Pack B (still usual - a bit more, but with some variety) and Pack C (the focus of this review, with something different and easily the most various of the packs). Like with a lot of places' packs, the maths sometimes does not add up but that will essentially be nitpicking.

Pack C contains 8 spring rolls. 8 deep fried wontons, seafood hokkien noodles, chicken with cashew nuts, beef with black bean sauce, sweet & sour pork, combination with vegetables and two large fried rices. The seafood hokkien noodles were substituted for boneless lemon Peking duck (one of the chef's specials) and beef and black bean was replaced by beef with ginger and shallot.

Both entrees were good and did well as starters to the main meals.
There is a reason that the lemon Peking duck is a chefs speciality, it is absolutely recommended and has an odd sweetness to it amongst lemon's distinct sour taste. The fact it includes a couple of slices of lemon (not recommended to eat, but if you feel inclined ......) infuses the flavour even more.
They do not skimp on the cashew nuts in the chicken with cashew nut. Amongst the more recognisable tastes, it is quite subtle. That makes for a good contrast.
I was glad to have selected the beef with ginger and shallots. While still being subtle and one of the more simple dishes, the ginger added a nice taste to the meal. The servings of shallots were generous.
What can you say about sweet and sour pork - a staple of Chinese food (at least to a Western perspective)? Regardless, this is some of the best sweet and sour pork around. It retains a good amount of crispness, is not overcooked and is always popular. As standard as the dish may sound, I suggest giving their sweet and sour pork a go.
The combination with vegetables - could take it or leave it. While still good, there are many other options on the menu to substitute it with in your order. As with most of the vegetarian (or vegetable) options, they are more for throw-away token vegetable options just for some balance amongst all the meat.
The fried rice is well presented. With a good range of ingredients in it, the fried rice could be eaten on its own with a bit of sauce. It still does not contrast the other meals when used as a side dish.

There are several reasons that I keep returning to this place, the food is one of them. With an amiable family-orientated business perspective, decent value for money and convenience along with friendly service City One deserves its recognition - especially amongst the locals. I have been there many times, and this time (the one that is the subject of this review) is going to be far from the last time that I visit here.

Excellent chinese style takeaway. We had the special fried rice and soup in good portions and great prices. Will definitely recommend it to others. Service was excellent too.

Yum! First time having dinner from this place and the whole experience was awesome.. Customer service was great the lady who served me was very lovely. I got the Nasi Goreng Fried rice and it was full of flavour and lots of seafood/meat, also Honey chicken was so good! Large servings too.. will definitely be returning to try more.. Thank you Noodle City :)

Food is great, service is great. We drive ages just for them, even when other options are closer. Highly recommend.