85 Chinese Restaurant

I’ve lost count on how many times they’ve change this place?! Food still taste the same though! If you grew up in Chinatown. There isn’t much expectations to this place. But I always get the combo noodle soup! Their beef brisket with any choice of noodles and you can combo it ! with practically anything! From fried pork chops, chicken leg, fish balls, and wontons etc. Can’t really go wrong! It is one of the last restaurants I remember as a child growing up in Chinatown. It’s not a tourist trap kind of spot! I enjoy the fact that it’s still around. Granted it’s not a 5 star. But it’s somewhere I don’t mind coming back. Parking is decent at night! Forget coming here during the day if you have a car.

3.5 stars.
There are many reasons that you often see a change in English name for a Chinese restaurant. The ‘innocent’ and politically correct answer is a change in ownership, but without changing the Chinese name so as not to lose old customers. But from another angle, the nefarious reasons might be to evade unemployment tax rules. So, while I still recognize this restaurant’s Chinese title, the English name is totally different. 85? What does it stand for? Yogee was so much more approachable and well, more ‘unique’. But anyway, brand new menus were printed, but slight changes in the food choices, but the staff, I think remained the same.
Across the board, the restaurant hasn’t changed at all, but now my $ 3.50 appetizer portion of Chinese greens is replaced with an additional dollar price, while the dessert selection has been expanded to include my favourite hot sweet soup (black sesame paste). It’s a no frill place for a quick meal. Nothing fancy and no fireworks. But when the line at the nearby ‘Xiao long bao’ joints or dim sum parlors are out the door and you’re really not desperate for regional delicacies, ‘85’ would do the trick with basic noodle soups, rice platter, and of course, ‘chef’s specialities’. I just had the ‘lunch special’ of sautéed greens with a bowl of house soup (more like broth) and a round bowl of rice. My mom went for the stewed pig’s knuckles over oyster sauced egg noodles. The swine goodness was moist and well-​flavoured. Not much cumin depth, but that might be how some prefer it. The pasta portion was ample (at least two servings) and at $ 5.50, a filling win. To end our savory route, a bowl of black sesame paste arrived. Sadly, it was only lukewarm and for sweet soup, you either want it hot or cold, not in between. When asked if it was handmade (not an instant, dump hot water in a mix version), of course they said yes. Well, the mouthfeel didn’t taste artificial, so we trust that it was cooked this morning.
Service was adequate (typical Chinese expectation). All this food, plus tips was well under a Jefferson. As long as you keep your expectation realistic, you will still be able to enjoy your meal.

There are 2 restaurants with this address. We end up with 85 chinese restaurant, ordered 2 regular dishes. They come out as unexpected, no where near my expectation. Really dispointed. No way is close to HK.
Don’t waste money on regular dish. Just order fast food. Then, you get your money worth.
I am chinese born american.

Service here sucks!!! My mom ordered satay beef noodles with lai fun but they gave her ho fun. N they asked repeated if it was lai fun n she said yes. Eventually they gave her ho fun anyways. N the cashier gave my dad $ 10 less in change when he paid. If we had a language barrier I would understand all the confusion but both my parents speak legit cantonese!!!

I walked into this place because they are one of the few restaurants around there that take cards. Boy was I surprised when they served some authentic Cantonese food (Think HK legit). The prices are dirt cheap too. Reminded me of home, San Francisco.
85 will form now on be one of my staples.
Had the tofu and fried fish casserole. Fish was fresh, tofu soft with a nice assortment of roasted garlic and ginger. Broth was a chicken base with some Shaoxing. Also had chicken with water spinach. Chicken was soft and cooked though but not too much, cant say I remember the sauce though. The two of also left with enough for two lunches.
bonus. $ 2 lai cha (() in a pint class.