Pao's Mandarin House

Everything is good. more

Ginger shrimp is fantastic!!!!! more

We went there as friends recommended. We were so impressed by the ""Spicy-oil-meat-dumpling"". It was so delicious that my daughter ate a whole bowl rice by mixing the remaining sauce only. It is the best ""Spicy-oil-meat-dumpling"" in USA! We also like the readitional Chinese breakfast items - oil-stick, Chinese biscuits and soy milk, they were even tasted better than we ate in China! more

Pao's Mandarin House has been a regular stop for me since the restaurant relocated to Lakeway from downtown Austin back in the 90s. In all my years of dining in-house as well as ordering meals to-go, I've never received a lackluster plate or anything vaguely resembling poor service. During all those countless visits, I've always been served precisely what I've ordered; that's an impressive, error-free track record. Pao's menu offers ample choices for both conservative and adventuresome palates, and easily accommodates vegetarian selections. The staff has always been willing to alter dishes to suit individual preference, be it adjusting the level of spice in a given dish, or adding/subtracting/substituting ingredients upon request. In a nutshell: quality coupled with consistency and attentive service makes for a lovely dining experience. Finally, I'd strongly suggest that the reader disregard the one-star reviews presented here. While no restaurant can guarantee perfection, Pao's comes as close to the mark as any fine establishment in Travis County. Based on my decade-plus of experience with the place, I'm highly skeptical of several of the reviewers' claims. Pros: Diverse menu, wonderful plates and portions Cons: Bit of a drive from Austin metro, but totally worth it more

This review describes an incident that happened to me and my family last week. I ordered takeout from Pao's as I often do but this time I had a special request for my wife who is eight months pregnant with twins and currently has a very particular appetite. I had ordered chicken and broccoli with brown sauce as opposed to white sauce, normally a common request. \r \r When I arrived home, I removed my order from the bag and discovered that the chicken and broccoli was made with white sauce, not brown. I called the restaurant back and calmly explained the situation. The manager said that they would make another order for me and that I had to bring the original order back with me. I asked if the correct order could be delivered to my home and he said it would be an hour. I asked if my order could be expedited and he said no and hung up.\r \r I went back to the restaurant and my correct order was waiting for me. I asked to see the manager as I wanted a credit for the chicken and broccoli as it was a huge inconvenience to me to have to go back out in miserable, inclement weather because of a mistake that was made by the order taker. Not to mention that my pregnant wife was still waiting for her dinner. I was shown the ticket that my order was written on and it did not indicate brown sauce (as my wife heard me say on the phone when the order was placed).\r \r The manager indicated that the person answering the phone is new and he told her to write everything down and I could I please give Pao’s another chance. I said no, as this is the second time that I have been give the wrong order. The first time this happened (last year), I was given someone else's order entirely and I had to return yet again. The manager then said that he would refund my money and take it out of the receptionists check. I replied that this is not an acceptable solution and why should I care where the money comes from? All I wanted was compensation for my wasted time. Then it really got strange. The manager raised his voice and started yelling “I will fire her right now!!!” and he repeated this several times. At that point, I knew arguing was pointless so I took my food and walked out for the last time. This behavior is highly inappropriate not to mention unprofessional. \r \r In closing, though it pains me to say so, I will not be returning to Pao’s. I have always enjoyed the food but treating customers like this is completely unacceptable. Never again.\r Pros: good food Cons: rude and inappropriate manager more

We have been eating at Pao's a number of years and have never received bad food or service. The food has always been very good and more than abundant. The owners and staff have always gone out of their way to be friendly and make your meal special. Everything on the menu is great so try somthing different each time you go. Pros: The food & staff are wonderful more

I live in Lakeway and my family and I have been going to Pao's for a long time, however the last few times the owner cant remember her name I was so mad, is so rude, I have never written a blog before but i had to vent this one out.\r \r This is my story please read.\r \r This is what happened not only is she very very rude, while my family and I were dinning in, one of the meals we ordered was wrong, when we addressed it with our waiteress the owner over heard and said to us and the waitress, we have to have it, if its wrong that is our fault, we can order another dish and pay for it but this dish will have to be paid for, even though its wrong! \r \r I had my children with me and didnt want to cause a scene.\r \r My family and I said this will be the last time we order from here. \r \r We made the mistake of ordering a take out many months after, my husband picked up the food, when he came home with the order one of the dishes was not what we ordered, we both thought here we go again!!\r \r I called and the waiter said he will have the one ready for us to pick up.\r \r \r when we got there (she) the owner said we have to bring the dish back to her so she can use it again she does not like to waste food!!!! \r \r We were so shocked that we said forget it, however she made one of the waiters follow us back to our house and pick up the dish he was so embarrassed.\r \r (She) the owner wanted the food back so she could re-use it for someone else!!!\r \r \r Thats my story, my family will never ever eat from there again, tell all your friends...\r \r Lesley J Pros: THE RECEPTIONIST IS NICE Cons: RUDE OWNER more

The dim sum menu here is pretty limited. There are only a few small dishes and they aren't the ones you usually have during dim sum. I grew up in New York and I'm use to the screaming ladies with the carts going by. The service here is really friendly and the restaurant is filled with both Asian and Caucasian families. I think I'll go back for dinner sometime. Pros: Staff, Chinese food Cons: Lack of dim sum choices more

Coming from Taiwan 23 years ago, I am always looking for the most authentic Chinese food wherever I live or travel to. After living in Austin for 4 1/2 years, I have to say Pao's Manderin House satisfies me the most among all the Chinese restaurants that we have tried so far in the Austin vincinity. They provide pretty good selection of dishes that meet the different taste/perference that Caucasian and Chinese people are used to; therefore you can actaully see both Caucasian and Chinese in the restaurant whenever you walk in. Very friendly staff and manager. Pros: good selection of food that meet different people's taste Cons: Maybe a little far from city center, but it worth the drive more

After moving to from Chicago where we had a great chinese place on every corner, we quickly found it was slim pickins in Austin (so far). This place gets it right. Pros: Good food, decent prices Cons: A bit in the boonies in Lakeway more

Pao's is the best overall Chinese restaurant in town. Two of my Chinese friends, one from Hong Kong and the other from Taiwan, recommended me to go there. I have been going to this restaurant for over decades since I moved to Austin. They are a family-run restaurant that is very friendly to the repetitious customers (unlike Din-Ho). The owners are always there to control quality in service and food. My recommendation is to order food from Chinese menu, not American one. They can prepare the same foods in both CHINESE STYLE and American Chinese style for various customers. Three Cup Chicken and Scallion Pancakes are some of my favorite food from menu. Pros: Various choices from two different menu and tasty food Cons: It is too far away from where the action is more

There are few good places to eat in Lakeway. And this one is at the of of the list. The top. And they deliver!!!! I have NEVER been disappointed, and I never waste time writing these online reviews, but this one deserves a few good word. Yummy. Pros: good, reasonable, good Cons: in Lakeway, and lakeway people suuuuck, and Lakeway suuuucks more

Yep, great Chinese food at Pao's. Not much else to say. Go, eat, be happy. Service is excellent, and the food is outstanding. Egg rolls are a real treat! Pros: Good Parking more

I went there with 8 other people and we were there from 12 to 1 on Sun. They have a special breakfast menu on weekends and that's why we went there. But it was hard to order -- the waiter kept ""running"" away. They were also out of a lot of the items. The food tasted good but this is not a good place for a big group of people. more

Oh man do I miss Paos... Why did they move away from downtown? Easily the best chinese food in Austin. My family and I brave the 30 minute drives into the middle nowhere in order to dine on their authentic chinese food. The 3 cups chicken and jalapeno beef are delicious. Just brave the drive and be rewarded. Pros: good food, great food Cons: too far more

I strongly believe that Pao's is the best chinese food in Austin. However, do get prepared that it's not that Americanised in term of their food service but it's the real chinese food that a chinese expects. more

I have a chinese last name, believe me, this Chinese place atops all Chinese restaurants in Austin. Go for steam whole fish, baby bokchoy in oyster sauce, tofu delight, etc.. I like Crab Puff for appetizer. Food comes so quickly, service is casual but good enough. Not overly-priced at all. I will definitely eat there again. Pros: Good food/price, Quick Service, Good Parking Cons: Far from town more

They are no longer downtown but Paos is well worth the trip to lakeway. Make sure to ask for the Chinese menu. The best chinese food period!!! A special shout out to the owners Steve and Linda...see you soon. more

Pao's Mandarin House is by far the best original chinese food that i have every tasted for quite some time. Pao's Mandarin House offers a wide variety of dishes to select from. Including dishes not found in any other restaurants, such as Spicy Tangy Scallops, Three Cup Chicken, and Crispy Beef Mandarin Style. Each dish has its own special flavour and taste. Pao's is by far the most original chiese restaurant in Austin. Pros: Good service, Great food, Clean restrooms Cons: Lighting more

All I can say is Crab Rangoons. They are so good here. This is by far the best Chinese resteraunt I have ever eaten at ever. If it is not on the menu they will make it for you and it will be wonderful. I have never had a bad meal or service here. The fried rice is packed with everything. They also have some incredible duck sauce that tastes nothing like I have ever had before and I have had my fill of duck sauce in NY. Everyone must try!! Pros: Never crowded, parking, take out Cons: In Lakeway more