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| - I'm seriously disappointed at the modest number of local places that will service the midnight appetites of college students. And given the intense competition among Chinese restaurants in Champaign, I think it was a smart business tactic for Chopstix to exploit the late night market. Chopstix delivers food until around 3:00 a.m. each night; the trade-off is that they don't open until 4:00 p.m.
The actual storefront is just a counter with 3 tables (not really an invitation to stay and eat), but the service is friendly and enthusiastic.
As for the menu, you'll find all those greasy Americanized-Chinese standards: lo mein, fried rice, and combo platters (entree, rice, and egg roll). You'll need a gallon of water to offset the astronomical salt content of the food, but nobody eats at a place like this without expecting to do so.
I ordered shrimp egg foo young, and the quality was above average. The egg patties were an equal mix of meat and sliced vegetables (onions and nappa), with the edges crisp from frying. I liked that the vegetables still had some substance and texture, and that the sauce wasn't a heavy, sluggish gravy. Some bright green onions were even sprinkled on top to offer color to a usually drab plate of food.
Overall, a welcome addition to the late night eateries in Champaign, especially as the food is really pretty decent.
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