Some Michiganders remember Friday nights with a white takeout box of chop suey and a crispy egg roll wrapped in wax paper. Those classic American Chinese dishes never really went away, and a handful of Michigan restaurants still make them the old way.
From Detroit to Portage, these spots serve big portions, fair prices, and the flavors many of us grew up on. If you miss egg foo young, almond chicken, or a combo plate with soup on the side, this list is for you.
1. Paradise Chop Suey, Detroit, MI
Some families in this part of Detroit have been ordering from the same counter for around 40 years. That kind of loyalty says plenty about Paradise Chop Suey at 9333 Grand River Ave.
Chop suey is right there in the name, and Shrimp Chop Suey sits among the menu highlights. The egg rolls are the other big draw.
They come out large and freshly fried, and they pair well with sesame chicken, plain fried rice, or shrimp egg foo yung.
Almond chicken and shrimp fried rice get the signature gravy treatment here. Portions are generous, and most meals land in the $10 to $20 range per person, with lunch specials offered daily.
Plan on takeout, since there is no table service and no restroom. The restaurant is closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.
Free lot and street parking make the stop easy, though Friday afternoons and Saturday evenings get busy.
2. First Wok Chinese Restaurant, Grand Rapids, MI
Egg foo young and chop suey on the same menu feels like a time capsule, and First Wok on Alpine Avenue NW keeps both close at hand. The place has an easygoing, old-school vibe and a jumbo menu of classic Chinese American fare.
Lunch specials are the smart money move. They come with soup and egg rolls, and the egg drop soup is a standout.
The hot and sour soup has its own fans across Grand Rapids.
Beyond the nostalgic plates, the menu covers orange chicken, sweet and sour chicken, Mongolian beef, and crab rangoon. Vegetarian egg rolls are a highlight, and there is a full vegetarian menu too.
Expect about $10 to $20 per person.
Families will find high chairs and a kid-friendly setup. First Wok is closed Tuesdays and open until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekday nights tend to be calmer if you want a quiet table, and parking is usually plentiful.
3. Golden Moon, Flint, MI
Since 1984, one family has kept Golden Moon cooking on Miller Road in Flint. Chow mein, fried rice, and chop suey have been foundation dishes from the very start.
The egg rolls might be the real headliner, though. They are crispy, with a filling and wrapper that stand apart, and they come with plum sauce that Flint diners hold in high regard.
Meals come with soup and an egg roll, and portions often stretch into leftovers. Menu highlights include cashew chicken, almond chicken, steak kow, sesame chicken, and Mongolian beef.
Most visits run $10 to $20 per person.
An aquarium adds a fun touch for kids, and there is a kids’ menu plus high chairs. A private dining room helps with group gatherings.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m.
Sunday, so plan an earlier dinner. Delivery and takeout are available as well.
4. Little Panda | Chinese Restaurant, Lansing, MI
Beef chop suey, shrimp fried rice, and an egg roll make a classic trio at Little Panda on W Saginaw Hwy. It is the kind of order that never really goes out of style.
The egg rolls get extra attention for their crispy shell and savory house seasoning. Sesame chicken is another menu highlight worth a look.
Here is the twist that sets it apart from the rest of this list. Little Panda also serves dim sum on weekends, so a Saturday visit can mix old favorites with something new.
Prices stay friendly at around $10 to $20 per person. The restaurant is closed Tuesdays and opens at 11 a.m. most other days, with later 11:30 a.m. starts on weekends.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options, and free parking is usually easy to find.
5. New JoyFong Modern Cuisine, Portage, MI
Don’t let the word modern in the name fool you. New JoyFong in Portage is a classic Chinese joint with a retro vibe, serving egg drop soup, chop suey, and other traditional plates.
Egg rolls are made fresh in-house daily, and crab rangoon is a popular partner. Dinner combinations keep ordering simple, and portions are large for the price.
Sesame chicken leads the menu highlights. There is also a full vegetarian menu and a kids’ menu, which helps when the whole family has different tastes.
Most meals fall between $10 and $20 per person.
Consistent hours are a perk here. The restaurant opens every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so there is no closed day to plan around.
Curbside pickup, delivery, and free Wi-Fi round out the practical side, and parking is usually plentiful along Portage Road.
6. Lum’s Chop Suey, Dearborn Heights, MI
Plenty of regulars walk into Lum’s Chop Suey and order beef chop suey every single time. When a dish earns that kind of devotion, it belongs on a list like this.
Lum’s sits at 23634 Van Born Rd in Dearborn Heights. It is a no-frills spot with a menu that spans Cantonese, Sichuan, and Mandarin favorites.
Egg rolls are a menu highlight and a go-to side with dinner. Almond boneless chicken, wonton soup, chow mein, and sesame chicken combinations also get plenty of love.
Portions are big enough to stretch over a few meals, and prices run about $10 to $20 per person.
Orders tend to be accurate, with plenty of sauces packed in. Lum’s is closed Tuesdays and open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. the rest of the week.
Parking can be tight, so curbside pickup is a handy option on busy evenings.
Wherever you live in Michigan, one of these six kitchens is likely within a reasonable drive. Grab a combo plate, save the leftovers, and share this list with whoever first introduced you to chop suey.