The High 5 Chinese chow spots

→ Jade Garden

4800 Bryant St.

Dallas 75204

Don't let the neighborhood scare you; this place has amazing food. Jade Garden is a Chinese restaurant located in east Dallas that also serves Vietnamese cuisine. The entrees are large and always come with fresh, crisp vegetables. The menu is extensive and offers some interesting items like canh chua, a Vietnamese style hot and sour soup.

Check out: The sizzling wrapped chicken. It's pieces of chicken simmered in sauce and wrapped in a piece of aluminum foil for $8.

Also try: Some Vietnamese coffee poured into condensed milk for $1.

→ China Cafe

906 E. Interstate 30

Garland 75043

China Cafe is located in a shopping center off of interstate 30. The restaurant is quiet, with Chinese decorations scattered throughout. The portions are fairly large and freshly cooked when you order. The prices are also reasonable. There is something for everyone, including various fried rice and lo mein (soft Chinese noodles) dishes, wonton soup, several egg foo young entrees and seafood.

Check out: The sesame chicken for $8.75. It's yummy chicken battered in a special sauce with sesame seeds.

Also try: Beef with broccoli for $6.50.

→ Hong Kong Restaurant

9055 Garland Rd.

Dallas 75218

This place is like the royal palace of Chinese restaurants in Dallas. The dining area is adorned with paintings of Chinese landscapes and calligraphy. The food is authentic and fair priced. The restaurant also serves up the best hand-made egg rolls.

Check out: The tomato chicken lo din. Chicken sauteed with onions and tomatoes in a special Chinese sauce for $7.95

Also try: The War Su Har. It's jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon and then deep fried for $6.05.

→ Sing Kee Chinese BBQ

9780 Walnut St.

Dallas 75243

Sing Kee's a la carte style makes Chinese street food much less intimidating when it comes to ordering. Sing Kee offers exotic entrees like roasted duck, squid and eel for the adventurous. For those with less gusto, the cold noodles and fried rice are solid choices without sacrificing authenticity.

Check out: Salty fish fried rice with a side of coconut butterfly shrimp for $6.50.

Also try: Stir fry noodles with pork for $4.50 and a refreshing mango boba tea with tapioca pearls for $2.50.

→ China First

2110 N. Town East Blvd.

Mesquite 75150

Though relatively small, China First has been in business for more than 20 years. It has all of your favorites: dumplings, fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, moo goo gai pan, fried cheese wontons and a wide variety of other Chinese cuisine. A drive-thru and a buffet-to-go system are available, the latter of which is priced by the pound. A family favorite for reasonable prices, China First is a must for any Mesquite-dwelling Chinese fan.

Check out: The moo goo gai pan. A stir-fried dish with chicken, white button mushrooms, snow peas, and carrots coated in a delicious light chicken broth-based sauce.

Also try: The fried cheese wontons, which are dumpling stuffed with crab and cream cheese, folded and deep-fried.