Convenience
Quiet, mostly takeout. Good place to grab a bite on a working evening, and even get some work done.

The food is definitely nothing to write home about, loaded up with sauce; I've had some tough and funny-smelling Orange Beef there a few times (yes, a few times -- I don't expect too much.)

Fast service. I think it does a lot of business with people who want Chinese food but can't leave town.

Ambiance is standard fare Chinese restaurant, with paper placemats of your horoscope, lots of mirrors and some fake flowers.    [10 Sep 2003 22:34:48]

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     ­S., Princeton, NJ   

Karen's Chinese Restaurant is a gem... seek it out!
Karen is very special and will cater the food any way you like it. It's the closest I have found to the taste you get in Manhattan's Chinatown. If you can't get to Mott Street, go to Karen's!    [24 Sep 2003 16:44:10]

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Recommended Dishes: Chow Fun is like Chinatown!

     ­Anonymous   

Overpriced, and Snippy Waiters
We chose Karen's because of its reputation and were truly disappointed. The General's Chicken we ordered was fried rock hard ... totally inedible ... and the staff seemed not to understand the difference between the phrase "hard" and "hot" suggesting instead that it was too spicy for us. Language, poor service, and food aside -- why bother with this place?    [18 Jun 2004 15:11:39]

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     ­Anonymous   

Kung-Pao Chicken
By far the tasiest Kung-Pau Chicken I've had in the past several years. I usually had it as take-out, though, so I can't really comment on the dine-in experience. I also used to deliver for them.    [05 Aug 2005 00:26:27]

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Recommended Dishes: Kung-Pao Chicken

     ­Bah Knittle   dfgarcia at gmail dot com

Excellent Food
I couldn't tell you if the food was at all Authentic, but it is certainly the best Chinese food I've had in Princeton. Excellent Ma-Po Tofu, and really good Kung Pao Chicken. I've had mixed experiences with the General Tso's Chicken, which was once the best I've ever eaten, but the second time it was a bit hard for my taste. I've found the prices reasonable, though the specials are a bit pricey for me.    [18 Feb 2006 18:07:14]

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     ­Anonymous, Princeton Student   

Not worth the stop
My friend had a bug in his dish and the waitress argued it wasn't a bug until it moved. My dish was so greasy I could hardly finish it. Don't stop there - keep going.    [11 Jan 2007 15:22:12]

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     ­Anonymous   

My experience at Karen's
We lived in Princeton for 6.5 years and Karen's was always one of our favorite places to go -- affordable, clean, tasty food and nice service. Even though we live in Philly now, we still come back from time to time. We dined there during my first pregnancy, with our son after he was born and then during our second pregnancy. My son was born down the street and my husband even got take out for me from Karen's while I was in the hospital.

However, yesterday I had a very unpleasant experience when I decided to bring my two young children (2.5 and 6 months) to Karen's for a bite to eat (my first time taking them both out to eat by myself). It was cold outside, and my son said he wanted some chicken lo mein. It was about 5 p.m. and there wasn't anyone in there. When we got in, the friendly face I was used to (Karen???) told me we could not sit and eat because I would likely only be ordering one entree and they had minimums. Now, I know for a fact I have seen single people eating at Karen's throughout the years. And I am sure occasionally people share one dish while they dine at Karen's. But she took one look at my kids and decided we were not worth the trouble. I said "So, if my husband were here, then you'd let us eat?" and she said "Yes, come back with him." I was very hurt. What if every restaurant denied service to single mothers with kids in tow -- where would we eat? At home I guess. We will not return to Karen's, and the memories of many a nice meal there has been spoiled.    [19 Feb 2008 12:32:26]

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Recommended Dishes: Sauteed String Beans

     ­Anonymous