Oriental Express in Solihull

I asked for chicken noodles and the lady shouted at me and started yelling in another language very scary for me and my children 🧒 the food was sat on the side for 15 minutes before she came back and it was cold 🥶 she can in expecting an round of applause she was very upset and she didn’t even give us our food 🍱 she is horrible and than we were walking out and she grabbed her phone and started fake crying than the other lady came out back and deleted the video and they were arguing than we left 3 weeks later she said in Tesco NEVER COME BACK TO MY SHOP don’t recommend

Having supported this local take away /small business to for over 20 years, I was extremely disappointed to tonight experience terrible service. Having ordered via walk-in, I collected my order 10/15 minutes later (timely as always). Only to get home and find that the chicken fried rice I ordered was only a friend rice. I have for 20 years, always ordered the same dishes due to how picky and specific I am due to my adhd/autism. Upon calling and advising of the mistake, the normally pleasant woman on the front told me I had not ordered the dish I always ordered. I explained that "I'm very sorry, but I have the same order every time for 20 years, you know this as you have laughed about it with me when I've joked about one day I'll try something new, I'm afraid you wrote it down wrong". The lady argued with me and told me quite aggressivly "your mistake, you come now I chnge but you must pay again!'. I stayed polite and said that it's not my error, and now you want me to come back, allow food to go cold, and pay for it full price again. That's terrible customer service". I was then told "you no order chicken fried rice, you lie!". At which point I said that's fine, I'm very disappointed after being a loyal customer for so long. I'll not be returning if that is how little you care about your customers". The response - "that fine you go away". Utterly disgusting service. I'll not slate the food, the rest that was correct was lovely. Just a shame that stubbornness, pride, and being unwilling to admit getting something wrong came before loyalty to a customer.

Having supported this local take away /small business to for over 20 years, I was extremely disappointed to tonight experience terrible service. Having ordered via walk-in, I collected my order 10/15 minutes later (timely as always). Only to get home and find that the chicken fried rice I ordered was only a friend rice. I have for 20 years, always ordered the same dishes due to how picky and specific I am due to my adhd/autism. Upon calling and advising of the mistake, the normally pleasant woman on the front told me I had not ordered the dish I always ordered. I explained that "I'm very sorry, but I have the same order every time for 20 years, you know this as you have laughed about it with me when I've joked about one day I'll try something new, I'm afraid you wrote it down wrong". The lady argued with me and told me quite aggressivly "your mistake, you come now I chnge but you must pay again!'. I stayed polite and said that it's not my error, and now you want me to come back, allow food to go cold, and pay for it full price again. That's terrible customer service". I was then told "you no order chicken fried rice, you lie!". At which point I said that's fine, I'm very disappointed after being a loyal customer for so long. I'll not be returning if that is how little you care about your customers". The response - "that fine you go away". Utterly disgusting.

I’ve never been disappointed with the food!

Spouse is a fan of Chinese food and quite choosy; says their fayre is delish. CASH ONLY, though ATMs and sub-post office (plus PO counter when post office closed) at One Stop close by. Pre-order by phone also available

Always have a great takeaway here. Thank you Lyn

Really good quality food and the lady that serves on the front desk is lovely

We've not used this establishment for a few years, but I have to admit that the quality of the food has improved.

This is my local Chinese and I’ve been here a couple times with no issues. Usually great food. However this time I woke up with food poisoning so I won’t be returning :( really disappointed!

Nice. Orange chicken is great! So are the chips!!

Foods always been amazing quality, never been anywhere else other than here

Got my order wrong, when I phoned to say the person who took the call was not very helpful, just sarcastic and rude. When I said that he was being sarcastic after I’ve paid a good amount of money for a meal, they said what you want me to do about it...??? Erm, maybe fix it!! I won’t be eating here again. Can anyone recommend a good Chinese in the balsam common area??

Great local take away Good quality

Crispy chicken balls were anything but, Singapore noodles were dreadful - too much curry powder and little else, yet another takeaway that only takes cash - doubt much of my hard earned 40% taxed money will see the books

So,make a choice - increase prices or use cheaper ingredients,not both!! Chicken fried rice now 50% of the chicken it used to have. Other mains suffering the same. You will lose your regular local customers..

We found the menu for this takeaway on line, whilst staying at a nearby campsite in January, so decided to order the set meal for two, which we thought was reasonably priced. We rang and placed the order and was ready to pay, only to be told that the on-line menu pricelist was out of date and it cost us another £6 on top of the advertised price. You can expect prices to go up a pound or two, but to be charged an additional £6 was quite over the top, so we won't be ordering from there again on our next visit to the area.

Just had a takeaway and it was really awful. Tasteless and greasy. Ordered 4 different dishes and they were all bad.

Good food, fair prices and and great portion sizes! Always pleased when we order from the Oriental Express in Balsall Common

Good quality. Efficient telephone order service. Cash only.

We always enjoy the food from the Oriental Express. We've tried other local takeaways, and always return here. I think that speaks for itself.

Chips that had been cooked and recoiled several times to a point of being dark brown and hard. Chicken and garlic hard and over cooked. Poor this evening and below usual standard.

The portion sizes are getting smaller.ordered crispy beef, found 8 strips. Won't be going there again. Worth traveling a little further for better quality!

Been several times. Excellent pancake toll, but much of the rest tastes largely the same. Satay doesn't even taste of peanut.

Worst Chinese I’ve ever had. So bland

Think the head chef must have been on holiday or something as the black bean and sweet & sour dishes were pretty tasteless. Rice was decent though and friendly service!

Ok chinese. Nothing special would use again.

Its really quite a nice chinese now, the new owners have turned it around. But... how absolutely ridiculous in 2019 that they are running a "cash only" outfit, not only must they be losing out on so much business, its just so inconvenient- especially when the ATMs in the village are either out of order or missing altogether... Come on guys sort it out!

Food is average. Price is ok. If you've got the time or inclination youd be better going to Knowle or Kenilworth for some better options.

Great Cantonese style food and very sensibly priced

Went for takeout and the food was actually really good. The prices have improved as well because it used to be a fortune for a meal. Must have new owners or something because it’s a million times better than what it used to be. Only downside is that it didn’t have a cash machine and the one in the village wasn’t working which made it really awkward - one stop also charges to get money out so I feel like the Chinese should have paid for that seeing as I had to go in there to get the money out. This is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Also they don’t give you free prawn crackers and every other Chinese I’ve been to gives you a free bag. However overall they guys at the counter were really nice and the food was awesome.

After reading a review we thought we would try here again as 3 odd years ago it wasn’t very good. It must be under new ownership as someons else has mentioned as the food is lovely, have tried several dishes and it’s been good portion size and lovely in taste. Salt n chilli squid is delicious. Highly recommend.

Hadn’t eaten here for years until I found out there was new owners . Can’t fault it ! Foods 100% better

Very good selection of food to choose from. Always service with a smile. Food hot and tasty and good size servings

Honestly, really good food, salt and chilli chicken is so beautiful full of flavour. The ribs are also good. Would recommend!

Once again, food is just not of ANY quality. Tried this place out again tonight and yep, it all went in the bin! This one is off the list now.

Not the best takeaway in the world but the food is edible and services reasonably quick

We ordered King Prawn Curry and Sesame Prawn Toast and a boiled rice, to be fair the Sesame Prawn toast was a good portion and tasted nice, the prawn curry was less nice, but would be prepared to give them another chance!!

I Have noticed that the quality does change a lot at this location, although it is never bad, sometimes it is excellent, other times mediocre. The speed at which you get your food is admirable, but there are other local chineses' with more competitive prices and a wider menu. I feel with a refined, yet broader menu and a strict chef, Oriental Express could easily be five stars, but for now I'll stick with 3.

Very averge chinese food. Not worth the price. For example, I often order sweet sour chicken in chinese take away, the dish here isn't cooked properly here, their meat pieces are fried with lots flour & in super big size (about an egg size), and you need to dip with the sauce they provided, the sauce is diluted & not tasty at all. Very disappointed, as it is the only Chinese take away in our village. Hope their chef can improve their cooking standard soon.

Used to be great food, now not so good. Bland no taste

I think it gas changed hands recently. The food is better than it War. Enjoyed the chicken curry with Rice extra hot.

Nice food at reasonable prices. Can be busy which is a good sign, food made very quickly and staff friendly and polite.

This used to be amazing good however since the 2 lads have taken over it, They have changed the food. they have subbed for cheaper options. if I could give it 0 stars trust me i would. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Had curry last night, it was amazing. Will be going back again.

Telephone orders are always ready when the say they are.

Always perfect food, never a bad meal

Tasty Chinese meals, very quick service and reasonable prices. Everything I would want from a local takeaway. My only criticism is that they're a cash-only business (no cards) but that certainly doesn't affect the taste of their meals.

Fast service. Tasty food. Reasonable prices.

I use this place a lot and for Chinese food they have a very good selection and everything I have had, has been excellent. Top-Tip: It gets busy so order by phone and collect in 10 or 15 mins.

Utilizar el servicio de comida para llevar que probablemente un par de veces cada mes y siempre me ha entretenido que, no importa lo que la orden, qué día de la semana es, independientemente de la hora del día, el tiempo de espera siempre es citada como '10 minutos'.

Quality Chinese food, been there many times and rarley get a bad meal

For the money and the speed of the food and the taste it's well worth it! Very tasty and quick, good service!

Portion sizes were good but food really average. Looking for a great local takeaway, unfortunately it won't be this one

Had a nice and authentic Chinese breakfast

La comida está bien. . . Ish y siempre listo rápidamente. Parece como si tenían una competencia local que tendrían que su partido o salir de negocios.

Always lovely when I order from here. This is the Chinese to have :) very friendly and happy. Can't wait to order again. :)

Primera revisión en TA, la comida era bastante malos rollos primavera, no está mal ... pero todo lo demás realmente horrible ... y si eres un fan de. 6,28 Chatarra chili carne, aconsejo que comprar sólo así que puedes ver lo malo que puede hacerse ... hace que sea barato, China se encuentra en la esquina, en un espantoso descuidado lugar como un lugar con estrellas Michelin.

I had forgotten how truly awful the food here is. I won't forget again in a hurry as my stomach is still complaining. Unpalatable and greasy. Don't waste your money or the effort it takes to collect your meal.

Si eres un fanático del agradable comida china y comer regular, no me molestaría tratando el Oriental express.

As a family, we have used the Oriental Express many times and have ALLWAYS been very satisfied either when we have ordered ahead or just turned up.The meat has always been of good quality and the menu well balanced....as a family run business, it is consistently friendly and welcoming.I would say it's not the cheapest around and I would like to be able to use a card to pay - but we have never ever been disappointed.Try it!

I rarely ever write reviews but I really felt compelled to write this after a truly awful meal from our local Chinese takeaway. I'm all for supporting local business so I gave this place another go after a very disappointing meal around 18 months ago. I wish I hadn't. I ordered the Crispy Beef in Cantonese Sauce and it was so bad that I had to bin it after enduring just 3 pieces of meat. Instead of having a lovely light crispy batter it had a floury pasty coating and inside the meat was dry and chewy. I'm used to small pieces of crispy beef but these were about finger sized. It looked unappealing as soon as I opened the box so I don't know why I thought it would taste any better. Last time I had sweet and sour chicken in undercooked batter. Save your money and gag reflex and go to the far superior Chinese takeaway in Kenilworth. The food there is incredible. I did wonder why my friends, who've lived in Balsall Common for years insist on driving to Kenilworth rather than walking down the street. I definitely know why now! Never ever again.

Tried it for the second time in a couple of months .... It's our local Chinese. Sweet and sour chicken tasteless.... Singapore noodles lacking in meat .... Prawn crackers chargeable!!?? Spare ribs passable - just!!! Don't bother ....

I have to say that I have been a customer of this takeaway for several years. In that time I have only ever visited it out of convenience. The food is average to say the least. Pricing, depending on what you order is also average. I would have to agree with MayBride_13 that you are far better off heading into Knowle where you will find two takeaways (Tom Li and Jade Palace) which are really worth the trip.

a great takeaway, love the chillichick rice special, but never had a bad meal from heregood food at great prices

Food always great and good value......Friendly staff......just a shame they don't offer a delivery service

Extremely poor & over priced chinese Spent over £17 and for first time ever in a chinese was then charged for the prawn crackers on top. Definetly worth spending that extra money on fuel to Knowle instead where the chinese takeaways are a different league to here - and the prawn crackers are added to your order for free!