Where To Find The Best General Tso's Chicken In The US

General Tso's chicken is a widely popular dish in Chinese restaurants across America. The classic recipe includes battered, deep fried chicken pieces tossed in a sauce that's both a little sweet and spicy. In many cases, you get a side of broccoli to balance the richness of the breaded chicken and rice.

The truth about General Tso's is that the dish is supposedly named after a Chinese general from the 1800s who fought in the Hunan region and enjoyed an early version of the recipe. It then became popularized in the U.S. by Chef Peng Chang-kuei after he emigrated to New York from Taiwan, although it turned into a sweeter interpretation than the original over time. While General Tso's is the most common name for this dish, you may also see it spelled as General Gao or Gau. It's a staple of East Coast in Chinese restaurants but is popping up more frequently on West Coast menus as well.

Our search for the best General Tso's in the U.S. takes us from coast to coast with several stops in between, including favorites in the South and Midwest. Our ranking includes a mix ranging from hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants to super trendy and fusion spots to show that General Tso's can be delicious whether served up in a high-end establishment or a strip mall takeout shop.

MCCB is located in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown — one sign you're in a good Chinese restaurant — and stands out from its neighbors thanks to both its traditional Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine as well as its Americanized classic, General Tso's chicken. "Even their General Tso Chicken is insanely good, and my favorite in the city," says one Redditor. Yelp reviewers agree, with the chicken dish getting uniform rave reviews that describe it as flavorful (MCCB uses dark meat) and with generous portions. The menu lists it as a one-pepper spice level; for reference, the hottest dishes rank with three peppers. So if you're not up for a super spicy dish, MCCB's version could be a good one for you. 

Overall, the restaurant currently has an average 4.5-star rating on Yelp with over 1,200 reviews. Critics are equally in love with MCCB. The restaurant earned a recommendation from the Michelin Guide as one of the city's best Chinese restaurants. On top of that, local writers identify it as one of the top spots to experience Chinese cuisine and culture, offering a unique opportunity to try Northern Chinese dishes. With such diversity on the menu, you can easily experiment with new-to-you options while satisfying your craving for Chinese comfort food.

mccbchicago.com

(312) 881-0168

2138 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Look for General Gau's chicken on the menu at Q Restaurant, a local-favorite pick in Boston's Chinatown that receives routine praise across online platforms. A Yelp review gives their General Gau's meal an "A+ in taste and presentation," while others note the huge serving sizes and reasonable prices. The dish comes with green and red peppers, onions, and is a milder version — it doesn't have the hot and spicy designation on the menu.

Q visitors rate the restaurant well for large portions and quality service, so you can feel confident you'll fill up during your meal (and maybe even have some leftovers to take home). In addition to classic favorites like General Gau's chicken and Kung Pao chicken, you can also order Mongolian hot pot or sushi to share. Many diners recommend making a reservation at Q ahead of time to get a table when you arrive, although visitors report that overflow seating at the bar is available.

thequsa.com

(857) 350-3968

660 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

Although the iconic West Hollywood location has closed, Chin Chin still serves up a tasty General Tso's chicken at its Brentwood and Studio City restaurants. The restaurant uses crispy dark meat instead of white meat for the dish, and you can expect a little heat as designated by the fire sign on the menu.

Customers across social media say the General Tso's is delicious, and they appreciate the bite-sized pieces. The dish is listed among the top offerings on the Brentwood location's Yelp page, where reviewers describe the dish as a must, an absolute favorite, and say the chicken is fresh without being too dry or too spicy. Chin Chin also gets stellar reviews overall for friendly service, making it a great spot for your next Chinese comfort meal. Nearly 700 5-star reviews can't be wrong!

chinchin.com

Multiple locations

General Tso's tops the chicken options at this casual strip-mall eatery near the Texas Medical Center in Houston. It has a one-pepper spice level on the menu, includes broccoli, and, according to at least one review, chunks of cooked ginger for an extra pop of flavor. The texture is also on point: Customers across social media list Hu's as having one of the best crispy General Tso's that comes with smaller pieces.

Local foodie sites recommend Hu's Cooking as one of the city's best Chinese restaurants, praising the joint for its balance between offering comfort meals and more unique dishes. There are also entire Reddit threads with general agreement over the quality of the food and the kindness of the staff. All of these accolades have made the spot a popular pick during dinner. Some reviewers note that it's typically busy and warn that you may need to find street parking beyond the parking lot.

huscooking.com

(713) 660-0020

2502 W Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030

A modern Chinese spot in the East Village, Uluh tops Reddit threads for one of the best General Tso's in the city. While you might worry the restaurant is just hyped up for its ambience, some Redditors pipe in that the General Tso's and other dishes definitely make it worth the visit. The dish has a bit of a kick, with a one-pepper rating out of the maximum three hot peppers on the menu denoting its spice level, although one Yelp reviewer warns, "Be careful of the heat warnings. They mean it!"

Another Yelp review calls the restaurant a favorite spot in the city and praises the General Tso's. The restaurant has a sleek and modern vibe that gives it a charming, upscale feel compared to some of NYC's best, cheap Chinese restaurants. While there are certainly more adventurous options on the menu, like Peking duck or boneless pork trotters (pig feet, anyone?), the General Tso's chicken is a timeless favorite that won't disappoint.

uluhny.com

(917) 261-5963

152 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Located close to San Francisco's Chinatown in North Beach, Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge boasts a breaded General Tso's chicken that locals love. One Instagrammer describes it as "the only place I will eat General Tso chicken." A Yelp reviewer from New York notes that the meat is hot and crisp, bringing some East Coast praise to this California version of a classic dish. 

Other reviewers appreciate the large portion sizes at Osmanthus, which are shareable for groups eating together. The food comes out to the table as it's ready, so you may want to consider eating family-style and ordering all together (a chef-recommended tip for eating at Chinese restaurants anyway). National travel guides recommend Osmanthus as a favorite dim sum restaurant in San Francisco, plus there's a heated outdoor patio that's also dog-friendly!

osmanthusdimsum.com

(415) 872-9648

504 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Hong Kong Station has a few locations across the Denver area, and local Redditors love the General Tso's chicken at all of them. One commenter notes, "HKS has some of the best Americanized Asian dishes in the metro." Another swears that the city's best General Tso's comes from Hong Kong Station 2. Overall, diners appreciate the crispy coating and large serving sizes at any of the locations. The menu lists the dish as spicy, and you can request even more spice when ordering if you prefer some extra zing.

Many reviews say that Hong Kong Station can get crowded fast, so plan ahead in case you have to wait. Or order online for fresh takeout to enjoy at home without the crowds. Yelp reviewers give the Centennial location an average of 4.5 stars across 850 reviews.

hkstationdenver.com

Multiple locations

Recommended by multiple local publications, Trendy Dumpling earns rave reviews from critics and regular restaurant-goers. The General Tso's chicken is described as being crispy and fried to perfection, with a balanced coating of sauce. Some reviewers report the restaurant uses dark meat, boosting the overall flavor of the dish. But watch out for the heat: The menu tags this dish with a "spicy hot" warning.

Experts deliver high marks for Trendy Dumpling, making it a must-visit destination for General Tso's lovers in Houston. Reports also note you can bring your own alcohol, which could make for a unique experience for Chinese dining without having to go to a higher-end establishment with a bar. It's also a great lunch spot, with an affordable General Tso's special between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays that comes with steamed rice and an egg roll.

trendydumpling.com

(713) 750-9398

3285 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027

EMei is known for its authentic Sichuan food, but this Philly Chinatown restaurant also features some more familiar dishes — including General Tso's chicken. The menu describes a zesty sauce with small chunks of chicken and steamed broccoli. The spice level is rated one out of three, so you don't have to worry about too much heat when scarfing down your meal.

While there are a lot of votes for favorite dishes at EMei, General Tso's is one of them. "If you want an obvious choice, their General Tso's is delicious," recommends one Redditor. Other customers on social media describe their entire meal as fresh and flavorful. Even better, there's a gluten-free version for those with sensitivities (some argue it's better than the original version). There are reports of a separate fryer in the kitchen to make the food safe for those with more serious allergies. Going for takeout? Enjoy receiving your to-go bag from a robot.

emeiphilly.com

(215) 627-2500

915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Deep-fried and served with broccoli, Egg Roll Number 1's General Tso's chicken is one of many classics on this restaurant's menu. Opt for the full entree version or a half-size dinner special that comes with soup, crab rangoon or egg roll, fried rice, and a fortune cookie. The joint wins votes on multiple Reddit threads for best Chinese takeout in all of Indianapolis. The sauce tastes fresh and diners report thick, crispy breading.

Egg Roll Number 1 is definitely one of the more hole-in-the-wall destinations on our list, but the General Tso's chicken balances quality with affordability in a way that makes diners come back for more. There's plenty of inside seating for a casual meal out, or you can call in your takeout order for a cozy night at home. 

eggroll1.com

(317) 787-2225

4540 S Emerson Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Kung Foo Noodle's General Tso's chicken earns consistent recommendations across review platforms. It's well worth the hike to Huntersville, which is about 20 minutes north of downtown Charlotte. Customers describe the dish as flavorful, fantastic, and plentiful. Round out your plate with a choice of brown, white, or fried rice. 

Kung Foo Noodle has reigned as the highest-rated Chinese restaurant in the Charlotte area according to city guides, in part thanks to the family-friendly atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and reasonable prices. Google reviews agree that it's a comfortable spot, although it can get busy in the evening. Its Birkdale Village location makes it a nice area to walk around, either to burn off that second helping of General Tso's or make the wait go faster when you forget to make a reservation before showing up.

kungfoonoodle.com

(704) 997-8132

8625C Lindholm Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078

Listed as a must-try on Instagram, General Tso's chicken is a favorite at Seattle's Chiho Bistro. Yelp reviewers note fresh, flavorful ingredients with a sauce that isn't too sweet. In fact, one reviewer loves the sauce so much that she considered saving it to use on other dishes later on. Another comment is that it's crispy without feeling greasy — perhaps because the restaurant uses cornflour for its breading.

Chiho's General Tso's is described as mild and comes with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onion. When you place your order, choose from the large plate option or the lunch plate, which comes with three sides: rice, vegetables, and hot and sour soup. The portions are generous so you can fill up in the middle of your workday or bring it home to reheat for dinner later on. 

chihobistro.com

(206) 782-8855

2330 2nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98121

To find the best General Tso's chicken in the U.S., we first looked at Yelp reviews for Chinese restaurants that mentioned the dish. We condensed our search to large cities across the entire country to ensure diverse locations. Restaurants were then narrowed down to those with at least a 4-star rating and more than 50 reviews. We then created our final list by looking at overall sentiment about each restaurant and its General Tso's dish across social media posts, online forum conversations, and local publications.