Nestled in the heart of Vienna, Virginia, at 103 Center Street North, Peking Express has been a beloved fixture in the local dining scene for an impressive 35 years. Established in 1990, this family-owned Chinese restaurant has evolved from a modest carryout operation into a cornerstone of the community, offering dine-in, takeout, and delivery services to residents of Vienna, Tysons Corner, and Oakton.
The Owners and Their Vision
While the owners maintain a relatively low profile, their presence is deeply felt throughout the establishment. Regular customers consistently praise the friendly owner who greets patrons by name and has built genuine relationships with families across multiple generations. One loyal customer shared their experience of patronizing the restaurant for 25 years, highlighting the owner’s warm and welcoming demeanor that has remained constant through the decades.
The restaurant’s commitment to quality extends beyond mere business transactions. The owners have cultivated an atmosphere where customers feel like members of an extended family, creating a sense of community that transcends the typical restaurant experience. This personal touch has proven so powerful that one couple who moved to North Carolina drove four hours just to satisfy their craving for Peking Express’s distinctive flavors.
Mission and Philosophy
Peking Express operates on a straightforward but powerful philosophy: quality above all else. The restaurant emphasizes using only the finest and freshest beef, pork, and chicken in their meals, setting themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market. Their mission statement reflects a commitment to customization and health-conscious preparation, with chefs available to accommodate special dietary requests including no oil, no salt, or steamed preparations.
The establishment exclusively uses 100% soybean vegetable oil and offers brown rice as an alternative to white rice, demonstrating their attention to health-conscious diners. This flexibility in preparation has earned them a loyal following among customers with various dietary preferences and restrictions, from families with young children to health-focused adults.
Menu Highlights and Specialties
Peking Express offers an extensive menu that balances traditional Chinese-American favorites with house specialties that have become legendary among regulars. The restaurant’s most popular items reveal both the quality of their execution and the preferences of their devoted customer base.
The General Tso’s Chicken stands as one of the restaurant’s flagship dishes, with customers praising the perfectly seasoned sauce and the option to request all white meat. The dish arrives piping hot, featuring tender chicken with fresh-chopped green peppers that add a sweet, crisp contrast to the savory sauce.
The Orange Chicken represents another customer favorite, showcasing tender chicken chunks sautéed with a unique blend of slivered orange peels and spicy Chinese peppercorns. The dish exemplifies the restaurant’s ability to balance sweet and spicy flavors in perfect harmony.
Perhaps the most distinctive offering is the Mongolian Beef, which has achieved near-cult status among devotees. Customers rave about its wonderful smoky flavor that sets it apart from versions found elsewhere. The dish features tender beef with onions in the restaurant’s special sauce, creating a flavor profile that has inspired at least one couple to drive hundreds of miles for their fix.
The Szechuan Shredded Chicken has emerged as a personal favorite for many long-time customers, offering the perfect balance of heat and flavor. This dish demonstrates the kitchen’s skill with traditional Szechuan preparation techniques while maintaining broad appeal.
Another standout is the Spicy Noodle Peanut Pasta, which diners describe as having the perfect combination of spicy and peanut flavors with noodles cooked to ideal texture. This dish showcases the restaurant’s ability to create addictive flavor combinations that keep customers returning.
The menu also features classics like Sesame Chicken, Kung Pao dishes, homemade lo mein, shrimp with various preparations, Moo Shu selections, and an array of fried rice options. The restaurant offers special lunch combinations that include a vegetable egg roll and choice of egg drop, wonton, or hot and sour soup, providing excellent value for the midday crowd.
Celebrating 35 Years of Service
As Peking Express marks over three decades in business, the milestone represents more than just longevity—it reflects consistent quality, unwavering commitment to customers, and the ability to adapt to changing tastes while maintaining core values. The restaurant has witnessed Vienna’s transformation over the years, serving multiple generations of families and becoming woven into the fabric of community life.
Long-time customers recall ordering from Peking Express for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and weekly takeout rituals. The consistent quality has made the restaurant a reliable choice for everything from casual weeknight dinners to special occasion meals. Families with members ranging from children to seniors all find dishes they enjoy, a testament to the menu’s broad appeal.
Value and Accessibility
Operating seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Peking Express maintains convenient hours for both lunch and dinner service. The restaurant offers generous portions at reasonable prices, with delivery available within a three-mile radius including Vienna, Tysons Corner, and Oakton. Minimum delivery orders are set at $15 for lunch and $20 for dinner.
The establishment provides free Wi-Fi for dine-in customers and accommodates various ordering preferences, from phone-ahead pickup to online ordering and third-party delivery platforms, though they encourage direct ordering to avoid additional fees.
A Local Institution
Peking Express of Vienna has earned its place as a neighborhood institution through decades of consistent service, quality food, and genuine hospitality. As it continues serving the community, the restaurant remains a testament to the enduring appeal of family-owned establishments that prioritize relationships alongside revenues, quality alongside convenience.
Peking Express of Vienna
103 Center Street N
Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 281-2445
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sources
This article was written with the assistance of AI
