Alright, so I figured I’d share a bit about my recent stop at a place called Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine. It’s over on Babcock Road, right here in San Antonio, TX. I’d driven past it a few times, and you know how it is, eventually, curiosity gets the better of you, or you’re just plain hungry for some Chinese food.
So, the other afternoon, I decided today was the day. Finding it was easy enough, Babcock Road is pretty straightforward. Pulled into the lot, and the outside is, well, it’s unassuming. It’s not one of those new, flashy places. It looks like it’s been there a while, serving the neighborhood, which can often be a good sign, I think.
Walked inside. The atmosphere is pretty much what you’d expect. Dimly lit, some classic Chinese restaurant decor. Nothing fancy, but it was clean and seemed like a no-nonsense kind of establishment. I wasn’t looking for a five-star dining experience, just some decent food, so this was fine by me. Got seated pretty quickly by one of the staff. They were polite, efficient, got me a menu and some water. Standard stuff.
Down to the Food Itself
I spent a few minutes looking over the menu. It had all the usual dishes you’d expect to find. You know, your sweet and sour pork, beef with broccoli, lo mein, the works. I decided to go with a couple of old reliables to get a good baseline of what they’re doing at Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine.
Started off with some egg rolls. They came out pretty fast, hot and crispy. Not too greasy, which is always a plus. The filling was savory, pretty standard, but good. They definitely hit the spot as an appetizer. For the main course, I went with the General Tso’s Chicken. It’s kind of my go-to for trying out a new Chinese place. If they can do a good General Tso’s, it usually means other things will be decent too.
The chicken arrived, and the portion size was generous, I’ll give them that. Plenty of sauce, which had that classic tangy, slightly spicy flavor. The chicken pieces were a good size, and cooked through. It came with a side of steamed rice, which was, well, steamed rice – did its job. I also got a bit of their hot and sour soup on the side. It had a nice kick to it, good balance of flavors, not too thick, not too watery.
While I was eating, I noticed a steady stream of people coming in, a mix of folks grabbing takeout and others sitting down to eat. Seemed like a lot of regulars, people the staff knew. That’s usually a good indicator that a place is consistent and treats its customers right. The prices were also pretty reasonable. You get a good amount of food for what you pay, which I always appreciate. No frills, just straightforward value.
So, my overall take on Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine on Babcock Road in San Antonio, TX? It’s a solid spot. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not. If you’re looking for some classic American-Chinese food, generous portions, and fair prices, it’s a perfectly good option. It did the job for me, and I left satisfied. Just a practical place for a familiar meal, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. That was my experience, plain and simple.
