What I eat in Methuen, Massachusetts
# **A Foodie’s Guide to Methuen, Massachusetts: Where to Dine and What to Order**
Nestled in the Merrimack Valley, Methuen, Massachusetts, is a hidden gem for food lovers. From authentic Chinese takeout to hearty diner classics, artisanal Lebanese pastries, and comforting Vietnamese pho, this city offers a diverse culinary scene that deserves exploration. Whether you're a local or just passing through, here’s your ultimate guide to Methuen’s must-try restaurants—complete with standout dishes and dining experiences.
---
## **1. Lucky Garden – Classic Chinese Comfort Food**
? **10 Haverhill St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-9888**
? [Menu](
)
A Methuen staple since 1986, **Lucky Garden** serves up generous portions of American-Chinese favorites with a comforting, no-frills approach. The restaurant is perfect for quick takeout or casual dine-in, with a menu packed with crispy egg rolls, savory lo mein, and tangy General Tso’s chicken.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **General Tso’s Chicken** – Crispy, sweet, and just spicy enough, this dish is a crowd-pleaser.
✔ **Beef with Broccoli** – Tender slices of beef stir-fried with fresh broccoli in a rich brown sauce.
✔ **House Special Lo Mein** – A hearty noodle dish loaded with shrimp, chicken, and vegetables.
✔ **Pork Fried Rice** – A classic done right, with fluffy rice, smoky pork, and scrambled egg.
**Pro Tip:** Order the **Pu Pu Platter** if you’re dining with a group—it’s a fantastic sampler of egg rolls, spare ribs, chicken fingers, and more.
---
## **2. China Star – Reliable Chinese-American Takeout**
? **436 Prospect St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-2288**
? [Menu](
)
Another solid choice for Chinese takeout, **China Star** is known for its quick service and consistently good flavors. The menu is extensive, covering everything from crispy sesame chicken to comforting wonton soup.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Sesame Chicken** – Sweet, nutty, and crispy—always a hit.
✔ **Shrimp with Lobster Sauce** – A rich, velvety sauce coats plump shrimp for a luxurious bite.
✔ **Moo Shu Pork** – Served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and crisp veggies.
✔ **Egg Foo Young** – A fluffy omelet-style dish with veggies and your choice of protein.
**Pro Tip:** Their **lunch specials** are a steal, offering a main dish, fried rice, and a crispy egg roll for under $10.
---
## **3. Wah Sang Restaurant – Authentic Chinese Cuisine**
? **42 Hampshire St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-3388**
? [Menu](
)
For a more traditional Chinese dining experience, **Wah Sang Restaurant** stands out with its authentic flavors and homestyle cooking. The menu includes Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, making it a favorite among locals seeking something beyond the usual takeout fare.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Peking Duck** – Crispy skin, tender meat, served with pancakes and hoisin sauce.
✔ **Salt & Pepper Shrimp** – Lightly battered and tossed with garlic, peppers, and scallions.
✔ **Szechuan Beef** – Spicy, numbing, and packed with bold flavors.
✔ **Hot & Sour Soup** – A tangy, peppery broth loaded with tofu and mushrooms.
**Pro Tip:** Ask for the **off-menu specials**—sometimes the best dishes aren’t listed!
---
## **4. Korbanis Bakery – Lebanese Pastries & Breads**
? **77 Swan St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-7606**
? [Menu](
)
A Methuen institution since 1978, **Korbanis Bakery** is the go-to spot for fresh-baked Lebanese bread, pastries, and Middle Eastern treats. The smell of warm pita and za’atar fills the air, making it impossible to leave without a bag full of goodies.
### **Must-Order Items:**
✔ **Fresh Pita Bread** – Soft, pillowy, and perfect for dipping.
✔ **Spinach Pies (Fatayer)** – Flaky dough stuffed with seasoned spinach and lemon.
✔ **Baklava** – Layers of phyllo, nuts, and honey syrup.
✔ **Za’atar Manakeesh** – Flatbread topped with thyme, sesame, and olive oil.
**Pro Tip:** Try their **kibbeh** (spiced meat-filled croquettes) if available—they’re a hidden gem.
---
## **5. LoConte’s Subs and Pizza – Classic Italian-American Bites**
? **689 Prospect St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-4555**
? [Menu](
)
A beloved local sub shop, **LoConte’s** serves up massive Italian-style sandwiches, crispy pizza, and hearty pasta dishes. The portions are generous, and the flavors are nostalgic—just like a classic New England sub shop should be.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Italian Sub** – Stacked with ham, salami, capicola, provolone, and all the fixings.
✔ **Chicken Parm Sub** – Crispy breaded chicken, marinara, and melted mozzarella.
✔ **Meatball Pizza** – A saucy, cheesy pie topped with homemade meatballs.
✔ **Garlic Bread with Cheese** – Buttery, garlicky, and impossible to resist.
**Pro Tip:** Their **buffalo chicken pizza** is a local favorite—spicy, tangy, and loaded with flavor.
---
*(Continued in Part 2—covering Royal House, Spring Restaurant, Al’s Family Diner, Ellie’s Farmhouse, and Pho City!)*
Would you like me to continue with the remaining five restaurants? I can also adjust the tone, focus on specific cuisines, or add more personal anecdotes if you'd like!
Nestled in the Merrimack Valley, Methuen, Massachusetts, is a hidden gem for food lovers. From authentic Chinese takeout to hearty diner classics, artisanal Lebanese pastries, and comforting Vietnamese pho, this city offers a diverse culinary scene that deserves exploration. Whether you're a local or just passing through, here’s your ultimate guide to Methuen’s must-try restaurants—complete with standout dishes and dining experiences.
---
## **1. Lucky Garden – Classic Chinese Comfort Food**
? **10 Haverhill St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-9888**
? [Menu](
)
A Methuen staple since 1986, **Lucky Garden** serves up generous portions of American-Chinese favorites with a comforting, no-frills approach. The restaurant is perfect for quick takeout or casual dine-in, with a menu packed with crispy egg rolls, savory lo mein, and tangy General Tso’s chicken.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **General Tso’s Chicken** – Crispy, sweet, and just spicy enough, this dish is a crowd-pleaser.
✔ **Beef with Broccoli** – Tender slices of beef stir-fried with fresh broccoli in a rich brown sauce.
✔ **House Special Lo Mein** – A hearty noodle dish loaded with shrimp, chicken, and vegetables.
✔ **Pork Fried Rice** – A classic done right, with fluffy rice, smoky pork, and scrambled egg.
**Pro Tip:** Order the **Pu Pu Platter** if you’re dining with a group—it’s a fantastic sampler of egg rolls, spare ribs, chicken fingers, and more.
---
## **2. China Star – Reliable Chinese-American Takeout**
? **436 Prospect St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-2288**
? [Menu](
)
Another solid choice for Chinese takeout, **China Star** is known for its quick service and consistently good flavors. The menu is extensive, covering everything from crispy sesame chicken to comforting wonton soup.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Sesame Chicken** – Sweet, nutty, and crispy—always a hit.
✔ **Shrimp with Lobster Sauce** – A rich, velvety sauce coats plump shrimp for a luxurious bite.
✔ **Moo Shu Pork** – Served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and crisp veggies.
✔ **Egg Foo Young** – A fluffy omelet-style dish with veggies and your choice of protein.
**Pro Tip:** Their **lunch specials** are a steal, offering a main dish, fried rice, and a crispy egg roll for under $10.
---
## **3. Wah Sang Restaurant – Authentic Chinese Cuisine**
? **42 Hampshire St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-3388**
? [Menu](
)
For a more traditional Chinese dining experience, **Wah Sang Restaurant** stands out with its authentic flavors and homestyle cooking. The menu includes Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, making it a favorite among locals seeking something beyond the usual takeout fare.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Peking Duck** – Crispy skin, tender meat, served with pancakes and hoisin sauce.
✔ **Salt & Pepper Shrimp** – Lightly battered and tossed with garlic, peppers, and scallions.
✔ **Szechuan Beef** – Spicy, numbing, and packed with bold flavors.
✔ **Hot & Sour Soup** – A tangy, peppery broth loaded with tofu and mushrooms.
**Pro Tip:** Ask for the **off-menu specials**—sometimes the best dishes aren’t listed!
---
## **4. Korbanis Bakery – Lebanese Pastries & Breads**
? **77 Swan St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-7606**
? [Menu](
)
A Methuen institution since 1978, **Korbanis Bakery** is the go-to spot for fresh-baked Lebanese bread, pastries, and Middle Eastern treats. The smell of warm pita and za’atar fills the air, making it impossible to leave without a bag full of goodies.
### **Must-Order Items:**
✔ **Fresh Pita Bread** – Soft, pillowy, and perfect for dipping.
✔ **Spinach Pies (Fatayer)** – Flaky dough stuffed with seasoned spinach and lemon.
✔ **Baklava** – Layers of phyllo, nuts, and honey syrup.
✔ **Za’atar Manakeesh** – Flatbread topped with thyme, sesame, and olive oil.
**Pro Tip:** Try their **kibbeh** (spiced meat-filled croquettes) if available—they’re a hidden gem.
---
## **5. LoConte’s Subs and Pizza – Classic Italian-American Bites**
? **689 Prospect St, Methuen, MA 01844**
? **(978) 685-4555**
? [Menu](
)
A beloved local sub shop, **LoConte’s** serves up massive Italian-style sandwiches, crispy pizza, and hearty pasta dishes. The portions are generous, and the flavors are nostalgic—just like a classic New England sub shop should be.
### **Must-Order Dishes:**
✔ **Italian Sub** – Stacked with ham, salami, capicola, provolone, and all the fixings.
✔ **Chicken Parm Sub** – Crispy breaded chicken, marinara, and melted mozzarella.
✔ **Meatball Pizza** – A saucy, cheesy pie topped with homemade meatballs.
✔ **Garlic Bread with Cheese** – Buttery, garlicky, and impossible to resist.
**Pro Tip:** Their **buffalo chicken pizza** is a local favorite—spicy, tangy, and loaded with flavor.
---
*(Continued in Part 2—covering Royal House, Spring Restaurant, Al’s Family Diner, Ellie’s Farmhouse, and Pho City!)*
Would you like me to continue with the remaining five restaurants? I can also adjust the tone, focus on specific cuisines, or add more personal anecdotes if you'd like!
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