Zoe’s Chinese Restaurant 296 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143

"We ordered take out based on positive reviews, this was a mistake. I'm not sure what reviewers are raving about? I actually mentioned on my way home that I couldn't smell the food in my car. Normally, Chinese food has a pleasant, distinct, familiar smell. The Chow foon was a soggy mess, and paying extra for the beef didn't help it. Hot and sour soup was kind of salty, with a mild taste of pepper, and no sour, not enjoyable to eat. The spicy tofu was not spicy and had the same general gravy taste everything else had. This is not a traditional "American" Chinese food place. They are trying to cover too many categories to please everyone, and not focusing on making just a few great dishes. We did order Egg Foo Yong, off menu, and it was the best thing, but the gravy was just more of the same gravy used in everything else. Too bad, it is a cute place and the woman at the counter was nice."

"Got Dan Dan noodles and was recommended Ma po tofu. Both tasted good and food qty was a lot. Good flavor and spice."

"I really enjoyed this place. Definitely cannot wait to go back and try more. Good vegetarian options"

"They have a really big menu with lots of options. We didn’t order a very diverse selection so would like to come back to try other dishes. 5% discount if you pay cash."

"An unexpected Chinese food haven beyond Chinatown. In search of an authentic Chinese dining experience that sidesteps the usual hustle and bustle of Boston's Chinatown, my friends and I recently took a visit to Zoe's on a Friday evening. The place was buzzing—a generally promising sign — and we were able to find a table without a wait. Despite the lively atmosphere, the service was impressively swift and attentive. The prices, slightly more affordable than those in Chinatown, were an added bonus. We shared an array of entrees, starting with the Dry Diced Chicken. Encased in a crispy exterior, the fatty bits of chicken thigh brought a level of richness that made the dish enjoyable. House Special Fried Rice was a multi-protein extravaganza that featured shrimp, chicken, and pork. It was more buttery than typical fried rice dishes but oddly satisfying. As our meal progressed, we found the Shanghai Baby Bok Choy Toy to be a bit on the salty side. However, its lightness offered a much-needed palate cleanser, setting the stage for the heartier dishes that followed. Mao’s Home Style Pork lived up to its name by providing a comforting, homely flavor that perfectly rounded out the previous courses. However, the pinnacle of our meal had to be the Tea-Smoked Duck. Though it was seemingly dry, the meat inside was incredibly tender and juicy. Each bite confirmed that this was quite possibly one of the best duck dishes I've had in Boston, or anywhere else for that matter. Overall, our dinner at Zoe’s exceeded our expectations, and we will definitely come back to try the duck again and explore other popular dishes."