Explore the best dishes at Dragon Lee Fort Collins, a go-to spot for Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese food near CSU. Full menu breakdown, photos, delivery options & more.
Where Asian Fusion Meets Affordable Flavor
For over a decade, Dragon Lee has been a quiet favorite in the Fort Collins dining scene—especially for those craving bold, affordable Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese fare. Situated just blocks from Colorado State University, this casual, counter-serve fusion restaurant is known for quick takeout, reliable delivery, and a full menu stacked with saucy stir-fries, crispy wontons, hearty noodle bowls, and spicy curries.
What keeps Dragon Lee popular isn’t just the portion sizes or wallet-friendly prices—it’s the consistency. While the decor might be minimal and the setting no-frills, the flavors are full throttle. Whether you’re looking for the best pad Thai near CSU, fried rice loaded with sweet sausage, or pork belly drenched in garlic sauce, Dragon Lee Fort Collins delivers on every front.
Updated May 2025
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Dragon Lee Fort Collins: Where Asian Fusion Meets Affordable Flavor
A few blocks from Colorado State University, tucked into the Prospect and Elizabeth corridor, sits one of Fort Collins’ longest-running Asian fusion restaurants: Dragon Lee. Known for its deep menu, fast takeout, and crowd-pleasing combos, Dragon Lee has become a go-to for students, families, and locals craving Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese comfort food.
Locals frequently cite Dragon Lee on Yelp, TripAdvisor, and DoorDash for its “massive portions,” “crispy pork belly,” and “pho that hits the spot.” It’s not fine dining—but it’s reliably flavorful, fast, and wallet-friendly. And for an Asian restaurant located near a college campus, those are the three traits that tend to create cult followings.
🍽️ The Dragon Lee Top 11: Local Favorites According to Reviews
Each of these dishes has been highlighted in verified customer reviews, featured on the official menu, and appears in delivery listings via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and more. These aren’t just editorial picks—they’re what locals actually order.
1. Cream Cheese Wontons ($7.79)
Often cited as a perfect appetizer to start any order, Dragon Lee’s cream cheese wontons arrive hot, crispy, and golden. Filled with a blend of imitation crab and cream cheese, they come six to a serving and are paired with sweet chili sauce for dipping. Yelp reviewers frequently praise them for being consistently crunchy and not overly greasy.
2. Dragon Noodles / Drunken Noodles ($14.99)
Dragon Lee’s take on pad kee mao, often referred to as “drunken noodles,” features wide rice noodles stir-fried with egg, onion, and bell peppers in a savory sauce. Available with chicken, tofu, shrimp, or combo meat, reviewers love the option to crank up the spice to “Thai HOT”—a level that’s clearly not just for show according to multiple Yelp comments.
3. Sesame Chicken ($15.99)
Among Dragon Lee’s most ordered dishes across delivery apps and cited on Doordash, sesame chicken is a reliable favorite. The breaded chicken breast is fried and glazed in a sweet sesame-based sauce, usually served over jasmine or fried rice. Many local reviewers mention it’s part of the lunch special rotation, making it even more of a value pick.
4. Fire Volcano Chicken ($14.99)
For spice seekers, the Fire Volcano Chicken delivers. Built around a stir fry of onions, green beans, garlic, and chicken, this dish is tossed in a bold chili-garlic sauce. Some reviewers mention this item when they want a “hot but flavorful” alternative to the sweeter General Tso-style dishes.
5. Pho Beef ($14.99)
Though Dragon Lee is not a dedicated Vietnamese restaurant, its take on pho is surprisingly solid according to DoorDash ratings and Google reviews. Made with a rich beef broth, thin rice noodles, spring onions, lime, and sprouts, the pho is “comforting,” “filling,” and shows up hot and ready in takeout packaging.
6. Crispy Pork Belly with Green Beans ($15.99)
This item has become something of a hidden gem among TripAdvisor reviewers. It features crispy chunks of pork belly stir-fried with green beans and tossed in a chili-basil garlic paste. The texture is key—crispy exterior with a juicy center—and locals have said it’s “the most underrated item” on the menu.
7. Pad Thai ($14.99)
The pad Thai at Dragon Lee is a dependable entry point for newcomers. Stir-fried thin rice noodles are tossed with egg, green onions, and a slightly tangy, sweet house sauce. You can request tofu, chicken, or shrimp, and adjust spice levels to your taste. Many repeat customers comment on the consistency and large portions of this dish, especially for takeout.
8. Pumpkin Curry ($15.99)
A more seasonal-feeling dish that’s available year-round, the pumpkin curry is cooked in a red curry base with creamy coconut milk and fresh basil. Reviewers on Yelp and Uber Eats call it a “comfort food favorite,” and it’s a standout for those who want something beyond the usual green curry or panang varieties.
9. Golden Fried Rice ($14.99)
Golden Fried Rice is one of Dragon Lee’s signature rice dishes, featuring egg, pineapple, onion, bell peppers, and cashew nuts. Available with chicken, tofu, shrimp, or combo meat, this sweet-and-savory combo is a fan-favorite—especially among Uber Eats users looking for a flavorful side that eats like a main.
10. Wonton Soup (Cup $6.99 / Bowl $13.79)
Available in both individual and family-sized portions, the wonton soup is praised for its light broth and flavorful dumplings. Commonly ordered with combo meals, it’s often reviewed as a “go-to pairing” with heavier stir fry or curry dishes.
11. Crispy Egg Noodles ($15.99)
Golden-seared noodles topped with gravy, vegetables, and your choice of meat, this dish is featured under the “Chef Specials” section of the menu. It delivers on both texture and flavor—soft, crispy, and rich—offering something different than standard stir fry or lo mein.
🎁 Bonus: Lunch & Family Specials Locals Rely On
Beyond its large à la carte menu, Dragon Lee also offers budget-friendly combo deals that get frequent mentions in online reviews and delivery platform listings.
- Lunch Special ($12.79)
Available every day from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, this combo includes:- One entrée (from items #9–15, such as sesame chicken or almond cashew chicken)
- A crispy egg roll
- Your choice of hot-sour or egg drop soup
- Jasmine or fried rice
- Family Special ($40.00)
Designed for sharing, this meal includes:- Two entrées (from items #9–16, #23–27, or #41–44)
- Two soups (egg drop or hot-sour)
- Egg rolls
Combo upgrades available: Beef/Shrimp (+$2), House Combo (+$3)
These specials are clearly listed on Dragon Lee’s official menu and have been repeatedly mentioned in reviews, especially by those seeking affordable group dining or meal-prep leftovers.
🏪 About Dragon Lee Fort Collins
Dragon Lee is an Asian fusion restaurant that brings together Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese influences. Conveniently located at 1228 W Elizabeth St, it’s a short distance from Colorado State University, drawing a steady crowd of students and local residents.
The restaurant offers:
- Casual dine-in service
- Reliable takeout
- Online ordering and delivery through platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Nosh Delivery
The dining space is small and unpretentious, but the kitchen puts out generous plates with flavor profiles ranging from mild to ultra-spicy. Though they have minimal social media activity, the restaurant maintains a regularly updated official website and active DoorDash listing, where many of their most popular dishes are highlighted.
❓ FAQ: Dragon Lee Fort Collins
Q: Is Dragon Lee close to CSU?
Yes. It’s less than a 5-minute drive from the heart of campus and easily walkable from many student housing areas.
Q: What type of cuisine does Dragon Lee serve?
It offers a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes, from pho to drunken noodles to sesame chicken.
Q: Does Dragon Lee have vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes—many dishes can be made with tofu or vegetables, including pad Thai, lo mein, fried rice, and curries.
Q: Are lunch or family specials available?
Yes. The daily lunch special and $40 family meal are two of the best value options in town for Asian food.
Q: Can you customize spice levels?
Absolutely. Spice levels are listed on the menu, and dishes can be ordered medium, hot, or Thai HOT.
Q: Is Dragon Lee good for dine-in?
Yes, though many customers use the restaurant for takeout. The dine-in area is simple and casual.
Q: Is delivery available?
Yes—delivery is offered via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other services, with consistent availability shown online.
Why Dragon Lee Deserves a Place in Your Fort Collins Takeout Rotation
If there’s one word that keeps showing up in reviews of Dragon Lee Fort Collins, it’s reliable. Whether you’re craving a spicy stir-fry after class, ordering pho on a snowy day, or feeding a group with a value-packed combo meal, Dragon Lee delivers the goods—without trying to be anything it’s not.
It may not get the glossy foodie write-ups or social media buzz of newer spots, but the loyal following on Yelp, DoorDash, and Google proves its staying power. With an enormous menu, affordable prices, and enough variety to keep repeat customers happy, Dragon Lee remains one of Fort Collins’ most practical and satisfying fusion kitchens.
🖋️ About the Author
David Lanketh is a senior editor at Colorado Food Reviews, where he specializes in long-form guides to college-town dining, family-owned restaurants, and multicultural comfort food across the Front Range. He curates articles based on verified public consensus across thousands of online reviews—without assumptions or unverified opinions.
📰 About ColoradoFoodReviews.com
ColoradoFoodReviews.com is your editorial resource for discovering real-deal food in Colorado. We spotlight unpretentious favorites, student go-tos, and community-backed gems with zero fluff—just research, reviews, and local flavor.
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🛠️ Transparency Notice
This review was compiled from publicly available information, including 80+ reviews across Yelp, DoorDash, TripAdvisor, Google, and the restaurant’s official menu. No first-hand dining experience was conducted.
All dishes and descriptions reflect the menu as of May 2025.
