From sesame chicken to Vietnamese bowls, Asian Grill Express delivers fast, flavorful Asian fare in Fort Collins. See why locals keep it in rotation.

Asian Grill Express: Fort Collins’ Reliable Favorite for Fast, Flavorful Asian Comfort Food

Not every restaurant needs Instagrammable lighting or a trendy fusion concept to win over locals. Sometimes, a hot plate of sesame chicken, a fast pickup time, and enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch are all it takes. That’s exactly what Asian Grill Express in Fort Collins delivers—a cross-cuisine, no-frills takeout hub serving Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese staples from a tucked-away spot on South College Avenue. With loyal fans, wallet-friendly combos, and a menu that’s both broad and satisfying, this hidden gem remains a regular stop for students, families, and anyone who wants flavorful food fast.

Updated May 2025

🥢 1. A Multi-Cuisine Menu That Actually Works

Keywords: Asian Grill Express Fort Collins, Fort Collins Chinese Thai Vietnamese food, sesame chicken Fort Collins

Walk into Asian Grill Express and you’ll immediately sense what kind of place this is: no gimmicks, no design theatrics—just good, fast food. Located in a strip mall on S College Avenue, this counter-service restaurant offers a sprawling menu that spans multiple Asian cuisines.

Unlike trendier fusion restaurants that try to be everything to everyone and end up being nothing at all, Asian Grill Express surprisingly executes a wide range of dishes well. From dependable Chinese classics like General Tso’s Chicken to flavorful Thai-inspired Pad Thai and Vietnamese vermicelli bowls with grilled pork, the menu is both diverse and coherent.

A few standout favorites cited often in local reviews include:

General Tso’s Chicken – Sweet, tangy, crispy, and deeply satisfying
Crab Cheese Wontons – Creamy interior, crunchy shell, perfect with plum sauce
Hot & Sour Soup – Rich broth with balanced tang and spice
Pad Thai – Not ultra-traditional, but plenty flavorful and a local go-to
Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl – A solid Vietnamese option with rice noodles, cucumber, and peanuts

The restaurant also offers a respectable number of vegetarian options, various spicy dishes, and a kid’s menu, making it adaptable for a wide range of diners. And despite the modest 3.2 Yelp rating, those who visit regularly swear by a few items and treat the place like a comfort-food institution.

This kind of multi-cuisine Asian eatery is rare—not because others don’t try it, but because few manage to do it consistently well. Asian Grill Express has figured out the balance: unpretentious food that simply works, across categories.

⏱️ 2. Fast Service, Huge Portions—Exactly What Takeout Should Be

Keywords: Fort Collins fast Asian takeout, Asian Grill Express portions, quick Chinese food Fort Collins

In an age where delivery fees climb and wait times drag, Asian Grill Express still plays the takeout game like it’s 2009. Walk-in orders are typically ready in 10–15 minutes, and even on busy nights, the kitchen churns out food with impressive speed.

Some key points about their service style:

Counter ordering only—you’ll place your order at the front and wait while it’s prepped
Seating is minimal—a few dine-in tables, mostly for grab-and-go
Delivery available via DoorDash and Grubhub
Lunch combos include a main dish, rice, and often a side like soup or egg roll, and come in under $12

But the real draw here is value. For a modest price, you get portion sizes built for leftovers, often enough for two meals. Some of the lunch and dinner combos include:

Sesame Chicken with Fried Rice and Egg Roll
Beef Skewers over Jasmine Rice
Lo Mein or Pad Thai with Soup
Vietnamese-style grilled meat bowls with veggies and fish sauce on the side

This setup makes Asian Grill Express a favorite for:

CSU students
Office lunch grabbers
Families on a weeknight budget
Busy professionals grabbing dinner between errands

For many regulars, it’s part of their weekly routine. The pricing sweetens the deal—most entrees land between $10.95 and $15.95, with combo meals staying competitively low even as prices elsewhere climb.

💬 3. Yelp Says 3.2—But Locals Say “It’s Way Better Than That”

Keywords: Asian Grill Express reviews, underrated Chinese food Fort Collins, Asian fusion Fort Collins

A glance at review platforms like Yelp or Google might leave you scratching your head: Asian Grill Express hovers around 3.2 stars. But scroll through the text, and a very different picture emerges.

The most common praise is for:

Flavorful sauces (especially sesame, garlic, and Thai-style chili)
Generous portions
Reliably cooked proteins like beef, shrimp, and grilled chicken
Efficient ordering experience (even with online delivery)

Here’s what actual diners have said:

“I’ve been coming here for six years. It’s not fancy, but the food is hot, fast, and always hits the spot. The sesame chicken is my go-to.”
— ★★★★☆

“Don’t sleep on the Vietnamese rice bowls. The grilled pork is super flavorful and the sauce is legit.”
— ★★★★☆

“This place deserves more love. I feed my whole family here for under $40. That’s rare these days.”
— ★★★★☆

To be fair, a few common criticisms also surface:

Inconsistent spice levels depending on who’s in the kitchen
Limited customization for dietary needs
The decor is plain and outdated

But for those who prioritize food quality, portion size, and speed over ambiance, Asian Grill Express is exactly what they need. It’s not a destination restaurant—it’s a rotation regular.

👥 Who Should Try Asian Grill Express?

Let’s break it down. Asian Grill Express is an ideal match for:

Diners	Why It Works
Students & young professionals	Affordable combos, fast prep time, delivery-friendly
Busy families	Something for everyone on one menu
Budget-conscious foodies	High flavor-to-price ratio
Quick lunch crowd	Combos served hot in under 15 minutes
Takeout loyalists	Reliable pickup and online ordering

It’s also a solid backup plan when:

You’re too tired to cook
You want Asian food without deciding between Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese
You need a place that won’t make you wait 45 minutes for pad Thai

🧾 Quick Snapshot

📍 Address: 3663 S College Ave, Suite 12, Fort Collins, CO 80525
☎️ Phone: (970) 223-3388
🕒 Hours:
- Mon–Thu: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Fri: 11 AM – 9:30 PM
- Sat: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Sun: Closed
🌐 Website: asiangrillmenu.com
🚗 Delivery: Grubhub & DoorDash
🧾 Menu Highlights: Sesame Chicken, Crab Cheese Wontons, Beef Skewers
💰 Pricing: Most dishes between $10–$16
👨‍👩‍👧 Kids Menu: Yes
🪑 Seating: Limited indoor counter-service
🐾 Pet-Friendly: No outdoor seating

Certainly — here’s Part 2 of the full review-style article on Asian Grill Express in Fort Collins, continuing seamlessly from the first half:

📋 Operational & Business Insights

Asian Grill Express has become a local fixture by offering a streamlined experience focused on what matters: value, speed, and wide-ranging flavor. Here’s a closer look behind the scenes.

Date Established: Not publicly listed
Ownership: Privately owned and operated; management is often seen working behind the counter
Reservations Policy: No reservations; walk-in or order online
Wait Times: Typically under 10–15 minutes, even at peak hours
Seating Capacity: Limited; best for takeout or small dine-in parties (1–3 people)
Pet-Friendly Status: No patio or outdoor seating, so pets are not accommodated
Ordering Platforms: Accepts online orders via Grubhub and DoorDash, as well as phone-in orders

🍛 Menu & Culinary Specifics

The menu is extensive, blending everyday takeout favorites with crowd-pleasing Thai curries, noodle bowls, and Vietnamese classics. While not focused on regional precision, the kitchen consistently delivers on flavor, speed, and variety.

🔹 Best-Sellers & Highlights

Sesame Chicken – A local favorite, crispy and balanced between sweet and savory
Grilled Pork Vietnamese Bowl – Light, fresh, and topped with a house fish sauce
Pad Thai – Mild and peanut-forward, available with chicken, shrimp, or tofu
General Tso’s Chicken – Slightly spicy, generous portions
Crab Cheese Wontons – Creamy filling with crispy shell, a go-to appetizer

🔹 Customization Options

Protein swaps – Chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef can be substituted in most dishes
Spice levels – Thai and Vietnamese items can be adjusted for heat
Gluten awareness – Not a certified GF kitchen, but many rice-based dishes can be modified
Kid-friendly – Simpler options like lo mein, teriyaki, and sweet & sour are family favorites

🔹 Beverage & Dessert Offerings

Bottled soda, Thai iced tea, and canned beverages available
No dessert menu, but portions are often large enough to share or save for later

💬 Customer Experience Data

🗣️ What Locals Are Saying

Despite an average Yelp rating, feedback from recent months paints a more consistent picture of value-driven satisfaction. Across platforms like Yelp, DoorDash, and Reddit:

“Sesame chicken and fried rice combo is my forever order. Huge portion, always crispy.”
– ★★★★☆

“Super fast. Ordered online and it was ready in 12 minutes. Pho is decent too.”
– ★★★★☆

“Not fancy, but food is solid and the prices haven’t spiked like everywhere else.”
– ★★★★☆

“Go-tos are crab wontons, pad Thai with tofu, and Mongolian beef. Never disappoints.”
– ★★★☆☆

📊 Review Themes

Positives	Areas for Improvement
Large portions	Some inconsistency between visits
Quick prep & order turnaround	Limited dine-in ambiance
Great value for the price	Not ideal for dietary restrictions
Broad menu with good variety	Slightly greasy on some dishes

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Target Audience & Accessibility

Who Eats Here?

Asian Grill Express consistently draws:

College students looking for filling, affordable meals
Busy professionals and teachers during the lunch rush
Families wanting varied options in one stop
Budget-conscious diners who prioritize quantity and speed

♿ Accessibility

Entrance is ground-level and accessible
No restrooms observed to be ADA-rated; dine-in is minimal

🏙️ Community Presence & Culture

While not heavily involved in promotions or events, Asian Grill Express maintains its reputation through:

Word of mouth
High-volume takeout traffic
Platform visibility on Grubhub, Yelp, and Google

There’s no formal loyalty program or social media presence—but its regulars seem to come back based on reliability alone.

🔍 Competitive Positioning

🆚 Nearby Alternatives

If you like Asian Grill Express, you may also enjoy:

Chili House – Larger menu, dine-in atmosphere
China Wok – Fastest takeout speed, very affordable
Hunan Chinese Restaurant – Gluten-aware, sit-down style
Beijing Noodle – More artisanal but slower prep

🏅 Differentiators

What sets Asian Grill Express apart is its balance of speed, price, and familiarity. It doesn’t aim for culinary innovation, but it executes the basics extremely well—which, for many locals, is exactly the point.

🧠 Final Take: A Staple for Everyday Eats

In a city full of fusion concepts and foodie fads, Asian Grill Express sticks to the formula that works: big portions, flavorful classics, and consistently fast service. It’s not a place for date night or adventurous cuisine—but when you want dependable, well-executed Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese dishes without the wait or the price tag, this local standby delivers.

Whether you’re a new student trying to find “your go-to” or a longtime resident needing a quick midweek fix, Asian Grill Express deserves a spot on your rotation.

🖋️ Author Bio

David Lanketh is a longtime food reviewer and Colorado native with a passion for honest eats, fast-casual finds, and supporting local small businesses. He specializes in no-fluff, high-utility dining guides.

🧭 About the Blog

ColoradoFoodReviews.com is a Front Range-based food site focused on uncovering the best neighborhood eats across Fort Collins, Boulder, and beyond. We focus on substance over flash, and taste over trends.

📬 Submit a Tip

Know another off-the-radar Asian takeout spot in Northern Colorado? Send us your suggestion.

Asian Grill Express Fort Collins: 3 Fast Facts Locals Love About This No-Frills Favorite