Do you frequently find yourself fending off random cravings for good Chinese food the same way I do? Well, there is a solution to this problem and it's fortunately only a phone call or a short walk away.

Located at 430 E. College Avenue and situated between Ben & Jerry's and Crowbar is Chinese Kitchen Express. While visiting this local restaurant, students can settle their cravings for ethnic substance by enjoying a meal made quickly right before their eyes.

With reasonable prices and great food, Chinese Kitchen Express is sure to satisfy even those on a budget.

For only $4.99 you can order a value meal and choose from a large variety of entrees. You can find sesame chicken, orange chicken, pork with vegetables, or the most popular entrees, General Tsao's chicken and chicken with broccoli, and the choice of rice or lo-mein, and an egg roll or soup.

My personal favorite is the sweet and sour chicken. They also offer meals that would satisfy vegetarian appetites such as tofu and broccoli in garlic sauce.

There's also a large choice of appetizers including the typical egg roll and the not-so-typical beef on a stick. The soup choices include egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, and of course the popular wonton soup.

Delivery is free and take-out or sit-in are also dining options. There is plenty of seating available, and the restaurant provides a nice, quiet atmosphere ideal for studying or just relaxing after a rough day.

The food is excellent. It's made in five to 10 minutes, but it tastes as good if not better than that of many other restaurants I've been to where the food took much longer to make and cost much more money.

Chinese Kitchen Express has been located on East College Avenue for years but changed owners more than a year ago.

The restaurant is now family-owned, and all of the workers are related in one way or another, including the two owners who are brothers-in-law. The chefs use a unique family recipe to create the authentic dishes.

Chinese Kitchen Express is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

Delivery is free and always available during operating hours.