Lo Body China — Review by Daym Drops
Waterbury, United States — Puerto Rican-Chinese Fusion
The reviewer revisits Lo Body China, a Puerto Rican-Chinese fusion restaurant, to have a detailed conversation with owner Patricia about his previous negative experience at the Hartford grand opening. Despite initial quality concerns, he acknowledges the restaurant's strong reputation, massive portion sizes, and dedicated customer base, and commits to returning for a proper unbiased review after the restaurant has had time to stabilize operations.
What was great: Generous portion sizes that don't even fit in the containers, food quality and flavor profile, the owner's dedication to consistency and food safety standards, massive customer loyalty evidenced by repeat orders and large bulk purchases
What could improve: Initial grand opening experience at Hartford location had inconsistencies due to understaffing and training issues, longer wait times during peak hours
The Dishes
While the reviewer did not eat during this visit, the conversation extensively covered the restaurant's signature items. The most frequently mentioned dishes include boneless spare ribs, pepper steak, and various fried rice preparations. The reviewer was visibly impressed by the portion sizes, noting that the styrofoam containers cannot even be closed properly due to the generous amounts of food. Customers frequently leave with multiple bags containing three to four massive containers, indicating the portions are substantial enough to feed multiple people.
The Experience
The discussion centered on the operational challenges during the Hartford grand opening versus the well-established Waterbury location. The Waterbury location operates smoothly as a well-oiled machine after months of refinement, while the Hartford location experienced significant growing pains. The restaurant uses a buzzer system where customers place orders and wait inside after potentially waiting outside in lines that have reached up to four to five hours during peak times. The owner mentioned closing the drive-thru to accommodate the line during the grand opening. The kitchen operates on a batch system where similar items are prepared together to optimize workflow, and the owner emphasizes strict hygiene protocols with constant wok washing to accommodate customer allergies.
Value and Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the transcript, though the reviewer's comments about portion sizes suggest strong value for money given how much food customers receive per order. The large volumes ordered by individual customers indicate strong perceived value.
Notable Moments
One customer ordered 15 plates at once from the food truck, and during the food truck phase, the owner would open at 11 AM and not leave until midnight due to order volume and lines reaching six hours long.
The owner explained her restaurant's philosophy: If a customer waits in line for four to five hours, they are entitled to order as many plates as they want, and she refuses to implement plate limits despite customer complaints.
The reviewer stated he would not eat during this visit to avoid accusations that positive coverage was influenced by the owner's presence, planning instead to do an unannounced follow-up review.
The Verdict
Lo Body China represents a unique Puerto Rican-Chinese fusion concept that has achieved significant popularity, particularly within the Puerto Rican community. While the grand opening expansion had operational hiccups typical of new restaurant launches, the original Waterbury location demonstrates that the concept works when given time to stabilize. The owner's commitment to quality, portion size, and customer service despite operational challenges suggests this restaurant is best for those seeking authentic Puerto Rican-style Chinese food and generous portions. The reviewer plans to return for an unannounced follow-up review to assess whether the well-oiled machine continues to operate efficiently without special treatment.