The sign outside of Jack’s Tapas Café says “mostly Chinese,” bringing to mind expectations of small, appetizer-sized Asian dishes. However, upon looking at the menu, the majority of the meals were actually entrées, and there were instead, only about four or five appetizers offered.

The seating arrangement was awkward; while there were a few booths, the restaurant was packed. Left without a booth, I was forced to sit at a rickety table in the middle of the room.

Service was slow and inconsistent — probably because the place was so crowded and the kitchen backed up. After about 30 minutes of waiting, my meal finally arrived, and it was unexpectedly worth the wait. The bread was on the greasy side but hit the spot. The chicken was flavorful and spicy and a step above Panda Express or the typical Americanized Chinese restaurant. Portions were generous, and the price was good for a U-District dining experience.

Jack’s also stands out for its incredible hand-shaved noodles. They have a thick, chewy texture and a light salty, savory flavor that puts them well into the comfort food category when prepared with Jack’s succulent sauces, vegetables and meats. They appear in various stir-fried and noodle soup dishes and complemented my General Tso’s chicken meal perfectly.

Overall, the quality of the food more than makes up for the lack of consistent service and odd seating arrangement and décor. If you’re hungry and craving authentic Chinese food, head down to Jack’s and prepare to leave full and happy.

Reach reporter Katie Paff at arts@dailyuw.com.