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The Viral Chinese Food Lady of Fresno: Helen Po at Mark's Kitchen
By the Mark's Kitchen crewPublished October 20268 min read
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If you searched for the "Fresno Chinese food lady" or the "Mark's Kitchen lady" after a TikTok clip, you're looking for Heak "Helen" Po. Her family runs Mark's Kitchen at 4828 E Belmont Ave in southeast Fresno, and her videos post under the TikTok handle @heakpo.
Her story behind the counter, and the building's history, is covered in why the sign says Chinese Food & Hamburger. This page sticks to the viral side: who she is, what the numbers looked like, and what to expect if a video is the reason you're driving over.
Quick Facts
| Detail | What's on record | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Heak "Helen" Po | Fresno Bee, Apr 2024 |
| TikTok handle | @heakpo | Fresno Bee, NextShark |
| TikTok followers | 277,000+ (April 2024) | Fresno Bee |
| Total video views | Nearly 6 million (April 2024) | Fresno Bee |
| Biggest customer video | 13 million+ views, posted by a customer (@mama_leelee46) | Fresno Bee |
| Family running the restaurant | Nearly 30 years (as of 2024) | Fresno Bee |
| Building on this corner | Since 1972 | NextShark |
| Open | Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday | NextShark |
Follower and view counts are from April 2024 reporting. Check her TikTok for current numbers.
Why People Search "Heak Po Restaurant"
Her TikTok handle is her real name, so a lot of people who watch a clip search "Heak Po" or "Heak Po restaurant" instead of the restaurant's name. They're the same place. There's no separate Heak Po restaurant: it's Mark's Kitchen on E Belmont Ave, just east of Chestnut Avenue.
How She Went Viral
Helen roasts customers, loudly and in language that can't be printed here, and then serves them a big plate of food. NextShark reported that she started the style more than a decade ago to stand out, and that it took off online in 2023 once videos of it started spreading. A favorite target: anyone who asks for their food less spicy.
The biggest boost didn't come from her own account. According to the Fresno Bee, one customer's video of a visit passed 13 million views. Since then, people have come from well outside Fresno. The Bee met a Bakersfield family who stopped in after a trip to Seattle just to see her in person. She has also turned down requests from two local TV stations.
Is the Attitude Real?
Regulars say yes. Robert Watson, a customer for about 30 years, told the Fresno Bee: "The way she talks on TikTok is the way she has always talked. There is nothing phony about her." He also called her "a very sweet lady."
Reviewers on Yelp and Tripadvisor tend to describe the same mix: blunt, funny, and generous with portions. If you'd rather read what diners say before you go, those two pages have hundreds of reviews.
Did Keith Lee Review Mark's Kitchen?
Many people search for a Keith Lee) review of Mark's Kitchen, and TikTok has search pages pairing the two names. As of October 2026, we couldn't find a news report or an official video from Keith Lee confirming a visit or a score. If you see a clip claiming one, check that it was posted from his own account.
What to Expect When You Visit
| If you... | Expect this |
|---|---|
| Ask for your food "not spicy" | Some teasing. It's part of the show. |
| Bring kids | NextShark reported she tones down her language around children. |
| Want to film | She records customer reactions herself for TikTok, so cameras are common. |
| Come on a Sunday | It's closed. Open Monday to Saturday. |
Popular Menu Items & Viral Dishes
Most videos are filmed at the counter, so the food on camera is whatever the customer just ordered. These are the plates that come up most in news coverage and reviews.
| Dish | Why people order it | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Combination plate (garlic chicken, shrimp, beef over chow mein) | The plate the Fresno Bee ordered for its 2024 story | $10.95 (2 items), $12.95 (3 items) |
| Orange chicken | The most-ordered dish on the menu | $10.95 |
| Mark's House Special | Beef, chicken and shrimp in brown sauce, built for first-timers who want a bit of everything | $13.95 |
| Pork fried rice and shrimp chow mein | Reviewers mention them for big portions | See menu |
| Triple-patty cheeseburger with bacon | The burger side of "Chinese Food & Hamburger", mentioned by the Fresno Bee | Ask at the counter |
Prices are from our menu page and can change. For more detail on each plate, see the 5 dishes regulars order most.
First-Time Visitor Guide: Rules & Tips
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cash or card? | Both. Yellow Pages lists Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover and debit. One listing notes an extra fee on card payments, so cash is the cheaper choice. |
| When is it busiest? | Lunch (about noon to 1 pm) and dinner (about 6 to 7 pm). Reviews say lines can get long at peak times but move fast. |
| When is it quietest? | Mid-afternoon on weekdays, between the lunch and dinner rush. |
| Dine-in or takeout? | Both. Dine-in is a small counter-service room with a few tables. For takeout, call ahead and it's usually ready in 10 to 15 minutes. |
| Phone orders | Have your order ready before you call. Some reviewers mention the counter can be short with slow phone orders. |
If you've never called in a Chinese takeout order, these ordering tips make it quick.
How to Get to Mark's Kitchen (Location & Parking)
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 4828 E Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93727 |
| Where on Belmont | Just east of Chestnut Avenue, on the north side of the street. Look for the red and white "Chinese Food & Hamburger" sign. |
| Driving | Take Chestnut Avenue to Belmont Ave and turn east. The restaurant is a short way past the intersection. |
| Parking | Free. There's parking right out front, plus street parking nearby. |
| Bus | FAX Route 33 runs on Belmont and Route 41 runs on Chestnut. Check the FAX route schedules for the closest stop. |
For what else is nearby, see our East Belmont Ave guide. The photo tour shows the storefront so you know what to look for.
Why Does the Sign Say "Chinese Food & Hamburger"?
Because the menu really is both. The building has served Chinese takeout and American diner food under one roof since the 1970s, long before Helen's family took over, and the burgers stayed. The full history is in why the sign says Chinese Food & Hamburger.
Before You Go
Hours and directions are also on the contact page. If a video is what brought you here, go hungry, and don't ask for it less spicy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Mark's Kitchen's address?
4828 E Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93727, just east of Chestnut Avenue.
What are Mark's Kitchen's opening hours?
Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Closed Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so call (559) 454-1438 to confirm.
Is Helen Po really like that in person?
Yes. A customer of about 30 years told the Fresno Bee that the way she talks on TikTok is the way she has always talked, and called her a very sweet lady. Expect jokes and teasing at the counter, then a big plate of food.
Is Heak Po a different restaurant?
No. Heak Po is Helen's real name and her TikTok handle. The restaurant is Mark's Kitchen.
Sources
- A big plate of Chinese food with side of sass. Mark's Kitchen is a Fresno gem, Robert Rodriguez, Fresno Bee (via AOL), April 25, 2024
- Watch: Fresno Chinese restaurant owner's viral insults draw crowds, Ryan General, NextShark, April 22, 2024
- Helen Po (@heakpo) on TikTok
- Mark's Kitchen on Yellow Pages (payment methods, parking)
- Mark's Kitchen on Wheree (card fee, review summary)
- Mark's Kitchen on Wanderlog (hours, busy times)
- FAX Routes & Schedules, City of Fresno
- Mark's Kitchen on Yelp
- Mark's Kitchen on Tripadvisor
- Keith Lee (food critic), Wikipedia)
Reading this made you hungry? Call ahead and we'll have it ready.
(559) 454-1438M
Written by
The Mark's Kitchen crew
Notes on Chinese food in Fresno from the kitchen on E Belmont Ave, what to order, how to order it, and the questions locals actually ask.
