For the fifth year in a row, Chef Lee's Peking Restaurant in Columbus made Chinese Restaurant News magazine's annual list of the top 100 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.

In the specific category of overall excellence, the restaurant — which has locations on Bradley Park Drive and Buena Vista Road — snagged the No. 7 spot on the trade magazine's top 10 list, beating out Chinese food spots in New York City, Stockton, Calif., and Wells, Maine.

"I'm proud of myself, and it's amazing (we have) won five in a row," said Joe Lee, owner of Chef Lee's. "I appreciate the local (community.) They support me."

The winners were announced in January at the Fifth Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurant Awards in Las Vegas. On Wednesday, Chinese Restaurant News staffers joined Lee at his Bradley Park Drive location to celebrate his two awards and kick off the trade publication's top 100 nationwide tour.

Chinese Restaurant News launched the annual awards competition in 2004 to honor excellence in dining standards for Chinese restaurants. The $20 billion Chinese restaurant industry touts more than 45,000 eateries across the country — more than all the McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's restaurants in the U.S. combined.

Ed Duncan, general manager at Chef Lee's, said the restaurant was first nominated five years ago by customers. He attributes their fifth consecutive award to their food's quality, price and service — as well as Chef Lee's dedication. Lee, whose father and grandfather were both chefs, still cooks occasionally at the restaurant.

"Chef Lee and his wife have a personal touch with the restaurant," Duncan said.

Lee opened his first restaurant location on Buena Vista Road in 1984. Fourteen years later in 1998, he opened Chef Lee's on Bradley Park Drive.