Chinatown is so close to the South Loop, it would be a shame if you didn't go and experience it every so often. While it can be slightly daunting to find the right dish or restaurant, we recently read a great post from Serious Eats Chicago giving some helpful advice:Four years ago, I didn't really understand the allure of Chinese food. Most of my experiences were with American-Chinese buffets, where items were mostly gloppy, sweet, and one dimensional. Then I took one bite of Tony's Three Chili Chicken at Lao Sze Chuan and haven't been the same since. Suddenly I realized that there was this whole world of Chinese food that I'd never known, and that it was my duty to learn more.It's a helpful read for the Chinatown novice and we're still drooling over the picture above.
(Image from Serious Eats)
12 comments:
I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that I feel that way, we used to go to Chinatown when I was a kid, but that was 20 years ago. I supposed I could've just gone on Yelp and checked reviews to find a good spot, but I never did.
For another fantastic chinese place, I highly recommend Ken-Kee Restaurant. They do a number of dishes very well at an affordable price. My favorites are the sweet n' sour chicken (the flavor is intense) and beef with broccoli (the beef is always tender and the sauce is rich).
Samantha, I think those dishes are pretty standar staples, but I think the point of this article is to turn people onto stuff they wouldn't normally know to order. For years I would go to Laos and order Mongolian beef and fried rice. It wasn't until I went with a Chinese friend that I discovered the goods. Crispy shrimp with lemon cream sauce, fish with garlic sauce, Szechuan won tons. The 2 cups chicken dish and the other fare that represents Szechuan cooking which is what that particular Laos is known for. Another restaurant I get a jones for is moon palace, they have the best dumplings in my opinion
Go 4 Food is one of my favorite spots in Chinatown. It's a little off the beaten path, but they have amazing hot and sour soup and dumplings! A great spot for casual dining or take-out.
L Fitz...... which massage parlor is that resturant by?
I have tried giving Chinatown a chance....but it has to be the most filthy, disease-ridden area other in chicago. I would rather eat on Lower Wacker.
Dearborn Park residents wouldnt be caught dead in that area, we have higher standards than that. Were not bums, ya know?
SERIOUSLY, im not trying to stir the pot but if you are comfortable eating in a china town resturant then you are sick. I jump on I55 for work everyday and drive by the backs of some of these resturants.....I have seen on multiple occasions them washing the pans in their alleys on the ground!!!!
That place is disgusting...it would make a great area for condos with the L right there...kind of like another University Village type place? Then maybe start over and have a few nice CLEAN resturants on the south end of it.
ive been eating at the lao restaurants for some time now. the twice cooked pork @ lao Sze Chuan is one of the best things ive ever eaten. the decor is nothing special but dont go for the ambiance, go for the food.
I like that people are scared to go to chinatown. stay away. More for me. nom nom nom.
Thanks for the ignorant comment, Shannon. I'll let you in on a little secret (as someone who has worked throughout Chicago in food service). EVERY restaurant in Chicago is filthy. Rat droppings, roaches...you name it. You just think b/c you paid $50+ per head, you're buying a cleaner meal. I know I know. YOUR ignorance is truly bliss...
Lao Sze Chuan is my absolute favorite place in Chinatown. Have tried several others, but always go back there. Three chili chicken, eggplant and pork, boiled beef, spicy beef with tofu, potherb, dumplings, etc!
Actually another great place is Lure. It's not necessarily Chinese food but a Japanese Izakya. Really good (and cheap)small plates and beer.
Those are really the 2 places I consistently go to...unless I go get a bubble tea at St. Anna's.
Frank, now you're making me hungry! I've never been to Laos but the crispy shrimp with lemon cream sauce sounds delicious...definitely keeping that place in mind the next time I'm hankering for Chinese food.
The Phoenix is top notch for food, service, and cleanliness. Best Mongolian Beef/Chicken/Pork I have ever had...better than anything in SF Chinatown, which people always get boners over for no reason.
Also, if you have never experienced Dim Sum, it's a must.
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