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Chung King, San Gabriel - revisited
OK. Since my original post, I've gone back twice. I've come to the conclusion that while not as great as it once was it's still got some good things. On the downside I've learned not to get the water boiled beef (sad thing for a Sichuan place); the gong bao chicken is sweeter than it used to be, and overall not as good, the yu xiang eggplant is also too sweet; the lazi ji is almost another dish now -not as good; and the noodles are to be avoided at all costs. The beef in small pot dishes are still quite special, as is the the steamed fish in chili sauce, which I thought was fantastic. These had the right ma-la kick and I was quite pleased. All in all it's still pretty decent Sichuan place, but definitely has declined. In the old days this restaurant could have held its own in Taipei and even Chengdu and Qongqing, now only a few things are that good.
I don't go to the one in MP that took over the original's space there(went once-bad experience), so I won't comment on it.
Chung King, San Gabriel - revisited
As the title of the post says, San Gabriel. That is where they moved to. I have eaten at this location many times in the past, and I used to eat at the original location when they were still there.
Chung King, San Gabriel - revisited
I just recently got back into town and after a bit of hesitation (I live in China and wasn't looking to eat Chinese food quite so soon) decided to go back to an old favorite, Chung King. In the past I found Chung King to be pretty much the best Sichuan in the area after Oriental Pearl closed, so I was hoping the quality hadn't gone downhill. I'm sorry to say that my meal was less than exceptional.
First thing I noticed when I walked in on a Saturday night was that more than half the patrons were white. I thought to myself, bad sign. My friend and I weren't that hungry, but we wanted a good mala kick, so we decided to order a couple of basics, the water boiled beef, and la zi ji (spicy fried chicken), as well as the dan dan mian. The noodles were a complete bore. I mean, they tasted right more or less, but they were completely unispired. Okay, fine, I'd never ordered them at CK before so I got over it. I was looking forward to the other two dishes, which had always been solid. Wow, what a letdown. The chicken was nothing like it used to be, well, that's not true, it was something like it used to be, a variation of its former self, and not a good one, like an aged Elvis or Michael Jackson impersonator. But honestly, it wasn't terrible, just not great. The shui zhu beef was ok, more or less, but just like the dan dan mian it was uninspired.
What has happened??!! Am I the only one who thinks this place has faded? Was this a bad night or has popularity ruined the joint? Should I go back and order all my old favorites or should I move on and be happy with my memories?
Pasadena Taco Trucks
Got back into town and noticed that El Chavo moved back to Holly/Fair Oaks. They also had a little sign up saying that they're opening a taco stand on Green. Near PCC I think (don't remember too well since it was late and I was badly jet lagged).
And yes they are really good. But I must also give some credit to the yellow truck, Gallito, which I remember having some pretty tasty al pastor.
Shanghai-Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)
I've noticed. But I still think it's strange that an otherwise pretty good Sichuan restaurant like Yuxin doesn't make a good one (and honestly, the only problem with theirs is not the flavor or the preparation, it's the chicken). There is a Sichuan restaurant on Xingfu Lu that I ate at a few times and discovered it had real gongbao. But the last time I went it had turned terrible and am hesitant to give it another shot. I guess I just better get myself to Chengdu for a good food binge.
Shanghai-Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)
I'm not looking for extraodinary. I'm merely looking for good. I can find good examples of this dish at Sichuan restaurants in Taipei, in Hong Kong, , in Beijing in Los Angeles even. But for some reason I can't here. I find this odd because I can get perfectly acceptable water boiled beef/fish, mapo dofu, etc. Just not this one dish. And it's not a problem of going to restaurants frequented by Americans, which I rarely do.
Shanghai-Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)
I know the place, I live a block away. I love la zi ji, and eat if frequently. But I'm really craving a good gong bao, which for some reason I can't find in Shanghai.
Shanghai-Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)
Ok, this should be a pretty simple request, as it's an extremely common dish. Does anybody know where I can find a good Kung Pao chicken in Shanghai? I mean a real honest tasting one that resembles what I'd get in Sichuan. I've been to many Sichuan restaurants in Shanghai, and my current go to place is Yuxin, which generally provides good food. But their Gong Bao isn't really any good and I haven't been able to find one in this city that impresses me. Suggestions?
I really don't get Langer's Deli ...
Well since you've revived this old thread, let me say, I love Katz's and I love Langer's. I think Langer's pastrami sandwich is a bit better, but everything else at Katz's is superior. But honestly, these days when in New York, I really miss the old 2nd Avenue Deli. Haven't tried the new one on 33rd St. yet.
Best Southern California Farmers' Market
If you're up for the drive and want to make an excursion of the event, Santa Barbara's is an excellent one. But more locally, Santa Monica, of course.
Shanghai: Sunday on Wujiang Lu, Woo Hoo!
I was there tonight (Sunday) and didn't see any stalls in the center of the western part of Wujiang. The whole thing was pretty empty, actually. And this was around 7PM.
The eastern part was packed and all was good. But I've heard that it might be under the wrecking ball as soon as the beginning of next year. I hope this doesn't happen.
New to Pasadena
Drive to Chi Dynasty in Los Feliz? Why would you do that when you have the greatest selection of Chinese food outside of Asia just south of Pasadena in a the San Gabriel Valley?
one Sunday off in Shanghai--where do I NEED to go?
I'd second Simon's suggestions, except I prefer Guyi Hunan or South Memory, for Hunan food.
Too many places to suggest for a day. And one more thing, if you enjoyed the food in Taipei be prepared for a slight letdown here.
Do avoid Yuyuan.
Say it ain't so: Fatburger coming to China
Actually, I think In-N-Out could also make that same claim, with a bit more validity.
At least Fatburger is better than McDonalds, so China's doing better.
Al Pastor...where is the best?
WildSwede's Summit and Hammond place is really really good. I don't know if it's the best al pastor I've ever had, but it's certainly the best in Pasadena and the surrounding areas. They've also got pretty awesome tripe tacos, if you're into that.
Boston Chowhound in LA...what not to miss?
I also vote for Chinese in the San Gabriel Valley. My plug is for Chungking, for Sichuan (if you like hot and spicy dishes).
Also try some Vietnamese. And don't forget about the taco stands and trucks.
boyfriend requests mexican
I second Chichen Itza, it's not too far, has excellent food, and the service is very good.
But if you'd like to drive all around town Babita is also a good suggestion.
3 days in LA
I would suggest Chichen Itza for Mexican. It's on 6th not far from Silverlake and it's one of the best Yucatecan restaurants in town.
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/counter-intelligence/seeking-chichen-itzas-hot-spots/15652/
I would also suggest going to try out a good taco stand/truck and getting some Al Pastor tacos. A quick search through the boards should take you to some good places, but in Eagle Rock there is a truck quite popular with Occidental students (and everybody else) called Leo's tacos. They open at 8, except Mondays, and park at 4300 Eagle Rock Blvd, LA, CA 90041.
You might also be interested in trying the Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley. It's very different from what you get in New York and is considered the best and most authentic selection outside of Taiwan and China.
LA newbie
Did you ever eat at Oriental Pearl when it existed, or have you eaten at Chung King in San Gabriel? I honestly haven't had better Sichuan outside of China and Taiwan.
LA newbie
Fair enough. But I do know plenty of New Yorkers who do like the Chinese food here better. With the pizza I think most everybody's in agreement.
LA newbie
Why do you think that just because he's a New Yorker he won't like authentic Chinese food?
(And while on Chinese food. Try Din Tai Fung for Shanghai soup dumplings in Arcadia, and Chungking for spicy Sichuan greatness, in San Gabriel).
There are plenty of great suggestions listed here. But absolutely try some taco trucks/stands (try the Al Pastor at some of the more recommended places); the Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley; great Pho and other Vietnamese wonders; In-N-Out Burgers; and Langer's pastrami sandwiches, which are indeed awesome and easily appreciated by New Yorkers. But please forget about the pizza out here.
And a good list of places is Jonathan Gold's 99 essential restaurants, which was in last week's edition of the L.A. weekly. I don't think he's always right, but he sure is right a lot, especially when it comes to Asian and Mexican/Latin American food.
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/dining/99-essential-restaurants-the-metropolitan-palate/16634/
Any interesting Glendale eateries!!!
Carousel is pretty good. Mandaloun used to be good, but they changed owners a few years back. The former owner Ara Kalfayan now reopened his original restaurant, Phoenicia, which I've been to twice and had excellent meals both times The selection and quality of the mezze is good. It doesn't seem to get much press but I think it's well worth trying.
http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/cl-wk-critic25jan25,0,2961594.story?coll=cl-dining
Cheap(er) Fruit
If you're in Pasadena you should try Fresno Produce on Washington just west of Altadena Drive. Delicious cherries for 2.89 a pound, super sweet peaches for 59 cents a pound (or 69 I don't remember), good inexpenisve apricots, and..well I actually wrote a post about it a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/409791
Need good rec for Arabic/Lebanese food in LA Area
Alcazar.
Also you might want try Phoenicia in Glendale, which nobody ever mentions but is quite good.
Rank the steakhouses!
I also give a vote to the Arroyo Chop House, an excellent, beautiful old school place with amazing meat.
Forget about Pacific Dining Car unless it's in the middle of the night.
Al Pastor...where is the best?
West of where the freeways meet and where the huge King Taco is. Thinking about it, there's one reoccuring stand I've been to a few times a block or two from the King Taco, on the same side of the street, that serves the real deal. I also found a great one on Cesar Chavez a couple of months ago. But again, you should drive around the area streets and look for the smoke and the large numbers of people gathered around. (and it' not just East L.A.; other hispanic neighborhoods also have these. I ate at one on Vermont, south of Sunset a couple of months ago that had terrific Al Pastor)
Al Pastor...where is the best?
If you're a little bit adventurous you might want to go on a weekend evening to East L.A. Cruise the major streets, (Olympic is a good one to start with) and look for the illegal taco carts with the spit of al pastor with the pineapple on top AND the smoke from an actual fire cooking the meat. Although a number of establishments have the spit, only the illegal taco carts actually cook the meat with fire instead of the electric heater. This is about as close to an Al Pastor taco in Mexico as you will find in L.A.
Help - Best Chinese Resto
You can always stay at one of the many decent motels on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.
DTF is indeed really good for dumplings, but the waits are sometimes really, really long. An hour isn't unheard of. You might consider Mei Long Village on Valley, which has good XLB as well as a whole menu of other wonderful Shanghaiese dishes.
Help - Best Chinese Resto
Seeing how Los Angeles has the best Chinese food outside of Asia, I think it's a great idea to stop for Chinese food here.
And again I recommend the awesome Chung King. They have beer too. There's also a great Hunan place called Hunan's on Valley in Alhambra. And if you'd like something a little different from the normal Chinese food, you might try China Islamic Restaurant. And for the best Beijing Duck in town there's Lu Din Gee (but you have to order it at least an hour in advance).
Help - Best Chinese Resto
If you like hot and spicy Chinese food I would recommend Chung King at 1000 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel. This is one of (if not the) best Sichuan restaurants around. Much has been written about it if you look through the boards.
