Jeff B.
Yelp
(Took Out 12/25/21 SA @ 6:45pm): This palace was the szechuan food king on this Christmas evening!
On Day 6 of my vacation as I visited a very dear friend for the Christmas and New Year holidays, it was Christmas Day, our initial dinner plan was postponed, and it was definitely slim pickings with so many businesses closed except for King Szechuan Palace. Having earlier watched "A Christmas Story", it felt appropriate to have Chinese takeout food - "fra ra ra ra ra... ra ra ra raaa"! I've made a concerted effort to try various types of food while on this vacation. How was this non-traditional Christmas meal as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ!?
PURCHASE
Qt. General Tso's Chicken ($13.00): This reminded me more of orange chicken, a large portion of lightly spicy tender chicken bits on a small bed of broccoli florets that was a welcoming start to our meal https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=POorKcMJLo8q03S6302klA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Broccoli In Garlic Sauce ($11.95): I loved broccoli, so these bushels of crowns bathed in sweet and tangy garlic sauce was a treat especially over some rice https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=VDwOgdLyiPVck1eRALKSlQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Sautéed String Beans ($11.95): Another large portion, I wanted more vegetables since I lacked any while on this vacation. These were fresh with a light crisp rather than a limp even with all the sauce while the chili flakes gave it some nice heat https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Kuhz7SYl-wyv6OCgPMATbQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Qt. Pork Lo Mein ($9.00): With oodles of noodles and a lot of pork pieces, it seemed there were more flecks than bite-size bits. There were minimal vegetables, but thankfully the noodles separated easily although not very oily https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=OASXiO7jczl9jSZ3xbULKA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Qt. Hot & Sour Soup ($4.50): The price was incredible! This was filled with a ton of bamboo shoots, egg, mushrooms, and tofu slices, while the broth was the perfect combination of hot, savory, and sour that helped warm my body in the evening's very cold temperature - an absolutely wonderful soup https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=XoLZ3WpG3vJfNR05BorN8g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Steamed White Rice (COMP w/Entrée): Provided with each entrée (three total), it was always cool when they included rice without being charged. Standard rice with nothing truly special but paired well with the chicken and vegetables https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qJVR6CeSnzl0lOwSRzyWng&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
SERVICE
I initially called several times with no answers, so we took a chance and walked to the restaurants with hopes they were open. Thankfully, they were but were slammed by various delivery orders and behind schedule based on a limited staff (I saw a total of three workers). Regardless, a stressed but cool woman took my in-person order, I paid, and decided to explore the neighborhood just to get out of their hair. We returned thirty minutes later to less of a crowd and our food all packed and ready to go. With a "happy holidays" to them, we were off to enjoy our Christmas meal. Under pressure, they did a great job for us!
PARKING (FREE; N/A in this instance)
We walked, so parking wasn't an issue. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of spots along the main drag of Reservoir Ave. and all surrounding streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A no-frills small restaurant with a short waiting area, a couple chairs/tables, and a thick protective plastic that separated the order/pick-up counter and the open kitchen because of COVID-19. There were printed menus on the counter https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=A_-pX3-KVyFSNeg7RcTKdQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw with some random food pictures without prices on the wall above the counter. Plenty of natural lighting came through the large front windows and door while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs or background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=rYI7tk4CPDtLQ1jLi2kqkw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Temperatures were in the 30s, so I was bundled-up from head-to-toe. Otherwise, this place was totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was extremely grateful that King Szechuan Palace was open this Christmas night. The food was tasty (minor modifications), huge portions, comparable prices, vast menu selection, and very good service all-things considered. And, it was always a pleasure to support small local mom & pop businesses like this one. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $56.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS