Lao Sze Chuan

"This place serves reliable Sichuan food in an upscale, trendy environment. Everything here is tingly and spicy the way you expect it to be, and their chongqing chicken and mala fish fillet are particularly great. But if you’re not into those options, this place also has some solid hot pot, and you can get a combo of up to three broths." - adrian kane, john ringor

"There’s nothing like a hot pepper to clean out the respiratory system, and there are no hot peppers like Sichuan peppers. The dry chili chicken is one of the signature dishes at Tony Hu’s empire — which has eight locations in the city and suburbs — and the chefs are not messing around." - Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff

"Ok, this isn’t technically a special. But you should definitely consider ordering the Peking duck from Lao Sze Chuan. Peking duck’s red skin represents luck and is also supposed to bring a happy and prosperous year, which, let’s face it, we all need. The roasted duck can be ordered as half or full, and comes with plum sauce, pancakes, scallions, and cucumber." - adrian kane

"Spicy food fanatics come to this Sichuan spot to set their taste buds ablaze. Nearly every dish is loaded with chilies and peppercorns, and favorites include mapo tofu and the signature dry chili chicken. For an all-you-can-eat experience, order the fiery hot pot to cook the proteins and veggies tableside." - Ashok Selvam, Jeffy Mai

"Movie PairingMy Cousin Vinny (Hulu) “I’ve always wondered why Marissa Tomei’s character Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny is so hellbent on getting Chinese food in rural Alabama. They’ve just arrived in town after a nearly 16-hour drive where her fiance (Joe Pesci AKA Vincent Gambini AKA Joey Gallo AKA Jerry Callo) has to defend his nephew and another innocent young kid from getting put in the electric chair. One of the first words out of her mouth is “I bet the Chinese food here is terrible.” She’s being sarcastic, but there’s a deep layer of frustration in what she’s saying. I guess when you’re craving Chinese, nothing else will do. Order the salt and pepper prawns and the twice-cooked pork from Lao Sze Chaun and watch Tomei put on one of the best performances in movie history.” -CM" - max bonem, adrian kane, carlo mantuano