Jack X.
Yelp
This is the best CANTONESE STYLE CHINESE FOOD in LIC. While there are many Chinese restaurants in LIC at this point, this is the only Cantonese style Chinese place. Located in the JACX & CO. food hall in LIC (right off the Queens Plaza subway station), it is located in the back of the hall near Taim.
For starters, this is an excellent choice for lunch and quick foods and the only option in the area for Cantonese bbq. While the food here is not entirely authentic it does taste great and it is a close approximation. Note that the prices here are a little high ($15-$20 for a lunch depending on what you buy and what add-ons you get), however it is about the same price as all the other food options in the area. LIC prices are pretty much Manhattan prices.
While there are stand alone orders, most people order the seasonal bowl which is served Chipotle style where you choose one main (meat), a grain, and two sides. (there are vegetarian options with just sides and grains or just sides).
Mains:
1. Char Siu - this cut of char siu is not that fatty and is on the leaner side, I think that the cut maybe some pork shoulder or butt. The flavor is excellent but I would like a little more char to it. They ask if you want sweet soy sauce with this and I recommend it. 4/5
2. Rotisserie chicken - as expected, the chicken was moist and it was done well, I kind of wish this was soy sauce chicken or scallion ginger chicken. They do provide scallion ginger oil which is great. 3/5 (because its rotisserie chicken, not because its bad)
3. Crispy Pork Belly - otherwise known as Siu Yuk or Fuo Yuk, is an excellent choice. This dish is made well and the meat is moist and the skin is crispy. The meat choice here has a cleaner taste and no char on it either. Note that they do not provide Hoisin Sauce for the meat, however the soy sauce is a good choice. 5/5
4. Red Braised Beef - Not a cantonese specialty and is more like Taiwanese braised beef. This braised beef is excellent and tender and not too salty. I would recommend it if you are feeling something hearty. (note that this dish is an additional +$1 if you choose it for the lunch option) 5/5
Grains:
1. White rice - the most basic choice but I find it to be a hit or miss here, sometimes it is too wet which ruins my lunch 3/5
2. 8 Grain Rice - a good choice for a heartier meat, its best with the braised beef however I find that it takes away from the Pork Belly and the Char siu. 3/5
3. Chilled Potato Noodles - Not a traditional Cantonese option but my favorite option out of the grains. This cold potato noodle is never overcooked and is an excellent choice. There is a mild vinegar taste to it that helps cut through the fat of the pork belly and the thicker red braised beef. While the menu notes there is chili oil,I cannot taste it. 5/5
The sides here are excellent and fresh, you will not find it sitting around for long because theyre all very popular. The veggies are seasonal and I have seen cabbage, mushrooms, bak choi, yu choi, eggplant, and mapo tofu (3/5, wish it was spicier and used silken tofu). If you are feeling hungry, I also recommend adding a local soy egg which is excellent although somewhat expensive or what it is.
This restaurant also offers stand alone dishes such as multigrain congee, fried rice dishes, noodle soups, chicken wings, salmon stir fried noodles, and chicken soup. Out of these dishes I have only tried the chicken soup which I found to be delicious and helped a lot when I wasnt feeling sick (5/5), the flavor was there and it wasn't overly salty.
If you're in LIC and you are in JAX and CO, I highly recommend this restaurant for your lunch or dinner choice.