Sichuan Impression

"Though Sichuan Impression now has locations from Tustin to West LA, a visit to its original Alhambra space is a required pilgrimage. The warm, homey dining room has big tables and long wooden benches—making it a great spot for a communal dinner with family—and the Sichuan food is still among the best in the city. We love the meaty, succulent tea-smoked ribs, sinus-clearing mapo tofu, and cumin-laced toothpick lamb—a great dish for said communal dining. Also, don’t overlook the kung pao chicken: it’s sweet, not too salty, and will vanish within seconds of hitting the table. " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"The Deal: A four-course family-style meal (lunch or dinner) that feeds three to four people for $69 Why We Like It: The Alhambra branch of Sichuan Impression, one of the best Sichuan spots in LA, has brought back what we think is one of the best Dine LA deals out there: $69 total for a five-course feast that feeds three to four people and is available all day. Options include dishes like spicy wontons, tingly cold noodles, lamb skewers, and boiled fish with peppers, plus rice. " - brant cox, garrett snyder, sylvio martins, nikko duren

"One of the main Sichuan restaurant powerhouses in SGV (the other being always-solid Chengdu Taste), Sichuan Impression has a way of serving polished, almost elegant regional dishes with enough spice to draw a decent of sweat on the brow. Start with the cold house special noodles and end with the mapo tofu with a bit of steamed rice." - Eater Staff, Matthew Kang

"Following a Sichuan feast of garlicky ribs and hot pot, order the fried rice cakes served in a puddle of dark palm sugar. This sweet finish has the impressive ability to calm even the most spice-ridden of bellies." - Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff

"Following a Sichuan feast of garlicky ribs and hot pot, order the fried rice cakes served in a puddle of dark palm sugar. This sweet finish has the impressive ability to calm even the most spice-ridden of bellies." - Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff