Jenny H.
Yelp
Is it a yes or a Pan* Express?
Don't let the shape of the building (it was once a Marie Callender restaurant or something) or the fact that they offer Orange Chicken fool you; this place is a yes.
This place even has the typical 3.5 star average rating that I look for on Yelp. The one that says lots of people liked the food but some people didn't like the service or were picky about the interior design.
Y'all. I rate food only for it's flavor and texture and skill. I could eat dim sum in a ditch and be happy as a clam, but give me a cold cardboard pizza in a palace and you'll still get 1 star. Pro-tip: 3.5 stars is the sweet spot where you're paying for taste and not for frills.
You can bring your Mandarin-speaking-only grandparents here for Sichuan cuisine. The portions are massive, and there's even a Lunch Specials menu. Glasses of ice-less 茶温 water are served automatically without a waitress asking you to spend more money on a beverage when you're there for the food. They gotchu.
All the yum cold appetizers like 夫妻肺片 and pig ear are on this separate page and preceded with this long paragraph inviting people to try the "wild" stuff (including the cucumber salad, hah)--if you're reading this, give it a go! this is the real stuff.
\\ 水煮鱼 (Sichuan boiled fish)
- less liquid than I've seen at other places; I like it because the fish isn't swimming in a pool of red oil
- so many slices of soft white fish fillets (tilapia?)
- also some celery and Napa cabbage (classic) to attempt to cut through the oil
- the numbing flavor wasn't the strongest I've had but still captures some of the essence, so it could make a good intro version of the dish to someone who isn't used to the classic Sichuan peppery numbness
\\ 宫保虾 (kung pao shrimp)
- the shrimp is bite-sized and clothed with a sweet and crispy coat
- so many peanuts!
- a little spicy but not very peppery
\\ 干煸四季豆 (green beans)
- each green bean was juicy and crunchy
- a little spice
- also a massive portion and one of the freshest versions I've had of this dish
- as they cooled, the green beans took on the classic wrinkled appearance
Rice is not included, so we ordered two people's portion which was way more than we ate even for two meals. Yay for takeout containers. The food reheated well and made for another fantastic meal.
At the tables next to us, some people opted for lunch sets that had a main dish and some fried rice or something all on one plate. If you're there by yourself or if people don't want to share, that can be an option, too.
Overall, this is a place I could see myself going to regularly for my Sichuan boiled fish cravings! There's lots of parking, and the food is perfect for sharing family-style with friends or, well, family.