From Chinese Food and Donuts by Thomas Hawk
Chinese food was first introduced to Americans courtesy of Chinese railroad workers in the 1800’s and quickly took off. So much so that, according to Chinese Restaurant News, there are now almost three times more Chinese restaurants in America than there are McDonald’s franchises.
It seems everyone can recommend a favorite Chinese place, be it a four-star establishment or a decidedly hole-in-the-wall joint. From authentic dim sum restaurants to Panda Express, (American) Chinese food is a huge part of the American culinary landscape.
But like a lot of the “ethnic” cuisine in the US (think Mexican pizza), most Chinese recipes served at restaurants in America did not originate in China. The following dishes were actually created in America:
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Sesame Chicken
- Chinese chicken salad
- Chop suey
- Chow mein
- Crab rangoon
- Fried rice
- Mongolian beef
Crazy, right? I remember how shocked I was when I found out many years ago that fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco at the Japanese Tea Garden Restaurant. Doesn’t stop me from eating the little suckers and adding the words “in bed” to my fortune, though!
So what’s your favorite Chinese place? Go on, vote for your top neighborhood pick or the legendary L.A. eatery Mr. Chow and tell me what makes them the best in America.
9 users commented in " The Best Chinese Food in America "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI’m not a huge lover of Chinese Food in general, but I used to ADORE the Kung Pao Chicken at China King on King Street in Alexandria, VA. They put a lot of those little red peppers in so it was nice and spicy. I can’t really eat it anywhere else. I wonder if China King is still open? Other than that, I cannot get enough of the Orange Chicken and Buddha’s Feast at PF Changs. I know, a chain, but have you tried the Orange Chicken?
“Anybody who tells you that money won’t buy you love, hell, they ain’t never been to Reno. I was at the buffet table. This gal comes up to me, and I flash them dimes and we went right up to her hotel room… well, it was a car,” - Stumpy, from Out Cold.
If you happen to be in Reno; money (about $5) will not only buy you love (just kidding), but it will also buy you happiness. The China Diner in downtown Reno is quite possibly the perfect hole-in-the-wall place to pick up a cheap-fast dinner. I believe it’s open 24 hours and the food is as good as it gets (especially after a long night out).
In the bay area, there are a bunch of great restaurants. But, my favorite is this place in Milpitas, CA called Ko Sing. They have the BEST chow mein, and the service is really awesome. My husband and I always make a point to try something new on the menu every time we go, as well as enjoying our fave staples as Pecan Prawns. YUM!
Hey, that pic is from my neighborhood! I’ve never tried the place, though. I don’t generally take donuts with my lemon chicken.
Living in SF, I’ve actually found it completely unnecessary to choose a favorite Chinese restaurant. It’s tough to find a bad one, so my choices generally involve proximity. A friend of mine, who is an SF native, sticks to a strict rule of thumb: no restaurants that include the words “dragon,” “golden,” or “wok.” Go for places that actually have someone’s name in them. I can’t vouch for this system, but it seems to work for him…
Tao Tao in Sunnyvale, California is one of my top contenders. They have the most incredible Chinese Chicken Salad ( I, too, will never be able to eat Chinese Chicken Salad anywhere else), War Won Ton Soup to die for, and a specialty dish called Tao Tao chicken. I can’t remember ever ordering anything else but these 3 items off the menu, although I’ve tasted dishes that other people have ordered and they’ve all been tasty beyond words.
Hmmm… I wonder if my fav ‘Chinese’ dishes will still taste as good now that I know they’re not traditional. Who am I kidding? Chinese food is always fab.
Honestly, I don’t trust 99% of Chinese restaurants–I prefer to make stirfry at home. The MSG makes me completely sick and although most places SAY they don’t serve MSG, I don’t believe them (unless they are corporate-zombie Chinese food like Panda Express, which is arguably not food at all).
Does anyone have the Tao Tao Cafe recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad? I have been away from California and really miss it! Please help–the restaurant is in Sunnyvale, CA. Thanks in advance!
I have a response to janrw on June 3rd 2008 at 10:44. I have the reciept for chinese chicken salad that is so close to Tao Tao in Sunnyvale california. If he would like it I could e-mail him or fax him the receipt. He has to contact me. You may give him my e-mail if that would help. I also use to live in California and eat at Tao Tao and while we were living there I happen to get the reciept from a good friend. I also took chinese cooking class and got a reciept from my instructor that he will not beable to tell the difference.
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