One thing I have learned since moving out to Arizona is that it is almost impossible to find good Chinese take-out or food in general. I unfortunately had to learn the hard way when I went to China King Buffet located in Chandler. Upon entering the restaurant I was bombarded with some Chinese woman promoting a Chinese theatrical event. Not only could I hardly understand her, I could barley hear a word she said with the live karaoke entertainment in the background. Hardly entertaining and mostly annoying, I denied buying tickets and preceded to be seated. After realizing that I would be exposed the their “live entertainment” for the entire duration of my dinner, I quickly decided to just order some take-out.

Returning about 15 minutes later, I paid the woman at the register, after having to deny buying tickets yet again. Finally returning to my apartment, my roommate and I realized that they had taken down our orders incorrectly. Being hungry we just sucked it up and ate. To our surprise the food was not half bad. At least that’s what we thought.

About an hour after eating we both had stomach aches and swore never to return to China King. I am still on the look out for good Chinese take-out almost 5 months later with no luck. I might just stick to Japanese.

We recently went to Tasty Joe’s Located in Mesa, AZ. Everyone ordered different traditional Chinese food and seemed pleased with their lunch. I I ordered the Cantonese sweet and sour chicken. I guess due to the fact that I wasn’t that hungry to begin with, I didn’t really enjoy my dish. There wasn’t that much chicken and it was covered in a fluorescent orange sauce that wasn’t like any other sweet and sour sauce I have had in the past. The restaurant set up mimiced Panda Express with a menu on the wall and placing your order with a cashier. Besides the blinding sauce color, this restaurant doesn’t really offer any other memorable experiences. If your in the mood for a quick Chinese meal choosing Tasty Joe’s would be just as good as Panda Express.

Kona Grill has become a weekly staple of mine. They offer great drinking deals at happy hour and probably the best sushi I have found out here since moving from New York in March. Whether you chose to eat inside or outside by the bar, the service is always great and the food and drinks are amazing. The sushi is a mix of their own custom rolls with a neo Japanese and Chinese overall menu. I always get sushi, but other dished on the menu my friends have always said good things about. The inside restaurant area is very modern and has a unique Asian edge to it with a huge fish tank separating the bar from the inner seating area. Its slightly dark but it adds to the atmosphere. If you choose to eat inside its cool to finish your meal and grab a couple drinks at the outside bar after with their big LCD TVs and bar style setting. My friend recently visited me from New York and I took her to Kona and she loved it.  You can find Kona grill in four locations in Arizona. There is one in Phoenix, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Chandler, which is the one closest to my apartment. Check them out!

Chicken Cantonese Sweet and Sour Stir Fry with Brown Rice

Prepare yourself for a bright red Sweet and Sour sauce that is more sweet than sour. It matches nicely with a combination of pineapple and green and red pepper dices. Although it is served with onions as well, I prefer to remove them after the meal is served to preserve some flavor derived from them being cooked with the rest of the food. The dish comes with your choice of meat, but I think chicken is the best in this combo. Paired with brown rice it makes for a good meal.

Just make sure your fortune cookie has a fortune in it!

Yesterday we headed down to Tempe to meet with a client at what he claimed to be the best Chinese food in town. The place? Wong’s Place. Sitting on the South side of Baseline, just down the road from the 101 Wong’s Place is a small yet cozy little joint. I’ve learned to overcome my fear of hole in the wall places, as most of them have turned out to serve some of the best food. The question is, would Wong’s Place be one of these restaurants? (more…)

First Impressions

While Jong’s Place looks fairly clean, the interior seems a little out of place for its location.  It sits next to a sports bar in a strip mall which can’t help but look about thirty years old.

Inside, there’s a bank of raised seats to create an impression of (more…)

After much toil in trying to find a place to eat, we settled on Oasian Noodle Bar. Not something I would have picked on my own and I soon found out why. I ordered the Honey Chicken Lunch Special. It wasn’t too bad, but I have had much better. (more…)

First Impression:
Oasian Noodle Bar is a Southeast Asian cuisine restaurant. Located on the north west corner of Val Vista and Baseline Rd. Like most restaurants in the valley, it is located within a small strip mall. The inside is decorated quite similar to Pei Wei restaurants. Smooth modern looking chairs that accompany smooth modern looking tables. Bright yellows and deep reds surely keep your appetite moving and your mind thinking.

(more…)

Third times a charm, or is it?

Today we headed over to the grill at AJ’s grocery to pick up some hamburgers however we were weren’t the only ones. The place was packed and the seating was slim so in the spur of the moment we all headed across the parking lot to the California Pizza Kitchen. Upon arriving there we met with an uninviting and pushy staff. After a short word with the general manager we took off and went across the street to the Oasain Noodle Bar. (more…)

First Impressions

Oasian Noodle bar looks much larger than it actually is. It occupies a wide storefront in a strip-mall opposite the prosperous Dana Park shopping centre, but the only noteworthy decoration is a large “Lunch $5.50″ banner out front. Inside is painted in fairly vibrant colours, but a centrally located kitchen and several dividers give the restaurant an unexpectedly cloistered feel. While space was available for a party of ten immediately, we had to do some “self-service” repositioning of small tables for two to actually seat ourselves.

(more…)