Eng's Asian Cuisine

I just saw an ad for their grand opening.The ad did not provide many details.

Eng's Asian Cuisine
7300 N. Western
Chicago,Il.
773-465-2476

Hi,

It would be interesting to know if the proprietors are related to Monica Eng. Her family had a Chinese restaurant, I believe near Hyde Park, from the 1930's. Of course, it may simply be coincidental.

Regards,

I go by there all the time. I believe there was an asian grocer there briefly (Heavenly Foods?), followed by Eng's. Perhaps the grocery simply expanded into the resto.

If it helps any, the restaurant is right next door to a Blockbuster Video, which might be a lot easier to spot from the street (north of an eye center and south of a motorcycle dealership, if I recall correctly).

That place has opened and closed as Eng's several times. I think it's pretty much standard Chinese takeaway.

I wish I had pictures - but Eng's in it's current incarnation has become our local source for Asian food. It's servicable Americanized Asian - and offers a wide range of options, including Pad Thai and Dolsit Bi Beem Bap (called Korean Stone Bowl Rice on the menu) It's unfortunate, because they are clearly making everything properly with good, fresh ingredients - but then dousing them in sauces that appeal to a different demographic: e.g. the Chinese Broccoli in Oyster sauce was excellent - except for the globs of salty oyster sauce. Ditto the "thai green curry, shrimp" which had lovely green beans, shrimp and tomatoes in something remeniscent of American cream gravy (it was, at least, not gloopy with cornstarch.)

However, we happened upon a really good, simple dish - IIRC called Crispy Chicken. It's a whole chicken, presumably deep-fried without any batter, served with lemon and that grey spiced salt you get with Korean barbecue. Unfortunately, it arrived well after our other food, but it was excellent in its simplicity and preparation: whole, chopped-up chicken with salty skin that crunched like peanut brittle. Lemon and seasoning were all it needed. (It reminded me of the chicken at Habana Libre, except without the garlic topper. ) Though we'd already eaten a full meal, we each made room for several pieces. I think, if we crack the code to the menu, there are probably a number of similar gems hiding here.

Mhays wrote:...they are clearly making everything properly with good, fresh ingredients - but then dousing them in sauces that appeal to a different demographic: e.g. the Chinese Broccoli in Oyster sauce was excellent - except for the globs of salty oyster sauce. ... I think, if we crack the code to the menu, there are probably a number of similar gems hiding here.

So do you think they would respond well if you asked for less for the salty sauce (or, perhaps, none at all)? South Asian restaurants can be fairly accommodating with levels of spicy heat, so maybe this somewhat Korean-themed Chinese restaurant could be similarly helpful -- so long as eveything is made to order?

Yes - we ordered the salt-and-pepper smelt, which was only OK, but I can't blame them for it since we asked them to Sparky-ize it and remove all the chilis (I think, due to a communication error, they also took out the pepper) It wasn't bad, but of course lacking in flavor - entirely because of us.

When I was going through my no meat phase, earlier this year, I asked Eng's to make salt and pepper tofu. They did a nice job, actually. Lately, though, Eng's has been pretty hit and miss. Unfortunately, hit and miss is typical for all Chinese restaurants in this area.

ChgoMike wrote: Unfortunately, hit and miss is typical for all Chinese restaurants in this area.

Right - I would put Eng's in the same class as Joy Yee's, but the eat-in atmosphere is nicer and, unfortunately for them, less busy. They also have a fairly large bubble tea selection.

I just ate at Joy Yee's in Evanston for lunch. They recently opened after being closed for about nine months to remodel. The MaPo Tofu lunch special was very very good. Lots of food for around $6, including a crunchy thick-skinned eggroll and not bland hot and sour soup. I have enough left over for dinner.

One thing I did NOT like are their new chairs. Hands down the most uncomfortable chairs I've even placed my behind within. I can't describe them accurately. Think thick metal bars, bent at severe angles, without padding. What were they thinking? It certainly does encourage table turn-over.

Joy Yee - Evanston - carry out recommended.

This place is an easy walk from my house, and I go in there now and then.

What I like about it is the variety.
They have Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, truly a "pan-Asian" menu, as well as (as someone said above) lots of bubble teas and smoothies.

The food is inexpensive, and it doesn't suck.
I have never had an amazing meal there, but I have never had a disgusting one.

For the prices charged, I find Eng's to be a reliable place to grab some cheap grub now and then.
It certainly beats the other cheapo options in the immediate neighborhood (a crappy diner, a few bars, some corporate chains).

Although: there is a Thai place another block or two up Western that probably has better food in the same price range but they also have a lot less variety.