nsxtasy wrote:Thanks for reminding me why I stopped going to Pine Yard many years ago, even though it's in the 'hood.

It's been a couple years since I've been back there, but they still set a pretty high benchmark for Hot an Sour Soup -- something LSC does not do nearly as well.

JoelF wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:Thanks for reminding me why I stopped going to Pine Yard many years ago, even though it's in the 'hood.

It's been a couple years since I've been back there, but they still set a pretty high benchmark for Hot an Sour Soup -- something LSC does not do nearly as well.

I've had LSC's version and really enjoyed it. I doubt I would have ordered it myself but I was with my business partners and they wanted it, so we ordered it. I can't say how it compares to Pine Yard's version because I gave up on PY years ago.

=R=

I quite like LSC's Hot n Sour. But they key is to go for the House Special Hot n Sour. A little bit more heat with some nice peanut and cilantro thrown in.

thepld wrote:I quite like LSC's Hot n Sour. But they key is to go for the House Special Hot n Sour. A little bit more heat with some nice peanut and cilantro thrown in.

Yes, that's the one.

=R=

Whether because they were geared up for the big Sunday, or relieved by the eventually modest crowd this afternoon, the staff at LSC was cool and smiling, and even took a few special order requests that they hadn't entertained anytime I asked last year. Our takeout meal was excellent. Orange peel beef was perfectly tender and studded with slivers of fresh peel; ma po tofu was piping hot with crunchy leeks and just the right level of numby funkiness from the szechuan peppercorns and preserved black beans. I dared to ask for no-shell salt and pepper prawns for the relatives (repeated 2009 response: no no, with shell is better and we're busy), and even got a wink and a "no problem!" Pressing my luck, I asked for Tony's original Szechuan string bean recipe, which is made with lots of crispy pork and sugar, and they made that for us too. Moreover, where my last few orders of Chengdu dumplings had been quite undercooked as described by seebee above, these were just right. After giving them some crap as I do from time to time (and only because I love), they deserve every plaudit today.

Never been to this place before. The one I would go to is Downers Grove. The menu is HUGE! I'm looking for the SPICIEST most UNFORGIVING but TASTY items on the menu.
I know the spicy food (on the menu) have a little red chili next to it - but surely some are more spicy than others? I want something with 2-3 chilis next to it.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for: I've seen an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations where he goes to a Szechuan restaurant in Australia and mentions, "most dishes look like they are 90% peppers but still you want more." THAT is exactly what I am after.

I'm really tired of going to mexican or chinese restaurants and saying, "Don't F*** with me man, I want it SPICY - I can handle it" and still be disappointed by how bland it is.

PS: The "Maw" seems pretty popular on the boards but I don't see it on the DG menu. Does it go under a different name?

courtesi wrote:I'm really tired of going to mexican or chinese restaurants and saying, "Don't F*** with me man, I want it SPICY - I can handle it" and still be disappointed by how bland it is.

I know! The last time I went to Mado I was all like "don't fuck with me Rob, I wants the REAL offals," and I still didn't seem to get what I wanted.

---

My serious recommendations would be boiled beef, la la spicy chicken pot, or dry chili chicken - and you need to eat the dry chilis, not just the chicken. Good luck!

I was thinking about a road trip to Downer's Grove for a meal at Lao Sze Chuan. I have been reading (here on the forum) that perhaps the Downer's Grove location is sub-standard compared to the Chicago location. For those in the know, have things improved?

razbry wrote:I was thinking about a road trip to Downer's Grove for a meal at Lao Sze Chuan. I have been reading (here on the forum) that perhaps the Downer's Grove location is sub-standard compared to the Chicago location. For those in the know, have things improved?

In my experiences, some dishes - Tony's three chili chicken, ma po tofu, shrimp in mayonnaise sauce - are lackluster in DG. However, the suburban location has a few things - handrolled noodles, Northern style pancakes - that you can't get at LSC Chinatown. I'd say it's worth a trip, and we will value and benefit from your review.

DG tends to use a little sugar in some dishes like the chili chicken that makes them less tasty for me. But that is only in comparison to the Chinatown location - they are still damned good.

Courtesi , I think the hottest thing I had at DG was the fish filet in chili or pepper sauce, not sure what they call it - it made the sweat run down my face. But to be sure, you can also tell them to amp up the heat. And even with the sugar, the three chili chicken is pretty hot if you eat all the dried chilies.

Well I got some Lao Sze Chuan takeout, here is what I thought:

Dry Chili Chicken (3/5) It was OK. Spicy? Eh, it wasn't that hot. I tried eating the chili peppers but they were as fun chewing as bay leafs. Perhaps if they were more tender? Won't have this again. 3/5

Cheng Du Dumplings (2/5) Spicy, ok... But not too much. Remember the old BK commercial, "Wheres the beef?" I could ask this: Wheres the filling? Didn't seem to be filled with much. Very wet quasi-dumpling in chili oil sauce. Forgettable.

Steamed Potsticker (4/5) Ironically since I am a whore for all things spicy these were my favorite thing I ordered. I personally prefer steamed to fried and these were pretty tasty.

On my next visit I shall try:

"Extremely Spicy Sole Fish Fillet w/ Tender Tofu"
"Hot & Sour Noodle Soup Szechuan Style"


Would like input from others who have tried:

"Intestines w Szechuan Sauce"
"Bean Curd Homestyle"
"Potherb with Spicy Szechuan Style"
"Stir Fried Slice Potato w/ Chili"
"Spicy Sole Fish Fillet w/ Fresh Chili & Napa"

Went to the DG location for dinner with My Bride and a friend and we had a great meal. Staff was outstanding. It had been about a year since our last visit.

Had to have the 'Chicken Crack' (Three Chili Chicken, Dried, Jalapenos and Sweet) and it was as good as ever. I also noticed the bit of sugar that was added. Not bad, maybe a little less would be better.

I had introduced the place to my friend several years ago (he lives in the neighborhood) and all he has ever ordered is the Spicy Rabbit with Chili Powder. Nice and spicy and reminded me of eating rib tips as you always have to be on the lookout for small bone fragments. Some nice meat chunks and then some tiny bones (from the ribs and such). Served chopped and roasted with no coating.

My Bride, avoiding anything spicy, got her wish when she ordered Egg Fue Young. Bland, no discernible spices, bland gravy. If you want Cantonese go to a street corner carry out. Egg rolls limp and mundane as well.

Some Crab Rangoon (My Bride again, too much wrapper) and the Szechuan String Beans (very light coating) were tasty and rounded out the meal.

Never been to the downtown location so I cannot compare but it is a gem considering the area. Most dishes were full of complex flavors.

I have been to the Chicago LSC, and the Downers Grove one quite a few times. I really prefer the Chinatown location.

I work in the area of the DG location, and find myself not going to LSC for Chinese foods, opting for Chinese Kitchen in Westmont, or Fabulous Noodles in Lisle instead.

I had a chance to go to the DG location yesterday. I had my "Picky" 17 year old son with me. We got the Cheng Du Dumplings, 3 chili chicken, and mayo shrimp. The meal was a big hit for the both of us. Yes, the dumplings could have had a little more filling in them. While eating the chili chicken my son said he got a "hit" of sweet. That observation blew me away. My son has never made comments like that before. Anyway, I couldn't taste any sweet. Maybe the chef just does a little drizzle of honey at the end. The chili chicken was about as hot as I can take, and I thought the mayo chicken was a good counterpoint to the hotness of the chicken. I thought the mayo shrimp was the outstanding dish. We had leftovers to take home, and now I get to know what you all have been talking about for years! If the DG location is "less" than the Chicago location, it was lost on me. It was a great lunch!

Hope it's not serious:
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/archer.avenue.fire.2.1596573.html

Sad news: A fire this morning at Lao Sze Chuan left the restaurant temporarily shut down. No one was hurt.

As reported by Time Out.

--Rich

Holy chicken crack! That counts as a major bummer. I was even thinking about going there today.

Reportedly, the kitchen was severely damaged, but Tony Hu hopes to reopen within two weeks. Anyone know which adjoining restaurants were affected?

LAZ wrote:Reportedly, the kitchen was severely damaged, but Tony Hu hopes to reopen within two weeks.

This week's Dish reports that the target date for re-opening is May 1.

=R=

@#$%^&

I completely forgot about this, and have family coming up from downstate who are VERY MUCH expecting the traditional "visit meal" of LSC on Saturday. It's a forgone conclusion that LSC is where we'll be going.

%^&*!

Doesn't the owner have another joint in the Chinatown area? There is NO WAY POSSIBLE that wife 1.0 will allow another trial at Double Li. Our last meal there was horrendous - (well, the Szechuan fare was decent, but the Ameri-Chinese stuff was scary bad, and we will HAVE to order some Ameri-Chinese stuff for the couple of kids.)

seebee wrote:@#$%^&

I completely forgot about this, and have family coming up from downstate who are VERY MUCH expecting the traditional "visit meal" of LSC on Saturday. It's a forgone conclusion that LSC is where we'll be going.

%^&*!

Doesn't the owner have another joint in the Chinatown area? There is NO WAY POSSIBLE that wife 1.0 will allow another trial at Double Li. Our last meal there was horrendous - (well, the Szechuan fare was decent, but the Ameri-Chinese stuff was scary bad, and we will HAVE to order some Ameri-Chinese stuff for the couple of kids.)

seebee-

You should be in luck.

Dish wrote:May 1st is the hoped-for reopening date for Lao Sze Chuan (2172 S. Archer Ave.; 312-326-5040), which closed after a fire March 29th. The owner, Tony Hu, says water damage from the recent rain has exacerbated the problem. Lao Sze Chuan’s food is available down the plaza at Lao Beijing (2138 S. Archer Ave.; 312-881-0168). . . .

seebee wrote:Doesn't the owner have another joint in the Chinatown area?

Two others, Lao Beijing and Lao Shanghai

Lao Beijing
2138 S. Archer Ave
Chicago, IL
312- 881-0168

Lao Shanghai
2163 A China Place
Chicago, IL 60616
312-808-0830

Thank you both.

I've actually been reading up on Spring World, and LTH. Spring World was starting to look mighty interesting indeed.

My Bride ordered some traditional Chinese at LSC (Downers Grove) and it was sub par.

seebee wrote:Thank you both.

I've actually been reading up on Spring World, and LTH. Spring World was starting to look mighty interesting indeed.

I just went to Spring World for lunch for the second time Tuesday. Stellar. My new favorite place. We did Lao Beijing Sunday afternoon too and we were impressed.

seebee wrote:I've actually been reading up on Spring World, and LTH. Spring World was starting to look mighty interesting indeed.

Don't miss the spicy pig's tongue - it's fantastic. The spicy fish with soft tofu and pickled vegetables was also a winner in my book.

-Dan

It says on the Dish website that LSC's food is available at Lao Beijing. Has anyone been recently? Can you verify?
I might have to go check next weekend-- not sure I can survive this long without LSC.

Was at Lao Beijing tonight. They are offering the full Lao Sze Chuan menu. Wasn't offered to all tables, so you may have to ask.

dansch wrote:

seebee wrote:I've actually been reading up on Spring World, and LTH. Spring World was starting to look mighty interesting indeed.

Don't miss the spicy pig's tongue - it's fantastic. The spicy fish with soft tofu and pickled vegetables was also a winner in my book.

-Dan

Spring World it was, and it did NOT disappoint. WOW.

Lao Sze WHO??
Seriously.

seebee wrote:Lao Sze WHO??

Tony Hu.