#Amuse There’s Chinese & there’s @little_szechuan: authentic, eclectic, exciting. Bring friends & ride the Lazy Susan! goo.gl/o3q94
— Josh Page (@ILikeFoodJP) November 8, 2012
I happened upon this Frog Town gem a couple of years ago (now there’s a newer, fancier one in St. Louis Park), and can happily report that it’s hands down the best Chinese joint in town. It’s authentic Szechuan: bold flavors, intense spice, tongue-numbing peppercorns, pickled this and that, garlicky goodness, and oh-so-much chili oil. The menu is chock-full of interesting dishes such as Bamboo Tips in Chili Sauce, Fresh Pickled Baby Cabbage, Pork Shreds with Dried Tofu, Szechuan Potato Fries, Pickled Vegetable and Fish Soup, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser, Dan Dan Noodles. The tofu dishes are hits with vegetarians and carnivores alike: Szechuan Spicy Tofu, Kung Pao Tofu, and General Tsao’s Tofu feature the fried version—crisp on the outside and custardy on the inside. Little Szechuan has become my restaurant of choice for dining with large groups—go family style and put the Lazy Susan to work.
Road Trip: I’m off to Chicago next week for conferencing and eating. Look for several “On the Road” posts. Would love recommendations for lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path joints in Chi-town. Thanks.
From the Eater Crew
Letta, Tofu Temptress: Clearly, thinking up new monikers for me is going to keep Josh busy! And, since he’s already extolled the many virtues of Little Szechuan’s fried tofu dishes (preferring fried, I haven’t gone in for the Ma Pao Tofu, though it’s often recommended to me), I’ll take this moment to point out a few personal favorites he didn’t cover: the Dan Dan Noodles without pork (there’s usually a sprinkling of it on top), Sweet Potato Cakes, and Szechuan Green Beans. And while a number of high-profile media outlets have picked up on the restaurant (I see it’s been named one of the 50 best Chinese places in the entire U.S.!), rest assured that it’s a big, bright space with tables to fit any party—CNN may be sending teeming hordes their way, but Little Szechuan is, at heart, a neighborhood spot that’ll always have room for the locals.
Theme Song
Dead or Alive, “You Spin Me Round” (Live 1985)
It’s not expensive or terribly fancy, but there’s this cool Hawaiian take out place on Clark st. called “Aloha Eats.” A great example of the branch of Polynesian cuisine that is pretty much Japanese food, but with explosive portions and bad for you (e.g. spam musubi).
It’s pretty well known, and you might have already been there a time or two, but every time I’m in Chicago now, I have to have one meal at The Chicago Diner. Best vegan everything. Who knew that the best country-fried steak of my life would be the seitan version of it? And the dairy-free milkshakes are, hands down, the best milkshakes I’ve ever had anywhere. If you’re craving some vegan comfort food, there is no better option. Staff are always the greatest, too!
http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/
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Thanks Sarah and Tina for the fantastic recommendations. I’ll add them to my list of places to check out. Thanks again!
It’s extremely well-known, but try Longman & Eagle if you get the chance. Unpretentious yet Michelin worthy. Delicious.
Thanks, Sanjaya. Longman & Eagle is now on my list. If I don’t get there this time, I will do so next time I’m in Chicago. Thanks again.
Little Szechuan is excellent and very similar to Szechuan Spice on Lyndale just south of Lake Street down the block from Falafel King. I rec. the Szechuan beef, Szechuan dumplings, egg plant and Dan Dan Noodles.
Stuart B, I concur about the Szechuan beef, egg plant, and Dan Dan Noodles. I haven’t tried the Szechuan dumplings, but will give them a try. Thanks for the comment, and happy Nap Friday.
I love Szechuan Spice’s tofu – different in that it’s not “dry” the way it is at Little Szechuan – and alternate betw. the Kung Pao (extra water chestnuts) and the General Tsao’s. I do wish that they traveled, though! Since their tofu is breaded (something with cornstarch must give it that incredible sticky crunch magic) it really can’t be ordered for delivery. Then again, it’s like two blocks away. I have no excuse not to just walk over!