Probably the best Chinese food we've had in the area, and with China King changing staff and going downhill in the last year or so this is our new go to take-out Chinese place. This food is freshly cooked for you, it's not that Panda-Express already prepared hours ago sitting around under heat lamps style set up that, for some reason, people around here like. We've tried the Honey Tangerine Beef, General Tso Chicken, Tempura Green Beans, Hot and Sour Soup, Mongolian Beef&Chicken, Szechuan Tofu, scorpion roll and "Pho" soup. Super friendly owner, always pleasant on the phone, food is typically ready within 15-20 minutes or 25min when you order sushi rolls.
First off to the reviewer who said "best Pho in the county...." well I'm unaware of any other Pho in the county so for that reason alone ok maybe you're technically right, but this isn't pho. This broth isn't made using charred beef bones with the proper spices. it tastes like mediocre boxed or canned chicken broth, not even a flavorful chicken stock. I was REALLY disappointed. Just having Pho condiments and noodles doesn't make it Pho. I make Pho broth, it's very time intensive, and I was really hoping to have a go to place for when I'm sick since it's so healing. The search continues...
That being said, everything else we've had has been very good. This is the one Chinese takeout where the leftovers are still good, cold tempura beef in the sticky citrusy sauce the next morning... yes ma'am it's that good. The tempura batter he uses on the meat is so much better than your typical sweet and sour chicken take out with mushy breading, it's why it stands up to several hours in the fridge and doesn't get gummy. All of the aforementioned entrees have been really good, with exception of Szechuan tofu, it wasn't bad just meh, tofu pieces didn't seem "fried" as described in menu, pieces were too large/rubbery, just not much flavor in the entire dish. I'd love to have a really good meat alternative. The tempura green beans are one of our favorites, just salty enough, crispy, and better than any I've ever had anywhere else. The Hot and Sour soup seems inconsistent, good sometimes, other times too thick and gloppy. The Scorpion Roll is the only one I've tried so far and it was pretty good.
We drive the extra 15 minutes beyond the closest Chinese food place to go to Happy Buddha, and it's well worth it. Parking can be difficult during evening hours, but you can park behind the restaurant too, just be careful of the insane amount of potholes. They have a few tables inside, but it seems to be primarily a take-out establishment. read more
