Come for the Peking Duck; stay for the Duck Sauce y'all!…read more
China Chili is absolutely fantastic! I've ordered from them through Uber Eats and Grubhub multiple times, and I already knew I loved their orange chicken and fried rice. But when a friend suggested we actually go inside and eat there, I thought, why have I been keeping this deliciousness strictly a takeout relationship?
We went on a Saturday around 3p. The restaurant is simple, casual, and no-frills. Don't come looking for romance or Instagram-worthy ambiance. This is not the place for mood lighting. You're here to EAT, and honestly, I respect that.
We were seated within about 5 minutes, and our server came by shortly afterward. My friend is a regular who swears by the Peking duck with buns, so we ordered that to share. I got my Sauvi B, my friend ordered a Chinese beer, and almost immediately, delicious egg drop soup appeared. No doctoring it up, no adding a bunch of stuff. It was perfect as is.
Then came the Peking duck. Beautifully presented, expertly sliced, with crispy skin and all the fixings: shredded scallions, plum sauce, duck sauce, and spicy mustard. That spicy mustard? AMAZING.
So... how did I build these little masterpieces you ask? Open the bun, spread on that delicious dark plum sauce, add the duck, scallions, a little crispy skin, and a dab of spicy mustard. Close it up and proceed to mind your business because baaaay-bee... that first bite was everything!
I ate approximately 7 mini duck sandwiches. SEVEN! And I regret absolutely nothing.
You can also order the Peking duck with pancakes, which I plan to try on my next visit. Because yes, there WILL be a next visit. And the one after that.
The service was excellent, too. Attentive without hovering, efficient without rushing us, and perfectly pleasant. Nobody was trying to become our new best friend, but nobody was rude, either. Just good, straightforward service that let us enjoy our meal.
By the time we left around 4:15, the restaurant was getting busy. All kinds of people were coming in, and plenty seemed to know exactly what they wanted. You could tell this place has its regulars, and I can absolutely see why.
Now, let me address something very important from the perspective of a NEWYAWKUH (yes, that's how we say it). Since moving to Arizona 3 and a half years ago, finding truly delicious duck sauce has been the bane of my existence. I know, I know. First-world problems. But if you know, YOU KNOW.
China Chili has the sauces, the fixings, the flavor, and the goods. That duck sauce and spicy mustard alone deserve a standing ovation.
I can't wait to return with a bigger group so I can try more of the menu. But if you're going with just one other person, the Peking duck with buns is an excellent place to start.
China Chili has officially secured another repeat customer. If you haven't been, go. And if you're already a regular, I now understand your loyalty.
Come hungry. Bring friends. Order the duck. And for the love of all things delicious, don't sleep on the sauces!