This place is HILARIOUS:
#1 - It's a Chinese restaurant in Bradenton, FL
#2 - Train of gray hair express out front at all times, they seriously need to rope it off (it's that bad). You would think it was a NYC nightclub for senior citizens.
#3 - This place is cash only folks!
If it is Asian, in my hood, family owned, and an hour wait; you know I HAVE to go there. Especially to find out what the big deal is, I am determined. I did not find out until my third attempt of actually getting a seat and eating there what all the hoopla is about. I know, I have issues.
First time we went there, line out the door- did not eat there.
Second time we went around 8:00pm and were able to eat there. I had the Nam Fong Soup with choice of chick or thin noodles. Which is a delicious bowl full of egg noodles covered in sweet and salty chicken broth with slices of gai lan leaves, scallion, char tsu pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts on top. It is pretty freaking good for Chinese American style food in Bradenton. Also had Lemon Duck, chunks of rubbery fried duck floating in beige tasteless gravy. I seriously think their steamed rice is Uncle Ben's by the long grain and the way it falls apart.
Third time, I went with a friend and got there at 11:15 AM for lunch. Line out the door again! How many people eat lunch that early? I warned my workmate and we even left early. The people in line in front of us were talking up the egg rolls, which was a hunch. Waited fifteen minutes and went to another place for lunch.
Fourth time, I was shopping with my husband in the same plaza and saw that Nam Fong did not have a line out the door. "We HAVE to eat there, there is no line!" ***
I just had to try the eggroll. Finally found out what the big deal is. The Eggroll ($1.25 for one), is a little larger than average and is made in house. It is filled with ground pork, ginger, scallion, small amount of cabbage, garlic, carrot, onion, broccoli, and other seasonal vegetables that they have left over at the time.
It is wrapped with a light crispy thin pastry and then BATTERED and deep fried.
Located the source of the wait!
Then, I turn around to notice that all of the customers are also eating 2-3 of these precious egg rolls each.
Aside from my single eggroll, I had the Mongolian Beef which tasted homemade and was quite good, aside from being loaded with celery. Chicken with Broccoli, the chicken had hand shredded white meat so it was dry.
Lunch Combo ($4.75) and Dinner Combo ($4.95-5.25) come with steamed or fried rice, no free eggroll.
They specify no sharing; I guess there was a huge problem with people eating off of each others plates in the past.
I have been back a couple times since, always right at 11:00 AM, or after 7:45 PM to be able to sit. The food tastes like homemade and can have less concentrated flavor due to this, since it is not loaded with MSG or dark soy. By no means is this place authentic, or as good as any of the wonderful places in Tampa like China Yuan or Ho Ho Choy, not as good as Lucky Star in Bradenton. The décor and building reminds me of a basement Chinatown NYC restaurant, without the authentic flavor. Try the egg roll with the spicy mustard, and decide for yourself if this place is really worth the wait.
***Even had meat defrosting at home. read more