Sam Woo BBQ

I haven't written in quite some time. Life has been really busy but that doesn't mean I've stopped eating Chinese Food. Here's one that's easy to write about.

What can I say about Sam Woo that hasn't been said already by just about everyone. Just good, authentic, plentiful, and cheap Chinese food every time. This is a chain for the most part. They are everywhere. They probably won't have all the dishes you may want to order on those special occasions (such as Peking Duck), but most of what you are looking for in a basic / authentic Chinese restaurant is there. And you can't beat the price. I once told a friend that I can eat at Sam Woo's for less than the price of McDonalds, and get better food, and more of it. It certainly is possible depending on what you order.

Like I said earlier, Sam Woo is a chain of Chinese, take-out style, restaurants in Southern California. They are even in San Diego and Las Vegas (of all places). Don't expect a nice establishment but a "Nice Chinese Restaurant" is almost an oxymoron. Of course the food depends on the person cooking it, but I've eaten at many different locations and the food is fairly consistent. I would seldom turn down eating at Sam Woo's.

Address
They are everywhere in So Cal

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant (Rosemead)

Just one word - "Pricey!" If you're expecting a great review for this restaurant, don't hold your breath. Well, the dim sum is excellent if you're willing to endure the wait. Not your traditional style dim sum where ladies push carts loaded with hot food around. Here, you'll have to order off the menu. Fortunately, for those of you who don't speak the language, there are pictures on the menu for you to point at. But aside from the dim sum, I would never go back for dinner or anything else for that matter.

Relatively speaking, this place is absolutely expensive for a Chinese restaurant and the price can no where near, justify the food. I was there for dinner once (4 adults + my daughter). We ordered 5 dishes, with one being a soup. Total bill came out to $196. My original order of soup came back as unavailable so the waiter suggested another. Little did I know it was gonna cost $45. We ordered a steamed fish but the price on the menu said "seasonal". That's typical of most places so I wasn't worried. Until the bill came and I saw that little fish (which could only feed 2 people) cost over $60!! If the fish was huge, fine, but my 3-year old could've eaten the whole fish herself.

I could go on and on about this restaurant but that's not what my blog is about. To sum it up, go to Sea Harbour only for the dim sum. It's still a little more pricey than others but it is good if you're willing to wait. As for lunch or dinner, forget about it. Save your money and have 5 good dinners at Sam Woo's. I will never eat dinner there again. I should've known when I saw the wine rack at the front door. How many Chinese restaurants do you know, has a wine rack.



Address:
3939 Rosemead Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 288-3939

Golden City Restaurant (in Chinatown)

This restaurant has been around for quite some time and has gone through a couple of owners since I lived in the Chinatown area. I would frequent the restaurant now and then to order take-out such is fried rice, chow fun or chow mein or something really simple since that's usually safe no matter where you go.

But the other day, we went there simple because I was craving Chinese (as usual) and you can park at the Empress Pavilion lot next door (for which Golden City validates). Ordered clams with black bean sauce, chicken with Chinese greens and of all things, a crab dish called "Golden Garlic Crab".

I'd have to say the best crab dish I've ever had in a Chinese establishment. It's deep fried, covered in fried garlic & spicy salt. I couldn't get enough of it. I cleaned up even the small pieces of garlic on the plate. If you like crab & garlic, this is THE dish to order. I've had similar dishes in other restaurants but none compares to this. The best, thus far. Oh - and the other 2 dishes were pretty darn good also. The clams were large and fresh and the black bean sauce had just the right consistency and spiciness to it. My 3-year old daughter loved the chicken and Chinese greens so over, we had a great experience there.

When you consider how hard it is to find parking in Chinatown, Golden City is a great option to try. It's reasonable, has parking, and the food tastes incredible. You'd be sure to run in to me one of these days as I go there much more often now than I did before. Next time you're in the area, I'd really suggest trying it. You almost never have to wait no matter what time of day or season.


Address:
960 N Hill St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 253-2660

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House (Arcadia)

Ever had a really good Chinese dumpling? This dumpling house in Arcadia serves up one of the freshest and great tasting dumplings I've ever had. The crowds waiting outside says it all. But be prepared to wait during the dinner & lunch rush hours. As you wait, you can watch the people prepare and make the dumplings by hand, one by one. Really amazing since they serve up thousands of dumplings a day. That's not the only thing they serve but that's what they're good at, considering the name of the restaurant. Along with dumplings, they have some fried rice and noodle dishes along with some soups & vegetables. All equally good tasting in my opinion. The portions are relatively small but it gives you the opportunity to sample several dishes each time you visit. The price reflects the size of the dishes as well.

Don't expect to order like you would at other typical restaurants. While you wait, you're given a sheet of paper to select your dishes from. You write down the number of items you want and when you are seated, the order is verified & placed, and in a matter of minutes, your food is at your table, steaming hot.

This restaurant is not one to have coffee after your meal and sit & talk after dinner. The atmosphere is very rushed and the waitresses will do their best to encourage you to leave when you're done. After all, it's only fair because of the number of people waiting outside. But if you want a restaurant with great tasting food and no frills, this could be it. It is definately different from your typical Chinese restaurant but you won't be disappointed


Address:
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007-7508
(626) 574-7068

Bacalli Cafe (Alhambra)

Not your typical Chinese restaurant or cafe. Ever heard of ordering pizza at a Chinese restaurant? How about rotisserie chicken? Bacalli's got it. Although the roast duck pizza will not be my first choice, I'd have to say it was ok, to say the least. But if you're looking for variety and value along with good tasting food, Bacalli's won't disappoint. Try their Triple Crown if you're hungry. New York steak, pork chop, and a chicken steak served on a huge plate with steamed vegetables and rice along your choice of sauce. You can feed 2 easily with their Triple Crown.

But they also have your traditional fried rice and chow mein or chow fun dishes. Compared to all the other Cafe's in the Alhambra area, Bacalli's stands out ahead of the others in my opinion. They have a menu for each meal (breakfast, lunch, & dinner) of the day. Breakfast is probably my favorite time to eat there. There's no real crowd and you can't imagine the amount of good food you get for a mere $5.95. A bowl of porridge plus your choice of chow mein or chow fun and coffee or tea to drink. And by the way, most drinks are bottomless.

The service is quick and efficient. Don't expect friendly, talkative waiters and waitresses but if you've been to any other Chinese restaurant, Bacalli's no different. But if you want great food at a reasonable price, and a lot of it, try Bacallis the next time you're in the Alhambra area. You'll be glad you did.

CBS Seafood Restaurant (Chinatown)

Ready for dim sum? This is probably one of the best places in Chinatown for dim sum. They serve it 7 days a week during 10am-2pm. If you're thinking of going there over the weekend, expect to wait at least 30 minutes or more. But during that time, if you are starving, you can pick up some dim sum in their deli department. It's the same that's being pushed around in carts inside the restaurant.

It's an absolute treat and you can sample just about everything they have to offer for a very fair & reasonable price. On average, you can expect to get out with about $10 per person and that's walking out being completely satisfied & full. As long as you stay away from the expensive dishes such as the shark fin soup, crab rolls, roast pork or duck, or other specialty dishes. I'm not saying they're bad - they're just more expensive. The traditional dumplings (siu mai, har gow, & others) are very fresh and very good, and they cost less than $2 per dish.

Parking is a bear, like anywhere else in Chinatown but CBS do offer a small parking lot. It's usually full during lunch time but if you're lucky, you might be able to find something on Spring St using the meters. There is also a parking lot across the street that's usually empty if you're willing to pay.

Overall, try CBS if you're ever in Chinatown. You won't be disappointed. It's great not only for dim sum, but for dinner as well.

Their address is:
700 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Right next to Philippe the Original

Phoenix Food Botique (S Pasadena)

I'm eating there tonight! This is a great little Chinese restaurant in South Pasadena. In my opinion, the best in Pasadena because it's the most authentic. You can't get any better unless you're in Chinatown or the Alhambra (SGV) area.

The restaurant is small by comparison. About 7-8 tables at most with maybe 5 more stools by the window. If your party is more than 4, I'd say try another place. There are also a few tables outside but it's January and L.A. has been cold. When the weather is warmer, sit outside and enjoy. It is especially great for lunch if you work near by.

The food is great! They're individual dishes but the portions are large. Especially for the price ($5.00-$7.00 each). Just about anything on the menu is good. I've never tried the exotic stuff but if you stick with the traditional rice dishes, fried rice, noodles, soups, you'll be fine. It's not your typical Chinese restaurant where everyone eats family style. But if you're in Pasadena and craving Chinese food, this is your best bet. There's also a Panda Express about 1/2 mile down Fair Oaks. I'd take Phoenix every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Their address is:
456 Fair Oaks Ave
South Pasadena, CA 91030

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It's in a shopping strip next to a Starbucks.