Chinese Food...HELP! (Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland: living in, restaurants, moving to)

[Rushmore]

I grew up spoiled on great Chinese food. New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC have some of the greatest Chinese food this side of the Yangtze River. I mean, awesome meals, whether they were refined high-end meals, or family style fare served in loud, hot, bustling small rooms.

I have had less luck in the past 15 years or so, living in Tampa/St. Pete, Baltimore, and now, Sarasota.

Now, of course, I would sacrifice eating Chinese food for the rest of my life if I had to do so in order to keep living here, but short of that...

...WHERE THE HELL CAN I GO FOR GREAT CHINESE FOOD?!

No, not a buffet. No, nothing with a bright pink "sweet and sour sauce." No, not the deep-fried basket of...breading. Nowhere that has a sushi bar, nowhere that also serves fried chicken.

Those who know will know what I mean. I have had some passable, not-repulsive Chinese food since I got here four months ago, but I sure would love it if someone could point me to the Real Deal.

The first fully credible recommendation will get an almost immediate trip report.

[jnanner]

keep us posted - please!!

how about regular old chinese take-out? have you found anything good? when i was in Clearwater last summer i was in a bookstore and got into a conversation with the cashier about where I am from (the accent - i sound like Amy Fisher lol) she says "ooh, Long Island! You have the best chinese food" lol

[gypsychic]

I'm sorry to say that while Sarasota has a lot of great food, Chinese is not among them. I have been to places that virtually turn my stomach, but that many years ago.

Maybe since there are a lot of new residents coming that have a taste for it a place will open up, but in the past there hasn't been much more than the buffets.

At least downtown has a pretty good selection of various sushi/Asian places, just no Chinese.

When I was living in Lakeland a couple years ago, there was a really good Chinese takeout place - they billed themselves as "NY style Chinese takeout!" I went there a lot.

[Picshooter]

I am as far from an expert on Chinese food as one can be ...but, How about the Wok In at Beneva / Bahia Vista. They are Chinese owned and run, maybe they can fix you what you are looking for.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Switch to Thai food; my personal favorite

[Coachgns]

That's it - I'm not moving to Sarasota if I can't get good Chinese takeout! :-)

Combine that with no good Philly Cheesesteaks & it becomes a Foodies' nightmare.
FOODIE = Chinese & Cheesesteaks? LOL!!!!!

[jnanner]

Originally Posted by Coachgns

That's it - I'm not moving to Sarasota if I can't get good Chinese takeout! :-)

Combine that with no good Philly Cheesesteaks & it becomes a Foodies' nightmare.
FOODIE = Chinese & Cheesesteaks? LOL!!!!!

there's enough of us with access to the good stuff that we should be able to bring it down (with the pizza and bagels) Chinese is better as leftovers anyway!!

I always thought I wanted a Philly Cheesesteak and would make my own wonderful versions of what I thought it would be like...then I saw something about cheezewiz and well, I'll stick with my fantasy version - thank you very much!!

[jnanner]

Originally Posted by ConeyIsBabe

Switch to Thai food; my personal favorite

that's swell if you are in the mood for Thai lol but it's not Chinese!

[jnanner]

what's this? NY Chinese Restaurant - Sarasota, FL 34238 | Metromix Tampa Bay

someone should go there now and get the general tso's chicken combo w/pork fried rice and some wonton soup and report back...oh and eggrolls! (don't forget the duck sauce and soy sauce!!)

thanks

[beachymom]

Originally Posted by Coachgns

That's it - I'm not moving to Sarasota if I can't get good Chinese takeout! :-)

Combine that with no good Philly Cheesesteaks & it becomes a Foodies' nightmare.
FOODIE = Chinese & Cheesesteaks? LOL!!!!!

I hear they make a mean Philly Cheesesteak at Eat In And they deliver!