Is there a Chinatown in St Louis? (live, eat)

[stlcitygirl]

Imo's is fantastic, I hated it when I first moved here, now I eat it at least once a week.

[aaronstlcards]

Originally Posted by Marksman84

For Italian food, everywhere on the Hill is a winner.

St. Louis Style Pizza -

DO

Pi (University City)
Joanie's (Soulard)
Pointer's (Clayton)

DON'T

Imo's, Cecil Whitaker's or Elicia's. Equivalent to consuming caulking compound with transmission fluid.

Dude, Cecil Whitaker's has really good pizza, possibly the best I've had in St. Louis. Unfortunately, the Cecil Whitaker's close to me was closed for good a few months ago.

[mklein49]

I'll second that on Cecil Whittaker's. I thought it was good back in the day. I haven't had it in a long time though. Are there many left?

[whartonmba]

There're about three Chinese grocery stores and about 5 authentic Chinese restaurants in the entire region (fake American Chinese takeouts don't count).

[aaronstlcards]

Originally Posted by whartonmba

There're about three Chinese grocery stores and about 5 authentic Chinese restaurants in the entire region (fake American Chinese takeouts don't count).

There's like that many on South Grand alone, let alone the entire region.

[TGS]

Originally Posted by aaronstlcards

There's like that many on South Grand alone, let alone the entire region.

I wouldn't say that there are many good Chinese places on Grand (plenty of Thai, Vietnamese, etc. though). The real hotbed of Chinese food is Olive street east of I-170. There are a lot more than five place; anyone who says different hasn't been there. A lot of the hole-in-the-wall place are very authentic!

[stlterp]

Joy Luck on Manchester (close to Hanley) is the best Chinese place in town. Skip the buffet, go for the menu. Great, spicy Szechuan cuisine.

Lu Lu, Wonton King, Asiana, Wei Hong and Royal Chinese BBQ on Olive all have their strong points as well.

[whartonmba]

It's not an authentic Chinese restaurant if you don't see any Chinese customers.

How can Mandarin House not mentioned?

[whartonmba]

Lu Lu - Felt cheated every time I paid the bill, it's just not worth it...
Wonton King - Dim sum is ok, haven't tried their menus in years
Asiana - Who's going there? Not many Chinese people know where it is
Wei Hong - Authentic, you can just tell from its name
Royal Chinese BBQ -Best BBQ, period.

[stlterp]

Not a big fan of Mandarin House. Seems stuck in the 70s and a place you go for banquets, because of their private rooms, not for a normal meal.

Asiana is further down Olive and a place you don't hear as much about, but very authentic menu. Their "ma-la" stuff is quite good, along with some of their dim sum offerings. They don't do the carts like Lu Lu, but off the menu is still good.

Dim sum used to be good at Canton House up off Lindbergh/Page Service Rd, but haven't been in a while. Didn't love dim sum at Wei Hong, but their bakery is good. Their branch on Grand is smaller and a more limited menu, but still good a bakery/bbq.