Ordering Quarts of Chinese Food? (Austin, West: home, buying, to live in)

[ksoviero]

Back when I used to live in NY, we used to order a quart of chicken and broccoli, and a quart of fried rice. I'd take it back home and dole it out among the children, and you could feed everyone for ~$12...

Now that I live in Austin, while there are perfectly pleasant chinese food restaurants on practically every corner, when I ask for a quart of something, they have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. They only seem to want to let you order single servings of food, and buying five individual servings can cost quite a bit! Even during the cheapest lunch specials.

To summarize, are there any (authentic) chinese food restaurants near the 78745 area that allow you to purchase in bulk?

On a related note, I'm not a transplant from NY, I'm born and raised Austin. I just spend a lot of time up there visiting my father's side of the family. I'm not sure why, but I just felt that needed to be said!

[Komeht]

I don't know about quarts - but the food here is cheap and really decent. It's as close to what you can get in NYC in Austin.

First Chinese BBQ Menu

[bufo]

I have never been to a Chinese restaurant in NYC or Austin that had quart-sized portions. I have been to Asian grocery stores like Ranch 99 that have delis where you can fill up a container of food. I don't think there are any of those in Austin though.

[Debsi]

A quart isn't that much, really. It's 4 cups, like those square zip-loc containers.

[Austin97]

I think what he is saying is that the restaurants he is going to give you a single meal vs. selling it to you family style.

I would think that most restaurants serve family style. I dont know of any that would serve you a single meal.

edit
ok I reread the post.
If you are going at lunch then yes you will get a single person plate. Instead, order from the dinner menu and you will be fine.

Also we always still allot one dish per person which usually ends up with 2-3x too much food.

[cBach]

I don't know about Chinese food, but you can get quarts of BBQ at places like Rudy's and Salt Lick and quarts of Cajun food at places like Stuffed in North Austin (best Cajun food ever).

Maybe try to blend in "Austin style" and go for these bulk items?

[calel]

Entrees always seem to come in large quantities at the Chinese restaurants in town. No one refers to them as "quart" size though. One entree typically lasts me 3 meals at least. At many of the places I've tried in Austin, lunch portions are usually smaller (but I still wind up with leftovers) and part of a combo meal (with some soup and an eggroll usually).

One of my favorite things to do long ago was order two entrees at Asia Cafe (one meat dish and one veggie dish) and then eat the leftovers for the rest of the week.

[Cardiff Giant]

Originally Posted by disposable2

Quarts of Chinese food? I don't think that restaurant you used to go to in NYC was quality nor authentic.

Every Chinese place in NY offers their food in either pint or quart size. Those plastic/tin trays that are used here are usually reserved for the "chefs specialties."

Since Chinatown Westlake closed I don't eat Chinese food anymore.

[mamacatnv]

OP I would be ordering the Ala Carte items not the meals, those should be about the "quart" size you are referring to. We always order individual items then share. We never get Chinese to go we always eat in, I love Chinese but only when its really hot, fresh with crisp veggies.

[10scoachrick]

Back when I used to live in NY, we used to order a quart of chicken and broccoli, and a quart of fried rice. I'd take it back home and dole it out among the children, and you could feed everyone for ~$12...

I think the $12 for two quarts of prepared anything might be the stumbling block here More like $20, I reckon.

Dang, I'm cutting down on rice, but that sure does sound good!