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Old 11-11-2013, 07:58 PM
 
7,378 posts, read 12,659,218 times
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I've been checking out old threads for favorite Chinese restaurants in San Diego, and I've found lots of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and other Asian suggestions, but only one thread that mentioned Kearny Mesa and Imperial Mandarin, and a few other places on Convoy.

We've been in the greater SD area for decades, and we really like Chinese food, as it was served in the old famous Limehouse Restaurant in PB. Those of you who have been here in SD a while, you know what I'm talking about. The Limehouse was so popular that it was even featured in Gregory Benford's classic science-fiction time travel novel Timescape Timescape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wish we could travel back in time for a Limehouse dinner just one more time...

Anyway, every time we found a good replacement restaurant, within 6 months it had closed, or was converted to a Thai restaurant. (So was that our fault? ) Times and tastes change, and Chinese food just doesn't seem to be "in" anymore, but we still like it. Kearny Mesa is a little inconvenient for us, since we're in East County. We have no interest in Panda Express , Pick-Up Stix, or P.F. Chang's. We've tried a little place in Santee that is actually quite good, Panda Country, but we'd like some more options. From Poway to El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley and Lemon Grove, and even Ramona and Lakeside, does anyone know of some little hidden gem of a traditional Chinese Restaurant that you want to share?
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Old 11-11-2013, 08:08 PM
 
Location: 92037
4,630 posts, read 10,270,747 times
Reputation: 1955
Hey CFF! Yes definitely.This place is a gem. Very fresh Chinese food and a local favorite.I have bumped into everyone from the East County Chamber CEO to neighbors. Its nothing fancy but some of the best we have had without having to go to Convoy.I get the wonton soup and pork foo yong almost religiously. My in laws from NJ love it also and they can be quite picky with their food.http://m.yelp.com/biz/chopsticks-inn-restaurant-la-mesa
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Old 11-11-2013, 11:20 PM
 
Location: San Diego CA>Tijuana, BC>San Antonio, TX
6,497 posts, read 7,525,332 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd View Post
Hey CFF! Yes definitely.This place is a gem. Very fresh Chinese food and a local favorite.I have bumped into everyone from the East County Chamber CEO to neighbors. Its nothing fancy but some of the best we have had without having to go to Convoy.I get the wonton soup and pork foo yong almost religiously. My in laws from NJ love it also and they can be quite picky with their food.http://m.yelp.com/biz/chopsticks-inn-restaurant-la-mesa
The question is, do they have Sriracha suace at the table? If they do, then its the real deal IMHO.
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Old 11-12-2013, 12:02 AM
 
Location: San Diego, CA
1,665 posts, read 2,974,193 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malcorub16 View Post
The question is, do they have Sriracha suace at the table? If they do, then its the real deal IMHO.
No. Just no. My parents immigrated here and I think they rolled their eyes far back enough to simulate a heart attack when they saw it at an "authentic" Chinese restaurant.
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Old 11-12-2013, 12:43 AM
 
Location: San Diego CA>Tijuana, BC>San Antonio, TX
6,497 posts, read 7,525,332 times
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Originally Posted by tonyinsd View Post
No. Just no. My parents immigrated here and I think they rolled their eyes far back enough to simulate a heart attack when they saw it at an "authentic" Chinese restaurant.
You are right my friend. Huy Fong Sriracha is as American as apple pie and baseball. It sure is good though, I love that stuff.


Sriracha Anthem - YouTube
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Old 11-12-2013, 10:30 AM
 
Location: 92037
4,630 posts, read 10,270,747 times
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Definitely no Sriracha at this place, but I do love me some

This little hole in the wall is Taiwanese owned. So if you have ever had Taiwanese influenced 'Chinese' it tends to lean more towards fresh vegetables and clearer sauces, dare I even say a tad healthier in cooking practice.
As opposed to Szechuan which may be darker or sweet in their sauces with more fried varieties.
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Old 11-12-2013, 12:37 PM
 
Location: San Diego, CA
1,665 posts, read 2,974,193 times
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Definitely. Although there are some fried dishes in Taiwanese cooking.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd View Post
Definitely no Sriracha at this place, but I do love me some

This little hole in the wall is Taiwanese owned. So if you have ever had Taiwanese influenced 'Chinese' it tends to lean more towards fresh vegetables and clearer sauces, dare I even say a tad healthier in cooking practice.
As opposed to Szechuan which may be darker or sweet in their sauces with more fried varieties.
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Old 11-12-2013, 01:22 PM
 
Location: 92037
4,630 posts, read 10,270,747 times
Reputation: 1955
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonyinsd View Post
Definitely. Although there are some fried dishes in Taiwanese cooking.
Yup. My favorite dish there, the pork foo yong is fried delisciousness.

On a side note, I think they may use rice bran oil rather than vegetable oil. The result (like in Japanese dishes) is a lighter fry and less oily
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Old 11-12-2013, 02:38 PM
 
2,845 posts, read 6,010,863 times
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Not east County, but Royal Mandarin in National City is my favorite, been going there 15 years Their beef broccoli, orange chicken, egg drop soup, beef schezwan, etc, YUMMY!
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Old 11-12-2013, 11:25 PM
 
7,378 posts, read 12,659,218 times
Reputation: 9994
Quote:
Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd View Post
Hey CFF! Yes definitely.This place is a gem. Very fresh Chinese food and a local favorite.I have bumped into everyone from the East County Chamber CEO to neighbors. Its nothing fancy but some of the best we have had without having to go to Convoy.I get the wonton soup and pork foo yong almost religiously. My in laws from NJ love it also and they can be quite picky with their food.http://m.yelp.com/biz/chopsticks-inn-restaurant-la-mesa
Quote:
Originally Posted by beera View Post
Not east County, but Royal Mandarin in National City is my favorite, been going there 15 years Their beef broccoli, orange chicken, egg drop soup, beef schezwan, etc, YUMMY!
Thanks so much, guys! Those suggestions are highly appreciated. And if the Copsticks place is Taiwanese, with clear sauces, it actually sounds a lot like what the Limehouse used to serve. So one of these days we'll try it out, and if we're in National City I'll remember the Royal Mandarin, too!
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