TOP CHINESE IN FLA

[netmover]

As most of you know, I usually post my top 3 and ask that you do likewise. Unfortunately, I do not have a top 3 Chinese in FLA, in fact I do not even have one! I am on the verge of taking another ten year break from the dreadful Chinese 'food' here in FLA! Please help me out as I am at a complete loss for good picks and very much over my usual standby delivery joint.

Thanks FLA!

1. ???
2. ???
3. ???

RIP Chrysanthemum

[netmover]

DO NOT - I REPEAT - DO NOT waste your money at the Fortune Cookie on South Beach. Fatal describes this crapnese food. 6th Street between Washington and Euclid. YUCK!!!

We could use some more options down here in Miami especially SOBE! Ms. Yip's gets my vote by default...

[MysticYoYo]

Yen Yen's in Cocoa Beach. Large, nicely decorated, great food. Gourmet Chinese in a little beach town.

[westwood3]

New Chinatown located in South Miami is excellent as far as Chinese food goes in Florida.

They are located in US-1 and SW 59

[beachmouse]

Any have a suggestion for somewhat tasty in the Destin/Ft. Walton Beach area? For all that there are many nice Thai and Japanese options, and I've heard it's possible to find decent Vietnamese and Korean, it's disappointing how poor the Chinese offerings are here.

The only place that I've classified as edible has been Jin Jin of Ft. Walton (different ownership than Jin Jin of Niceville and Crestview) and that's of the if you're already in the area level of food, not a place that's worth a specific trip over there.

Right now, I'm actually looking forward to the opening ot PF Chang's in Sandestin, Americanized Chinese or no.

[netmover]

Tropical was A-OK !!!

I have been wanting to try this place forever and last night was finally the night I found myself out front with hunger pangs...

Orange Beef was the selection I choose for takeaway and it was the best I have ever had. That deep dark sauce was spiced up just right. The orange peels and the red hot chile peppers vollied back and forth like a Beijing Badminton Championship...WOW! Good stuff, excellent in fact.

I took a stroll through the dining room and was highly amuzed by the duck ice cream cones on many tables...what's up with that? Love that open kitchen and the bar area too. Now I have seen and gotten a small taste of why this place has garnered so many accolades over the years.

Well worth the trek from sobe.

BTW, my good friend swears by sushi ko in the same plaza.. Can anyone confirm? It would be very tuff to forgo my new Top Chinese in FLA - Tropical - when in that hood.

[Frodnesor]

Duck ice cream cones? Can you describe a little further? Not sure what you're referring to. May have been peking duck in little buns or wrappers.

[tpigeon]

99% sure it was peking duck.

[Jenaclaree]

Kon Chau on Bird Rd and 84th avenue in Miami is one of the best places for dim sum and authentic chinese food. It's atmosphere is awful as its a whole in the wall, but the food is amazing!

[kokoemo]

We are with you on this, too, netmover! But, driving to FONG'S takeout on Dixi Hwy. in West Palm Beach has to be the best Chinese we've found in the area and worh the half hour drive. I personally find most Chinese places flavorless, but Fong's is great and extremely busy! For a nice evening out, Crazy Buffet on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard in West Palm Beach will do. Nice atmosphere, sushi bar, and chef's bar - will cook what dish you put together from a selection of red meat, fish, or chicken and veggies. You won't go away completely unhappy because there is a large selection and you will at least get your fill. Salad bar and dessert bar, too.

[crach]

Chinese people are Florida's largest immigrant group in 2006. The restaurants are good!

[JeffTampa]

With all the excellent Spanish, Cuban, seafood and Italian cuisine in Florida-- why bother trying to find decent Chinese?? If you've covered SF and NYC you won't come close to being satisfied with the Sunshine State's offerings. It all tastes like it came out of the same 128 ounce restaurant service supply can. Hold the eggroll!-----Tampa can serve up a great (and properly made) cuban sandwich; Miami's Little Havana has cuban cuisine to die for!

[amyvc]

Because sometimes you just want a honey garlic chicken that rocks the house. Not dissing the other cuisines and maybe we can't live up to NYC or San Fran, but there's no shame in wanting good chinese. Don't give us crap for it....

[tpigeon]

I am starting to sound like a broken record but I really believe Mr. Chu can match almost anywhere wrt Dim Sum. It is that good. Please try it and brag to everyone else you know about it. This is one place that deserves to survive. It is in SOBE btw...

I agree that for the most part we do not have the selection of fine accessible chinese (and most other kinds too) SF or NYC have. The food is better in those places.

[janie]

My husband loves Sang's--it's a bit of a dump on 163rd street, but he says their razor clams in black bean sauce is authentic and fresh, and he raves about their sizzling scallops---as well as their salt and pepper shrimp, and squid...he says it's better than our Chinatown favorites here in NYC (besides Spicy and Tasty in Flushing), so that is a big compliment...he always goes there very late with his childhood buddy, as they are open till midnight..What happen to Canton's honey chicken and steak..not good anymore???

[mhill95]

Bo Lings of Kansas City
Bonita Springs, Florida

bolings.com

[theflytyr]

I haven't eaten at Bo Lings since 1984 in KC. Had no idea they were down in Florida..........loved their food back in '84 and will definitely have to road trip over from Orlando to stir my memories....awesome!!!!!!!!!

[laylag]

Tropical. From NY, lived there for four years, left four years ago. Most everything else we tried was awful. Tropical was great. I hope it still is.

[kimocorb]

For Dim Sum I like:
Sounth Garden on Sunset in Miami
Tropical on Bird Rd in Miami
Chan's on Coloniel Dr.in Orlando

For regular Chinese food:

Gold China in Pinecrest

[Bob Mervine]

In Orlando:

While Chan's is good for dim sum, go around the corner to Ming's Bistro. Fresher, (much) cleaner, friendlier and better food, both dim sum and regular menu.

Family style; Tasty Wok on Shine at Colonial -- get the crispy pork -- and Magic Wok on Conroy at Turkey Lake -- fresh made shark's fin soup

Upscale Chinese is still Winnie's in Winter Park and, second choice, China Marketplace for Cantonese. Distant third in this category is Jade Bistro in College Park.

Bob

[frienetic]

Where is the China Marketplace?

[Bob Mervine]

My apologies for not calling it by the correct name. It is actually:

Chinatown Seafood & BBQ Restaurant
1103 N Mills Ave , Orlando , FL , 32803-2538
407-896-8850

They actually have a fresh seafood market with tanks of live fish and shellfish available and, I think, the two businesses have separate names.

While on this topic, please add Kim Wu on Kirkman Road in the strip mall south on Conroy to the family dining list. Best mu shu pork in town.

Bob

[Tandoori Girl]

china yuan in tampa is really great chinese. TC Chows is also excellent. both in tampa. what's the problem down in south florida?

[RibDog]

China Yuan is my favorite in the Tampa Bay area.

John

[tpigeon]

I really like the Dim Sum @ Mr. Chu's. Probably more than Tropical.

[crach]

Tropical is overrated and designed for wealthy Latin-American customers. Mr. Chu's is designed for tourists and Anglos on the Beach. Miami's Chinese, unless they are connected to Tropical and get the superstar treatment -- I got it once -- go to places like South Garden on Sunset around 108th Avenue. No atmosphere, but carts on the weekend feeding Chinese speaking folks. Maybe a few wealthy Chinese go to Tropical, but I find it too greasy.

[laylag]

Wow, I guess a lot has changed in the last four years or else when we went to Tropical all the Chinese people there - a lot of them - eating the dim sum were actually wealthy Latin Americans in disguise. Strange, they really looked authentic.

[theflytyr]

I am with you 'net' on this one, although I heard that Tropical in south Dade was outstanding!!

[jimmyodonnell]

What part of Florida does your post regard?

[netmover]

Any part of the FLA you know...

[pilches]

1. Silver Pond - very good especially if you know what to order (Broward)
2. Tropical - very good dim sum (Dade)
3. Chinatopia - our "neighborhood" go-to place, very good food - especially if you enroll the family and eat off the menu (Broward)

[netmover]

The key being "if you know what to order". I am so sick of the standard dishes I always seem to reluctantly re-order. That may be a big part of my problem. Please give dishes!