Favorite Chinese near Long Beach / O.C.?

[humberthumbert]

I am looking for a good Chinese restaurant – my favorite is Szechuan – that serves flavorful and authentic food that will not be too "far out" for my 60-something parents. I am a great fan of Fu-Shing in Pasadena, but I want to branch out. Also, I live in Long Beach, and I would rather not drive all the way to Pasadena.

I have been disappointed with some of the other places that I have recently tried. For example, Mission 261 in San Gabriel and Seafood Paradise in Westminster were both good examples of what I am *not* looking for: low-quality seafood, buns with "pork filling," no atmosphere, a little sketchy all-around.

I would very much appreciate any recommendations from other Chowhounders?

[oohenrioo]

Seafood Cove and Capital Seafood down the street from Seafood Paradise is pretty good. Capital Seafood has a pretty good lunch special with meals from $4-6.25 and served until 5pm

[justagthing]

The Cerritos/Artesia area also has quite a few Chinese places throughout.

[elmomonster]

One of the new ones is Macau Street. They have specials going on right now too. Buy one Get one on their house special crab.

PICTURES OF MY RECENT TRIP:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2007/...

[justagthing]

Been there too and I like that place, several unique/different dishes. Didn't know about the specials, will have to check that out. BTW....Cerritos/Artesia has had a heavy representation of Chinese for over 20 years now. I only know this because I am Chinese and I grew up there. Some larger corporations actually do count Cerritos as part of their OC territory, rather than LA. I think the demographics are also geared more towards OC than LA. Love their dan tats, they come out nice and warm too.

[Wonginator]

Have you tried Wei's or Mandarin? Both are located in Fountain Valley, and seem to be some of the better Szechuan that I've tried in the area.

[Lau]

where is Wei's?

I've seen Mandarin a bunch of times, but i always assumed its just an americanized place, how is it?

[Das Ubergeek]

A Sichuan place called Mandarin -- jeez. What's next, a Chaozhou place called "Beijing"?

[I got nothin]

Wei's is in one of the shopping centers on the corner of Warner and Magnolia in Fountain Valley

[Wonginator]

It's across the street from the Tommy's and the little miniature golf course place off the Warner exit on the 405.

I thought the same as you about Mandarin. When we finally tried it, it was better than I was expecting. The dining area is really spacious, nicely decorated, and clean. I remember it being pretty good, with the Mongolian beef, scallops with snow peas, and French-style filet mignon being really good.

[peterboy]

there are a host of authentic Chinese restaurants in Lomita on PCH. The very best of these is Szechuan a few blocks west of Western. Also, Regal Palace is supposed to be fine, but the family always likes Szechuan.
These are high-quality Chinese restaurants with many Chinese eating there, and live tanks of seafood and dim sum on weekends.
We were there a week ago and had one of the best meals in a long time. Greens with garlic, eggplant szechuan, xob dumplings, chix in Bbean sauce and a superb shrimp with asparagus. Every dish was terrific and every dish was sauced differently, with no thickening agents.

[humberthumbert]

Thanks very much! Sounds good!

[Chelmoon]

This post from yesterday might fill the bill for your Szechuwan needs.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/421212