In search of decent Chinese and Barbecue in Northern Westchester

[steelydad]

I've lived in Chappaqua area for 13 years now, and the dearth of decent Chinese food and on a separate subject, barbecue (think ribs) has dissappointed me repeatedly, especially on Sunday nights when I like to order in for the family, or take out. Pacifico in Mt. Kisco, which imho was the only decent Chinese spot within a radius of 6 miles, despite its horrendously slow service, finally closed. I have been to David K's in Armonk, the two Chinese spots in Thornwood, and have been reduced to ordering from the Oriental Diner in Hawthorne. They all suffer in comparison to any run of the mill Manhattan corner Chinese joint. I don't expect Tse Yang or Shun Lee, but has anyone found anything remotely decent?

On another note, Big W's up in Pawling has great barbecue, but it is a 45 minute highway drive for me, and if I could find something closer, I would be ecstatic.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[steelydad]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I guess I'll be driving down to WP the next time I need a Chinese fix. I guess he economics of running a Chinese restaurant in my local area just are not there. Anyone ever eaten at Oriental Diner across from the movies in Hawthorne?

[ltlevy]

My wife and I have been to the Oriental Diner numerous times. It's convenient when we hit the movies and it can satisfy her desire for sushi while I stick to the Chinese menu. That said, we find the food adequate. They do offer decent noodle soups, which my wife sometimes gets in lieu of sushi, as a change of place. However, I find that they have a heavy hand with oil in most of their Chinese dishes.

[Nancy C]

We've likewise eaten there a few times... find it better than most in the area. Tend to stick with the sushi, and with the veggie options on the menu. Just get a hankering for brocolli, bok choy, etc. that is best served by Chinese cooking methods! You remind me I should see if they'd deliver to me... I think they have a 10 mile drive radius and we're now in that diameter!

happy eating, whereever you do it...

Nancy C

[Nancy C]

We've also liked Aberdeen a lot, but are happy to hear these other suggestions.

Memphis Mae's in Croton is pretty decent for barbeque - the Road Trip plate will give you Texas Brisket, Memphis Ribs and Carolina Pulled Pork. A fine assortment of sides is available. That's about a 30 minute or less drive, I'd think, for you.

Happy eating!

Nancy

[spa]

We go there a lot, too. Unless you get stuck on 9A during rush hour, it's more like 15 min. I'm not a meat eater, but I do love their sides.

[SweetPea914]

Steely, Here in Southern Westchester I really like Calvin's on Palmer in Bronxville. More a take out place than eat in, but if you find yourself in the area give it a try.

[menton1]

Haiku in Cross River serves up some of the absolute best Asian food in the county. Beautiful setting as well. (A branch of the Haiku in Bronxville).

Ace Asian in Thornwood has been mentioned here favorably in the past also... has that fallen out of favor? Last time I passed by on a weekend it was absolutely EMPTY at 7PM...

[SweetPea914]

I 2nd Haiku as well. They are not strictly Chinese food, so it didn't come to mind to recommend them.

[corky]

steely: its worth the 45 minutes
dolores:about 6 miles north of his outdoor location...on the left...look for the pig sign

[NickM]

I think you may have to go down to Aberdeen in White Plains to get great Chinese (Hong Kong) fare. It's worth the drive. As a former Manhattan resident, While I agree that most fare north of Whie Plains is currently pretty lackluster, I'm not sure I would agree that "any" run of the mill Manhattan joint was necessarily better than what you get in Northern Westchester -- unless, perhaps, you happened to live in Chinatown. It hought there was plenty of listless, and frankly, 'indecent," Chinese food to be found in Manhattan, as well.

I will heartily agree with you, however, about the distance you have to go to get truly great BBQ: thank heaven Big W's (now in Wingdale) is a shorter drive for me than 45 minutes. At least when you get there now, you can grab a table and eat that brisket or slow smoked chicken or those ribs (not to mention that roasted cabbage and mac and cheese) on the spot!

[dolores]

In addition to Aberdeen, I like Bao's. steelydad, I have yet to try Holy Smoke in Mahopac, but have been reading about it here for awhile. I was not impressed with Q.

NickM, where is Big W's? I thought that was the guy by the side of the road, who was that? Where in Wingdale? All I know of Wingdale is that amazing abandoned mental facility. White Plains is from hunger on BBQ, imo.

[chocolate chick]

Where is Bao's? Never heard of it.

[dolores]

In the White Plains Mall in White Plains, chocolate chick, where the Motor Vehicle office is. On the same level as Kam Sen, another great 'find'.

[MMRuth]

Is Kam Sen the name of the market there? Went to that DMV once (husband works out that way) and loved the Asian grocery store.

[dolores]

Yup. Very good store. Bao's is close by.

[MMRuth]

Thanks - I'll have to figure out a trip up that way!

[SweetPea914]

I keep hearing about Kam Sen, is it a big store? Does anyone know the exact address so I can mapquest?
MMRuth, you should take the train to B-ville and we'll drive over together one day soon:-)

[adamclyde]

SweetPea - Below are some addresses for KamSen and some of the other places mentioned in this thread. Kam Sen is at the bottom of that old ugly mall where the DMV is.

KamSen is a pretty good sized chinese grocery store. Pretty much any asian product or produce you want, you'll find there. At the front you see the lunch counter stuff.

Interesting to hear that Bao's is pretty good. I've never stopped there.

-----
Kam Sen Foods
22 Barker Ave, White Plains, NY 10601

Bao's Chinese Cuisine
200 Hamilton Ave, White Plains, NY

Aberdeen
3 Barker Ave Ste 218, White Plains, NY 10601

[SweetPea914]

Thanks so much for the addresses and the reminder that I keep meaning to do Dim Sum at Aberdeen. I miss my monthly chinatown trips!

[chocolate chick]

Thanks Dolores, how does it compare to Aberdeen?

[dolores]

Different but as good. Aberdeen is more authentic re the dim sum (although an Asian friend said their dim sum is too salty), while Bao's is more Americanized. I had an amazing (I thought) squab in lettuce leaves appetizer at Aberdeen.

I like Bao's because they have the tourist drinks. I've not yet found a bad dish at Bao's.

[NickM]

Big W's used to be stationed on the side of Route 22 in Pawling, but has recently found permanent (year-round) quarters in Wingdale. He's at the north end of a little strip of stores, on the left as you come into town heading north on Route 22 -- before the mental facility.

[dolores]

Cool, I know where you mean, NickM. Thanks.

YW, MMRuth. Well worth it.

[chowdom]

You won't mind the drive to Wingdale once you have eaten Warren's food. You will be spoiled for life!

[corky]

amen

[chowdom]

One more thing Dolores, if your going to order sides, I would stick with the beans, they are the best choice.

[corky]

my bigw guilty pleasure...when i get my food home the first thing i do is eat the meat in the beans then add whatever meat i bought into the beans for a second go round later...(blush)

[chowdom]

We do that with the pulled chicken.

[corky]

cancel (blush)

[chowdom]

No shame!

[dolores]

Thanks, chowdom. I look forward to trying their food.

[chowdom]

My pleasure, enjoy!

[chocolate chick]

I have lived in Mt. Kisco for almost 9 years and completely agree about the lack of decent chinese. There is absolutely nothing worth while around here.

However, the barbeque joint in Port Chester "Q" will open up next year across from Big Apple Bagel in Mt. Kisco. They are redoing the whole strip so lets hope they add a good chinese restaurant there too.

[winston1]

Holy Smoke in Mahopac has great BBQ and Ribs. The side dishes are sad, but the 100+ beers make up for it. Maybe 25-30 minutes.......