Monterey Park Chinese w/picky teen?

[Chowpatty]

As some of you probably know, I will eat just about anything. Unfortunately, my 16 year old son, although he inherited my healthy appetite, hasn't inherited my love of exoticism. So what Chinese restaurant in Monterey Park, Alhambra or maybe San Gabriel would be tasty enough for me but still have "safer" dishes like beef and broccoli and chicken fried rice for him? This would probably be for dinner so dim sum is probably out.

[ipsedixit]

I'd suggest either Seafood Village (in Temple City) or Fantasy Eatery (in the Focus Plaza in San Gabriel).

Both have solid pedestrian dishes like mongolian beef, stir-fried chicken, fried rice, a variety of dishes made with fish slices (not whole fish), but also some "exotic" items like abalone, sea turtle (read: frog), chicken knees to satisfy your intrepid spirit.

While I wouldn't get it for myself if I were at Seafood Village, they also have a good corn chowder that is pretty "safe".

Also, don't overlook the many HK-style cafes, such as Red Ant or China Bistro. Not family style, but they offer many safe options like fried rice with broccoli beef, cashew chicken, etc.

Enjoy wherever you end up.

[Chandavkl]

I must admit I've never gone to Monterey Park trolling for broccoli beef. My guess is that any Hong Kong style place, like Ocean Star or NBC, would make a decent broccoli beef or chicken fried rice, whether ot not it's on the menu.

[glutton]

You are correct. I've gone to Ocean Star with my finicky friend and we just order off a menu for him. He gets fried rice and some other vaguely americanized dish and he's perfectly happy.

[lnbish]

try tasty garden in alhambra. hong kong-style chinese food with a pretty large menu. they have lots of noodle and rice dishes for more picky eaters but then also stuff for the more adventurous. couple dishes we usually get: their clay pot rices (e.g. salted fish, salty egg and ground meat--beware, it's a little pungent), walnut shrimp, fish filet with vegetables. we take out-of-town guests here, and they're usually satisfied. also...their lemon iced tea is this super sweet concoction that a teen might like! i always get it because you get free refills. hehe.

http://www.tastygarden.us/contactus.html
(the menu online isn't as comprehensive as the one at the restaurant)

[Chowpatty]

Thanks so much, you guys. We all enjoyed Fantasy Eatery. My son devored a platter of "sweet and sour pork chop" which was large slices of seemingly deep-fried pork, some with bones, in a flavorful, not-too-sweet sauce. My daughter, who is even pickier than my son, had some chicken fried rice which they made for us even though it wasn't on the menu, and even tried the chicken and noodles with vegetables. The adults enjoyed the scallops with XO sauce and peapods and mushrooms although it came out really late when we were already mostly full. Next time we'll try Tasty Garden.

[The Chowhound Team]

Hey folks, let's try and keep this board focused on specific places to find great chow in LA. For discussions about Americanized Chinese dishes, please start a thread on the General Topics board. Thanks!