576773 Tue Dec 02 13:46:48 -0800 2008 85 2 Los Angeles Area 0 4215317 I was recently asked where the best orange chicken was for someone who has never liked it, but was hoping the best dish preparation will change his tastes. Has anyone ever encountered orange chicken that wowed them? Anywhere from LA to SGV will do! Tue Dec 02 13:46:48 -0800 2008 97644 ReelMike84 1 4215421 I personally like the versions at Tasty Garden (Alhambra or Arcadia), less heavy batter and lighter, less sweet orange sauce. ~H.C. http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com Tue Dec 02 14:19:47 -0800 2008 4215317 11949 AquaW 1 4215426 If they like it crispy with lots of batter, the General Tso's chicken at Chang's is the best. If they like it with less batter and a lighter sauce, Little Hong Kong on Sawtelle. Keep in mind, however, that this is from someone who unashamedly loves Panda Express orange chicken. Tue Dec 02 14:21:11 -0800 2008 4215317 18466 a_and_w 2 4216492 do you mean chang's garden in arcadia, near din tai fung? Tue Dec 02 22:17:56 -0800 2008 4215426 10866 kevin 3 4216516 i'm so westside-centric that i assumed he meant chang's in brentwood on san vicente. Tue Dec 02 22:44:20 -0800 2008 4216492 10855 nosh 4 4217261 Chang's in Brentwood. Honestly, I don't see the point of schlepping out to the SGV for something so thoroughly Americanized. Wed Dec 03 08:58:23 -0800 2008 4216516 18466 a_and_w 5 4217591 well, if i'm already at chang's garden in arcadia, with a bunch of people it can't hurt to add an orange chicken, to the orders of tea smoked duck, yellow chives with sauteed eel, seawood-fried whitefish, and tea shrimp, etc. Wed Dec 03 10:36:13 -0800 2008 4217261 10866 kevin 6 4222215 i really dont understand whats the big hype about Chang's Garden. It was one of the worst Chinese food I've had in a while. No comparison to its neighbor, May Mei or even better for Shanghainese dishes. HK Cafe on baldwin and las tunas Fri Dec 05 01:43:54 -0800 2008 4217591 154523 AndyGanil 7 4222814 If you order right, Chang's Garden can be pretty good. Just stay away from the more cutting-edge, fusion-y stuff. Stick to the basics (eggplant, eel, spareribs, etc.) and you can get a very good meal. Is it a destination joint? By golly, no. The big hype? Chalk it up to the NYT Travel article on Chang's as well as some (rather undeserved) fawning by our very own JGold. Fri Dec 05 08:45:33 -0800 2008 4222215 11583 ipsedixit 2 4217596 i still sort of like panda express's orange chicken but why do so many people like it??? i did once try the orange chicken at cheesecake factory and it was dreadful. i guess panda just does one thing right even though it is compltely junk food. Wed Dec 03 10:37:26 -0800 2008 4215426 10866 kevin 1 4215749 I only order Orange Chicken when I eat at Mandarette on Beverly. I love it for both its crispiness and fresh taste. Tue Dec 02 16:14:58 -0800 2008 4215317 245035 ccbrown 1 4216231 Most orange chicken is gross as most resto's use dark meat chicken, full of gristle and other unidentified chicken parts. Also, the sauce can be really fakely sweet tasting. I love, love, love the orange chicken at Bamboo Forest, in Sherman Oaks on Burbank near Kester. They use boneless, gristle-less delish white meat chicken and a sauce that is made from real oranges (imagine that!), not too sweet with just the right amount of tang. You'll find some of the best Americanized chinese food food at this small place. Seems as thought it's relatively unknown to CH'ers, as I've posted about this place many times without a reply. Trust me, check it out you won't regret it! They also make great Moo Shu and most every dish I've tried there has been top notch. Tue Dec 02 19:25:38 -0800 2008 4215317 29007 GK in SO 2 4216327 Your first paragraph pretty much summed up my feelings towards orange chicken. I'll look into Bamboo Forest and get back to you. Tue Dec 02 20:12:45 -0800 2008 4216231 97644 ReelMike84 1 4216310 To my surprise, I recently discovered that Pick Up Stix actually has good orange chicken. Very large chunks of all white meat, very crispy, light batter and juicy. The sauce is not sickeningly sweet but is full of fresh orange slices. The only this to watch out for are the spicy whole chilies. Mine was full of them! Ofcourse you can always request that it be made without the chilies if you prefer a more mild version like myself. Chin Chin also used to have a really good orange chicken, but this was way back in the '90s. Good luck! Tue Dec 02 19:58:44 -0800 2008 4215317 87889 shoegal 1 4216631 I second Manderette, also I had strawberry chicken there that was very yummy. My favorite is Panda Express, though. Sorry. Wed Dec 03 01:02:30 -0800 2008 4215317 212582 schrutefarms 1 4217635 Honestly, Panda Express has the best orange chicken. Period. For all intents and purposes, Panda invented the damn dish. For an alternative, you can go to PF Chang's -- pay twice as much, and get arguably a dish that is no better than what you can find at Panda. Wed Dec 03 10:47:27 -0800 2008 4215317 11583 ipsedixit 2 4217850 but do you like it as the best? Wed Dec 03 11:58:31 -0800 2008 4217635 10866 kevin 3 4218228 kevin, Your question is sort of odd. Here's why. In my book, the Orange Chicken at Panda Express is the epitome of Orange Chicken. Regardless of whether it is "good" or not, or even if it is the "best". It simply is the way orange chicken should be. In other words, if you don't like the Orange Chicken at Panda Express, then you probably just don't like orange chicken, the dish, period. Sort of like how some people consider a Langer's #19 to be the epitome of pastrami sandwiches. When I tell people that I don't like the Langer's #19, the response is always, "hey, perhaps you just don't *get* what a pastrami sandwich is all about." Wed Dec 03 13:53:39 -0800 2008 4217850 11583 ipsedixit 4 4218350 I disagree. I think the OC at Panda Express is just plain gross as it uses inferior quality chicken, a gloppy sauce, and as with most food from PE, seems as if it's sat around since, say, the Clinton administration. If that's "the way orange chicken should be", well, that's just too low of a bar for me, for what can be a very tasty, satisfying dish. I love orange chicken, and it's one of my chinese food "bellwethers" to see if the rest of a place's food will be as tasty, well prepared, use quality ingredients, etc. The OC at Bamboo Forest (as well as at Hop Li in Chinatown, they call it "Hop Li chicken") is fantastic for the reasons stated in my previous post above. And, ipsedixit, that certainly doesn't mean that I "probably just don't like orange chicken, period". Just different tastes and standards, I guess. :-) One person's idea of what the epitome of what food X (insert food name here) is all about is another person's "not so much". Viva la difference! Wed Dec 03 14:28:50 -0800 2008 4218228 29007 GK in SO 5 4220371 most New Yorkers would scoff at the notion Panda Express invented General Tso's chicken.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Tso%27s_chicken#cite_note-6 I find it hilarious none of the joints (except for Tasty) mentioned is in Alhambra. Will have to give Tasty Garden a try... Thu Dec 04 10:41:21 -0800 2008 4218350 12458 TonyC 6 4220428 Orange Chicken =/= General Tso's Chicken. Thu Dec 04 10:55:59 -0800 2008 4220371 11583 ipsedixit 7 4221158 "for all intents and purposes", they basically are: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/368056 especially after I add some Sriracha to Panda Express' "orange chicken". One of my fave General Tso's of all time used orange peels.. *shrug* Thu Dec 04 15:18:10 -0800 2008 4220428 12458 TonyC 8 4221203 Although similar, there is a difference between General Tso's and orange chicken. To take a baking analogy, it's like the difference between biscuits and pie crust. Add some milk, knead a bit more, and voila, you've got biscuits instead of flaky pie crust. Thu Dec 04 15:30:59 -0800 2008 4221158 11583 ipsedixit 6 4222852 Why do you find this so hilarious? I'm not at all surprised that the quality of orange chicken tends to be inversely proportional to the authenticity of the restaurant that serves it. Fri Dec 05 08:54:21 -0800 2008 4220371 18466 a_and_w 5 4222833 Interesting...I don't find Panda Express orange chicken "gloppy" at all. In fact, most places in LA are pretty good about not oversaucing. You should try ordering the dish (or General Tso's) back east, where it basically swims in sauce. That's gloppy! BTW, for those looking for orange peels and white-meat chicken, I have to reiterate the suggestion of General Tso's from Chang's in Brentwood. Just make sure you don't order the "orange peel chicken," which isn't breaded or fried. Fri Dec 05 08:50:35 -0800 2008 4218350 18466 a_and_w 2 4217931 Gotta agree; I eat Panda Express MAYBE once every two years (if that), but when I do it is ALWAYS their Orange Chicken. It's so sweet and has so much thick, viscous, sugar-filled orange glaze, it's almost like a chicken-based dessert! Wed Dec 03 12:17:12 -0800 2008 4217635 198245 a213b 2 4224405 ipse, lets agree that Panda Express has the best orange chicken. The question then becomes, "Which Panda Express makes the the best orange chicken?" For example, I have had some pretty bad orange chicken at two different locations. The best orange chicken I have had (several times now) is at the food court on the second floor of the Westfield West Covina Shopping Centre (Mall) just off the 10 fry at Vincent Ave. PRIDE in cooking must have something to do with it. Maybe it has something to do with who the manager is. The rice and noodles were great also -- moist. One more thing that makes this location good is that a Dairy Queen is nearby at the other end of the food court with those creamy ice cream cones. This mall is a good place for Chowhounds to do season shopping. Westfield West Covina Shopping Centre 112 Plaza Drive West Covina CA 91790 (626) 960-1881 Fri Dec 05 18:24:39 -0800 2008 4217635 90917 JeetJet 3 4224433 JJ, I have always felt that the quality of Panda X Press "steam table" food is completely dependent on where you come in on the fresh food tray exchange process. If you get lucky the food is fine. If you get unlucky, not so much. Fri Dec 05 18:39:11 -0800 2008 4224405 108169 Servorg 4 4224506 Yes, I agree that such "keep it hot,I am on my way home" heat lamps, steam tables and what-have-you can ruin food over time. So I watched this place and noticed that they sell enough and replace it as it goe's to keep even the presentation of it in nice, (moist and steaming). So maybe it has to do with the manager because it all depends on whether anyone is keeping an eye on the supply/demand ratio and informs the cook when to deliver a freshly made proper amount so there is enough to serve when needed, but too much that it gets dried out. Only a manager / cook with pride does it right. Otherwise it becomes like those old McD burgers. Fri Dec 05 19:25:34 -0800 2008 4224433 90917 JeetJet 5 4224635 all right if i do some of my shopping here any other goodies in the mall besides a dairy queen. is this the mall that's right off the 10 fwy.??? Fri Dec 05 21:18:27 -0800 2008 4224506 10866 kevin 6 4224662 The Panda Express inside the Pavilions market in Arcadia has the best orange chicken, and probably the best food of all the SGV Panda Expresses. This was true at least 10 years ago. Now? I'm not sure. Also, one point of clarification. I am not saying that Panda Express necessarily has THE best orange chicken. Rather, the Panda Express orange chicken is the archetype of the dish. Fri Dec 05 21:38:34 -0800 2008 4224635 11583 ipsedixit 7 4224681 In the same way that McDonald's is the paradigm of two all beef patties, cheese, lettuce, special sauce, all on a sesame seed bun. Fri Dec 05 21:55:35 -0800 2008 4224662 10866 kevin 8 4225248 Or, was the Big Boy before the Big Mac? Sat Dec 06 09:48:16 -0800 2008 4224681 10883 JAB 7 4224685 it's weird and this makes absolute sense, but it was much tastier to me when i was a lot younger. it didn't seem as sweet back then. now it's way too sweet. Fri Dec 05 21:56:24 -0800 2008 4224662 10866 kevin 7 4224743 I will try that Arcadia location next week. I recall that recently my daughter-in-law told me it was her favorate location. The Panda Express inside the Pavilions market on Foothill in Monrovia is the place I had the worst version. Fri Dec 05 22:43:05 -0800 2008 4224662 90917 JeetJet 7 4241621 I had lunch at the Panda Express inside the Pavilions market in Arcadia several days ago. The orange chicken was just made as I walked up to the line. It was very hot and fresh. A mix of crispy and not so crispy. Good but what really took my attention was the Kung Pao chicken. Lots of hot flavorful oil and these crazy hot red chili peppers were blackened perfectly. I ate three of them and they are still on my mind two days later. You would think that they were roasted over an open fire -- char flavor, crunchy, spicy hot. I wish I could buy a container full of those peppers. Fri Dec 12 08:17:48 -0800 2008 4224662 90917 JeetJet 8 4241677 My local Panda Express also puts zucchini in the kung pao, which I like. It's sad so many food snobs can't give this place it's due. Fri Dec 12 08:38:35 -0800 2008 4241621 18466 a_and_w 9 4241869 I say we take this to the General Topics and discuss Panda Express across the U.S. Boy, you all are sure as hell passionate about Fri Dec 12 09:50:00 -0800 2008 4241677 10866 kevin 10 4242531 Wrong. This is about specific local spots that do some things right. A national boad discussion aboutf local joints is worthless. Fri Dec 12 13:35:12 -0800 2008 4241869 90917 JeetJet 11 4244125 yES, you are right. now that i think about since, you mentioned west covina, another mentioned arcadia. yeah, i guess. but i think what i meant was a whole new thread just on orange chicken at panda express, nationwide, would be interesting, unless of course there are no locations in the midwest or east coast in which case maybe why some like it so much is that it is a more of CA-based chain, i.e. in n out and fatburger. Sat Dec 13 10:40:22 -0800 2008 4242531 10866 kevin 12 4244420 The key to finding a good Panda Express is turnover. The busier the spot the more likely you are going to find good food. Stand alone Panda Express restaurants generally are not as good because they don't have as high a turnover as places in markets or food courts. What makes the Panda in the Pavilions unique is that the place is almost always busy. Heck, during dinnertime (e.g. 6 pm or so) you'll often find a line snacking all the way around the produce section. Sat Dec 13 13:45:31 -0800 2008 4244125 11583 ipsedixit 13 4244516 Good grief, Panda Express is only adequate sugar and salt laden fast food chain dreck for someone trapped on a desert island. For much better orange chicken: Wang's Palace, Monrovia. No breading on the chicken meat, just chicken, orange peel and little hot peppers. Sat Dec 13 14:38:53 -0800 2008 4244420 10059 ChinoWayne 14 4244743 No breading on the orange chicken = total fail. Sat Dec 13 17:11:01 -0800 2008 4244516 18466 a_and_w 15 4245922 I'll co-sign this statement by a_and_w. It HAS to have breading and be fried. Sun Dec 14 10:47:38 -0800 2008 4244743 198245 a213b 14 4244754 chino, i think that's why people like Panda Express. Because of the specific fact that it is fried and has breading. Is it junk food, is there too much sugar, is it basically dessert? You be the judge on that. Sat Dec 13 17:15:57 -0800 2008 4244516 10866 kevin 15 4244841 With all due respect, I'd rather taste the chicken, orange peel and peppers than fried dough. To each his own, but for my money it's Wang's version (or any other similarly prepared version). Fried chicken tenders are about the lowest common denominator in terms of manufactured, artificial food. I believe Panda Express was begot by Panda Inn, which was originally a family owned restaurant in Pasadena that had decent food. My experience has been, when they expanded to other Panda Inn locations, and tried to appeal to a wider clientele, their food suffered. (The food and service at the Ontario Panda Inn is pretty abominable). Our one and only experience at a Panda Express was during a pit stop on the way to Vegas and it was pretty terrible. They grew too big, and ended up producing factory food for the masses. It may have been a good financial strategy for the owners, but I am not willing to throw away my hard earned cash on fast food chicken tenders when there is so much better, authentic Chinese food available Now if this thread were on the Chains board, I'd keep my mouth shut, I have no problem with anyone who likes fast food, I just try (not always successfully) not to go there. ;-) http://thebfdblog.com Sat Dec 13 18:05:23 -0800 2008 4244754 10059 ChinoWayne 16 4245669 Your preferences are your own business, but there are MANY authentic Chinese dishes that use battered meat. I'm not saying Panda's orange chicken is authentic, but to ding it on that account is just plain silly. I also echo ipsedixit's comment about turnover at your location being the key to good food. My Panda is also in a supermarket on Wilshire near a bunch of office buildings, so there's plenty of turnover. Sun Dec 14 08:41:10 -0800 2008 4244841 18466 a_and_w 16 4245926 I think you're missing the fact that it IS complete and utter sugary-sweet, syrupy, thick, gloppy, fried chicken, junk food goodness. Do I eat it often? No ... MAYBE once a year. But there are times (though extremely rare) when it's exactly what I'm craving. And when those come up, I look for a location that has HIGH turnover; typically ones in mall Food Courts at lunch/dinner rush. Sun Dec 14 10:50:45 -0800 2008 4244841 198245 a213b 14 4247216 Hey Chino, Howzit? I also like Wang's and hope they reopen soon. I like the Lemon Chicken more then their Orange and I am having a breakdown waiting for the new location around the corner to open the doors. As for this Panda talk. This is about specific locations of PE. Some are real bad but some are good places to eat. The same is true for McD. I once had a Fish sandwich in NYC at a McD that should not be able to even have a McD sign and then Ii had one on my way to Boston that was one of the most fresh, hot and flavorful fish sandwiches I have ever had. ipse says above "What makes the Panda in the Pavilions unique is that the place is almost always busy." I will ad that it was really nice sitting at the table in that very clean Arcadia store watching all the neat people (a cross section of LA) going by with carts loaded with the food they selected -- a good ambiance for fast food. Damm, now you got me thinking about Wang's being closed. I just drove past the new location last week and it does not look as if it will open till the new year. Sun Dec 14 22:57:42 -0800 2008 4244516 90917 JeetJet 15 4247239 A typical visit to Wang's by the Mrs. and I: Hot and sour soup, with extra chili paste on the side, check. Orange flavor chicken, with lots of little dried red peppers, check. Yang chowfried rice, with pork, shrimp, chicken and scallops, check. Shrimp lo-mein, with flavorful soft noodles, check. Schezwan green beans with pork bits, check. Garlic eggplant, delivered in hot, almost molten little sticks, check. Shrimp with crunchy snow peas in a glutinous sauce that sticks to your rice, check. Schezwan shrimp, with more chile paste on the side, check. BBQ spare ribs, with a mixture of hot mustard and duck sauce, check. And on and on. It may only be gringo-ized Chinese food, but its my comfort food. Like it so much, I'll have it brought home, and even if its cold by the time I get, I will scarf it. The family and their wait staff couldn't be nicer. Sun Dec 14 23:27:43 -0800 2008 4247216 10059 ChinoWayne 16 4247267 Nice list. Yes, major comfort food. Our list is more simple... Two chicken fried rice, check Beef tomato lo-mein, check Orange Chicken, check Lemon chicken, check pot stickers, check, When Wang's re-opens we will make a Big Bang of it. We will go see a movie at Krikorian and when the movie is over we will leave from the South side-door exit and walk stright across the street to the new location. We will eat there just to check out the new ambiance and then take home all those left-overs in those cool little boxes and put them in the fridge for later. Good hot, not so hot, and best in the middle of the night right out of the fridge and eaten from the take-out box while sitting in bed, "After bangs -- Wang's." I think something like that was in a movie someplace, maybe Pete'N Tillie?. . Mon Dec 15 00:26:34 -0800 2008 4247239 90917 JeetJet 17 4253867 jeet, can i get a full name and location on Wang's, might have to catch a flick and get some grub myself. Wed Dec 17 09:45:39 -0800 2008 4247267 10866 kevin 18 4257140 The new location is still being built therefore "Wang's Palace" is still closed. The old location is now a Mexican food place..When I drove past last week to check on the progress of the new location I think it was Colorado st. I am sure it is just accross from the south side of Krikorian and almost directly accross from the Monrovia Fire Dept. The new location will have lots of parking because it is right next to the city parking lot. Park in that lot, go see a movie and then exit from Krikorian on the south side and you will be right across from Wang's (when they open) and your car. I am sure some Hound will post about the re-opening of Wang's. Wang's menu but note that the new address is not yet listed. http://www.wangspalace.com/menu.htm Thu Dec 18 11:15:44 -0800 2008 4253867 90917 JeetJet 6 4224739 Yeah, the mall is on the South side of the `10 and Hungry Al's Bar B Q is just north of the 10 for some good hot links. -- off at Vincent. Fri Dec 05 22:36:19 -0800 2008 4224635 90917 JeetJet 7 4226040 oh, yeah. passed by hungry al's once but it was closed will try it soon. Sat Dec 06 16:46:40 -0800 2008 4224739 10866 kevin 8 4226149 If you do,Hungry Al's... the place is about the sliced beef and the links all with the HOT BBQ sauce. Soul food that reaches to your soul. Sat Dec 06 17:59:25 -0800 2008 4226040 90917 JeetJet 9 4226796 A second for Hungry Al's! Sun Dec 07 07:03:39 -0800 2008 4226149 10131 Chandavkl 1 4217708 Joom cafe on beverly, one block east of fairfax. That place is super fresh and really flavorful. i get the orange tofu a lot and it's amazing. i don't eat chicken, but judging from the orange tofu, i'd highly recommend giving their orange chicken a try. Wed Dec 03 11:10:23 -0800 2008 4215317 106704 Clyde 1 4218078 OK, it isn't chicken, and it is orange colored but more sweet and sour with a spicy edge. But one of the best and most popular dishes in town is the slippery shrimp at Yang Chow. Crisp, light, tasty, addictive. Yum. Wed Dec 03 13:11:29 -0800 2008 4215317 10855 nosh 2 4218409 Haha! Just saw yours, Nosh. Love that slippery shrimp (but the orange peel chicken and beef are great, too). Wed Dec 03 14:49:09 -0800 2008 4218078 245149 victoriashe 3 4219434 victoriashe, those are among my favorite Yang Chow dishes, listed on the menu as either Szechuan Chicken or Beef. Not to nitpick, but it's my understanding that Yang Chow uses a tangerine peel sauce, not orange. That sauce is also somewhat spicier than the typical orange one, with sizable chunks of peel, ginger, garlic and chilis tossed in for good measure. I for one prefer it over the Slippery Shrimp sauce, which IMO is deservedly beloved but a bit less complex. Thu Dec 04 00:30:40 -0800 2008 4218409 16564 Arthur 4 4220531 I never remember until I get there whether it's orange or tangerine they use, but their menu on the website says it's orange peel. I agree with you. I always order the orange beef -- that is my favorite thing there. Slippery Shrimp is a close second, though, and if somebody is going there for the first (and maybe only) time, I think they should get both. Thu Dec 04 11:33:06 -0800 2008 4219434 245149 victoriashe 1 4218346 FYI: If you ever want to make orange chicken yourself, COOKS ILLUSTRATED's version turns out a very delicious version. Kinda labor intensive, but you know what is in there. Wed Dec 03 14:28:06 -0800 2008 4215317 120328 Lmo1823 1 4218402 Yang Chow in Chinatown (L.A.). It's called Szechuan Chicken (Orange Peel Sauce). A world of difference from the stuff at Panda Express. They also have an excellent orange beef (called Szechuan Beef (Orange Peel Sauce)). And while you're there, do not miss the Slippery Shrimp! It isn't a chain, but Yang Chow also has branches now in the S.F. Valley and in Pasadena. Website: www.yangchow.com Wed Dec 03 14:47:31 -0800 2008 4215317 245149 victoriashe 2 4218562 since when is three locations not a chain, don't get me wrong Yang Chow is not bad, but it's not a single hole in the wall operation. Wed Dec 03 15:56:52 -0800 2008 4218402 10866 kevin 3 4219440 kevin, I don't think the fact that a restaurant operates out of more than one location automatically qualifies it as a chain. Otherwise, Spago's ought to be viewed as one as well. As for the three Yang Chow locations: I haven't been to the branch in Pasadena, but IMO the restaurant in the Valley isn't anywhere near as good as the one in Chinatown. With regard to Yang Chow's Szechuan Chicken or Beef: See my endorsement a little higher up on this page. Thu Dec 04 00:43:07 -0800 2008 4218562 16564 Arthur 4 4220547 Thank you, Arthur. :-) I've only tried the Chinatown one. Kevin, it's a family-run business. They originated in Chinatown, and then opened two other locations. Not a chain. Not a franchise. Not a multinational corporation. Thu Dec 04 11:37:27 -0800 2008 4219440 245149 victoriashe 5 4220752 ... and not very good. Thu Dec 04 12:52:42 -0800 2008 4220547 11583 ipsedixit 6 4221083 ipsedixit, I'm a fan of your one-liners! Thu Dec 04 14:46:14 -0800 2008 4220752 81310 BCM 6 4221191 Makes sense that if you think Panda Express is so great, you wouldn't appreciate Yang Chow's. Thu Dec 04 15:27:48 -0800 2008 4220752 245149 victoriashe 7 4221788 actually i've been to both, and they are actually similar in my humble opinion, both serve sugary, corn starch-laden Americanized Chinese food. So if you like Panda Express then you will like Yang Chow, and if you like Yang Chow, you will additionally like Panda Express. Thu Dec 04 20:00:19 -0800 2008 4221191 10866 kevin 8 4224036 Actually, I've been to both, too. I like Yang Chow, and I dislike Panda Express. So much for that theory! Fri Dec 05 15:18:16 -0800 2008 4221788 245149 victoriashe 1 4218528 The house dish at City Wok (i.e. City Wok Chicken) in Ventura Blvd and Vineland is a modified version of Orange Chicken that is fantastic! Wed Dec 03 15:44:41 -0800 2008 4215317 118060 mrshankly 2 4218682 It is very good, however, they use the same kind of gristly dark meat that Panda uses unless you request white meat as I always do. It's worth the extra buck or so they charge. Wed Dec 03 16:38:04 -0800 2008 4218528 29007 GK in SO 1 4218635 Actually, we love the tangerine chicken at Magic Wok, which I think is a small chain. We go to the location on Huntington Drive in Duarte. Wed Dec 03 16:25:46 -0800 2008 4215317 11822 Michelle 1 4219166 Here's one no one's ever mentioned. Wow Express in the downtown jewelry district, 712 S. Hill St., has a sweet and crispy orange chicken that is reallllly good. Wed Dec 03 20:25:54 -0800 2008 4215317 10131 Chandavkl 1 4219221 I have to say Panda Express may have been in the original orange chicken, and it is sweet, plus I'm not a fan of dark chicken meat, but I do like their version of orange chicken. Orange Chicken in general is sweet anywhere(and can be a little off in many places) but I only eat it when I get a craving for faux Chinese, just like I once in a while get a craving for Taco Bell, knowing it's not real Mexican. The best version of orange chicken I ever had was coincidentally in San Francisco--go figure. Then again I don't eat much Americanized Chinese in LA when you have the SGV to eat the real deal (except occasional guilty trips to PE). Wed Dec 03 20:57:29 -0800 2008 4215317 147459 b0ardkn0t 1 4227616 Man! I always thought orange chicken wasn't real chinese, but I've loved it for years. If there is one place where I've never had good or even decent o.c. it's panda, I'm not saying they don't make good o.c. I'm saying that I've never ever....ever had a good experience there, so I did myself a favor and stopped trying years ago, even their hot sauces were pretty sad and insipid If you want good o.c. give hop woo's a try, it's kick butt, crunchy, tangy, thick sauce, you won't be disappointed, there's one in china town and one in alhambra. Also, for the life of me, I forgot the name of this place, but it's on hillhurst in the shopping center where the olde rustic inn is at, and they have an awesome o.c. AAAWESOME! I read someone saying something about orange peel....correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the peel have much flavor? like, it's orange zest...no? I'm gonna have to try panda in arcadia, I have to see for myself what the big fuss is all about, I want.....I need to be proven otherwise Sun Dec 07 14:46:17 -0800 2008 4215317 162053 fgrade 2 4229200 oh, that's Chi Dynasty, i once stepped inside for a few moments to check out the menu and it seems to be highly americanized and have highly stylized decor. but when i'm in the area how can i pass up the wings at the old rustic in, in fact i was there last night. Mon Dec 08 09:14:58 -0800 2008 4227616 10866 kevin 3 4290341 yes, yes and yes, but their orange chicken is very nice, and their aromatic shrimp should be illegal and or banned, cause' it's that good Fri Jan 02 12:50:40 -0800 2009 4229200 162053 fgrade 1 4244531 if by orange chicken you mean chen pi ji - tangerine peel chicken actually dried tangerine peel chicken - any sichuan place is fine. Hu's at Rose and National makes a decent one. Chung King on Garfield south of Garvey makes a very nice one as well. Sat Dec 13 14:49:05 -0800 2008 4215317 10366 Jerome 2 4244755 but if i'm at chung king how can i pass up the assortment of charcuterie plate or the fried chicken with sichuan chile peppers. Sat Dec 13 17:16:41 -0800 2008 4244531 10866 kevin 1 4312363 are there Pei Wei (a quasi fast food subsidiary of PF Changs) in LA? if so, everyone should go and try their orange peel chicken. it is very close to the panda express archetype, but is very very good. i think their honey chili chicken is also very similar and also tasty for takeout americanized chinese food. Fri Jan 09 17:08:03 -0800 2009 4215317 241795 ceviche 2 4313267 LA Pei Wei Locations: Chino Hills 4517 Chino Hills Parkway Commons @ Chino Hills Chino Hills, CA 91709- (909) 393-7472 Huntington Beach 7621 Edinger Ave Bella Terra Huntington Beach, CA 92647- (714) 230-2050 Irvine 5781 Alton Parkway Oak Creek Village Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 857-8700 Lake Forest 23632 El Toro Road The Orchards Lake Forest, CA 92630- (949) 860-2001 Newport Beach 1302 Bison Ave The Bluffs Newport Beach, CA 92660- (949) 629-1000 Pasadena 3455 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107-6024 (626) 325-9020 Rancho Cucamonga 8220 Haven Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730- (909) 942-3800 Santa Clarita 24250 Valencia Blvd Valencia Crossroads Santa Clarita, CA 91355- (661) 600-0132 Seal Beach 12235 Seal Beach Blvd The Shops at Rossmoor Seal Beach, CA 90740- (562) 668-5090 Torrance 2777 Pacific Coast Highway Torrance Town Center Torrance, CA 90505- (310) 517-9366 Sat Jan 10 05:16:31 -0800 2009 4312363 108169 Servorg 3 4313721 My respect Sat Jan 10 09:32:52 -0800 2009 4313267 90917 JeetJet 2 4313758 I was recently in Austin, TX and tried the OP chicken at a PW there...I would agree with your assessment, very tasty. But, as far as being close to the Panda prototype, it doens't have the fried breading that so many Americanized Chinese food lovers have come to know. It also has some veggies (carrots, snap peas) in it as well. It doesn't make it bad, just different....just sayin'! Sat Jan 10 09:45:03 -0800 2009 4312363 29007 GK in SO