648627 Sun Aug 30 09:31:57 -0700 2009 16 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4990255 Anything? Anything? Sun Aug 30 09:31:57 -0700 2009 24891 blitzy 1 4990292 There's hardly any decent Chinese food that isn't horribly Americanized in the Castro, Noe, Mission, even Bernal, or lower Haight. House of Chen is cheap and edible. Henry's Hunan now has a branch out on Church and 29th, and there are a few good SE Asian options nearby (Angkor Borei, Thai House Express, Lotus Garden, Sunflower, Yamo) that I prefer to mediocre Chinese. Generally it's worth getting in the car or on BART and heading to a different neighborhood. Sun Aug 30 09:55:30 -0700 2009 4990255 10966 Windy 2 4990317 Can one put together a decent meal at Brandy Ho's in the Castro? Long ago I had something not horribly Americanized at their Chinatown location. Curious if any recent reports on Big Lantern on 16th near Guerrero. I had not-awful takeout from there once. I think the smoked ham dish wasn't bad. Sun Aug 30 10:08:36 -0700 2009 4990292 10032 david kaplan 3 4990334 I'd agree Big Lantern is Americanized but not awful. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. I think the chef came from Jasmine Tea House, which was once tasty Americanized Chinese until I had a few inedible meals and stopped going. Sun Aug 30 10:21:49 -0700 2009 4990317 10966 Windy 3 4992974 Brandy Ho's: yes. Their smoked meats are very good. I'm sure someone else in the city makes something similar, but they strike me as fairly unique and quite tasty. The rest of the more "standard" chinese items on the menu aren't as notable, but with enough white pepper added (you'll have to ask for it), the hot and sour soup can satisfy, especially considering the neighborhood. They also have Tsing Tao on tap, for what that's worth (not an awful lot in my opinion, but odd enough to note!). Mon Aug 31 10:49:32 -0700 2009 4990317 17221 SteveG 4 4993070 I think the one time I tried smoked ham at Brandy Ho's, I thought it was sweeter and less salter than at Henry's Hunan, whose smoked ham is right at the limit of my salt tolerance. Mon Aug 31 11:09:52 -0700 2009 4992974 10032 david kaplan 5 4993084 Hmm. Maybe they toned it down to fit in with the neighborhood, too bad. When I had it, it was definitely salty enough I had to eat it with rice, and sweet isn't a flavor I remember noticing. Mon Aug 31 11:12:15 -0700 2009 4993070 17221 SteveG 6 4994226 My Brandy Ho's experience was at the Chinatown location. I'm not saying it wasn't salty -- just that it wasn't as salty at Henry's Hunan. Mon Aug 31 16:52:12 -0700 2009 4993084 10032 david kaplan 4 4994324 Haven't been to the Castro outpost of the 'Ho, but (based upon the original location) I agree with SteveG -- their smoked meats are great. Yes, somewhat less salty than those at Henry's, but more importantly to me -- their dishes in general have far less oil. Some of the dishes at Henry's are like grease slicks. Mon Aug 31 17:34:21 -0700 2009 4992974 15807 Steve Green 2 4991260 Agree about decent Chinese in this part of SF. Some of it is OK Americanized, but nothing worth it. Henry's Hunan is awful and Americanized. I haven't even dared to try Brandy Ho's... Sun Aug 30 17:53:57 -0700 2009 4990292 270083 Thomas Nash 1 4992986 I'd jump on the K or L streetcar, there lots of good Chinese choices in the Sunset. Mon Aug 31 10:53:05 -0700 2009 4990255 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 4994589 Er...you mean the N or L? I've never heard anything about any of the Ingleside places that's better than "it's OK." Mon Aug 31 19:20:59 -0700 2009 4992986 77441 bigwheel042 3 4996180 Yeah, good catch, I meant N or L. Tue Sep 01 11:05:02 -0700 2009 4994589 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 4993402 I've heard mixed things about Red Jade. Mon Aug 31 12:37:24 -0700 2009 4990255 292347 vulber 1 4993432 I'd like to suggest Red Jade (the old Hong Kong) on Church at Market. Nice, predictable Cantonese, rice plate lunches til 3 every day, and their "crispy onion pancakes" were favorably mentioned on "Check Please, Bay Area." It's not a dining destination, but it's honest good food. Personally, my favorite is Wild Pepper at 26th & San Jose--a little further afield but it has a petite parking lot. I love, love, love their Salt & Pepper Fish and Dry Braised Crispy Pork and I think their War Won Ton Soup is really tasty. I live in the Lower Haight, and my husband is always bemoaning the dearth of Chinese restaurants here. We usually order delivery from Wild Pepper. Mon Aug 31 12:48:02 -0700 2009 4990255 213911 plainfood 2 4994705 Wild Pepper is squarely in the Americanized Chinese category. I live close to there, and have never had anything from there that wasn't really bland. I do have friends who like it. Maybe I'll try the War Won Ton next time I walk by. Mon Aug 31 20:22:38 -0700 2009 4993432 10966 Windy 3 4996477 I eat at Wild Pepper quite frequently, and David & Sabrina know that I like dishes with strong flavors. I am not into subtle, perhaps I've damaged my palate with years of smoking & drinking. (My favorite SF chef is George Morrone.) You might want to try the Dry Braised Crispy Pork, also their Garlic Shrimp. But I also laud Wild Pepper for their atmosphere and service. I brought my granddaughters there after a 2 hour car ride, and the staff were amazingly tolerant of their exuberance. We all had a relaxed long luncheon. (it was late and only take-out & delivery was happening). Tue Sep 01 12:22:12 -0700 2009 4994705 213911 plainfood