The Old Chung King on Garfield Continues its Decline

[echoparkdirt]

First thing noticed -- a C from the Health Department

The cold appetizers were almost inedible. The seaweed was a gloopy mess, with not a hint of the interesting combination of flavors that CK served in days gone by. The "szechuan pastrami" was similarly dismal.

The "Delicious Smelled Beef" had none of the assortment of veggies that it used to have, and the dish was a haze of smeared red pepper flakes in what I can only describe as brown flavor.

The Fried Chicken Cubes, however, was great -- better than the last time I got it at CK on San Gabriel, where they seemed to use two-day old chicken.

Anyway, all in all this will be the last time I go to an old, beloved spot.

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Chung King Restaurant
206 S Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Chung King Restaurant
1000 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

[echoparkdirt]

I note that chowhound great Jerome still is a fan of the Garfield place...

[kevin]

did he mention he's still a fan?

[ipsedixit]

I'm curious why you care whether Jerome, or any other Chowhound (great or not), likes this restaurant?

Isn't just the fact that you don't all that really matters?

[echoparkdirt]

aww, i'm just a lil obssessed about szechuan food :D

[JudiAU]

Oh. Sad. "Brown flavor" Is there anything sadder than "brown flavor"?

[carter]

Two thoughts:
1. Have you tried the one on San Gabriel Blvd. as a means for comparison?
Have always like it
2. If you like Hunan food, Hunan Seafood on Valley Blvd. east of Walnut Grove in Rosemead is sensational. Been there four times in past two or so months. Still cannot get the lamb/cilantro, smoked ham/bamboo shoots, or either of two vegetable dishes out of my mind, even though every time I go, I vow to try other dishes.
Also, Newport Seafood on Las Tunas in San Gabriel is very good - housed in a former Marie Callendar building.

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Hunan Seafood Restaurant
8772 E Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

[Servorg]

"1. Have you tried the one on San Gabriel Blvd. as a means for comparison?..."

Since the OP wrote ***"The Fried Chicken Cubes, however, was great -- better than the last time I got it at CK on San Gabriel, where they seemed to use two-day old chicken."*** in their post my first guess would be, yes they have... ;-D>

[carter]

Correct if that is the only dish of desire. As to any other dishes on the menu, there might be varying comparisons available.
The chicken cubes dish would get my attention, but many other dishes have over the past several years, and I was just wondering if any further input might be available.

[Servorg]

I get the distinct impression that the OP has experience dining at both CK locations and has found the San Gabriel location wanting in the case of that one dish they mentioned (fried chicken cubes) but seem to be giving a more general "downhill alert" on the Garfield location in this post...

[echoparkdirt]

Servorg's deconstruction of the inherent meaning behind my original post is perceptive. CK on San Gabriel is my favorite szechuan place in LA, although I am always looking for others and I periodically detect defects in CK San Gabriel. Overall tho, I think it's incredible.

The CK in Monterey Park I used to go to when it was run by the owners of CK San Gabriel. I went to it a few times after the ownership change, but this time around I was shocked at the decline.

[kevin]

so which of the two locations is still good? i'm getting a real hankering for thos fried chicken bits with a top loading mess of chili peppers.

[Servorg]

We have always liked the San Gabriel location but haven't been in at least a year.

[Bob Brooks]

I was at the CK on San Gabriel today and it remains awesome. Wonderful pig ears and the best mapo tofu on the planet.

[Ciao Bob]

Go to Lucky Noodle King - they do a better version of this dish, and most others too,

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Lucky Noodle King
534 E Valley Blvd #10, San Gabriel, CA 91776