Charlie Hong Kong in Mill Valley

[annabana]

Anyone try this new resto in downtown Mill Valley? The Marin IJ gave it an almost rave, the prices are amazing for this pricey locale and I love Asian "street food." Thoughts? Recs? Thanks much.

[crystalsf]

I used to live in Santa Cruz and went to CHK pretty often before I moved away. If you're expecting anything authentic from the "street food" they advertise, you'll be pretty disappointed. If you just expect a healthy meal and an approximation of what Asian food might be like from someone who has never visited an Asian restaurant, you'll be happy with it. In other words, the food is tasty but not authentic. I used to get the spicy ginger beef on brown rice as a post-workout meal. Healthy and under $10.

[escargot3]

I've gone to CHK in Santa Cruz on many an occasion.
If you want organic food that you could easily make at home but don't feel like it, and if you don't have much of an appetite, you'll be satisfied at CHK.

[lexvegas]

Ate here last week with high hopes and was hugely disappointed. small portions, rotten lettuce in our salad - literally black and goopy, they forgot half the ingredients in one of our dishes and the spring rolls also smelled distinctly "off". the menu does't feature many, if any, things that are actually street food so if that's what you're interested in this is likely not the best spot.

as for the mention that this restaurant is similar to Spice Kit I totally disagree - Spice Kit is delicious with huge banh mi and great quality ingredients. none of those things are true of Charlie Hong Kong.

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Spice Kit
405 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Robert Lauriston]

Their concepts are similar: both promise quality ingredients at a relatively modest price, mix several Asian cuisines, and have a one-from-column-a, one-from-column-b approach to ordering. I haven't tried either so didn't intend any comment on the quality.

[virtualguthrie]

Sorry you had a bad experience, I've eaten at the Santa Cruz location numerous times and I've never had anything but fresh produce. Also, I always get a the pork or beef rice bowl with added veggies. I'm a pretty big eater and I find the portion sizes are enough for me.

[virtualguthrie]

I really like the original one in Santa Cruz. It's not a destination but it's great for being cheap, quick, fresh and healthy. I like the beef or pork rice bowls with veggies added. Another plus is that they use organice produce. I wish there were more places where I could get a quick, healthy meal at a reasonably price. Why is there nothing like this in SF?

[Robert Lauriston]

Spice Kit is somewhat similar.

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Spice Kit
405 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105

[Robert Lauriston]

Second branch of a 12-year-old Santa Cruz place. Menu reads like a fast-food take on the old India Joze.

http://www.charliehongkong.com/street...