ISO Peking Duck
Looking for recent visits to area duck houses that carve at table. Heard bad stories about Mark's Duck House being crowded and slow, particularly on the weekends.
-----
Mark's Duck House
6184 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044
-
This is a no-brainer: Duck Changs. An icon for many years, with good reason.
-----
Duck Chang's Restaurant
4427 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA 22003›9 Replies-
re: pikawicca
I did go to the PGI on Saturday, despite the poor review from Tom S in the WAPO. Reservation was honored, place was really crowded, service was ok. Duck was not that tasty, but came out quickly and had no problem with temp. Garlic sprouts were fantastic, with enough to take home. Other dishs included a large pan fried noodle dish and shrimp with chinese vegetables. Overall an acceptable experience, and certainly a walk back in history. Will try Duck Chiang's and Peking Duck, which I assume is in Alexandria on Rt. 1
-
re: nickdanger
It's odd for TS to do a review on Peking Gourmet Inn and not mention the garlic sprouts, a specialty and their best dish: either to l love them, condemn them, or to shrug his shoulders.
Reviewers will sometimes ignore things that don't fit in with the rest of their review in order to justify their opinion.
-
-
re: rappel75
I don't go there for BD, though I have had it. I go when my wife is craving Chinese-American food for the garlic sprouts, the kung pao, whole fish in ginger scallion sauce, and the 'szechuan' beef proper. Those dishes have been consistent throughout the years.
I never thought it was great. That would be a big stretch.
-
-
-
re: nickdanger
chowser
May 16, 2011 08:41 AM
This thread had me craving peking duck so we went to Duck Chang--nice crispy duck skin. Peter carves it out of the kitchen and you can watch but it's not table side. He's done it for so long, he's such an expert at the thin slices.
I just noticed the OP mentioned Mark's Duck House. While they have duck, I don't think they do peking duck, at least didn't the last time I was there.
-----
Mark's Duck House
6184 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044-
-
re: flavrmeistr
chowser
May 16, 2011 08:55 AM
I've only had roast duck there but it's been a few years. Plus, we only go w/ my inlaws and they do the ordering then so it could be they know the Peking duck isn't good so don't order it. I've never seen it done there but it's a mad house.
Maryland tends to have better Chinese food. I'm surprised there isn't good Peking duck there.
-
re: chowser
I concur. Peking Cheers in Gaithersburg had a pretty good Peking Duck and one of the cooks from Joe's for a while, but they hit the skids some time back. There is a newer Peking Gourmet in Frederick that I've been meaning to check out. I don't believe it's related to the one in Culmore. The menu doesn't look that inspired, though.
-----
Peking Cheers Restaurant
519 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878Peking Gourmet
5732 Buckeystown Pike Ste 16, Frederick, MD 21704
-
-
-
-
-
-
I'll put in a plug for my favorite place. It's sort of a neighborhood place so we do sit down our take out about once a week. It's appropriately called, Peking Duck, and it's on Rt. 1 south of the beltway about 3 or 4 miles.
ALL the ducks are carved tableside by the owner, Joe Chang, and he carves them FAST. I've never timed him, but it's start to finish, it's probably under 2 minutes! The skin stays crisp and warm when you eat as does the meat and wrapper. Bitting into the first roll up is heaven.
The dumplings there are fantastic too. For me, both the dumplings and the duck blow away a "famous" place like Peking Gourmet Inn.
It's basically a family operation that is fairly low on frills, but has great food, and the price is right - - much cheaper than PGI.
Another favorite dish is the Velvet Chicken. It's chicken with Chinese Eggplant in a brown sauce. I can't do the description justice, but it's not your mother's eggplant!
As I mentioned in the above post, this place has spoiled me and I've stopped ordering Peking Duck anywhere else because it never measures up. I'd love for more people to try it and let me know if I'm crazy or just brainwashed!
-----
Peking Gourmet Inn
6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041›2 Replies-
-
re: chowser
Ate at Duck Chiang's last week for the first time in maybe 30 years. The duck was excellent, even better than I remembered (many hung-over Sunday brunches there back in the day). My standard is Peking Gourmet, but I believe Chang's has them beat. The skin was crispier with less remaining fat underneath, the meat still succulent and juicy. Chang himself is retired. The son and daughter-in-law took it over some years ago. The duck bone soup, dumplings and the sizzling dish we had were pretty decent, but the duck was perfect. I never really thought of Chiang's as a standout, so it was a nice surprise to come back decades later and find the place in top form.
-
-
-
I haven't been yet, but people say Chef Wang will carve the duck for you at China Wok in Vienna, VA. He used to work at Hunan Lion and Oriental Regency (which are both closed now).
-----
Oriental Regency
Vienna, VA, Vienna, VAHunan Lion
2070 Chain Bridge Rd Ste G6, Vienna, VA 22182›1 Reply-
re: JDMpress
chowser
May 13, 2011 10:14 AM
That's good to know. We used to frequent both Hunan Lion and Oriental Regency many years ago. I think it was Oriental Regency that had excellent duck (the one that was not in Tyson's Galleria).
-----
Oriental Regency
Vienna, VA, Vienna, VAHunan Lion
2070 Chain Bridge Rd Ste G6, Vienna, VA 22182
-
-
Peking Gourmet Inn pumps out a lot of these. They are the biggest operation of its kind in the area. Maybe you can get it elsewhere that is as good or less expensive, but your chances are best at PGI. In addition, you can get their wonderful garlic sprouts (a great dish) , a dry-fried kung pao chicken (far superior to most Chinese-American places), and the very sweet but still delectable 'szechuan beef proper.' The pre-set meals they put together with the Peking duck are attractively priced, but the rest of the items are weak.
-----
Peking Gourmet Inn
6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041›2 Replies-
re: Steve
Peking Gourment Inn, in Fall Church is great, but I've stopped ordering the duck there. For me, the carving is way too slow. They really take their time and by the time it gets to your plate the skin is cold and soggy instead of crispy.
I'll second your motion for garlic sprouts! They are unique to this place (as far as I know) and a amazing. The only time I've ever left that place without eating an order is when they were out, but that was years ago.
-
-
