HO HO HO or China One

[mucho gordo]

Which of the two do you prefer?

[mucho gordo]

I'll answer my own post. Tried HO's. Found the food to be mediocre, at best. Since it is primarily a take-out joint, I would strongly suggest they improve their packaging. They use flimsy styro and stack them on top of each other in a plastic bag. The weight of the topmost containers on the ones underneath caused the sauce to wind up in the bottom of the plastic bag.

[TravelScholar]

I've had consistently good, fresh food at China One. The beef is "weird". But, chicken, pork, and seafood dishes have all been delicious. It's my go-to Chinese takeaway in Centennial Hills.

[mucho gordo]

Thanks, TS. I'll give them a shot, What do you mean by "weird" beef?

[TravelScholar]

The beef doesn't have the right "meaty" texture. It's more rubbery with a hint of gelatinous. LOL. I always called it "artificial beef". When I think of beef in Asian cooking, I want it to have a meaty texture like a good sliced steak. China One's beef is exactly the kind of beef you would think of if you were wondering what cat might be like. LOL. Just get the chicken or seafood. My favourite dishes from China One so far have been the Sale & Pepper Shrimp, Chicken with Hot Garlic Sauce, and their Sweet & Sour Chicken, Shrimp, or Pork are good as well. Deep Fried Wontons, Dumplings, and Wonton Soup are also quite good for starters.

[TravelScholar]

Or, try the beef, and let me know if you arrive at the same conclusions...just for kicks. ;-)

[mucho gordo]

I 'll certainly be trying a beef dish as we always get a steak dish, along with a chicken,pork,shrimp and lamb dish.
If China One doesn't make the grade for us I;ll be trying Pei Wei next. How does that place compare?

[TravelScholar]

Um, I like Pei Wei. They definitely do the beef well. However, Pei Wei doesn't qualify as your typical Chinese take away, in my opinion. It's basically quick-serve P.F. Chang's. Good, but different.

[mucho gordo]

I thought it might be similar to Chang's. Hopefully it is better as we find Chang's too bland and tasteless. We're really not looking for typical, American style, Chinese take-out like Ho Ho and Panda express.

[TravelScholar]

Pei Wei is actually owned by P.F. Chang's.

[mucho gordo]

OOOPPPSSS! I don't think I knew that. You did say that PW is better than PF, didn't you?