Wow! Wonton Gourmet and Hunan East have been my two favorite Chinese restaurant in Cleveland for the longest time I can remember. And there's a good chance that Szechuan Gourmet might just be my new favorite!
The first thing you should know before entering here is that their food is Szechuan style. If you don't know what that means, then you better prepare yourself for some heat and spice. Personally, I'm known to be a wuss when it comes to spice, but Szechuan's spice is more of a numbing tingling type of spice.. the type that for some reasons, many can't handle but I can.
If you are here for a group meal, here are dishes I'd recommend for the table in order of preferences:
Fu Qi Fei Pian (5): Beware! This is a cold dish that looks extremely spicy dripped in all the red sauce but it's surprisingly not too spicy. It's spicy beef and tripe and it will become the reason I will be at Szechuan Gourmet all the time.
Mapo Tofu (4.5): Wow.. Ever since I moved to Cleveland, I thought I made the best mapo (and I'm a terrible cook) and I finally found Szechuan's mapo tofu. The tofu is so delightful and I love how grounded the meat is!
Dried Fish Hot Pot (4) or Spicy Fish/Shui Cho Yui (4): You have to order at least one of the these two. The difference is the first is fried fish and the order is steamed fish. Either way is boil into a pot of spice oil. They are both sooo good. Most people seem to like the dried fish hot pot although I personally prefer the Spicy Fish.
Watercress Vegetable (4): it's the best I've had Cleveland yet. Make sure you order it with garlic. Best stir fried watercress vegetable ever. And, with all the spicy dishes you've just ordered, you need something to help tone it down!
Huiguorou (4): Double Cooked pork. You can also order the "Spicy Huiguorou". Regardless, it's pretty much stir fry bacon with Chinese spice sauce. You know you can't go wrong with bacon anything!
Some not as good dishes: Green Beans (3) are delicious but every restaurant cooks it the same more or less. Scallion Pancake (3) is way too oily and I can buy it frozen and make it myself at home.
Either way, enjoy your meal at Szechuan if it's your first time!