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| - As Jenny was handing me both menus, I asked her if this was the Silver Dragon that originally was on 19th Avenue and Dunlap.
Her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed that yes, that's where they were at years ago before they had to move due to the light rail being extended to that area.
I smiled and promptly motioned her to take away the fraudulent "English" menu. "If I wanted a menu that I could read and understand, I would've gone to Panda Express," I summarily quipped. She laughed!
I am very dogmatic about authentic Hong Kong style Chinese Cuisine. I am as serious about it as I am about Kung Fu movies.
It's not a good, over the top Kung Fu movie, if it doesn't have the need for English subtitles. I don't want the homogenized imitation. Give me the real thing!
I felt like this was a reunion with a long lost, old friend that I hadn't seen in ages. After having parted ways for nearly a decade, I had settled for the fact that I had to drive to Mesa to sample the best of what the valley had to offer in terms of Hong Kong style authenticity. I come from the San Francisco Bay area, and have been to Hong Kong, and I know what good and authentic tastes like.
There used to be 4 in the valley that were notable, but up until this recent visit, the only one that remained true to the faith was the one in Mesa.
And it was simply by chance that I found this place. I was partaking of my alone time by taking the light rail to Mesa, since my wife is busy studying for her finals. And I happened to glance eastward just as the light rail had briefly paused by the intersection on 19th avenue and Glendale.
I'm glad I did! Because this place is truly a gem. No, the decor is not as ornate as the original restaurant was. In fact, this place has more of the vestiges of a cafeteria, than a real restaurant. But, I wasn't going to complain. I found my friend, and I was about to enjoy an amazing meal!
I ordered my usual, from what I could recall seemingly eons ago. Of course, my habit didn't take into account that I used to order for 6, and now I was simply ordering for two.
I ordered more than enough food that Jenny had to ask me twice if I was sure that I wanted to order this much. I just told her that I would have lots of leftovers, then. That settled it, and away she went.
The food was as good as I had remembered.
First to arrive were the Pan Fried dumplings. They were not overcooked, and the meat inside was just right - perfectly scrumptious.
Then, the Salt and Pepper pork chop was served. It had a wonderful battered exterior that was very light, and the flavor within was tremendous. Just a delight to the palate.
Then my two most favorite dishes arrived at the same time.
The House Special Hong Kong Style Chow Mein. It has the larger noodles above with the sauce and meat; as well as, the pan friend angel haired crispy noddles underneath. It was just wonderful!
And the 1/2 Hong Kong Style Crispy chicken with that delicious and beautiful exterior that enveloped the succulent mean underneath would've made any chicken proud to give up their lives for this meal!
One note to point out is the interesting dynamics of places like these, and the newbies that dine here. There was plenty of gawking from the diners who were unfamiliar with the variety of dishes being offered in the "secret and subtitled menu."
The Asian gentleman, that was dining with his family, who stood up to peruse the dishes that were being brought out, and the blonde lady that stood up and walked over to see what I was having, were just typical and expected examples of what can be expected when dining here.
I just thought the lady was so rude that she would just walk over, and she didn't even bother to introduce herself while taking a quick peek! I'm just kidding, of course.
As expected, I had plenty of leftovers to bring home to my wife. She reunited her palate with a long lost friend, that has now been found!
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