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| - This hole in the wall is more than meets the eye. I''ve tried my luck at nearly every chinese takeout spot in the East Valley, and I can definitively say the food at China Gourmet impressed me the most.
PROS: Made from scratch. Heaping portions at very reasonable prices. Quality far exceeds expectations. Single-handedly raises the bar for local take-out.
CONS: Made from scratch. So the wait time is fairly substantial (20-25 minutes in my case). Doesn't look like much from the outside. Very small, only three tables and no restroom. Definitely intended to be a take-out only kind of place.
Recommendation:
The teriyaki beef was incredible, and not at all what I was expecting. Instead of chopped beef in the thick teriyaki glaze I'm accustomed to, theirs was a thinner marinade that soaked completely through the meat. Every piece was consistently tender and loaded with flavor. I'd never had teriyaki of this caliber, and definitely didn't expect it from a little hole in the wall like this. Paid 8.95 for an order that could easily feed two with leftover.
The best, by far, was the hot and sour soup. It put anything I'd tried previously to shame. It was 2.50 for a quart, and short of Thai Chili's Tom Yum, it's the best hot and sour you'll find in the valley.
If you happen to be in the area, it's definitely worth a shot. Make time, so you can afford the wait, and you won't be disappointed.
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