Lao Sze Chuan

Restaurant:
Lao Sze Chuan
172 S. Archer Ave.
312-326-5040

10:30 a.m.-midnight daily

Food: 8/10
Decor: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Value: 9/10

Total:

Review:

The most authentic Chinese food availabe in Chicago. This location is locaed on the "new" side of Chinatown in the Chinatown Square Mall (all the way at the end, near the Walgreens). The restaurant is downstairs, with a large banquet room available directly above - check out their informative and impressively designed website for the full scoop and history. What makes this place a real treat are the, perhaps accidental, vegetarian options. There are only a few of them, but they're worth the trip. Check out the Hot & Sour soup, its vegetarian, really spicy (maybe a bit too greasy) and delicious. On the appetizer menu you'll also find Shanghai Vegetarian Chicken (say, "soo-jee" if you're Chinese-language only waiter can't find it). It's a pre-packaged, sliced from a fake meat-log kinda thing, but it's super yummy. Some spicy vegetarian dishes, especially the Spicy Eggplant, are worth checking out. The owner is also very accommodating and will make a lot of the standard vegan friendly if you ask, for instance Mao Pao Tofu (typically with beef) or the string green beans (typically with shrimp sauce).