Oh, Ollie's. I miss that place. I haven't had anything that is really identical but think you should try Mei Shung. I enjoy their scallion pancakes and some of the classic greasy dishes and console myself with the thought that our Thai is better.

veghound wrote:Oh, Ollie's. I miss that place. I haven't had anything that is really identical but think you should try Mei Shung. I enjoy their scallion pancakes and some of the classic greasy dishes and console myself with the thought that our Thai is better.

Awesome, thanks for the rec. I'll try. Sounds like the perfect post-racquetball greasy meal that I tell myself I've earned.

Recently had Joy Yee to go on Irving, never got the appeal of Joy Yee, still don't.

itshissong wrote:Can I get people in this thread to give me some North Side Americanized Chinese restaurant recommendations? If you're at all familiar with New York, I'm looking for something akin to Ollie's. I want greasy stuff like General Tso's and Sesame Chicken and Beef with Broccoli. To be clear, I want something that is good and satisfying, even if it makes my stomach unhappy. I've had a really hard time finding this in Chicago and takeout, cheap Americanized Chinese was always my childhood go-to on a rainy day.

Orange Garden
1942 Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-7479
http://www.orangegardenchicago.net/

Orange Garden, Ozzie & Harriet Chinese

itshissong wrote:Can I get people in this thread to give me some North Side Americanized Chinese restaurant recommendations? If you're at all familiar with New York, I'm looking for something akin to Ollie's. I want greasy stuff like General Tso's and Sesame Chicken and Beef with Broccoli. To be clear, I want something that is good and satisfying, even if it makes my stomach unhappy. I've had a really hard time finding this in Chicago and takeout, cheap Americanized Chinese was always my childhood go-to on a rainy day.

Yen's
2856 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 549-0707
http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/yens/

If you're looking for a new dish to throw in w/the childhood favorites, try the Yen's Garlic Beef.

I'm looking for a place that has good American Chinese (I know, that sounds like an oxymoron) anywhere in the Chicagoland area. Looking for a place that has the usual dishes you find on American Chinese menus (General Tso's, etc.) but is hopefully better than the typical strip mall Chinese. Need to eat there for research-my husband is teaching a course about the history and culture of various foods, and is doing a unit on Chinese food in America.
Thanks!

How about:
China Chef - Jewish American Chinese?

He may want to look up Andrew Coe's book on Chop Suey. Grace Young's book, Stir Frying to the Sky's Edge on adaptations of Chinese food when they are in different countries. It's a funny world when adaptations of necessity, i.e. using rum in the Caribbean instead of rice wine is complimented. Yet some of the adaptations made in the USA, i.e. celery when chestnuts were not available, there is an air of cheapness and dumbing down a cuisine.

Your husband should really consider following the finger of Chop Suey, because that is really American-Chinese.

Here is a link to Grace Young's talk in 2010 to Culinary Historians of Chicago: https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/st ... 49cd526354

Where is your husband teaching?

Regards,
Cathy2

You may want to try House of Wah Sun and/or Hong Huah, both of which seem to fit the bill.

=R=

House of Wah Sun
4319 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 477-0800

Hong Huah
5924 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 889-4800

Old Elmwood Park standby. Just what you are looking for.

New Star
7444 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707

www.newstarrestaurant.com

As mentioned previously, Tae Fu in Villa Park has long been my jade standard for Mongolian beef, sizzling rice soup, mu shu, and old school candied fruit dessert, and the decor is over the top inside and out.

https://taefurestaurant.com

another 'burb spot:

House of Szechwan
22 E Northwest Hwy
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 699-3338
http://www.houseofszechwan.com