Five contenders sat in different corners of the UC, picked as unknowing finalists in New Heights mission to discover whose Chinese Take-out reigns supreme. Each order was placed 10 minutes before its pick-up and would be judged based on its Flavor, as well as the store’s Cleanliness, its Quality of Service and its Speed of Service.
And the meal for the challenge? A combination of Pork Lo Mein and Fried Egg Rolls. A classic!
Our first heavy weight, Liam’s China 1, is a Ybor City native with deceptive looks. It sits nestled in a rundown convenience store plaza (east of the 7th and Nebraska Avenues intersection) and – when viewing its exterior – looks like it wouldn’t pass a health inspection. In fact, it even looks a little scary.
But inside was a different story. The first thing I noticed about it was that its cleanliness actually made the grade. Its décor was nothing special and it was also kind of warm (temperature wise, not comforting); but again, the main thing was that it was as clean as an old building could be (spotless counters and floor corners free of caked dirt and food).
The service wasn’t bad either. A friendly woman greeted me and had my order bagged and ready to go at the counter. As I paid for the meal, a teenage girl (perhaps the woman’s daughter) double-checked my bag for order accuracy, then handed it to me. All in all, a good experience.
Second in line, calling Tampa Heights home, was Ming Garden (corner of Tampa Street and Columbus Drive). Ming also looked pretty scary from the outside; and honestly, my first impression was “I’m not eating anything from there.”
But for the sake of the competition, I forged my way inside to be shocked at just how clean and tidy the small open kitchen appeared. The two gentlemen working it delivered very fast and friendly service. And just like China 1, my order was ready before I arrived.
As I looked around, I noticed Ming’s walls proudly displayed its menu in English and Spanish. The décor was nothing special, but could have used a cleaning from a mess left by customers who were there before me.
Our middle contender, Oriental Restaurant, is a downtown favorite. Because of its location (the north side of the Jackson and Morgan Streets intersection), I thought getting there would be a chore and that I’d have to circle the block a few times to find it. But that didn’t happen and once I was near, its large exterior awning and sign served as a beacon that guided me to a parking space. And that was easy too, as I had my pick of several 15 minute parking spots, each located right in front of the building to ensure my to-go order was convenient.
Inside was very clean, well-maintained and simply “pleasant.” It’s a place you’d feel comfortable sitting and waiting for your order. That is, of course, if it’s not ready when you arrive; which mine was. In fact, someone there even called me while I was on my way, just to let me know it was ready. (For the record, Oriental Restaurant doesn’t just offer Chinese. They have sushi, too!)
Fourth on the night’s bill was a Hyde Park original now residing in West Tampa (intersection
of Columbus Drive and Armenia Avenue): Ho Ho To Go. Ho Ho is arguably the most well-known of all of the places I’d be reviewing; not only because it first opened in Hyde Park, but because it has an extended delivery area.
After parking, I started walking to the building’s front door and was greeted by a very noticeable, rotting smell that originated from the to-close-to-the-door dumpster of the former Wendy’s. But restaurant’s have to expel trash and in Florida’s heat it doesn’t take long for (let’s say) shrimp to decompose in a steel container.
A very nice woman greeted me (with my order readied on the counter) as she stood in front of a clean and orderly kitchen. Scanning the menu before I left, I realized Ho Ho serves more than the New York-style Chinese food, it also whips up Chef’s Specials like West Lake Duck and Pad Thai.
Rounding out the card was a contender that calls Seminole Heights home: China Garden. It lives in the Kwik Stop plaza (intersection of Powhattan and Nebraska Avenues).
I was already a bit turned off from the “you’re bothering me” tone I got from the woman with whom I placed my order; and when I got there my order was not ready. (The only one not ready out of five places.)
As I waited, I noticed the place had a bland décor and was warm (again, as in temperature). The atmosphere seemed to scream “take-out only.”
Some people who have to wait for to-go orders get upset, but I viewed the event as an opportunity to watch the preparation of my meal. Thankfully, it was done fresh and wasn’t just reheated leftovers from business the day before.
China Garden’s service was okay. The two people behind the counter were both cooking, one working on the entrees, the other a fryer filled with egg rolls. (The latter also manned the counter.) They were busy – I understand that – but it felt a little like they thought I should be honored to eat their food.
Let me tell you … eating five Chinese dinners in one night is a lot. If you don’t believe me, you should try it sometime! But I know, I know … you’re waiting for the answer to “whose take-out reigns supreme?”
Well, it depends on what you like. All of that night’s contenders had cabbage, onion or scallion, bok choy and an appropriate amount of pork (some more than others) in their Lo Mein. And all of the egg rolls had about the same ingredients (some bigger than others; some fried crispier).
Here’s the countdown of my favorites:
#5 Liam’s China 1
#4 Oriental Restaurant
#3 Ming Garden
#2 China Garden
And my #1 choice: Ho Ho To Go
Although Ho Ho did try to bribe me with a fortune cookie – the only one of the contenders to put one in my to-go bag – that’s not why it won. Ho Ho earned the honor by having a staff that was very friendly and service that was fast. Its building and kitchen were also very clean.
As for the food, its egg rolls were of average size, but crispy and tasty. But its Lo Mein contained a heaping helping of roasted pork, as well as extra goodies including mushrooms, water chestnuts, bok choy, scallions, onions and carrots.
Congratulations Ho Ho To Go! Your store’s cleanliness, service’s quality and speed, and food’s flavor were the essential ingredients to earn you the title of the UC’s Best Chinese Take-Out!
About the Author:
Michelle Baker and her husband Greg, a classically-trained executive chef, are co-managers of Cooks & Company. Michelle has been featured in The Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times, as well as on WFLA–TV’s “Daytime.” She is also a reoccurring food explorer for the Tribune and writes for the Eating Tampa and Seminole Heights Eats blogs. For more information visit the UC Buyer's Guide.