General Tso's Chicken

stevew · 06-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Maybe it's just me, but over time I've noticed that the General's chicken doesn't have nearly the kick it used to. And it's not just the particular joint I go to, as I try pretty much every place in our area and it seems to be the same everywhere.

Am i just insane or something?

Anyways, are you supposed to specify when ordering that you actually want the chicken to have some kick to it(ie I want General Tso's that tastes like general Tso's)? It's at the point where it's glorified sweet and sour chicken anymore. If I wanted that, i'd order it.

Thus concludes my rant.

JonInMiddleGA · 06-10-2009, 05:05 PM

Maybe they stopped adding melamine?

Mustang · 06-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Maybe General Tso's just worn out making chicken and needs a break. Try the chicken from Colonel Sanders.

JPhillips · 06-10-2009, 05:15 PM

Best Tso's I ever had was at a place in Boone, NC.

Best KFC I've ever had was in Fuling, China. It was thinly breaded and hot as fire. Delicious,

Super Ugly · 06-10-2009, 05:29 PM

Excellent. I used to eat this stuff when I lived in the States, but for the life of me I haven't been able to remember what it was called. I'm off to my local Chinese to see if they serve some tasty General Tso's ...

knolysis · 06-10-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Maybe they stopped adding melamine?

Nice... and oddly appropriate.

lighthousekeeper · 06-10-2009, 05:38 PM

Marc Vaughan · 06-10-2009, 05:45 PM

General Tso's is my favourite Chinese dish

I find in most restaurants they'll tailor the food to your wants if you ask nicely, for instance I love hot & spicy food and most of the local restaurants are happy to spice things up a little more than usual for me.

Passacaglia · 06-10-2009, 05:46 PM

I feel like I've noticed, but I've moved around a lot since the last time I've had really good general tso's.

Schmidty · 06-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Just eat Thai food and order it 4 star. That's what I do. Thai is much better than Chinese anyway.

RainMaker · 06-10-2009, 06:10 PM

I think it's based on what chinese place you order it from. I've had some real bland General Tsao. I think the popularity of it forced a lot of Chinese places into throwing it on the menu despite them not knowing how to make it right. But there are still a few in Chicago that will really have some kick to it.

Honolulu_Blue · 06-10-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I think it's based on what chinese place you order it from. I've had some real bland General Tsao. I think the popularity of it forced a lot of Chinese places into throwing it on the menu despite them not knowing how to make it right. But there are still a few in Chicago that will really have some kick to it.

I agree. This is why I have started to switch things up and tend to go for things like "Emperor's Chicken" or "Sesame Chicken", which appear to variations on the General Tsao theme.

Man, every time I see the title of this thread I crave General Tsao's. Unfortunately, I don't know of any good Chinese places around where I live. The local one is simply abysmal.

stevew · 06-10-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Just eat Thai food and order it 4 star. That's what I do. Thai is much better than Chinese anyway.

I think this area doesn't have any. We barely have non whites in this area.

Honolulu_Blue · 06-10-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Just eat Thai food and order it 4 star. That's what I do. Thai is much better than Chinese anyway.

I agree that Thai is better than Chinese food, but it's different. Sometimes I just need Chinese food.

The best Chinese I ever had was in D.C. at a place called Meiwah. It was pretty close to where I worked and I used to go there quite a bit. I miss it so.

JediKooter · 06-10-2009, 11:41 PM

You need to order Lt. General Tso's chicken, much spicier in my opinion, but, not as tough and gritty as General Patton's chicken.

Matthean · 06-10-2009, 11:51 PM

You should be able to ask the people working there if you can kick it up some as well. I've heard good things about the dish, but also find myself thinking it's lacking in terms of kick where ever I go. Garlic Chicken is also one that is a default disappointment. I've had it to where I can't even tell if there is garlic in there, or not. Favorite Thai dish is a sweet and sour chicken styled dish. The sweet, sour, and spice give your taste buds a lot to play with. The chicken isn't deep fried, and there's an actual credible amount of vegetables in it. It really puts the Chinese version to shame.

JeeberD · 06-11-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Just eat Thai food and order it 4 star. That's what I do. Thai is much better than Chinese anyway.

Amen, brother.

Though I do enjoy some good General Tso's on occasion, though it can be difficult to some that qualifies as good...

stevew · 06-11-2009, 02:12 AM

The dish has seemingly followed the path of Angelina Jolie. Freaking great 10 or so years ago. Now, not so much.

M GO BLUE!!! · 06-11-2009, 02:20 AM

I miss Almond Boneless Chicken.

Thanks to the internet, I find out it is somehow a dish that is a Detroit specialty!

Chinese Food - Seeking Almond Boneless Chicken (War Su Gai) | Los Angeles | Yelp

Almond Boneless Chicken - Wor Su Gai - a Chinese Recipe for Almond Boneless Chicken

Karlifornia · 06-11-2009, 04:40 AM

If anyone says to "You haven't had Chinese until you've been to a real Chinese restaurant", don't go to dinner with them. You'll wind up spending 30 minutes chewing on a flavorless pig intestine.

Balldog · 06-11-2009, 05:34 AM

Great Wall in Auburn Hills, best General Tso's ever! And its only $4.25

but its in the ghetto plus its cash only....dude got robbed and killed outside there a couple months ago. So we don't go as often as we used to.

Eaglesfan27 · 06-11-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

General Tso's is my favourite Chinese dish

I find in most restaurants they'll tailor the food to your wants if you ask nicely, for instance I love hot & spicy food and most of the local restaurants are happy to spice things up a little more than usual for me.

My favorite dish as well, and this new place opened down the street from us about a year ago and it has the best General's chicken I've ever eaten. It is so spicy that I usually have to order the mild (which is excellent, IMO.)

RainMaker · 04-13-2010, 12:58 AM

Have to bump this thread. I'm in the same boat. Can't find many places that makes a good General Tsao dish. Seems like they're just making Sesame Chicken without the sesames. I have eaten at around 10 restaurants in the city and only two make a respectable dish.

In college there was a Chinese buffet that we'd just destroy on the weekends. Had some amazing General Tsao that I just can't find anything close to.

ice4277 · 04-13-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I agree. This is why I have started to switch things up and tend to go for things like "Emperor's Chicken" or "Sesame Chicken", which appear to variations on the General Tsao theme.

Man, every time I see the title of this thread I crave General Tsao's. Unfortunately, I don't know of any good Chinese places around where I live. The local one is simply abysmal.

Have you had Kam's on 12 Mile in Berkley? Not sure if you are still in the Royal Oak area, but I think theirs is pretty good.

Coffee Warlord · 04-13-2010, 08:19 AM

Have to agree.

Though it's still decent, even ordering it spicy from places doesn't do much. There's some flavor missing. Maybe they switched from dog to real chicken.

albionmoonlight · 04-13-2010, 08:23 AM

Food in general always seems to default to bland as it gets more popular.

Honolulu_Blue · 04-13-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice4277

Have you had Kam's on 12 Mile in Berkley? Not sure if you are still in the Royal Oak area, but I think theirs is pretty good.

I am still there and I haven't tried Kam's. I will do so. Thanks!

RainMaker · 04-19-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Have to agree.

Though it's still decent, even ordering it spicy from places doesn't do much. There's some flavor missing. Maybe they switched from dog to real chicken.

If you're in the city, give Chens a try. Little pricey but the best I've had.

Chens Chicago --- Fine Chinese Cusine . Sushi . Sake Lounge ---

06-10-2009, 05:05 PM	#2
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Maybe they stopped adding melamine? __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

06-10-2009, 05:10 PM	#3
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	Maybe General Tso's just worn out making chicken and needs a break. Try the chicken from Colonel Sanders. __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

06-10-2009, 05:15 PM	#4
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	Best Tso's I ever had was at a place in Boone, NC. Best KFC I've ever had was in Fuling, China. It was thinly breaded and hot as fire. Delicious, __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

06-10-2009, 05:38 PM	#7
lighthousekeeper College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	♥ __________________ ...

06-10-2009, 05:48 PM	#10
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Just eat Thai food and order it 4 star. That's what I do. Thai is much better than Chinese anyway. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

06-10-2009, 05:29 PM	#5
Super Ugly High School JV Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Look behind you	Excellent. I used to eat this stuff when I lived in the States, but for the life of me I haven't been able to remember what it was called. I'm off to my local Chinese to see if they serve some tasty General Tso's ...

06-10-2009, 05:45 PM	#8
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	General Tso's is my favourite Chinese dish I find in most restaurants they'll tailor the food to your wants if you ask nicely, for instance I love hot & spicy food and most of the local restaurants are happy to spice things up a little more than usual for me.

06-10-2009, 05:46 PM	#9
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	I feel like I've noticed, but I've moved around a lot since the last time I've had really good general tso's.

06-10-2009, 06:10 PM	#11
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	I think it's based on what chinese place you order it from. I've had some real bland General Tsao. I think the popularity of it forced a lot of Chinese places into throwing it on the menu despite them not knowing how to make it right. But there are still a few in Chicago that will really have some kick to it.

06-10-2009, 11:41 PM	#15
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	You need to order Lt. General Tso's chicken, much spicier in my opinion, but, not as tough and gritty as General Patton's chicken. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

06-10-2009, 11:51 PM	#16
Matthean Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008	You should be able to ask the people working there if you can kick it up some as well. I've heard good things about the dish, but also find myself thinking it's lacking in terms of kick where ever I go. Garlic Chicken is also one that is a default disappointment. I've had it to where I can't even tell if there is garlic in there, or not. Favorite Thai dish is a sweet and sour chicken styled dish. The sweet, sour, and spice give your taste buds a lot to play with. The chicken isn't deep fried, and there's an actual credible amount of vegetables in it. It really puts the Chinese version to shame. __________________ Board games: Bringing people back to the original social network, the table.

06-11-2009, 02:12 AM	#18
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	The dish has seemingly followed the path of Angelina Jolie. Freaking great 10 or so years ago. Now, not so much.

06-11-2009, 02:20 AM	#19
M GO BLUE!!! Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005	I miss Almond Boneless Chicken. Thanks to the internet, I find out it is somehow a dish that is a Detroit specialty! Chinese Food - Seeking Almond Boneless Chicken (War Su Gai) \| Los Angeles \| Yelp Almond Boneless Chicken - Wor Su Gai - a Chinese Recipe for Almond Boneless Chicken

06-11-2009, 04:40 AM	#20
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	If anyone says to "You haven't had Chinese until you've been to a real Chinese restaurant", don't go to dinner with them. You'll wind up spending 30 minutes chewing on a flavorless pig intestine. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

06-11-2009, 05:34 AM	#21
Balldog Pro Rookie Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Macomb, MI	Great Wall in Auburn Hills, best General Tso's ever! And its only $4.25 but its in the ghetto plus its cash only....dude got robbed and killed outside there a couple months ago. So we don't go as often as we used to.

04-13-2010, 12:58 AM	#23
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	Have to bump this thread. I'm in the same boat. Can't find many places that makes a good General Tsao dish. Seems like they're just making Sesame Chicken without the sesames. I have eaten at around 10 restaurants in the city and only two make a respectable dish. In college there was a Chinese buffet that we'd just destroy on the weekends. Had some amazing General Tsao that I just can't find anything close to. Last edited by RainMaker : 04-13-2010 at 12:59 AM.

04-13-2010, 08:19 AM	#25
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	Have to agree. Though it's still decent, even ordering it spicy from places doesn't do much. There's some flavor missing. Maybe they switched from dog to real chicken.

04-13-2010, 08:23 AM	#26
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	Food in general always seems to default to bland as it gets more popular.

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