Spicy City

I believe it was my first time trying Szechuan style. I got the chicken w/ szechuan sauce, mapo bean curd, an onion pancake and white rice. The chicken was delicious 😋 and the tofu was very interesting. I wasn't a big fan of the pancake. The portions are really good, with just that order I was able to make 3 meals out of it!

Let me begin by saying I never write reviews, but I feel especially compelled by Spicy City. You can find stir fry green beans and fried fish filets at almost every Chinese establishment - Spicy City’s renditions of these classic dishes are absolutely unmatched. Their distinct flavor profile and wok technique is palpable. The fish is fluffy, lightly battered, simultaneously crunches and melts. The green beans are tenderized and blistered, yet maintain their integrity and bite. The texture is only achieved through masterful wok cooking. By the speed with which this dish arrives on your table, you just know the chef has spent years perfecting the heat ratio. Their housemade pickled zha cai (preserved mustard) and garlic garnishes the green beans and adds the exact amount of acid and salt to build even more depth. These dishes are often anglicized for non-Chinese palettes, however Spicy City delivers the complexity of Chinese flavors while offering an approachable attachment for anyone that likes to eat. Spicy City is ELITE. Their cold deli dishes are delightful as well (the marinated pig ear leaves a perfect sichuan peppercorn tingle, a mild reminder of something akin to citrus). They are the platonic ideal of diasporic Sichuan cooking.

I came to eat with my girlfriend and we ordered wontons with chili oil, shredded pork with buns, green beans, and fried rice. The portions were bigger than we expected, we could have done it with 2 plates, but were glad to have leftovers. We had bigger expectations for the fried rice, but the other 3 plates were great! The total for everything was $70 before tip. We both would recommend the place.

Large menu. Recommendations: sizzling beef or chicken, beef or chicken in dry pot, the twice cooked pork or chicken, chicken or shredded pork with pickled chili pepper, chicken in Szechuan sauce, chicken with black bean sauce, and the green beans or eggplant if you want some greens with your meat and something without spice. From the little bar in the corner, you can get cucumbers, seaweed, or some meats they call husband and wife. They have some wines. Love no frills spicy city. It tastes best to eat in-house. Our favorite Chinese spot in town for over a decade and recommend to friends if you like Szechuan style. We have friends that come out of town and request to go here each time.

Seating was tight. I understand they try to fit as many people as they can but you want to be able to backup and not bump into someone else. Food was delicious. I was shocked how sweet the walnut shrimp was. It tasted as though they melted a marshmallow on it. Still tasted great but didn't want it so sweet. Service ladies were fast and sweet! Great job ladies!!