Via SF Citizen comes the news that one of our neigborhood restaurants was named to the national Top 100 Chinese Restaurants list.
The list was compiled by Chinese Restaurant News, and I’m not sure what the criteria was (e.g. did the restaurant have to be an advertiser?). Another SF restaurant, Ana Mandara (891 Beach), made the top 10.
Reviews on Yelp are mixed for Panda Country Kitchen, but average out to 4 of 5 stars.
Any RichmondSFBlog readers eaten there? Give us your review in the comments!
Sarah B.
I would be curious to hear from any one who has eaten here. The name intrigues me but it always looks like it wouldn’t serve good food (and yes, it is ridiculous to judge something by outward appearances).
Haven’t eaten there as well.
Bear in mind that the English name for a Chinese Restaurant are not the same as the name in Chinese. The name is kinda kitschy in my opinion.
The “Panda” part does have somewhat of a connection, because Pandas are famous in Sichuan province of China and this restaurant specializes in Sichuan style cuisine.
I have not eaten here, but my favorite Sichuan dish is, Yu Hsiang Rou Si, which is Eggplant and Minced Pork with spicy garlic sauce(yu hsiang), it is also slightly sweet. Other favorite Sichuan dishes are the ma po tofu, string beans, and twice cooked pork. Anything with fish fillets as well. Those are pretty standard Sichuan dishes. They also have cold dishes, which I think is one of the more interesting part of Chinese food, for cold dishes I like beef shank/tendon and cucumbers. As always Sichuan food goes good with ice cold Chinese beer.
Down on Clement in the Inner Richmond is Spices! Also specializing in spicy Sichuan food. They are more Taiwan style Mainland food, which is a good thing in my opinion. For the adventurous they have stinky(fermented) tofu.
Happy eating, hope this helps out!
I have eaten here and have to say I’m awfully surprised by this rating. It’s fine, not terrible, but really nothing special. I’d be suspicious of the criteria because I can’t imagine how this ended up on the list.
The list is disappointing, they do have Cheung Hing on the list and ONLY 2 restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley in LA County, which is ridiculous. No R&G Lounge or Koi Palace.
LOL they even have chinese buffets that made the list!!!!!