Hey Florida People: Good Chinese?

[Virgo10]

Inspired by the other thread about living in Florida, several of the posters complained about not being able to find good Chinese Food. I was so sure there wasn't any down here I haven't even looked!

So if you know a good place, list it here along with the town it's in. I would love having a good chinese, as in the way it tastes up in Massachusetts, feed.

 

[cardaway]

I'm from Washington but we've been to the Ming Court on International Drive in Orlando at least five times. So good, we always go back when we're in the area.

http://cityguide.aol.com/orlando/entertainment/venue.adp?sbid=102931277

 

[Bucs Fan]

we've got a PF Chang's here in the Tampa area. and Sak's Fifth Avenue is a short walk away. so much for no chinese and no shopping outlets.

 

[*Flower*]

We were introduced to Kim Wu's at the corner of Conroy and Kirkman in Orlando- really good food IMHO, and not expensive either!

Yummy!

 

[doxdogy]

We have Mandarin Dragon up here in Jacksonville. Their honey garlic chicken is excellent. There is one of those take out places near where I work, their chinese is pretty good.

 

[diznygirl]

Le Chine at the Water Tower Place on 192 at the entrance to Celebration.

Mekong's on 192 toward Orange Lake. We've never had it but a bunch of people in town think it's the best.

 

[ChristmasElf]

In Orlando- the best place by far is called Dragon China. It is located on Sand Lake Rd in the Plaza Venezia.
From Downtown Disney turn left on SR 535 immediately get in the right lane and turn right on Palm Parkway. Stay on Palm Parkway until you get to Sand Lake Rd and turn left. The Plaza Venezia will be on the left side about a mile (if that down) This is a GREAT plaza with a Publix (one of the nicest in town) and there are shops and a bunch of nightclubs and Restaurants.
Dragon China is one of the best in town. They have been in this plaza for 4 years since the plaza opened. Very friendly too.

There is also a great Italian Deli style restaurant called Carrinos. Very good. They have Pizza,Pasta,Calzones,Subs,etc. There is also Roys Restaurant (pricey but nice)
Across Sand Lake there is another plaza that has Ruth Chris steakhouse and
a bunch of shops as well.

This plaza will take you about 10 minutes (if that) by car from DD. You could also hop on I 4 and get off at Sand Lake, however taking Palm Parkway will be easier.

 

[ilovepcot]

PEKING HOUSE - South Florida Avenue, Lakeland

 

[sorcerormickey]

I second the KIM WU'S nomination! Yummy! (And trust me, we've looked!! We're big chinese eaters.)

 

[Virgo10]

PEKING HOUSE - South Florida Avenue, Lakeland

Ding! Ding! Ding!!! You're the winner. That's only about 20 minutes from my house give or take AND I actually know where it is.

I've written all of these down for future reference. Thanks everybody!

 

[Poohnatic]

Thanks for the info on Lakeland. The In Laws will be VERY happy.

In Tampa(Citrus Park), there's a place in front of the super Wal Mart on Gunn Highway at Henderson Road. Grand China. It's very good.

There's a great place by me in Brandon, Hot Wok. A good buffet on 60 by KMart is Top's China Buffet.

In Tampa, on Dale Mabry, Crazy Buffet is supposed to be really good. I haven't given it a try yet, but several other people who are familiar with NY style chinese give it a stamp of approval.

Oh yeah, there's a great place in Gulfport. Winn Dixie shopping center on Gulfport Blvd (corner of 54th?). When my mom lived in St. Pete Beach, we'd stop there on the way over to her house if she was in the mood for Chinese, too.

I used to do an egg roll test. This was perfected when I moved to Maryland, lol . I'd try a new place and get an egg roll and a wonton soup. If the egg roll was right, I ventured on to my favorites on the menu (Mongolian Beef/Szechuan Beef/Crispy Beef) and see if they made it spicy. Only one place in Maryland failed the egg roll test, but was very good.

My husband and I also have noticed a pattern. If there a "under new management" sign on a chinese restaurant, it means it's no longer good! We're picky about our chinese food and we seem to find good places.

Now, pizza,we agree to disagree on what's the best, but there are two great places (possibly three, need to go back to one place), but one that is not NY style (cracker crust) is also good.
Suzanne

 

[Feralpeg]

Mama Fu's in the strip mall by Millennia Mall is very good.

 

[Southern4sure]

we've got a PF Chang's here in the Tampa area. and Sak's Fifth Avenue is a short walk away. so much for no chinese and no shopping outlets.

I'd like to try this one....where is it located?

 

[Southern4sure]

Thanks for the info on Lakeland. The In Laws will be VERY happy.

In Tampa(Citrus Park), there's a place in front of the super Wal Mart on Gunn Highway at Henderson Road. Grand China. It's very good.

In Tampa, on Dale Mabry, Crazy Buffet is supposed to be really good.
Suzanne

I love Chinese food.

I think I know where the Super Walmert is on Gunn...I usually take the vet. expsway to Citrus park. I will try and find it.

The one on Dale Mabry...it this south or north Dale Mabry?

Thanks

 

[Steffi]

There's a great place by me in Brandon, Hot Wok.

Poohnatic, if the Hot Wok is near you, then you must live right up the road from me! I prefer Tung Nam (also in Brandon), but I guess I really have no idea what "great" Chinese food tastes like, because I've lived in FL all my life!

 

[Poohnatic]

I'd like to try this one....where is it located?

Westshore is right off I275. If you're coming from the North, it's exit 40 South, West Shore Blvd. Get off the exit and make a left. Mall is on the right, about 1/4 mile.

Anyone familiar w/Ny style tried it? I've only had success with one 'major' chain, and they went out of business. That was up in Virginia-Big Bowl.

Suzanne

 

[Poohnatic]

Poohnatic, if the Hot Wok is near you, then you must live right up the road from me! I prefer Tung Nam (also in Brandon), but I guess I really have no idea what "great" Chinese food tastes like, because I've lived in FL all my life!

Steffi, we tried Tung Nam and hated it! The only thing that was a hit was my younger son's dumplings. Older son eats *only* white rice, but DH and I ordered two very different things and they tasted exactly the same.

Yep, I was very lucky that Hot Wok is right there with Publix. Grocery Shopping and take out-it's a beautiful thing. A few miles away!

Southern, if you're going down the vet's, take a left off the exit at Gunn. It's one mile down the road. It'll be on your right, past the Ruby Tuesdays, Wendys and the Gas station. You'll know you have the right place when you see the Hollywood Video in the shopping center. BTW, that shopping center had a great pizza place, but they moved.

Crazy Buffet is about 1/2 mile south of the football stadium on the southbound side.

Suzanne
(proving that I'm a walking onstar once again, lol!)