Taste of China

Rating: 2.5 / 10
Date Visited: July 8, 2009
Who: Just me
When: Lunch

I was visiting the Clairmont DMV to get my drivers license and vehicle registration. Well, as you can imagne, I under estimated the work that is involved in this process and found myself looking for quick a place to eat while waiting for my car's smog test. I was not in a mood for Mexican or fast food - those seemed to be the only choice available around that shopping complex. I was not too keen on doing Chinese, but then gave in.

This place serves both regular Chinese food and sushi - low end fare. I did not fancy sushi at that time, so I ordered a regular lunch special - Szechuan Spicy Chicken. It came with fried rice, spring roll, and hot and sour soup for $7.65 + tips.

The soup was all right - nothing special. It came with the fried noodles and a red sauce - seemed to me a version of 'duck sauce'. It was not spicy at all. I have had better h&s soups in other restaurants.
Spring roll was OK - took one bite only. ( I am trying to watch my weight an this was too greasy)
Fried rice was not really friend rice, but white rice somehow colored with soy sauce and stirred - I could see the white rice. It was mediocre at best - no flavor.
Szechwan chicken, though proclaiming that it would be spicy, was not at all so. Now, yes, I am from India, and I have a high threshold for spices, but this does not even make 1/5 on the spice scale. The waitress gave me a small bowl with some extra red chili oil. But that red oil had no kick at all. Overall, the dish was too salty, with a 'common' Chinese flavor - definitely not szchewan. The chicken was soft - I liked that - the only saving grace.
The waitress and owner was attentive, refilled water several times. They also put a wedge of lemon in the water without me having to ask for it.

I am sorry that I am giving this place a low rating. May be the other dishes or the sushi is good. But I do not want to find out. I think there are many more good restaurants to check out in San Diego.

Address: 5604 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111
Ph: (858) 279-1663
Timing: Open 7 days
No liquor