Pick Up Stix - Torrey Hills

Rating: 2/10
Date visited: mid June
Party of two
Dinner - take away

We had just arrived in San Diego and was living in a hotel. After a 4 day trans-continental travel from Australia to San Diego, via several stops on the East Coast was quite taxing. All we wanted to do that day was get some quick dinner, eat it in the hotel and sleep (if it would deign to visit us - we were so jet lagged too!).

This was our first experience of Pick Up Stix. When I was in Irvine before, I had been to Panda Express several times, used to like it. So we went to this one with a positive expectation. Now, I have to admit, we went very late - very near the closing time. May be the cook was not too excited to see new customers at the end of his shift!

We ordered Orange Peel Chicken and Kung Pao Beef. They were very disappointing. Not spicy as they claim to be - but then that's all right. Even if there is no spice, there should be some discernible flavor! The chicken was battered and very dry inside, it did not have any orange flavor or peels. It tasted like it was cooked in duck sauce. The beef was no better. It was 'liquidy' (is that a word?) and smelled of soy sauce. The chef must have added two or more servings of sugar in both the dishes. Chinese food is never so sweet, even deserts!
Well, what can we do, it was late at night, we were hungry, food was bad, we were jet lagged - not a good combination at all. We ate a bit and then left it in the hotel's fridge.

I will not go there again, even if it's so conveniently located near our place. I think we can find better fast food choices than Pick Up Stix. Before I sign off, I will however say that the staff was friendly and the decor was good. Too bad the food did not meet the standards.

Address: 4645 Carmel Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92130
Website: http://www.pickupstix.com/
Ph: (858) 794-0450