Ma Gong La Po

new favorite sichuan restaurant in chicago. finally, something that's authentically spicy.

very typical Szechuan food. I really like it. I guess it might be the most typical Szechuan dishes in Chinatown (according to my limited experience). And the cooking style is very Chinese. I know several restaurants make Szechuan dishes by some Hot Pot sauce or other special sauce, instead of using chili and peppers. The taste of food in this place is not like that which is cooked by special sauces.

However, here is the thing I *really* do not like. The woman there (not sure she is the owner or a waitress) strongly recommended the Szechuan style grill fish and the boiled spicy fish. She said those are the things I should not miss. After I refused to order them for at least 3 times, she took back her smile and became indifferent and cold. (Btw, the fish is a little expensive. It's 8-10 dollars per pound, and at that time I visited the smallest one is 3.3 pounds.)

Another thing is that their air conditioner does not work well (actually I doubt the AC was on at that time). It is very hot inside and the waiters were using a fan.

Yum, but it is not an easy meal to eat.  I would compare it to hot pot but a lot more flavor.  Basically order the fish with veggies on the side and you get to throw in the veggies any time.  The flavor is mala sechwan (Sp ?) and will give the same flavor to what ever veggies are in season. We got spinach, bok choy and the ones who hates veggies ate it with gusto.  The fish itself was fried before going into the sauce and at a good texture,  there was also alot of interaction between the eaters to make it a fun meal.  I would stay away from their specialty ice teas, althought not bad,  too overpriced.  One of the more interesting dinners I've had in Chinatown as of late.  Can't wait for a cold winters day to go back.