There are uncountable Chinese restaurants in this country and I'm sure everyone has their favorite. Â Red Flower is mine, and I have sampled endless numbers of these places. Â
So, this is in my hometown, I grew up with it, and maybe I'm biased. Â Maybe I have eaten there so many times that when we call and place our order they know our phone number by heart, and often remind us of any items in our standard order that we've forgotten to mention. Â When I moved to New York City after college, they would mournfully ask my mother why I hadn't been around lately. Â Truth be told, I was heartbroken too. Â
And now, maybe some of those "real" food review website folks will even cringe that I would dare offer a Chinese take-out joint a 4 star rating while simultaneously tearing down much finer establishments. Â But, my opinion is that 1.) I review a place relative to my own expectations of it and 2.) if you don't like that you can kiss my General Tso, if you get my drift.
Speaking of General Tso's Chicken, theirs is perfect. Â The sauce is perfectly perfect, the crispiness is crispily perfect and you have no doubt at any time that you are indeed eating good pieces of chicken. Â
They also are masters at cooking the vegetables in their dishes, which may seem like a small point, but it really makes a big difference. Â I long for the day when I cook a piece of broccoli as well as they do.
There are even a few special treats on their menu like "Coconut Shrimp" which is fried shrimp in a sweet coconut white sauce and "Sweet Cheese Wontons" which are a sort of dessert fried wonton.
Chances are, you won't end up in the tiny town of Richlands anytime soon, but if you do and you just have that inner need for Chinese food, Red Flower is the reigning champion.