Szechwan North

The worst chinese I've had in a long time.  Maybe because we ordered carry out at 3pm on Mother's Day and they were busy, but the food was not fresh, all the dishes seemed to be lacking spices and flavors, the hot and sour soup tasted like water, noodles were soaking in oil, very disappointing experience, I can't believe this is Zagad rated restaurant.  To pay over $100 for chinese food and be left with stomach aches is not acceptable, If I was dining in that restaurant I would return the food and leave.  There are definitely better chinese restaurants in the area.

We went here today.
The food is very good, and though the listing shows $$, meals for 3 people, even with the tip, still came out to less then $50.

They do not use MSG in their food, BUT:
1) there is MSG in their soy sauce (when I asked about MSG, they said "except of course in the soy sauce", so apparently they don't know about kikkomon, which is MSG-free)
2) when they have the lunch buffet out, they mentioned something about getting it from someplace else, and so there may be msg in that food.

The odd thing is that I've eaten there twice before, gotten the same meal, and never had trouble with msg until this time.

This place is OK. I was hoping it'd be comparable to the food you can find in chicago china town.  

Pros: Gluten free menu (thanks, that earned you a star!!), traditional chinese food (hard to find in burbs), VERY nice staff and excellent service!!!!!

Cons:  Pricey for the amount of food you get.  If you go somewhere like China town, you can get the same if not better quality food for DOUBLE the portions and less the price.  Also, my wide rice noodles with beef felt verry greasy.  I mean, it's Chinese food, its supposed to be greasy, but I wish it was masked a little more, hahaha.

However, for the burbs, this satisfied my traditional Chinese food craving and I am thankful that it is so close by.  I would recommend this place and I will be back whenever my craving returns! (: