Chef Xiong - Taste of Szechuan — Restaurant in Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL

Parking: Paid public parking is available, but it can be tricky to find a spot, especially during busy times. Consider arriving early or using public transportation.

Food: The menu is packed with classic Szechuan dishes, offering a variety of proteins like fish, chicken, pork, beef, and duck. The chef’s specials, especially the bone-in spicy chicken and fried noodles, are standout choices. The food is flavorful and authentic, with just the right amount of heat.

Seating: The restaurant is spacious and comfortable, with booths and tables that can accommodate both small and large groups. The vibe is casual but nice enough for a special night out.

Price: Expect to spend between $30 and $50 for two people, which is reasonable for the quality and portion sizes.

Quality of Ingredients: The ingredients are fresh and well-prepared, adding to the overall deliciousness of the dishes.

Taste of Food: The food is consistently good, with bold flavors that highlight traditional Szechuan spices. Whether you like it spicy or mild, there’s something for everyone.

Staff: The staff is friendly and attentive, making you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations.

Environment: The restaurant is clean, roomy, and has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a comfortable place to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

Menu: The menu offers a wide variety of options, with the chef’s specials being a must-try. Takeout is also available for those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home.

Chef Xiong - Taste of Szechuan is a solid spot for authentic Szechuan cuisine in Chicago’s Chinatown. The bone-in spicy chicken and fried noodles are particularly delicious, and the friendly service makes the experience even better. While parking can be a bit of a hassle, the quality of the food and the cozy, welcoming atmosphere make it worth the effort. Takeout is also available if you want to enjoy their tasty dishes at home. Definitely worth a visit for anyone looking to explore Szechuan flavors in a...

Aah Chef Xiong is always so delicious and a must-go whenever I'm visiting Chicago. It's usually not too busy whenever I come (never had to queue before), but I feel like it is much more deserving of social media fame than some of the suggestions I see online nowadays. I digress.

Honestly all their dishes I've tried have been fantastic, so some highlights:

-- Szechuan jelly noodle w black bean sauce (青椒豆豉涼粉) have a wonderfully springy/chewy texture, and I love that you can taste the fresh flavour of the noodles themselves. The chili bean sauce was sooo yummy -- definitely has a kick — and I love the crisp (clean!) spicy flavour that pairs well with the refreshing taste of the jelly noodles.

-- Chongqing popcorn chicken (重慶辣子雞) - maybe my favourite dish here (a bit hard to say, since everything was so good). It comes in a really cute chicken-shaped basket. The chicken bites were really crispy without having too oily of an exterior, and the generous portion of chilli peppers made it Really Quite spicy.

-- Kung pao chicken (宮保雞丁) is always a classic and Chef Xiong's is no different. I loved the slightly sweet sauce (I​ definitely prefer it to the Cantonese/southern-style kung pao chicken), and the savoury juicy flavour of the chicken pieces was great, too.

-- For a non-spicy contrast I like to order the Chinese jajangmyeon (炸醬麵) - the noodles were perfectly cooked, meat sauce rich and filling, and it gave our burning taste buds periodic breaks in between everything else. It's also really inexpensive for the huge portion size.

-- I've also tried smaller dishes like the mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐) and wontons in chilli sauce (紅油抄手), which are all delicious too, though I think they don't stand out as much as the other dishes I mentioned.

Overall, I can't recommend this restaurant enough. I loved everything we ordered, and the price point for the large portions and deliciously authentic food is just the cherry on top. Already thinking about my next...

Although the restaurant looks a little worn outside from the sign being hit by a truck or some such accident, the food is great. If you like the Mala flavor, that effervescent nearly electrical buzz of Szechuan green peppers, this is the place for you. The interior has a California seventies vibe with the flat span of cloud shadows spaced with a lattice acting for windows while the brass bird sculptures ride the winds of the imagination. This minimal but effective decoration is countered with the kungfu panda figurines display at the bar. Four dishes we tried, all satisfying. Tongue and green peppers and broth, the flavor was deep and bright, the beef very tender and the surface taste buzzed my lips for a sustained period, feeling like exploding pop rocks. The duck in sherataki jelly was slightly milder and the jelly noodles probably accounted for that, the braised duck was a variety of chopped pieces that require a little work for the nook and cranny aspect of this dish, a little messy, completely authentic. Two smaller dishes continued to inspire: the cold noodles in sesame sauce give some relief of sweetness but continue the adventure of mouth fire and the pork filled dumplings in red chili sauce was gone before I was ready to...