Chopsticks — Restaurant in Florida

Ok, I must admit, I stopped here on a whim. I saw "Chopstiks" as I drove past it on the way home from choir rehearsal, and I decided to turn around to try someplace new (plus, it was after 9:00 p.m., and I didn't feel like cooking). The first thing that caught my attention was the sign next to the door as you enter which said that they were open until 10:30 p.m. on weeknights (👍👍). This is a plus for me since I often get home late. Walking in, it's not much to look at. Just maybe five small tables, no fancy signage or decor. With the two people already eating in, the owner's kindergarten aged daughter playing at the table in front of the order counter with her pet pink flamingo, and a third table taken up by other paraphernalia and a stroller, it already felt a bit cramped. I was beginning to think that I might have made a mistake, but reasoned, "I'm already here, may as well give it a shot." The friendly woman who took my order quickly began to change my mood. She greeted me with a warm smile and was very pleasant.

I sat to wait for my order of Pepper Steak with Pork Fried Rice, and an Egg Roll (figured I'd play it safe by ordering a staple first time out). It took less than 10 minutes, and while I waited, the owner's adorable daughter struck up a conversation with me about her stuffed pet pink flamingo. She told me matter of factly that her name was "Flamingo"! (the stuffed toy, not the child's) She was absolutely adorable and polite, and this made the time pass quickly.

When the order came, I thought they'd made a mistake because the bag was heavy. Once I got home, I was immediately cheered up by the very look of the food. First, THERE WAS A LOT OF IT! Then I tasted it, and OMG!! I was immediately transported back home to growing up in New York City. The flavor, taste and texture of the food was nothing short of AMAZING! I could only eat about half of what they gave me. The Pepper Steak was well-cooked, with plenty of beef and a perfect ratio of meat to vegetables, served in a light, yet creamy sauce with just the right hint of sweetness. The rice was perfectly cooked, had that beautiful orange color I remember, with generous amounts of red diced pork. I was in heaven!

This will be my new "go to" spot for Chinese food in Valrico/Brandon. I'm even gonna order from them when I have friends over for our game nights. This little "hole in the wall" spot is easy to miss as you drive by since it's partially obscured by the greenery in front of the strip mall. I probably would never eat-in here (but, to be fair, I never do anyway), but don't miss out on this fantastic food, good value and wonderful, friendly customer service. "Chopstiks" is one of Brandon's...

I just had a horrible experience with this place. I ordered almond chicken with shrimp fried rice, beef and broccoli with shrimp fried rice, and 2 egg rolls and had them deliver it to my home. Once I received the food I opened my almond chicken and the substance formally known as chicken looked really weird. It was really white and gooey with a weird consistency. Nothing about it resembled chicken. I called Chopsticks to tell them about it and the man that I spoke with said that the reason the substance was white was because the "chicken" had been steamed. Now, I've been eating chicken all my life and regardless of how you cook a chicken it will never be white. I initially told them I wanted to trade it out for shrimp fried rice, but the more I looked at the substance I didn't feel safe about any of the food. I packed everything up, called them back and asked them to give me my money back. This time I spoke to a woman. I guess she was irritated with me calling back because she began yelling at me as soon as I said my name. I tried to speak civilized with her to ask her if they wanted me to bring the food back to them, but she was yelling at me so loud that she couldn't hear what I was trying to ask her. I got tired of her yelling at me and the conversation was getting nowhere so I hung up the phone. I decided to go to the restaurant in hopes that we could speak in a more civilized manner. When I got there I began my conversation in a respectful way and she began yelling at me again. The man came out as she is yelling and I tried to speak with him, but he kept speaking over me every time I tried to make a statement. These people were so rude and disrespectful when I simply wanted to explain that I didn't want any trouble, they had no right to disrespect me, and I want my money back, but both of them continued to yell at me. Then the man tried to explain himself saying that because I called multiple times they were frustrated. I told them that it didn't matter if I called 16 times in a row. If I spoke to them with dignity and respect they should do the same for me, especially since I am the customer. I was so angry with the whole experience that I had to walk out and let my boyfriend finish getting the money back. I'm going to see about reporting this substance formerly known as meat to the FL health administration. Please do not waste your time or money with this place. They have no customer service skills, they know nothing about professional conflict resolution, and they are trying to serve their patrons...

This place serves one of the best things that I've ever tasted.. General Tsos chicken prepared "very very hot".

First let me say that their regular General Tsos is the best we've found and my family thinks it's spicy enough. This is not that.

The first time I ever had it was a few years ago with an order placed over the phone. I saw that they had a hot pepper beside it on the menu and hoped heat could be adjusted. I stressed to the lady that she couldn't make it too spicy.  When I opened it up I saw a few more red peppers than usual but nothing to prepare me for shock of that first bite. A split second of sweet followed by booming heat. The pork rice included in the combination plate offset the intensity perfectly. It was amazing.

After that order I could never get them to make it even close to that hot again. I bought pepper extract and put a few drops in soy sauce and have been pouring on top to try and recreate. Also Sambal Oelek but not the same.

Well something changed a couple months ago. I ordered through the menu app and in comments put "very very hot please" like aways. My son returned with our order and as I was going to fridge to get the Sambel Oelek to pour on top he said smiling with eyes watering "You're gonna like this one."

WARNING THIS DISH IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! If you enjoy intense heat you'll think it's pretty hot. If you don't like heat you'll want the regular General Tsos chicken.

*TO THE OWNERS OF CHOPSTICKS please give the very very hot version of your general Tsos chicken it's own place on your menu. Give it a catchy name, charge a little extra and have a disclaimer:: you've been warned.. NO REFUNDS!

This little restaurant in Brandon Florida has created something...