椒点 ChiliSpot — Restaurant in University City

Cravings of good Chinese food and spice brought us here. Our excitement was high because it’s been recommended by fellow colleagues, Asian friends, and even brought up on several Facebook groups that this is the best Chinese cuisine there is in St Louis. When you’re too excited and fall it’s a louder thump than you think. This is the summary of Chili Spot for us.

When we walked in, there was barely any light. I understand mood lighting but heck I was looking for my glasses when I don’t even wear one. One waitress smiled at us from across the room, but the one we were assigned was rather curt and rather judgmental. She spoke no English and had zero recommendations. When we were ordering she was more in a hurry to grab our menus even before we were done placing our order. Mind you we are one hour and 45 minutes away from the restaurant closing. We found it rather odd, but since we were excited we let go of the minor/major inconvenience.

Chongqing Popcorn Chicken: A dish that certainly packed a punch of flavors. It was spicy because of the dried red chilies lending a deep, smoky flavor. The Sichuan peppercorns has a numbing sensation that is often described as "mala" in Chinese cuisine. Yes, we have had some exceptional Chinese cuisine in UAE and have heard it several times on YouTube. It certainly had its distinctive in flavor and made the dish and experience unique. The chicken was crispy as you’d expect popcorn chicken to be, but the meat was barely there. A heavy mix of cornstarch and spices but pretty low on the actual meat. The use of aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions was definitely appreciated.

Beef with Black Pepper: Sharp and pungent in taste, but loaded with bell peppers. Heavy use of soy sauce made the dish saltier than we anticipated. We were hoping for the beef to be stir fried, but it tasted almost boiled and lacked the juiciness and tenderness we’ve grown to enjoy in Asian cuisines. This was a miss for sure. It came out steaming hot though so wonder what went wrong.

Kung pao Chicken: Small chunks of chicken with a generous amount of peanuts. Savory, sweet, and spicy. Very fragrant, but also a lot milder than the popcorn chicken. Heavy use of the Sichuan pepper but balanced out real neat with steamed rice.

Steamed Rice: I’m not the one to be rating steamed rice because how can you go wrong with something as basic as cooking rice? Well, the rice was definitely gooey in places and really hard textured in others.

The lack of communication with the waitress along with her hurriedness kind of ruined the experience we were hoping to have. The food is good, but I’m sure if we tagged along with our Asian friends they would have better recommendations and maybe be able to get the dishes the place is known for. Definitely a place I would recommend you to visit if you know what exactly to get...

My partner and I were excited to try this restaurant based on the other reviews. We had the spicy potstickers, Szechuan short ribs, pepper chicken, and egg rolls. Portion size is not an issue. Service & atmosphere could have been better.

We came in at 1:55 on a weekday knowing the restaurant would be closing at 2:30pm. They perked up considerably when we asked for to-go containers after our food arrived and told them we were aware they’d be closing soon. We were aware of the time they closed and just intended to have a quick bite (knowing we’d be in and out) but I feel like we should’ve been met with the same level of customer care from the moment we walked in, not just a positive shift after they knew we’d be leaving before 2:30. There was no music playing and the TV was on but muted so it was quiet in the restaurant and a bit awkward. We just played our own music from a phone so it felt more comfortable. We were not met with a warm welcome and felt a bit rushed, like we were imposing though the restaurant was still open based on the demeanor of our servers.

The appetizers were the highlights of our dining experience. Egg rolls were not the flaky kind & you get two in one order with a side of mustard & a side of sweet & sour sauce. I was a big fan of them.

The spicy potstickers came 6 in an order and were a decent size. The chili sauce was delicious and we even added the extra sauce from the potstickers to our other dishes.

Szechuan Ribs: THIS DISH CONTAINS PEANUTS The Szechuan ribs were a great texture and cooked well. Neither of us had Szechuan prior to this experience so the flavor was good but probably one we’d need to acquire to really love it. Still not bad.

Lastly, the pepper chicken. This item comes with white rice. The menu said it came with green and red pepper, so we were expecting bell peppers, not jalapeños. The were a few red bell peppers but A LOT of jalapeños. Too many, really. The dish was spicy but lacked depth of flavor and was very one-note. Adding a sweet element really completed the dish so I’d recommend asking for sweet and sour sauce if you order this dish by itself.

All in all, decent experience and I would...

Rating Reflection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟ChiliSpot is a vibrant gem for those looking to delve into the rich flavors of Sichuan cuisine in St. Louis. It’s a journey of taste that leaves you wanting more.

Vibrant Decor: 🖼️✨The restaurant greets you with its clean and simplistic design, punctuated by colorful wall art that adds a dash of vibrancy to the dining atmosphere. It’s a space where simplicity and elegance converge, offering a visually pleasing experience.

Exemplary Service: 🙋‍♂️👏Service at ChiliSpot is top-notch. Paul, our server, navigated our menu changes and substitutions with finesse, ensuring that every detail of our order was precisely executed. His exceptional service greatly enhanced our dining experience.

Flavorful Feast: 🍜🌶️For a first-time foray into Sichuan cuisine, ChiliSpot did not disappoint. The menu breaks away from the typical Americanized Chinese dishes, offering a selection that feels authentic and adventurous. The Mongolian Beef, Chicken with Red and Green Pepper, and Beef with Black Pepper were all bursting with bold, authentic flavors. A word of caution to the spice-averse: many dishes pack a punch, so come prepared for a heat-filled adventure!

In Retrospect: 🤔ChiliSpot offers more than just a meal; it’s a culinary exploration that immerses you in the depths of Sichuan cuisine. The combination of a pleasant ambiance, impeccable service, and deliciously authentic food makes it a standout dining destination.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Good”“ChiliSpot: A Symphony of Sichuan in St. Louis.”

If you’re craving an authentic Sichuan experience with a side of exceptional service, ChiliSpot is your go-to destination. Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the...