Eating at San Mateo's Little Sichuan Restaurant can be a hot, hot, hot experience. The dry fried chicken, shown here, and Ma Po Tofu (pictured below) were almost too much. Yet it was tasty, hearty, and good. Combining jalapenos and Sichuan dried chilies offered potent heat. There was also a pleasant hint of sweetness with the chicken that helped balance the spicy seasoning.
We specified that the food be hot spice wise, and Little Sichuan delivered. I noticed other chile eaters sweating and smiling. Many had Chinese beer, tea, and water. On some tables, there were bowls of broth with red chile oil or liquid on top that intrigued. Worth another visit.
Others may complain about the service, which can be spotty. On weekday lunch visits the service isn't always consistently good. Also, the restaurant has a worn feel. But I'm not going for decor or service. The spicy food with ample servings over rules these quibbles.
The restaurant has it's own parking lot, which is a bonus for the downtown San Mateo area. Also, you can walk through the "Mother Ship" Draeger's food emporium before or after your meal. It's right next door....
Little Sichuan Restaurant
168 E. 4th Avenue
San Mateo, CA
650.345.9168
This looks like a great recipe, especially with the jalapeno peppers taking front and center like that. Keep up the great jalapeno work!
Posted by: Jalapeno Madness | May 22, 2008 at 06:37 AM
Glad you like it, Jalapeno Madness.
Posted by: Mary/Jalapeno Girl | May 22, 2008 at 05:08 PM
I think Little Sichuan is great and, what's more, gets the stamp of approval from my (Chinese) parents. If you haven't had it there (or anywhere) yet, try the "bai rou," which translates to "white meat" and refers to slices of fatty pork belly that is served in a spicy oil sauce. Not good for your figure, but good for your tongue, if you don't mind the heat. I'm a wuss when it comes to spicy-hot, but I always find it worth the scorching. Sometimes the dish can be very clumsy, with the fat coming out with a very unappetizing consistency, but the times I've had it at Little Sichuan, they got the fat rendered to just the right level of silkiness.
I *think* it's on the standard menu and rendered in English for easy ordering by non-Chinese.
Anyway, Little Sichuan isn't as well-mannered as some other places and is, as you say, worn-looking. But the food is excellent, as are the prices.
P.S. De-lurking for the first time with this comment, but I've been enjoying your blog for a while now. Rock on.
Posted by: Chester | June 05, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Chester-Bai Rou sounds great! Thanks for the heads up....
Posted by: Jalapeno Girl | June 06, 2008 at 10:26 AM