Outstanding cold szechuan noodles and dan dan noodles from the Westmont location today. As good as ever. I also tried stir fry beef noodles, which was fine. The noodles themselves were, of course, great. The flavors were good not great, and there was too much oil.

I did learn a couple of nuggets. First, while I assumed the the Oak Park location was now back to being an offshoot of the original given that they share a website, the person I spoke with in Westmont confirmed that Oak Park is a franchise and not run by the same chef. Second, and this is a bummer, after yet another failed attempt to get the incredible cold beef tendon dish (ma la niu jin) that used to be a fixture in the cooler, I asked if it was ever coming back. I was told that the chef who made it retired a couple of years ago and nobody there can pull it off. Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights.

cilantro wrote:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights.

How does the dish differ from Szechuan tendon and maw dish available at many places (to differing degrees of success)?

Edit: After looking up the Chinese word, it doesn't appear different from the dish Szechuan JMC does best, IMO.

bweiny wrote:

cilantro wrote:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights.

How does the dish differ from Szechuan tendon and maw dish available at many places (to differing degrees of success)?

Similar flavors (because of Sichuan peppercorns and chili), but "Husband and wife lung slices" (fuqi feipian) usually has actual meat, whereas the tendon dish is literally just sliced tendon. The texture is different, too -- chewier? In a pleasant way.

Here's a random image I found online:

cilantro wrote:Similar flavors (because of Sichuan peppercorns and chili), but "Husband and wife lung slices" (fuqi feipian) usually has actual meat, whereas the tendon dish is literally just sliced tendon. The texture is different, too -- chewier? In a pleasant way.

Here's a random image I found online

That's the same image I saw at the top of the results. I guess I just recall more of that in the JMC version. I love the chewiness of it and the tripe.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:. . . Second, and this is a bummer, after yet another failed attempt to get the incredible cold beef tendon dish (ma la niu jin) that used to be a fixture in the cooler, I asked if it was ever coming back. I was told that the chef who made it retired a couple of years ago and nobody there can pull it off. Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

I agree that the analogous version at JMC -- heavy on peanuts and celery -- is excellent . . .


Ox Tendon & Maw in Chili Sauce at Szechuan JMC Kitchen (20.0313)

I also had a solid version at Lao Sze Chuan in Highland Park last month. Recent reports about consistency at the various LSC are all over the place -- and with good reason -- so, proceed with caution. Our meal there was filled with misses but the cold beef and tendon was among the better dishes we had.

=R=

cilantro wrote:

bweiny wrote:

cilantro wrote:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights.

How does the dish differ from Szechuan tendon and maw dish available at many places (to differing degrees of success)?

Similar flavors (because of Sichuan peppercorns and chili), but "Husband and wife lung slices" (fuqi feipian) usually has actual meat, whereas the tendon dish is literally just sliced tendon. The texture is different, too -- chewier? In a pleasant way.

This is definitely what I'm looking for. Nothing but well spiced thin cut tendon that can melt into a bowl of hot rice. Thanks for the Asian Bistro tip.

While I've been in Chicago regularly lately, I hadn't had a chance to get over to Katy's for about a year. The proprietress remembered me, which I shall take to be a positive about me since she engaged me in conversation while I was waiting for my standard "pork fried noodle a little spicy" order. She assured me that business has continued to be solid in the year since I had been there.

The aforementioned retired older gentleman cook made the noodles a little better, but this is still an amazing dish which I have considerable trouble finding anywhere near the same quality out of state.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:

cilantro wrote:

bweiny wrote:

cilantro wrote:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone know where I can get a decent version elsewhere?

Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights.

How does the dish differ from Szechuan tendon and maw dish available at many places (to differing degrees of success)?

Similar flavors (because of Sichuan peppercorns and chili), but "Husband and wife lung slices" (fuqi feipian) usually has actual meat, whereas the tendon dish is literally just sliced tendon. The texture is different, too -- chewier? In a pleasant way.

This is definitely what I'm looking for. Nothing but well spiced thin cut tendon that can melt into a bowl of hot rice. Thanks for the Asian Bistro tip.

While not as good, one of the stalls at the International Mall Food Court in Westmont had a decent version. Convenience won out as it's right down the street from Katy's.

threadkiller wrote:While I've been in Chicago regularly lately, I hadn't had a chance to get over to Katy's for about a year. The proprietress remembered me, which I shall take to be a positive about me since she engaged me in conversation while I was waiting for my standard "pork fried noodle a little spicy" order. She assured me that business has continued to be solid in the year since I had been there..

Good to know they're still putting out good stuff...I haven't been in a year - the last couple of times it wasn't quite as awesomely mala-y as it had been in the past. Hope to check in our again soon...

Was in the area today -- quite a way from home -- and took advantage by stopping into Katy's for a nice lunch . . .


Dan Dan Noodles


Pork Napa Potstickers


Stir-Fried String Beans
Hard to see in this pic but there was still steam rising off of these when they hit the table. Talk about wok hei!


Pork & Onion Stir Fried Pancake
My usual favorite at Katy's and it was solid but on this visit, the dan dan earned the top spot.


Salt & Pepper Fried Smelts (special)

Really good stuff. I especially liked the dan dan and the string beans. As others have posted above, dumplings were not quite what they once were but not for a lack of effort. The entire team was assembling them -- fresh, from scratch -- in the kitchen as we were leaving. Really glad I had occasion to be in the area and next time it happens, I'll definitely stop in for another meal at Katy's.

=R=

Ronnie, every one of those dishes looks absolutely perfect. I've got to get back down there one of these days.

Dry Chili smelt needs to be a thing somewhere. 3 Chili might be good if not too sweet.

Mom, Dad, and I have been visiting graves of long gone relatives. Some we never once visited and others we thought were long gone as in dug up. Did you know you may request your relative's stone be raised up after sinking so long ago nobody knew it was still there. Yes, this is how we have spent our weekends this summer.

On the plus side, it means we are away from home when we get hungry. On one occasion, I finally got my Dad to Gene and Jude's. And a few weeks ago, it was an opportunity to visit Katy's Dumplings. (You think your gps is smart? It did not understand my repeated requests for Katy's Noodles. I had to google to figure out I was wrong!)

My Dad ordered Mongolian Beef, which I do not recommend. What do I know? My Dad thought it was good.

We ordered pork and chive dumplings encased in a green colored dumpling skin. I really liked the filling and appreciated the made-on-the-premises dumpling skin. I wished I ordered more dumplings.

I did order the pork and onion stir fried pancake. It just did not have the lovely mouth feel I recalled. When I compared pictures from 2006 to 2022, I understood better my reaction. Let those pancakes bunch up, it makes a difference!

July, 2022:


September, 2006:


Walking through the kitchen to the bathroom, I saw the eggrolls. It appeared they made the skins for that, too. All was well until they delivered the sweet and mustard sauces. They were not in pourable bottles, they were the take-out packet kind. Really?

I stopped by Mee-Mah for their egg rolls recently. Before I got there, I was ready to ask for their standard table sauce instead of take-out packets. When I looked in the bag, their in-house sauce was in there. No need to say a word.

I am sure sometime I will visit Katy's, though next time in the area I will check out the International Mall. It is always the fight in my brain over which to visit with Katy almost always winning out. I think this last visit helps tip curiosity in International Mall's favor.

Regards,
CAthy2

We visited Katy's Westmont. The Dan Dan noodles were fantastic, the dumplings outstanding. I was extremely happy.

It's a disgrace that proper Szechuan/Dumplings is so scarce around these parts....

Hoorary Katy!