Szechuan Gourmet - Toronto

This place has mythical status... Been around forever and very popular with the local crowds. We moved out of the neighborhood years ago, but still make the trip to this restaurant once in a while.

My family has been eating here for 26 years, since I was a child and the food and service has always been better than any restaurant in Chinatown or midtown!

I originally read through the numerous reviews for this restaurant.... many 5 star and many not. I decided to try the place myself with a party of five.We had a reservation so we need not worry about waiting. We were greeted at the entrance by the hostess (our experience matched several others in that she was not the happiest person to deal with). We were seated promptly. The server did not offer us water until we were at the table several minutes and we ended up asking for water.We ordered the crispy beef, pork ribs, beef spring rolls, general tsao chicken and chicken lo mein. All the dishes did not arrive together... each plate had a five minute interval so when the last plate arrived the first wasn't hot.The crispy beef was unlike anything we saw before.. it resembled falafel, big pieces. When we tried to bite into then it was like a rock... more crispy coating than beef! The ribs tasted ok, but were not very meaty. The beef spring rolls were good... not as wonderful as many other reviewers claim to be. The general tsao chicken was just unlike any we tasted before... Not sweet and spicy nor red coloured... very bland and served in a soy sauce. The chicken lo mein was ok, but was cold when we started eating and soaked in soy sauce... It seems the same sauce is used for all the dishes... a bland soy based sauce, brown and unappetizing. Everything blended together on the plate into a bland, brown heap.Overall, I have to side with the not 5 star reviewers... the food is not consistent and is unappetizing at times. I am beginning to believe the 5 star reviews were compensated for their contributions.This was our first and last time dining here... very disappointing.

Very affordable prices, excellent menu choices, food is delicious and the plates are big. Highly recommended, good value, hearty meals.

Absolutely delicious lemon chicken. Will be back soon. Nice staff, good washrooms, a little upscale but treat yourself sometimes.