Comments on: P.F. Chang's: Why it's evil.

By: peterb

peterb — Fri, 06 May 2005 14:59:47 +0000

Amos,

In http://www.tgr.com/weblog/archives/000104.html, psu says:

“After my rant about P. F. Chang’s you might ask, “Pete, where do you get chinese food you like in Pittsburgh?”. Ten or so years ago, my answer would have been “I call my mom and ask her to come into town.” Happily, things have gotten better since the dark days of the mid to late 80s and early 90s. Now I believe that there are four places in town that it is safe to bring your Chinese Mother Who Can Cook for a meal and stand a fairly good chance of not completely blowing it.”

..and goes on from there to talk about them.

See this articles, also:

http://www.tgr.com/weblog/archives/000260.html

I found those by using the Google search bar at the top of the page. Thanks for your feedback.

Hope that helps,

peterb

By: psu

psu — Fri, 06 May 2005 14:55:07 +0000

Here’s where you can go that is better:

1. Chopstick Inn, North Hills.

2. Rose Tea Cafe, Squirrel Hill

3. Tasty, Shadyside. Although I have not tried it lately.

I haven’t seen Dan Dan Noodles around here. Although LUCKY in Wexford used to have an OK version. The existence of Rose Tea makes up for that in my mind.

By: Amos the Poker Cat

Amos the Poker Cat — Fri, 06 May 2005 14:20:09 +0000

Look, I am as much of a snob about eating in little individually run places as the next gourmand. The problem is we are talking about chinese food in Pittsburgh. The PIT. It is not a fluke that is our airport code. Stick a fork in it. This area is done. There is a reason why Zagat does not rate PIT.

In the original post, PSU brings up the obvious low points in the menu. However, he only does half the job. Where are all this secret havens of chinese food in PIT? Is there any other place that serves real dan dan noodles?

Oh, all the Vietnamese food in PIT stinks. While not Vietnamese, PF’s pin noodle soup, only available at lunch, it is the only adequate noodle soup bowl within 100 miles.

Literally.

By: Dr. Click

Dr. Click — Thu, 05 May 2005 21:46:32 +0000

If you like what PF Chang’s serves, why don’t you just go to Panda Express (which is pretty good for what it serves), and save yourself a bunch of cash and a two hour wait? Panda serves the same non-Chinese food as PFC’s, but still give you that same warm feeling that you won’t catch food poisoning or will get served some animal you don’t recognize. Even better, Panda is a big fat chain, so you don’t have to worry that you’ll be exposed as some sort of faggy commie bastard who likes to stick it to THE MAN.

There are only reason two reasons to go to PFC’s: pay a lot of money to sit around in an overdecorated room, and demonstrate that you don’t know jack about either cuisine or managing your discretionary spending.

By: some guy

some guy — Thu, 05 May 2005 20:53:44 +0000

Why must we always rag on the big guy. He used to be just like you. So he wants to let everyone enjoy his offering and make some change on the side. Good for him. PF Changs deserves to be as close to good as they want because many people would rather have it than not. After all nothings perfect nor entirely consistant. As long as thats their goal. PF CHANGS RULES!!!!!!!

By: hugh

hugh — Thu, 05 May 2005 01:38:39 +0000

You’ve really gotten yourself into a froth over a restaurant. When I don’t like something, I usually ignore it. I guess some people just like whining, though.

Let me guess: You’re one of these “NO BLOOD 4 OIL DOWN WITH AMERIKKKA” types, aren’t you?

By: Curious

Curious — Wed, 04 May 2005 22:38:59 +0000

I am just curious, for people who work at PF Changs, how much are you making an hour as a host or server?

By: Xian Plus

Xian Plus — Wed, 04 May 2005 20:59:54 +0000

Wow. Who knew PF Changs was some sort of test of social acceptability, sexual orientation and suitability for companionship? I always thought it was the Chi-Chis of Chinese food, but more expensive.

But I don’t know why PSU got so worked up about it. As I see it, the peope at PF Changs are NEVER going to go find something independent and different. I say leave them where they are. They know they’re going to get sick if they try a non-corporate food experience, so why disgruntle them? (After their comments I am sure PSU will appreciate the wisdom of this policy.)

FWIW, I’ve had one pretty decent “Chinese inspired” meal at a PF Changs and one horrible disgusting one. Both taken at the same location, a couple of years apart.

By: educatedsource

educatedsource — Tue, 03 May 2005 15:10:20 +0000

Reading the initial post reminds me of somone who really doesn’t understand taste and/or class, and probably doesn’t have a girlfriend because how would your girl feel if your idea of having a special night out included your traditional “hole-in-the-wall” special chinese hut instead of a respectable, clean, and wine and dine offering night at a P.F. Chang’s? Of course you wouldn’t really know, would you?

By: PF kneeeeees Changs

PF kneeeeees Changs — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 18:35:39 +0000

I also work at PF Changs, and I agree that it is a evil corporate monster, but I just wanted to set the record straight…there is no hoisin sauce in the dandan noodles (or anything by that matter…it just comes with the cantonese duck and the mu shu dishes) , the special sauce is made of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, chili paste, hot mustard, chili oil, and white vinegar, and ma po tofu only has broccoli in it. The food may be totally boring, but people love predictability and that is why they come in. Honestly, we try too hard, for sure, but I am just happy to be employed somewhere. I need to pay for college, and working at the YMCA wasn’t cutting it.