Szechuan Bistro 炳哥川菜
Harry · 360 Google reviewsSzechuan Bistro 炳哥川菜 — chinese in Chinatown. It has that lived-in, been-here-forever warmth. The cooking is rooted in real tradition. "The fish were well cooked and tender while the beef slices were chewy and well seasoned" — Harry [$$]
What 89 diners keep saying
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What 89 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Best Szechuan food in Chicago!!!! All the dishes here are truly amazing and made with so much care. The quality of the dishes shine through, the price is great and the portions huge. The cauliflower stir fry and the spicy fried chicken were my personal favorites! My Chinese friend that brought me here frequents this place and you could tell that everyone in the restaurant was here from word of mouth. We waited 30 minutes for a table though, having arrived at peak dinner time.”
“so upset i didn’t try this place out sooner. it’s located in the basement where a large variety of food stalls are located. we got the house special spicy and peppercorn flavors which were so fragrant. was a little spicy but so good, we couldn’t stop eating. we even took the peppercorn broth home to cook more stuff in it. not to mention, each protein was cooked to perfection, was so tender! a true hidden gem in chinatown”
“This is the best authentic Sichuan food I’ve had in Chicago—and in the entire United States. I’ve lived in many big cities, and nothing compares. When I lived in Chicago for six years, I would go here or order from this place at least once a week. Now I’ve moved to another state, and the only time I get to visit Chicago is during my annual conference (thank goodness for that). I take the Red Line three stops each day just to eat at this humble food court spot in Chinatown. I’m so happy to hear that the hard-working couple behind it is opening a proper restaurant near Xiao Tai Pei (still in Chinatown). They truly deserve it. I love everything on their menu, but my regular orders are: 藤椒活鱼 (Fish fillet with Sichuan pepper) 麻辣鱼 (Spicy and numbing fish) 夫妻肺片 (Sliced beef and offal in chili sauce) 麻辣牛肉片 (Spicy sliced beef) 干锅海鲜 (Dry pot seafood) 担担面 (Dan dan noodles) 青豆肉沫茄子 (Eggplant with minced pork and green beans) 蟹粉豆腐 (Tofu with crab roe) I can’t list everything—it makes me too sad typing this at the airport, leaving Chicago. I will be BACK!”
“This is literally my favorite place in Chinatown. It is such a hole in the wall and food is so authentic that only mainlanders go here. You have to go downstairs in the basement of the king karaoke place. This is a no frills place - you go up to order and pick up the food when it’s ready. The portions are made to share. I highly recommend the eggplant pork dish and the pickled cabbage fish soup!”
“Great authentic Szechuan cuisine! Cashier was very helpful and friendly, our dishes came out fast and hot, and the portions were generous. We got the Ma Po Tofu and Eggplant & Green beans and thought it was DELICIOUS! Will definitely be back 🤤.”
“So authentic! One of the best of the best Chinese restaurants in Chicago!”
“Mapo tofu and scallion pancakes have long been on my bucket list and I was happy to see both of them on the same menu. Both were absolutely delicious, the mapo tofu wasn't very spicy but definitely mouth numbing as you'd expect from Sichuan cuisine and the portion was MASSIVE. The scallion pancakes were very nice as well, although a bit tough. Came here starving and left full and with like a kilogram of food left, got it to go and the lady at the register was super nice and fun to talk to. Overall great place, would love to try the other dishes when I get to visit again next week. Until then I will be enjoying the leftovers for the next 2 days 🫃🫃”
“Mouth watering chicken was off the chain good. Noodles were mediocre. Service was a little slow even though it was lunch rush.”
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