You got busy, and it's too late to cook. Or you can't be bothered tonight. Or you just feel like going out, but you don't feel like spending money. Whatever. You need prepared food, you want it cheap, and for some reason, you think you're entitled to have it be tasty and satisfying.
Well, you've come to the right place. I already told you about Ricky Thai on NE 123rd Street at about 17th Avenue, and Vega's Burger, about 3/4 of a block east of there. Too far to go? Not to worry. Check these places out.
Harvey and Vicki Bilt go to King's Chef Chinese Restaurant all the time. Well not all the time, as in every day. Not more than twice a week, I'm told. And they don't eat there. They get take-out, which is the only thing that makes sense at King's Chef. King's Chef is in that scuzzy strip mall where Presidente Supermarket and Jimmy's are. Its actual address is 476 NE 125 Street, but you wouldn't easily find it from the address. It's sort of behind Jimmy's, lost in a mind-numbing line of tiny storefronts. Take NE 6 Avenue to 123 Street, go west to the end, take a right onto W Dixie, make the U turn at the end, and take a right into the parking lot. King's Chef is right there in front of you.
Harvey told me about King's Chef, so I'm telling you. Here's why you don't eat there. It's way too small. They have a few tiny tables, but you wouldn't be comfortable. And if you were there by yourself, you would have to enjoy the pictures on the wall, which are many cheap photographs of exotic cars, about which you couldn't care less, or you'd have to watch whatever nonsense was on the TV. So don't plan to eat there.
Here's why you take their food home. It's terrific. Better than you would have thought from some nondescript "Chinese restaurant" dive in a crummy strip mall. I haven't yet eaten anything I didn't very much like there. It's a lot of food, and it's cheap. And it's really good. Not only do they serve typical Chinese dishes, but they have specialties. Get them. They're particularly proud of their mixed wonton and egg drop soup. As well they should be. Also the duck. They promote it, Harvey and Vicki love it, and I agree. They have a whole list of "chef's special recommendations," and all the ones I've had are excellent. So is the rest of the menu. And entrees come with rice and salad. It's more than you will eat, unless you have a partner. What's listed as hot is close enough. I'm not a good judge, since I like food spicier than it typically is, but if I can detect heat, it's there. And I could detect it, barely.
The other great thing about King's Chef is the people who own and operate it. It's a family. Before you know it, they know you, and you know them. The second time I was there, which was months after the first time I was there, the girl behind the counter, the owners' daughter, who is in college for...oh, never mind, this is what happens when you meet these people, asked me if I was going to have what I had last time. Last time? That was months ago! She remembered, though. And as far as I remembered, she was right. You gotta love it. So do try King's Chef. I doubt they know me by name, though who knows, but say Harvey and Vicki sent you.
The other really good place is a pizza place. It goes by the captivating and inventive name of "My Pizzeria." It's at 653 NE 125 Street. Drive slow, or you'll miss it. It's in the west-bound lane, sort of across the street from Taco Bell. I don't know how I found out about My Pizzeria, except I got a flyer somewhere. Either it came in the mail, or someone put it on my door, or it was left under my windshield wiper in the parking lot where my office is. Why I kept it is beyond me. I usually fling stuff like this. But one day recently, I was having friends over, I decided I didn't feel like cooking, and I thought I'd give My Pizzeria a shot. Mario the Baker is gone, I dislike Domino's, the other Mario's Pizza is not that good, Steve's is OK, and the place people like down south of Miami Shores (starts with an A) is not my favorite.
Anyway, I got two different pizzas from My Pizzeria. Terrific. Every part of the pizza was exceptionally good. The crust is thinnish and has a perfect taste and texture. The sauce is flavorful, but not heavy. The toppings were well-proportioned and ample, but not overbearing. The cheese was tasty, well-balanced and not too imposing. And my friends really liked the pizzas, too. So I've been back, I love their food, the price is very good, and I'm more than satisfied. The owner has what sounds like a middle eastern accent, and for what it's worth, he loves the Mona Lisa. He has a large poster of it on the wall, and a smaller one on the counter. And other nice posters, too.
You'd more likely eat there than you would at King's Chef, only because there's more room, but it's really not a night out of the house. It's take-home. And excellent take-home.
Now there are three other places I have to try. Linda Dillon says to try Lemoni's and Lost and Found Cafe, both in or near the design district. I'll get to them soon. Also, David Tunnell now owns a place called Lagniappe on NE 2 Avenue, just south of 36 Street. I've heard about it not only from him, but also from Candido Sosa-Cruz and Barbara Watts. It's partly a food experience and partly music. Somehow, I have a feeling there's no lagniappe involved. Will let you know.
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