The General Tso’s debate

Submitted by TheMiddlePoli t3_zvcw8t in pittsburgh

Ever since coming to Pittsburgh I have been trying to find the best of my 2 favorite comfort foods, Pizza and General Tso’s. I still haven’t tried a couple Pizza Places, But I’ve went through all (highly) recommended General Tso’s dishes in the city - My top 3 are.

(1) Cambod-Ican 9.6: This was the pinnacle of a combination of Crispness, Chicken quality, and owner’s themselves. Loved everything about it, Only downside was cash only - and rice could be a little better. Get the crab-rangoons as well, best I’ve ever had.

(2) Sesame-Inn on McKnight 8.0: Yes I tried the Mt Lebo one as well, somehow McKnight beat it by a pretty good margin. I asked to make it spicy too, Since I heard it was slightly too sweet.

(3) Chinatown Inn 7.8: Honestly had a bit higher hopes for this one, It was pretty unique and I loved the interior, But still good. Got all white meat for this one.

For all these places I got takeout.

-Ratings are not on broad scale for “food” as a whole, They are for margin purposes-

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Comments

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ICYaLata t1_j1ohxmo wrote

The Amazing Chicken from Sesame Garden on Mt Washington is fantastic.

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Snoo_26638 t1_j1olffx wrote

Try Hong Kong, China 2. On 2nd avenue in downtown.

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Twatnocker t1_j1oni75 wrote

Silk Road in the south hills is good.

I might do the same thing except with crab rangoon.

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bearsharkbear3 t1_j1oo5n1 wrote

No one would have wasted time on this when Zaw’s was open on Murray.

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FertilityFoes t1_j1or6aw wrote

The General Tsos at Oriental Express in Wexford is the best I've ever had anywhere.

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matt_1060 t1_j1orxgn wrote

The best general tso is from China Wok on fifth ave. Ask them to make it hotter/ spicy 🌶 if you want more heat

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lutzcody t1_j1ostoe wrote

Sushi too in shadyside has a very good general Tso

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Borkborkwolf t1_j1owyfw wrote

Yei fe in Robinson, with the white meat 👍🏻👍🏻

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rae1104 t1_j1oxi8b wrote

Lins Asian fusion - south side

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thedamnwolves t1_j1oy3yl wrote

Throwing in for Taipei Tokyo in Monroeville. I didn't think I liked General Tso's that much until I had theirs. And when you ask for extra spicy they actually make it extra spicy.

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padredan t1_j1p1wtx wrote

Yes - totally agree on Cambod-Ican! It’s not what I’d call traditional General Tso’s but I find it to be the most interesting, unique version and not overly sweet.

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Romeos_Crying t1_j1p2a4u wrote

Jimmy Wan's in Fox Chapel. I used to get it once a month when I worked at UPMC St. Margaret's and still drive down to get it every so often. The meat quality is amazing. Could use a little more spiciness but really good quality and not too expensive.

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Kolintracstar t1_j1pq9j6 wrote

You aren't wrong that the Sesame Inn in Mt. Lebanon is worse, I have also gone to it a couple times and it is hard to tell that it is the place, because of the quality difference.

Also one place to check out, is Number 1 Kitchen off of brownsville road next to the shop n save. It may not look like much being a small corner place, but it is the best cheap chinese food you will find (and even better than some more expensive places). Part of it is that it has been there for decades at this point, and what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in quality.

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Adventurous_Result16 t1_j1prba4 wrote

It’s been mentioned, but have you had Silk Road in Caste Village in Whitehall? Incredible. Spicy too.

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Thoraxe474 t1_j1puvyt wrote

God I miss the general tsos at Taiwan Cafe in Oakland. I was there every Friday night. Lining up in that cramped stairwell that looked like you were descending into a subway station. You'd finally get into that small basement restaurant and line up along the beer fridge wall. Then you'd finally order your delicious general tsos. "One jo chi (sp?) to go!" The cashier would yell to the kitchen, and then she'd turn to me and say "$6.37!" When you finally got it, it was just so damn good. Then later the quality started going downhill and one visit there was a cockroach climbing on the cashier counter that the cashier quickly killed and was acting VERY kind to us afterwards. No cockroaches directly in our food but we didn't go back for a few weeks and then they were closed forever. My heart still aches. I miss you, Taiwan Cafe.

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captainbigcheese t1_j1q0r03 wrote

House of Chen in Cranberry. Personally, I opt for the dark meat version.

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lydriseabove t1_j1q4v3l wrote

Replying to ICYaLata (#1,065,619)

I love this place, I just desperately wish places offered smaller portion options. I usually follow strict dietary restrictions, occasionally want some Chinese as a cheat day, but the portions are enough for 4-6 meals, and I’m not really down with a cheat week.

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sircaseyjames t1_j1q5bzj wrote

Replying to PoorGuyCrypto (#1,071,428)

I mean recent shenanigans aside, that's just not true at all. Those 3 neighborhoods are all very different in their own ways. I loved hanging out in Southside when I first turned 21. Now in my late 20s I strongly prefer Lawrenceville. Different vibes.

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Jurrald_La_Queefious t1_j1q72fv wrote

Osaka in Scott Township in the shopping center across from Benihana. It's kind of a hole in the wall type of place, but they have a nice dining area and the g. tso chicken and shrimp were both top notch (at least the last time I was there, it's been a few years at this point).

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No_Introduction2103 t1_j1qd70y wrote

It’s kind of far not necessarily Pittsburgh but if you make it out to canonsburg the bean curd has amazing general tso

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ohhim t1_j1qfgoi wrote

Replying to bearsharkbear3 (#1,066,416)

If we're including closed places, Silk pagoda's general tso gave Zaw's a run for their money.

Squirrel Hill's general tso scene hasn't been the same ever since, but their authentic Chinese cuisine game is on point.

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Whiplash_666 t1_j1qg63n wrote

Asian House near Kennywood

New Dumpling House on Murray

My local spot now is Lins Garden at rt8 & 910

On a sushi Sude note, I tried Sushi Go in Etna on Rt 8, excellent and the owner was very nice.

Best Pizza is Aiello’s 🤘🏻🤘🏻

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padredan t1_j1qgsoo wrote

Replying to fireballsdeep (#1,070,804)

Worth a revisit - just avoid the 12-2 slot and you are good! I used to have a shop close by back in the days when they used to stay open crazy late - like original Primanti hours before it become a yuppie t-shirt stand that made sandwiches too. The rare times I do make it over now though it is still great - still the same quirky off-kilterness and the food hasn’t changed a lick.

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Romeos_Crying t1_j1ql2ho wrote

Replying to hairyemmie (#1,072,286)

I worked at the Wine and Spirits when it was at the end of the plaza and we would just walk a few doors down and order the launch specials from Taipei like once a week. They were like $6 and decent portions. Little known gem, idk what it was about their ginger ale, but it was amazing. They knew me pretty well and a lot of the times I would just walk down and they would give me ginger ale for free. They would put it in a to-go soup container with ice and cut a hole in the lid then wrap it with plastic. I want some just thinking about it.

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fuzzypenguin11 t1_j1qrdpw wrote

Replying to thedamnwolves (#1,067,703)

I used to work at one of the UPMC buildings up from Taipei and it was our go to for lunch! Couldn’t beat the price or serving size on their lunch specials. And their miso soup is still my favorite to this day. I’ve never eaten a bad thing from there.

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PoorGuyCrypto t1_j1qrwzu wrote

Replying to sircaseyjames (#1,072,790)

I'm in my 40s and rarely out after dark.

During the week though, I'm on Carson daily, and it just feels like a bigger, safer version of Walnut St.

I know this sub in particular is SUPER east end focused, but there are other cool places.

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UnderAboveAverage t1_j1qsh2w wrote

For those who enjoy spicier Chinese food, who makes the best Chongqing Chicken?

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Wouldwoodchuck t1_j1qv944 wrote

Sesame Inn also has shrimp general Tao’s … not to be missed

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jinreeko t1_j1qz426 wrote

General Tso's at Red Tea House is really good. Their Amazing Chicken, yue yung beef, and steamed dumplings too

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sammipm t1_j1qzn2i wrote

Wai wai chinese in bloomfield is the best

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Ikezilla65 t1_j1r2qgl wrote

You gotta go Amazing Duo at the Mcknight sesame inn!

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duckman2092 t1_j1rttji wrote

Mad noodles in the South Side — great General Tso’s tofu and chicken but especially tofu

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satancunt6 t1_j1s2qmc wrote

I think China House in Bloomfield has some of the best General Tso’s - it has a little kick to it too. 😍 Or there’s Szechuan Express in Oakland.

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IrrumaboMalum t1_j1tholp wrote

Replying to Casey531 (#1,081,938)

The House Special mei fun - it's the thin and delicate rice noodles with veggies, beef, pork, chicken and shrimp.

So good.

They also do House Special fried rice and, I think, chow mein. Same concept.

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Small-Cherry2468 t1_j1uyqrd wrote

I really liked the Tso's from the Amazing Wok in Dormont. Huge pieces, really crispy.

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moosedenied t1_j1vkh04 wrote

Angkor Restaurant on Noblestown Road has some of the best GTT I've had in awhile

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FightClubAlumni t1_j1vwzuw wrote

Papaya in Robinson had great General Tso's (And Rangoons) the dowside was they gave you white rice, you needed to order a side of fried rice if you wanted it. Their General Tso's was a lighter, fluffier batter than I have ever had anywhere. Sadly, they are closed now since the Pandemic.

Edited to add: Kiyoshi in Moon Township is always great. Delivery is fast. Great service when you eat in. Food is always fresh and delicious. Also has great General Tso's.

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uswforever t1_j28utv1 wrote

Replying to thedamnwolves (#1,067,703)

This place was my favorite for a LONG time. I've been eating there since the mid 90s when it was still called King Wu. Haven't been back in a couple of years because of two or three really disappointing meals. A good friend of mine had similar problems there around the same time. Maybe I'll circle back this week.

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