Branching out can be a tricky step when it comes to trying new delivery places. When it’s Chinese, perhaps the wiliest beast on the fast food delivery circuit, there’s reason to be suspect.
Hoping to solve this late-night dilemma, six amateur judges gave a blind taste test of Orange Beef, General Tso’s Chicken and Chicken Fried Rice from Kitchen No. 1, Hunan Peking and Best Hunan. The restaurants were graded on price, speediness of delivery, taste and texture.
With a total coming to $31.70, Hunan Peking was Johnny-on-the-spot, arriving first with a delivery time of 25 minutes. One minute later Kitchen No. 1 pulled up with their $28.35 order. Best Hunan was the slowest, bringing their $27.50 order 35 minutes after receiving it.
Kitchen No. 1 and Hunan Peking had the most generous portions. The extra food wasn’t welcome when it came to Kitchen No. 1’s Orange Beef, however. It had a sharp, almost alcoholic tang, as well as an unappetizing texture one judge described as “squishy.” Kitchen No. 1 received no votes.
In the other corner with superior crispiness and a variety of cooked vegetables, Best Hunan’s beef took the cake in this category with a final count of 0-2-4.
Hunan Peking stole the show with their crispy General Tso’s Chicken, accompanied by a sweet yet substantive sauce that struck with a kick. The chicken also had a slightly smoky flavor that gave it a fuller overall taste.
Although Best Hunan’s General Tso’s Chicken took second saddle to Hunan Peking’s, it was still tasty. Their chicken was crispier than Pecking’s yet lacked the fullness of taste. For more hardcore Tso’s lovers, however, Best Hunan may be the way to go since it packed a stronger punch. The votes went 0-5-1 in favor of Hunan Peking.
If you’re into good Chicken Fried Rice, stay clear of Kitchen No. 1 since their bland rendition contained neither vegetables nor egg. Hunan Peking, however, impressed the judges with smoky flavored chicken, tasty egg and a good variety of vegetables. The rice, vegetables and egg all had distinct tastes that stood out, making the dish less monotonous than the others. The final rice count was 0-5-1 for Hunan Peking.
The winner of the evening was Hunan Peking, with five out of six judges choosing it as the best overall. Best Hunan was a close second. The difference came down to the portion size and taste, the most important fields. Kitchen No. 1, perhaps having an off night, didn’t win a single category. They may receive a second chance, however. The final analysis is being held off until we see which of restaurants’ cookie’s fortunes come true, but that’s no honorable way to win.
