06/29/09

Faded a lont time ago

by ControlledKaos

When Andy's opened on 9th Ave. many years ago, it was excellent but it's gone progressively downhill. Even the chicken kung pao they tout as the best in town is mediocre now. It used to be firey with lots of crunch. It has most of the usual chinese-american fare (except Gen. Tso's chicken but I bet they could easily make it if you asked). Sweet & sout pork--a standard--isn't even good. I order delivery from here because it's close to home so the food will arrive hot and it is convenient. Oh, and no one I know has ever gotten sick from eating their food. The Chef's Specials aren't even worth having (it only makes you wonder why the chef has such limited skills). Their Mongolian Beef is better than other places' I"ve had. They also have crispy flounder which isn't always available elsewhere. But no salt & pepper chicken wings. The seafood menu is especially limited. It's rather sad considering all the GREAT dishes the Chinese in general can make. Lke most ethnic restaurants, they've "dummied down" their dishes to appeal to western taste. They should call these restaurants "American-Chinese style" so you know the spices aren't going to be true, hot won't be very hot, they're going to put carrots in there, etc.

• Pros: Convenient to home, they deliver, never got sick from eating
• Cons: Food is bland, uninspired, limited to common dishes

05/23/08

Solid Chinese Food Delivered all over town

by AkronAl

I haven't written many reviews, but I felt the need to chime in on Andy's.

I love Chinese food, and have eaten it all over San Francisco, the midwest, and everywhere I travel. I don't claim to be a connosieur, but I am a bit of a foodie. When in the City, Andy's has been my go to Chinese restaurant for delivery for about seven years.

Andy's provides solid Chinese food delivery for a decent price. I am eating it right now. I got Pork Chow Mein and Kung Pao Chicken delivered to the Lower Haight in about 20 minutes, for $15. I used to get delivery from there when I lived in the Sunset (27th Ave), usually in even less time. Andy's is by no means the best Chinese food in San Francisco - there are a half dozen restaurants I can think of that have better food. However, they are the best delivery Chinese food I've found in The City, and they serve a broad area.

I've tried a lot on the menu. The BBQ Pork Chow Mein is a huge portion. I always get mine spicy with no veggies - any dish made is to order as you like it. They have yet to botch an order for me, which is good, because my wife hates spicy food and loves veggies (I guess opposites attract!). The noodles are soba thickness, slightly chewy, and accompanied by tangy slivers of BBQ pork. And since I asked for it spicy, it is mouth tingling-so.

The Kung Pao is also good. I get the chicken or shrimp. I like the slices of peppers that give the dish heat. I get mine without green onion. The sauce is rich, the peanuts toasted to bring out the flavor.

The meat postickers from Andy's are great. Actually, it's the sauce. It's as good as any I've ever had - sweet and tangy. The dumplings are pan fried crisp on oneside, slightly doughy on the other.

Most of the rest menu is pretty average - the fried rice, sweet & sour, steamed pork buns, egg rolls, soups - are all acceptable without being exceptional. Sit down places can provide more, for sure. But for delivery, Andy's is dependable, quick, and affordable.

• Pros: delivery area, size of menu, service, speed, dependability
• Cons: mostly above average but unexceptional food

02/22/07

Good food gone BAD

by partyparadise

Andy's used to be the only place in town to get good Chinese food, even in a neighborhood full of a variety of restaurants. Their green onion pancakes, breaded garlic chicken, etc. used to be the bomb. I have been going there for about 15 years and they have steadily gone down hill. The most recent experience left me with a sense TO NEVER return no matter what. The green onion pancakes are not even closely related to their predecessors, and they can't even make a decent fried won ton anymore. Saddened to see such a great place go down the tubes.