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

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Fans of American-influenced Chinese grub would be hard-pressed to find a dish not offered at this family-style Inner Sunset restaurant.

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.

10/27/06

Not what they claim to be

by foodielover

Andy's does a lot of neighborhood hype, sending out flyers to all the residences toting they have the best Kung Pao chicken - NOT! I asked for the food to be mild & ordered the Kung Pao chicken which was not flavorful, just passe' like what you find at any run of the mill Chinese restaurant. The Mongolian beef was better than the chicken, as noted by a previous reviewer. It certainly had more flavor. The dry fried string bean was crunchy and not overcooked (good) but I could've made it at home & have it taste the same. Overall, the food here isn't anything to write home about. The cost isn't inexpensive either. These 3 takeout dishes cost $24!! You can get a full 6-8 course dinner for a large group at inexpensive Chinese restaurants for a little more than that.

• Pros: Willing to make the food mild spicy, Mongolian beef isn't bad
• Cons: Parking. Skip the Kung Pao chicken

08/01/06

Don't order Orange Chicken!

by mjtrev

I am always dissapointed with this place but keep trying different dishes with hopes that I will feel better about it- No luck! The orange chicken was the worst I have ever tasted with chewy chicken and a burnt aftertaste. They don't really seem to care that it is bad either.

Lunch tasted better but still not great.

• Pros: Never a wait
• Cons: Never a good taste

07/22/06

Used to be good but has declined

by nighttripper

When they first opened, their food tasted fresh, veggies still crunched, spices were sharp and clean--but the food has declined into being non-descript chinese food. Even the Kung Pao Chicken they still taut as being "Best" is nothing to write home about anymore; oh, yes, back in the day it was powerful but the original chef must have left. They still do make a truly good Mongolian Beef (but I can't eat spicy food anymore). Otherwise, there isn't much to distinguish Andy's from anywhere else including those places that have steam-table buffet. They even the order completely wrong when you call in for delivery (and who wants to send by delivered food when you've already waited 45-60 mins for it?) because the phone girl isn't focusing on what you tell her. I even once phoned in and specifically said I'd come pick it up, when I got to the restaurant they'd sent it out for delivery and expected me to wait 30 mins until the delivery guy got back! Considering the plethora of chinese restaurants in this town, even in my own little neighborhood, Andy's really ought ot try a little harder.

• Pros: Mongolian Beef is good, if you can't get somewhere better it's edible food
• Cons: Bland food