I don’t believe in the idea of a “guilty pleasure” because one should never feel guilty about anything that’s pleasurable. I’m not afraid to admit that I love watching train wrecks on television, reading advanced celebrity gossip, and eating Chinese fast food.
While I could go on (and on) about my appreciation of the former two, this post is a homage to the latter. Admittedly, Chinese-American fare is oftentimes strangely sweet, extremely greasy, and hardly authentic. But in spite of these unsavory characteristics, The Astronomer and I have a soft spot for the stuff.
My penchant for Chinese-style fast food started during high school. Whenever my mom was too tired to cook on a Friday night, she forked over ten bucks and the car keys. That’s when Panda Express’ orange chicken came into my life. The Astronomer was initiated during his high school years as well. His first encounter was at the Galleria Mall in Birmingham. When college rolled around, we both had Cheng Hing on speed dial. Mmm, plum sauce.
Our outing to Chinese Gourmet Express was completely impulsive. I tell you, once the munchies hit, they cannot be denied. Between the two of us, we shared the two item combo with orange chicken, black pepper beef and a heap of chow mein. Is it just me or does this type of food taste best when it’s packed up in Styrofoam and eaten with plastic ware?
Even though it was kind of eerie how each of the items tasted exactly like its counterpart in distant lands like Alabama and Pennsylvania, we enjoyed it all immensely. We left Chinese Gourmet Express satisfied and greasy lipped.
What’s your not-so-guilty pleasure?
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Chinese Gourmet Express
330 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: 626-568-3559
Even though I REALLY don’t like either separately, I’m kind of addicted to ritz crackers with canned frosting. Send help…
Cheese puffs. NOT Cheetos, but the softer kind.
Shh…
And I adore the crunchy cheesies! And jalapeno crisps.
I got introduced to General Tso’s chicken on my last trip to the States…good thing that’s not available here…
Oh, and instant noodles!
Too many to name (well, too embarassing also) but here are a few: BK whoppers with cheese, six-dollar burger at Carl’s Junior, fast food breakfast items, Kraft Mac & cheese.
Flamming Hot Cheetos, crawfish and cajun fries at the Boiling Crab, and last but not least chicken rice at the $1.99 restaurant in Garden Grove…
Myrnie – No help necessary! All the cool cats know that sweet + salty = tasty!
Fiona – Back in college, my friends and I used to gorge on cheesy poofs when we were inebriated. I’m sure they taste fantastic sober too 😉 Btw, Trader Joe’s makes a gourmet cheesy poof if you’re looking to change things up.
Su-Lin – Do you consume your instant noodles crushed up and uncooked? Now, that’s an MSG rush.
Anna – I hear ya with Kraft mac and cheese!! Something about the powdered orangey cheese that get’s me too.
Anh – Other than the Cheetos, your picks sound like guilt-free pleasures to me. And where can I find chicken rice for $1.99? That sounds cheap and delicious 🙂
Ooh, I love battered fried sticky sweet and sour chinese fast food but with fried rice but I get the hot mustard, mixed with shoyu to dip with to cut the sweet and add nasal passage clearing (must be the japanese genes)… now I know what I’m hunting down for lunch!