Deep Fried Pigeon from Lee Wing Wah Restaurant

Item Purchased: Deep Fried Pigeon
Location Purchased: Lee Wing Wah Restaurant / 2147 S. China Pl. / Chicago, IL
Price: $11.95 + tax

Review: Ask any Chicagoan what the most annoying animal is and, nine times out of ten, they will tell you that is is the pigeon (it's actually the cockroach, but nobody wants to admit that they have frequent contact with roaches). Now ask the same 90% from the original question if they would ever eat a pigeon and, nine times out of ten, they will tell you "hell no, that's friggin' disgusting ("friggin'" represents a true Chicagoan).

Well, I wouldn't answer in the majority for the first question (I'd probably tell you that the most annoying animal is people who dress their small dogs in cute sweaters) and now, I cannot truthfully answer in the majority for the second question.

That's right... I ate a pigeon... And I'd do it again!

Lee Wing Wah serves up their pigeon deep fried. You get everything but the feet (including the cute little head). The meat of the pigeon is dark and a bit tougher than chicken meat or other meal birds. With very little fat and less meat in relation to the bird's body mass than a chicken, a fried pigeon at Lee Wing Wah makes for a slightly expensive meal. I am banking on the belief that a part of this price represents the fact that this pigeon isn't a native of Chicago (at least I'm hoping that is a fact). Though the deep frying infuses a bit of flavor of its own into the pigeon, the inner most meat of the bird has a natural lean meat flavor that is ever so slightly salty, but not overbearing. This is one food that definitely doesn't taste like chicken, or many other animals, for that matter. The closest I can come to describing the pigeon experience with comparison is to suggest you imagine a Cornish game hen that was crossed with the leanest pork chop.

But why, you ask, would I ever choose to eat a pigeon? Well... why do people eat crunchy fish eggs that pop inside of your mouth and taste like urine soaked Styrofoam? Who came up with the general consciousness campaign that made people think that was a tasty food? I ate it because it was different and to try new foods from other cultures is one way to experience life outside of your normal patterns without waiting for a vacation. Some people travel halfway across the world and decide to eat at a McDonalds. I guess I'm just the opposite kind of person. I traveled halfway across the world by walking a mile down the street and eating something that isn't normally served in my daily routine.

Unless, of course, that pigeon was simply scooped off of the streets of Chicago. If that is the case, then I suppose I got my just desserts and technically ate the cigarette butts and McDonald's French fries that have seen pigeons on State St. eating so many times before.

Either way, it was an adventure... A tasty one.

Next time you're in Chinatown... Order a pigeon. You won't be sorry. Knowing what we know about factory farming, pigeon is most likely better for us than the majority of mutant chicken we put into our bodies.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

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Chinese Rice Wine (Michiu 750 ml.)

Item Purchased: Chinese Rice Wine (Michiu 750 ml.)
Location Purchased: Chicago Food Market / 2245 S. Wentworth Ave. / Chicago, IL
Price: $3.75 + tax

Review: The label on this bottle of rice wine says "Not For Beverage Use."

I don't especially like it when my groceries tell me what I should or shouldn't do. I mean, that's the best part about moving out of the parents' place and buying your own groceries. Those bags of Fritos and Mello-Yello don't tell you what to do! Besides, with a warning like that on a liquid with 19.5% alcohol content, all I could think of on the way home was what a glass of this stuff would taste like. Of course, I know better and realize that it would taste worse than rubbing alcohol shots from a bottle cap, so I didn't. It seems like my groceries think I'm an idiot.

This wine does taste good (or it adds flavor rather) when used in a black bean vinegar sauce in sparing amounts. Though, not the fanciest or most fragrant wine to use in stir fries or other dishes, this inexpensive bottle of michiu will last me a long time and serve to spice up many dishes.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

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Scotch Sour from Lee Wing Wah Restaurant

Item Purchased: Scotch Sour
Location Purchased: Lee Wing Wah Restaurant / 2147 S. China Pl. / Chicago, IL
Price: $4.00 + tax

Review: When a menu has mixed drinks listed for $2.75, you don't ask questions. You also don't chance ordering something from the bar that is not on the menu. Anyone who has ever worked in the restaurant business will tell you that the price gouging happens there. What I didn't expect was my drink to cost me $1.25 more than the menu proclaimed.

Still... a four dollar scotch sour in Chicago is nothing to complain about... Especially when the glass comes filled to the brim and as strong as I would have made it at home (i.e. no sour, less liquid)

Though I find it a bit shifty that my check charged me more than the menu said, I am not going to begrudge Lee Wing Wah for a $1.25 difference.

Yes, I know it was crappy plastic bottle scotch they served me, but for a weekend afternoon drink during a late lunch of Pigeon, I'll chalk this one up to learning experience.

Rating: / 5

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Three Treasures Chow Mein from Lee Wing Wah Restaurant

Item Purchased: Three Treasures Chow Mein
Location Purchased: Lee Wing Wah Restaurant / 2147 S. China Pl. / Chicago, IL
Price: $8.95 + tax

Review: Who doesn't like treasure? Let alone three treasures? Our waitress told us that the three treasures in this chow mein dish were pork, chicken and ham. This led to a discussion between my roommate, Josh, and I about the difference between pork and ham. He said it was the same thing. I said it was something different by restaurant standards. Josh was right.

So our treasures were pork, ham and more pork?

Not really.

I considered the third treasure to be the perfectly fried chow mein noodles in this dish. On the outside, the noodles were crispy and almost dry. Near the center, the noodles were tender and soppy with delicious brown sauce. Absolutely delicious!

Lee Wing Wah is a great restaurant in Chicago's Chinatown to take larger groups of friends or just a couple of people to share plates. The staff is pleasant, but quick. You may feel rushed, but with such a limited seating plan, they simply must be, in order to generate the highest turnover rate of customers. Inexpensive food in large portions, cheap and strong mixed drinks and a somewhat loud, but pleasant atmosphere makes this one of the better lunch stops on your trip to Chinatown. We're not talking fancy gourmet food, but real, good and hearty Chinese fare that will keep you going.

Rating: 4.25 / 5

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