Sichuan River

Picked up food to go tonight and wish I hadn’t! Based on the reviews of others I thought we’d try Sichuan River so we ordered Kung Pao Chicken, MooShu Pork, and mixed fried rice. The Kung Pao was pretty tasteless and consisted of large bite sized pieces of carrots, yes carrots, smaller bits of celery and chicken with a few pieces of red peppers. The pancakes for the Mooshu were dried out for about 1.5 inches around the perimeter and then kinda soft for the center. The actual Mooshu was ok but a bit oily. The fried rice had a good flavor but was, well gloupy. Save your money and your taste buds, don’t go.

Excellant
Menu for authentic Chinese food and lunch specials for American chinese–
Soup egg roll and dinner for $ 6.95
No wait and very tasty

We’re East coasters– Chinatown and Boston and NYC were the best. This is the one place we go for Chinese. PHENOMENAL. Everything. Love the kung pao chicken, lo mein, everything and anything.

Excellent food and service! Authentic and delightful :) rare find in Austin. will be back sometime!

Staff friendly and fun, ambiance is lacking, none of that matters. Shit’s good. Don’t tell anyone.

I usually like going to this restaurant, however service last night was horrible. I used their online ordering system for take out and was told that my food would be ready in 15 — 20 minutes. When we arrived at the restaurant to pick up our food at 5:50, I approached the staff about my online order and they told me that it would be ready in a few minutes. I noticed my order on the counter top, so I know they had received my order before I arrived at the restaurant. 10 minutes passed and we still did not have our food. I approached the staff again and tried to give them my confirmation number to check on the status of my food. Mid-​conversation they walked away from me. Three take-​out orders were filled and one group was seated during the time I was there. I approached the staff again. I was then informed that they tried to call me to tell me that they were out of something I wanted. I checked my phone… they called me at 6:18 pm. At that time, I had been physically waiting in the restaurant for a full 30 minutes. We ended up finally getting our food at 6:45. After all of this, they did not offer to comp us any portion of the meal. There were many times when they could have corrected the situation, and yet they did nothing. We were the only ones waiting there for so long. To top it off, the dish I ordered vegetarian came with pork in it.
I have never received such poor quality service at this restaurant and was very disappointed.

The day before Thanksgiving, I had lunch with a good friend here. Initially, I wasn’t sure of the place, but my friend knows her authentic Chinese food. I guess it didn’t hurt to be met at the door by a group of 10 Asian men also entering the restaurant at the same time as I arrived.
For me, this was a reunion of sorts, because the former tenant (Tien Jin) was my «go to» for American Chinese in South Austin. That is, until it started showing signs of not being a clean place to eat. The new owners have totally fixed that problem, plus a whole lot more.
Their menu is extensive and varied. That seems redundant, but it’s a long menu to choose from, and it’s not the same dish listed umpteen different times with different combinations. The lunch menu is strictly American Chinese. Instead of doing that, I let my friend order from the dinner menu and we ate family style from two dishes: the dried, sauteed green beans and the twice cooked pork. My friend checked with the waitress to be sure the dishes weren’t too spicy (for me), and the waitress made sure I understood the pork was actually bacon (OK, I didn’t).
When the plates came out, I was astounded. Four could have easily shared the amount of food we ordered. Plus one for value alone. Since I am unfamiliar with authentic Chinese, I probably shouldn’t comment on the preparation, but the presentation was superb. I really enjoyed both dishes, although the green beans were the keeper dish. I’d order them again with another entrée (probably chicken), simply to keep the fat content to a minimum.
To bottom line it for you great place with delicious food and incredible portion sizes. We both ate until we were beyond full – and then some – and we still each took to-​go boxes.
As we were leaving, the owner joked with me to come back tomorrow (Thanksgiving) when they’d have Sichuan Turkey. A man with a sense of humor. I admire that.
So my old go-​to Chinese place is now my new go-​to Chinese place. Whether you like traditional Chinese or American Chinese, I’d recommend Sichuan River highly.

I came for the companionship; I stayed for *everything*.
Several friends of mine love every trip they make down the Sichuan River and have frequently exhorted me to come along. As an infrequent luncheoner, I was wary of joining them at a restaurant I expected to be high on rice and low on flavor.
I finally yielded and joined them recently and I couldn’t have been wronger if my initials were P.K. We ordered a variety of dishes, with the amiable and capable assistance of the waiter. Each dish was full of flavor.
My only complaint, besides the lack of windows, is that I dropped $ 18 for lunch because one of the guys in the group had bigger eyes than my stomach, which means I can’t make this a regular luncheon outing experience. Otherwise, this is a great addition to the south-​central Austin area.

I can’t believe I haven’t written a review on this place. And I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten this food more than the 3 check in times. Disclosure: I really don’t have any other experience with this type of food.
Mapo Tofu — I really had nothing to compare this to originally. All I know is the tofu was perfectly silky soft and there was a lot of heat and flavor. It wasn’t until I had this at another restaurant that I appreciated the depth of flavor and heat the dish here has. Beware though — you taste the depth of flavor the first few bites but if you don’t vary it up with another dish the heat supercedes the flavor.
Mala chicken — this is a simple chicken dish with good flavor. We actually mix this with the Mapo Tofu sometimes.
We’ve also tried a dish with pork belly slices but I can’t remember the name of the dish. This one I think I’ll stay away from because all I remember from it was very fatty slices with barely any meat.
One day we may venture trying other dishes but it’s hard when we’ve got two that always hold tried and true. I’ll keep you updated if I do.

Its a pretty nifty chinese place on the south side. I wouldn’t get expect good chinese food from here, but its actually pretty good. I highly recommend the Jumping Fish (with the cucumbers) — its light flavors with a slight kick offer good contrast. The Spicy fish (water boiled fish) is pretty good too if you want something with more kick. Cold cut beef and pork belly are also very well executed, but be prepared for some numbing spice.
Their chinese vegetables here are average but you’ll want a few to cut back on the oil. Would come again if down South and looking for chinese food.

The beef noodle soup is a sham of a soup. It’s stir-​fried beef floating in chicken soup. The noodles dissolved under pressure. Where am I ?
I’m sure the sichuan dishes are great, but when you go to a Chinese restaurant, and order in Chinese a super common dish, you expect to get a super common dish. I don’t know who they’re appealing to with that soup. I can’t even imagine Caucasian people being into it.
After one terrifying taste, I paid and left the entire bowl sitting there. Never going back.
Also, what Chinese restaurant doesn’t have proper Chinese soup spoons? They gave me a serving spin to drink my soup with.

Keep an open mind when you come to this restaurant and know that this isn’t your general tso chicken and lo mein restaurant. It’s family style, meaning that the dishes come in huge proportions and their dishes includes meats like tripe, intestines, and pork blood.
With that disclaimer out of the way, the food was soothing and familiar to my Asian roots. The food sits heavy and comforting. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles (from the Unilocal recommendations) and it packs a punch with the heat! It was really filling and flavorful. We also ordered the hot & sour, which had a subtle flavor accented by heat (do you see the trend here?). Our entrée family style dishes were vegetable lo mein (delicious!) and pork intestine with bean curd (what a guilty pleasure dish).
All in all, if you’re looking for a Chinese place that’s sticking to its roots and you’re open minded, please give this place a try!

Sichuan River is a good Chinese restaurant for Austin Chinese restaurant standards. Their boiled spicy fish had very generous amounts of fish. The eggplant with garlic sauce and mapo tofu dishes were good. Sichuan River is not as oily and spicy as I’ve had at other Sichuan restaurants.
We stayed 20 minutes past their 9 pm closing time on Sunday and the staff did not kick us out or give us any ill looks.
I wish they refilled our water and teas more promptly.
Sichuan River sits in a shopping center behind Saps Thai restaurant. The storefront is very stereotypical Chinese-​restaurant.
I would happily eat here again.

First I have never been to China to have what I might call real legit Chinese food, but I imagine that it is something close to what Sichuan River has to offer. This place seems literally as legit as you can get!
I met my husband for lunch here and we had a feast! We over ordered for sure, but then we just took everything home for leftovers for the next couple of meals.
I started out with the Chrysanthemum bubble tea. I had never had Chrysanthemum, but was up to try it and boy am I glad I did — it was so good!
We ordered the dan dan noodles, gyoza in chili oil, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken and the lamb dry pot … it was was spicy and delicious. Everything is served and eaten family style, or that’s how we did it anyway. My favorite was probably the gyoza or wonton in the chili oil and then the dan dan noodles were a close second!
Everything I had here was fantastic! I loved my bubble tea so much I got another for the road too!
Our server was cool and on top of it. If you have questions about the menu he will explain it to you. He also was so kind to package up all our food we were taking home at the table. The service was great!
They will also deliver to your house within a 3 – 4 mile radius! This place is awesome and I will be back!

I now know what I already knew… I am not a Chinese food fan.
It happened to me about 10 years ago on my first trip to Shanghai. Since then I have not visited another Chinese restaurant until today.
As well I also know I am no expert on Chinese food but it is just not my cup of tea.
I was all in for this restaurant. I like hot food and they delivered. They even had a bottle of KJ Chardonnay at a reasonable price.
Starting with the Dan Dan noodles that arrived within only a few minutes of ordering. Noodles were of the off the shelf spaghetti variety. They were swimming in a chile infused oil. Not great, not terrible.
Next was the pickled pig ears that were supposed to be the appetizer. They were quite au naturel. Crunchy like cartilage with a bit of barnyard funk.
Lastly we had the dry pot lamb. Not sure but it tasted much like cumin so maybe they sent us cumin lamb. This dish was decent, enough tender lamb and nice heat.
All in all its Chinese food and that pretty much sums it up for me.
On a side note we had a baby roach lunch companion that lived in the sweetener packet stack on the table. It ran around in and out, up the wall over the tops of the salt & pepper. It’s the not the first roach I have seen in a restaurant but this one was the cherry on the top for me.
Probably 10 more years before I am brave enough to try Chinese again.

I had a friend tell me that I would enjoy the food here; I can’t say I believe them as I assumed this was a typical hole in the wall Americanized Chinese restraint that serves primarily General Tso’s Chicken and Combination Lo Mein. I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about something in my life!
My wife works across the street so I decided to meet her here for lunch. I’ll be honest after reading all the reviews and scoping out all the pics for the food I went in ready to order half of the menu with a voracious appetite.
We ordered the Dry Pot Lamb, Dan Dan Noodles, Wontons w/​Meat in Chili Oil, Mopu Tofu and the Kung Pao Chicken. We put in quite a big order all at once and I our food came out amazingly fast. I definitely did not expect to get the quality of service I received. I guess I went into eating her with such low expectations that it wouldn’t take much to surpass them but I swear these guys delivered so high on the scale that it felt like they exceeded any expectations I could have possibly had.
The food was all great but the real stand out was the Dan Dan Noodles. The Dan Dan Noodles are nearly what I would consider a perfect dish. I could eat them every day and never tire of them. They have everything just the right amount of spice and heat and so much savory meaty flavor. When I go back I will essentially just order Dan Dan noodles and selfishly scarf them down.
If you know anything about Sichuan food you will be rather surprised at the number of authentic offerings. They also deliver within a 3 – 4 mile radius which I happen to be in and I couldn’t be happier about. If you are considering eating her don’t pass them up!

I probably would have never eaten at (i.e., found) Sichuan River if it weren’t for my friend scouting the joint to replace a past Austin favorite haunt that sadly went from a 5 star to 1 — these things happen. Well, it appears she found a pretty good alternative. If you want to enjoy the very best Sichuan style cuisine in all of Austin, hest you be a fool if not follow the invitation and advice of LilyW!
SR is located in a very unassuming strip space, has absolutely no windows, and doesn’t look overwhelmingly inviting from the outside. The interior isn’t really fancy at all-​ambiance is kind of blah-​but sometimes those types of restaurants offer the very best food, right? Table for 7 please.
Tsingtao beer (no BYOB) for me and Lily ordered the food for the entire table… a group of Unilocalies dining family style. ;)
Some favorites:
Crispy chicken with loads and loads of dried Sichuan chiles — Not greasy, perfect little bits of chicken, more black pepper flavor than chile spice. Good eats!
Mapo tofu — Very traditional preparation; extra firm tofu chunks in spiced brown sauce with ground pork. Comfort food for certain. Hit the spot!
Fish filets in spicy red sauce — A must try staple if on any Sichuan menu. SR did not disappoint! Super moist meaty fish nestled in the lovely broth. Just the right amount of heat and full of fantastic flavor!
Bottom line: Go hungry, go with a group of friends, go «rice it up! (sorry, inside joke-​lol) and you will go home happy… without breaking the bank to boot!
Sichuan cuisine: «One dish, one shape, hundreds of dishes, hundreds of shapes.» Mission accomplished Sichuan River! =solid 5 stars!

Note: This review is about their delivery. I have not made it to the restaurant, but I have ordered at least 6 times, and every time, it’s fantastic!
I have been in South Austin for a year and a half, trying every Chinese delivery restaurant that will deliver in my area, and none of them were that impressive. I’d give them 3 stars, at most (Pei Wei gets 2, if that’s an indication of my devotion to good «Chinese» food.). I moved here from Mississippi. Mississippi has BETTER Chinese food than South Austin!
Enter Sichuan River. I remember the moment in which I first laid eyes on the name in an article talking about authentic Sichuan-​style Chinese cooking. I had to try it! The moment that I discovered that not all of their food was spicy, I ran to the computer to place an order! Hubby-​butt doesn’t like spicy foods.
Bubby-​hutt ordered the shrimp lo mein (Not spicy :)), and I ordered the bacon with garlic sprouts as well as their general tso’s chicken. Both were amazing! The bacon was sliced thinly and perfectly seasoned, the sauce on the chicken was perfect — not thick and sweet, and the lo mein had a wonderful «grilled» flavor to them, as hub-​butt says.
Tonight, I ordered their Stir Fried Squid with White Sauce, mild spice. It is amazing! There are full pieces of tender, cooked garlic, sliced in half, slivers of tender ginger, tender bamboo, and lots of squid! It’s a very light dish with a light broth at the bottom. I’m loving it!
Next time, I’ll try a real Sichuan dish!
Update: I finally tried a SIchuan dish! I had Dry Pot Chicken! As is tradition, I had this delivered. WOW what an amazingly large portion! This comes wrapped in foil inside of its styrofoam delivery tray. Upon unwrapping the parcel, I was immediately greeted with the scent of spice. It smelled spicy! I was very excited!
I’m happy to report that the spiciness of this dish isn’t an instant, strong spicy, as you would find with serranos or jalapenos. This is a spicy that starts out as a mild tingle and slowly builds up to some heat, at which point, you realize that your mouth is quite numb. In fact, I thought that it tasted spicier than it actually was. It’s a great way to eat just enough without overeating!
Next time, I’m definitely trying the famous fish that everyone is talking about!
Update Oct. 20, 2015!
NEW FAVORITE DISH: Eggplant in Garlic Sauce! It’s very slightly sweet, has a delicious roasted eggplant flavor, and the garlic balances out the sweetness. It’s purely delightful! I’m ordering this every time! Husbae also really loves the general tso. It’s all he ever orders!

Came here at 4:20 so there was not another customer in sight. The lady was very friendly and quick to come take our order.
The first thing I noticed was how firm and comfy the seats were in the booth. The menu is so large it’s a bit of a challenge to make your order. It took my girl friend and I a good 10 minutes to decide. If you like spicy you’re in luck. Most of their dishes have the little pepper beside it so they are not afraid of making so it dishes here.
I ordered the the CK17 — ChongQing Mala Chicken
And my friend ordered the ND2– Chicken Lo Mein.
The ChingQing was perfect! It was a very spicy chicken dish layer over a bed of cabbage and topped with cilantro. All the flavors blended together perfectly.
The chicken Lo Mein was some of the best I’ve had. The noodles were slightly sweet and garlic with just the right amount of veggies. The portion was very large and could be shared with another person.
I keep finding new things on their menu! They even have bubble tea and smoothies too!
Fast and friendly service and food made to perfection. I will be a new regular!

Authentic Szechuan cooking in south Austin? Yes, please! We were excited to finally try out this place for lunch.
We entered a clean and tidy little restaurant, with a giant print of bucolic Chinese scenery on one wall and another etched on glass on the other. Lovely. There’s a limited lunch menu, and fortunately it includes twice cooked pork. We both order it since it’s one of our faves. Some say it’s Szechuan’s most famous dish. The real draw is the fatty, skin-​on pork. Think fresh bacon, sliced very thin, which is then almost deep-​fried so the texture is both tender and crisp, mixed with green onions or leeks stir fried with bean pastes and black beans. Heaven on a plate.
Our food came out. The hot and soup soup and egg roll were just ok. The pork dish was not at all what it’s supposed to be. For one thing, they use regular pork. My surprised comment was, «This is not twice cooked pork». Our waiter insisted it was. Also, fried rice is automatically served with the lunch menu. If you want fresh steamed rice (and which Chinese person does not?) you have to request it especially. Later on, when asked why they did not use pork belly in their twice cooked pork dish, he replied they only use it for the dinner entrée.
Sooooo, try to pass one thing off as another, and if people notice, just give an excuse? Randomly substitute ingredients, or use cheaper cuts instead of what the dish calls for and then pushing it onto their customers as the actual dish is apparently acceptable practice at Sichuan River. For me, very definitely «Eek! Methinks Not».