Saturday, December 22, 2012

My new favorite place in Wichita: China Go



Sometimes you have to just risk it and try something new. 

The wife and I had tried almost everything gluten free in town and now we felt it was time to be adventurous, for you, our loyal readers.  It had nothing to do with the fact that we really wanted Chinese food, didn’t want to pay for PF Chang’s and didn’t want to drive to Pei Wei on the West Side.  Enter China Go. 

About a week ago I sent a message to them on Facebook asking them if they did gluten free.  They responded yes but that was it.  I was intrigued.  I called them today and felt like they knew what they were talking about, or at least enough for my taste.  So I risked my health and took the wife out to China Go on Harry and Rock.  (About 2 minutes from our house!)  I brought a card explaining gluten as well as our own bottle of Gluten Free Soy Sauce. 

The manager was there and she explained that she had a few gluten free people in the past.  She knew what to do and asked us what we would like to eat.  She asked us what we would like to eat.  She didn't turn us away and label us as pariahs.  Nope she asked us what we wanted off the menu!   My wife has pined for good orange chicken for a long time and they were able to oblige.  Instead of making it with breading they used cornstarch.  Along with the Orange Chicken I ordered Mongolian beef and gave them my soy sauce to help them prepare it. 

The Orange chicken was hot, sweet and salty.   It was everything that you would want in Orange Chicken.   Usually I can avoid that heavenly smell but at our local grocery store, Dillion’s, they are constantly making orange chicken and the smell would drive me insane.  Now I can walk the aisles of Dillion’s with no concern, knowing there is better, gluten free, chicken down the road.   The orange chicken is worth the trip.  The Mongolian beef was very good as well.  It was a bit spicy for my liking but I am sure they would be able to tone it down if asked. 

We also had a nice bowl of freshly steamed veggies.  It was everything you would hope.  Nice variety and fresh. 

Another plus: their to-go brand of soy sauce was also gluten free.  (Not the stuff on the tables but the little packets)  It’s a brand that I’ve found in the past with great joy. "Kari-out," I think.  It’s not as salty but it still was a pleasant surprise. 

Okay, so recap.  Almost everything can be made gluten free off the menu.  Also, the prices are really good.  The helpings are huge.  You can almost share one item.  The food is fresh and tasty.  I do believe they are a bit newer to the GF thing so please make sure to go, as always, armed with information so as not to get sick.   They are working on a menu and striving to have well trained staff but you know things will always fall through the cracks if you are not careful.  Five hours later and I am feeling no ill effects. 

However, I would say this is my new favorite gluten free place in Wichita and you really need to go check it out.  Seriously.  You need to go now. 

Go to China Go! 
I will go back to China Go.   Let's all go.

11 comments:

  1. Pei Wei is on the WEST side.

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  2. THANK YOU!!! Just the other day I was bemoaning feeling like I'd never get to eat Asian again, lol. I can't wait to go try them out. I might even go there today! This sounds so delish.

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  3. Ian, I have been there like 6 times since this post. So good.

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  4. Me too. lol. The manager at Harry and Rock was super great to work with! As I live on the north side, I thought I'd see if the China Go at 37th and Woodlawn could work the same delicious magic. The poor girl at the counter had no idea what "gluten free" was, but she called Harry and Rock, and they were able to tell the cook what to do. Needless to say, I am one happy celiac.

    But now I wonder... what about soups? I know about Tanya's... however, I am but a lowly college student who just needs some cheap soup on a cold day...

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  5. Ian,

    Of course Tanya's is the best but there is also a cafe within "Food for thought"
    You can also get soup at BJ's and Chili's. None are super cheap.

    China go has a gluten free Egg drop soup. So does PF changs.

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  6. Yep, I totally need to update with like 5 updates! Good call. Maybe a few this week.

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  7. Thank you so much for posting this! I recently tried it and I'm very happy to finally have a place to get gluten free orange chicken!

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  8. Thanks for the great information! Coming into town to visit family and I really needed this. Can't wait to try all of the different places you posted.

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  9. Just wanted to let you know that my husband and I visited China Go recently, and had a wonderful gf experience. The manager was very friendly about meeting our needs. Thanks!!!

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