$6.95 Sure Sounds Like a Deal

There’s a certain subgroup of Philadelphians who read the Northeast Times’ letters page for unintentional comedy. I never really understood the appeal, until I read the latest edition, which is truly a mirror into the collective soul of a nation. From a letter entitled, “He has a yen for better Chinese food”:

As a lifelong resident of the Northeast one thing bothers me — the quality of the Chinese food that the Chinese restaurants serve in our area. Never in my life have I had such horrible food.

Chinese cuisine is one of the world’s greatest, but you would not know it by the slop served at our local Chinese places. I know that what is served is considered “Americanized,” but the quality still should be there. Given the price of gas, I cannot afford to run down to Center City.

Is there any Chinese restaurant owner that takes pride in what they serve? Would you as an owner eat your own food? I don’t think you would. The big problem is that most people cannot differentiate between good quality and bad. Are all Chinese sauces over-thickened, salty and inedible? Do you really think you’re getting a deal for $6.95?

I love that this hits upon quality of Chinese food in a distinct region, gas prices, the Americanization of foreign cultures and civic pride all in one fell swoop. Expect an investigative report on the deliciousness of Asian cuisine in Mayfair to be forthcoming from the Northeast Times.

Letters to the Editor [Northeast Times, Fourth Item]