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Still Got It: Xi'an Famous Foods
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Nov 9, 2014
Modified Nov 9, 2014
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Nov 9, 2014
Modified Nov 9, 2014
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In this city, restaurants come and go faster than you can say "sustainable locavore burger." And even though there are great new additions to the culinary landscape popping up every week, you've gotta give kudos to anyone who can stick it out for over a year. With that in mind, we bring you Still Got It, our tribute to establishments that continue to serve mouthwatering meals and drinks long after the buzz has faded—or if the lingering hype is still justified.
Chinese food chainlet Xi'an Famous Foods has not so subtly spread its delectable seed over the years, bringing its noodles, soups, burgers, and other specialties to locations on the East Village, Chinatown, Midtown, and the Upper West Side. This expansion has been good news for those of us who can't regularly trek to Flushing for a steaming plate of hand-ripped noodles. But the restaurant's original location at Flushing's Golden Mall, which opened in 2005, is still serving its famed dishes to the masses—and it's well-worth the trip.
Xi'an Famous Foods's stall is located in the Golden Mall's basement, just around the corner from an excellent steamed dumplings stand if you feel like pre-gaming your main meal. Like the other outposts, the lengthy menu's posted on the wall. There's a lot to try here, and since dishes are cheap, you might as well cull a selection, particularly if you're dining with a group. The cold-skin noodles ($4.75) are a must, as are the spicy cumin lamb hand-ripped noodles, which come on a plate ($7.25) or in soup ($7.75). Noodles are also tossed with beef ($6.50-$7), vegetables ($6-$6.50), chicken ($7), oxtail ($7.75-$8.25) and a variety of pork ($6-$6.50).
For even more meat, Xi'an Famous Foods whips up stewed pork burgers ($2.75) and a spicy cumin lamb burger ($3.25) that are also very good. And if you're feeling brave, spring for the lamb offal soup ($4.75), a spicy broth filled with surprisingly tasty organs and entrails. Do note that while some eateries at the Golden Mall will allow you to bring your own beer, booze is strictly verboten at Xi'an Famous Foods, though you can purchase soda from the stall to drown out some of the spice.
Xi'an Famous Foods's Golden Mall stall is located at 41-28 Main Street, Basement Stall #36 in Flushing, Queens. Visit xianfoods.com for a list of more locations.
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