Well, while I agree, if you were not exaggerating too much, sounds like that was just not a very good Szechuan restaurant. I love good Szechuan food, although, granted, the rice doesn't do much for me, and one thing I have noticed is that at least a lot of the Americanized Chinese food tends to use a lot of sugar in the sauces. But, everything in moderation. If you don't eat it once a week, it's probably not a big deal.

However, your eggroll was oil-soaked? Then their oil was not hot enough. And such a tiny portion of beef? My favorite local restaurant serves American portions of beef. If they only served enough to fill a shot glass, people would stop coming.

The thing is, I think we Americans have only ourselves to blame if our Chinese restaurants use grain oil. I think back home most of them would use lard, at least for deep-frying.

I do get your point, by the way. I just like to splurge every once in awhile. Next time, maybe a different restaurant? And it helps to know what to order. Kind of sounds like you just ordered a combo dinner. There are many Chinese dishes that are wonderful combinations of meat, veggies, mushrooms, nuts... Filling and very flavorful. And to truly appreciate Szechuan, you gotta like hot. 🙂

And I would never order fried won ton, by the way. If it came down to it, I'd rather eat potato chips. Fried pasta you dip in a sugary, syrupy sauce? No thanks. I don't much like the places that serve shiny, brightly colored sauces, anyway.

I am sure I am preaching to the choir, but beware restaurant recommendations from people you don't know well, too. 🙂 I remember going to a "Chinese" restaurant in a small town that several acquaintances in a neighboring small town had raved about. I took a gal there, and when we were seated I looked around. Not only were all the customers white, so was the staff. Never a good sign in an Asian restaurant. When the first course came, I noticed something odd about the soup when I tasted it. It tasted just like something out of a Campbell's can. And it probably was. So I couldn't help but bait the waitress a bit. The next time she came by, I asked her what sort of soup it was. She looked at me as if I were from Mars, and replied "Beef with Barley."
I fear I didn't make any points with her when I wondered if I could have had split pea if I had just thought to ask.

But again, I do get your point. I love to cook, and when I do I know exactly what goes into my food. My motto is "As it comes out of the ground, or off the critter." But occasionally I like to go out and get some flavors I haven't yet learned to make.

[...] “That’s Not Food!”: Reflections on Restaurant Eating – GNOLLS.ORG Agree, restaurant food doesn't give me anything more than a "beautiful" plate with stuff there. Besides it is very very expensive. (tags: food paleo restaurant funny) [...]

You either must be a hell of a good cook or you need to find friends that share the same love of certain foods. I'm sure they'll be able to recommend you a good restaurant.