City: El Paso, TX

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (915) 590-2999

Address: 3125 North Lee Trevino Dr.

Description: Shan Dong Chinese Restaurant, which takes the name of one of China’s northeastern provinces, was started by an experienced Chinese chef who brought some flavorful, innovative recipes to the menu. It quickly became popular as stories of Shan Dong appeared in the food feature sections of local newspapers, and people flocked to the restaurant in a desperate attempt to find an alternative to the many mediocre buffet restaurants in the city. Although the restaurant was eventually sold, the food at Shan Dong continues to be as good as it was when the founding chef was there. There is no buffet here, so all of the dishes offered on the somewhat unchanging menu are cooked fresh when ordered.One of the best features about the food here is the presentation. All of the items have a deep, rich color and are served garnished with an orange. At lunch, you have your choice of either hot and sour soup or egg drop soup, both of which are delicious. Most dishes are also served with a colorful array of condiments that include plum sauce, hot mustard, and chile oil.The menu at Shan Dong is a little different than most Chinese restaurants. Many of the dishes are typical of China’s northeastern cuisine, with plenty of noodles, dumplings, and homey items, including lots of excellent chicken dishes. Most items come in either full or half orders and are available all day, so there is no specific lunch menu. Shan Dong’s chicken egg rolls are particularly notable, and other excellent offerings include the spicy Home Style Tofu, General Tsao’s Chicken, Double Cooked Chicken, Crispy Chicken, or Lemon Chicken.