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Sze Chuan
11102 W. National Ave., (414) 885-0856
goszechuanrestaurant.com
Chinese
$$
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If you're a fan of excellent Chinese fare -- particularly dishes that hail from the Sichuan region -- look no further than Sze Chuan. This West Allis gem has raised the bar for regional Chinese fare throughout the city.
Step inside the restaurant and you’ll find a simple aesthetic featuring minimal art and a collection of classic booths and round tables to accommodate groups. But, open up the menu and you’ll find a virtual world of flavor with options ranging from cold dishes and noodles to Sichuan specialties and dry and stone pot dishes (including a great collection of vegetable options).
This isn’t the place to get stuck in a rut; ordering something you’ve never tried pays off in dividends. Highlights include the sliced pork belly in garlic sauce; the dry pot lotus root; and the Sichuan grilled lamb (although unintuitive, this is a better version of cumin lamb than the "cumin lamb" on the menu). Be sure to try the Szechuan special house shortribs; they’re tender and flavorful with just the right balance of mouth-numbing Szechuan pepper.
Oh, and if you’re a hot pot fan, Sze Chuan’s offerings are lovely and diverse. Bring friends and order prudently (it’s easy to get carried away; you can always order more later).
Recommended: Szechuan pork dumplings; mustard greens with tofu skin; twice-cooked pork
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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