 |
| General Tso's Chicken Dinner Special |
Eddie's Cafe proves looks aren't everything (it's a literal hole-in-the-wall in Woodley Park) but it offers generous portions of good food at a fair price. Don't like the way it looks? Order in (they offer $1 delivery service) and revel in your own lack of superficiality.
To be frank, it's almost inconceivable that a place this small and unkempt could make it in a relatively well-to-do part of town; but it does, and then some. I placed a carryout order, which requires stepping inside Eddie's tiny confines to collect it. Service is very, very casual, but pleasant enough... especially at these prices. Their General Tso's Chicken Dinner Special costs less than $10, and comes with rice, spring roll and choice of soup. Throw in another three bucks, and you get two more Spring Rolls. Done!
 |
| Hot & Sour Soup |
Since dining in isn't an option, expect to bring your order home. Nearby Mr. Chen's Organic Chinese Cuisine offers both (dine-in & delivery) and remains my favorite Chinese restaurant in Woodley Park; but the gap isn't as big as you might think. For starters, Eddie's Hot & Sour Soup is a lot better (and bigger.) Ditto for their homemade wonton crackers... which are light on oil and salt, but still taste great.
 |
| Wonton Crackers |
Spring rolls are fine, and come with sweet & sour sauce (two packs.) Their filling isn't as nice as Mr. Chen's but they're almost a dollar cheaper. Granted, it's hard to muck up a spring roll; but I give credit, where credit is due. As for the main event, color me impressed with their General Tso's Special. Eddie's Cafe is one of the few places that packs the rice in the same container as the entree. Said rice was a tiny bit overdone, and thus a little stickier than I prefer, but tasty all the same. You get a lot of chicken, which packs quite a bit of flavor. My only complaint? Broccoli leaves are served beneath the chicken, which infuses a slightly bitter taste to the last few pieces of chicken. Thankfully, Eddie's isn't stingy with their quantities; but I wish they'd keep the greens separate from the rest.
 |
| Spring Rolls |
Overall, it's hard not to recommend Eddie's Cafe, especially if you don't mind "slumming" every now and then. The location is great, but it really is a hole-in-the-wall (albeit one with pretty good food.) One last positive? They're open until 11 PM every night except for Sunday (10 PM.) If you're keeping score, that's a half-an-hour later (Monday-Thursday) than the aforementioned Mr. Chen's. Regardless of who you prefer, it's nice to have options.
P.S. My fortune? Share your happiness with others today.
