A Mecca in the Desert

Okay, let's get one thing straight. I'm really not posting this to be show-offy. I'm only posting it cause my mom and sister asked me to so that they could read it. It's an article I wrote for one of my classes and I thought my family would enjoy it cause it's about our favorite Chinese restaurant. (P.S. it's a working title. Any suggestions for a better one are welcome.)

"Hidden in the cranny of the Salt Lake Valley, Mountain City Restaurant is described by some patrons as a “hidden treasure” with food that “melts in your mouth.” Though the life of the valley has migrated south away from Holladay, there still remains ample reason to jump on I-215 and dodge through unfamiliar surface roads. Mapquest’s directions might make it seem like a pilgrimage, but Mountain City Restaurant is a Mecca for any connoisseur of authentic Chinese.

Walking through the front door makes you extended family to the owner. After your first visit, she’ll never forget your face and will always ask about the children, spouse, dog, or goldfish you failed to bring. The eating area is quaint and seats no more than thirty guests, but the atmosphere is priceless. As a forewarning, however, anyone who likes a quiet waitress who fills your glass with an invisibility cloak on will be sorely disappointed in the service.

This sassy entrepreneur is the entertainment of the night. She provides both the dinner and the show. Though you’ll never experience an empty glass, this bossy woman who stands no taller than five feet, will not hesitate to shovel the food off your plate and onto your husband’s when you ask for a box. She has even been known to hand feed her customers. If she’s in a playful mood and can sense that you’re in the mood as well, she has no qualms putting your empty plate up to your face so you can lick it clean.

Patrons don’t travel from all over the valley just to be entertained by the owner, though. Mountain City Restaurant has gained its credibility by the consistently mouth watering appetizers, entrees, and sides they serve.

Each meal begins very traditionally with a bowl of soup. The soup is served with delicious mini wantons on top. The menu offers sweet and sour soup, lawhorn soup, and egg drop soup. Maybe if the egg drop soup weren’t so delectable more customers would get around to trying the other varieties. Depending on the time of day, you might even get lucky and walk out the door with a complimentary container of soup and fried wantons for home.

When it comes to entrees, if you ask the owner, she’ll always recommend fortune chicken, which is completely understandable. The menu describes this dish as chicken served with a “secret hot, tangy sweet and sour sauce.” I’m not sure what the secret to this chicken is, but it certainly wows the taste buds.

After you’ve stuffed yourself silly and licked your plate clean by force, the bill comes. If you’re with family the kids will be conned into covering their parents’ tab. You’ll walk to the register, the owner will duck under the counter to reach the register and, you’ll hand her the bill. Then you’ll walk out the door and spend the rest of the evening thinking about the new stories to tell and the great leftovers for tomorrow."