So I’ve been confusing Lao Shanghai with Lao Sze Chuan. It was really embarassing when I wanted to take friends to try soup dumplings and arranged dinner at the wrong place. I actually wrote Lao Shanghai up as Lao Sze Chuan… talk about editorial error. It’s since been corrected but the upside was that I got to try another great spot in Chinatown.

While the service was spotty the food was great. Starters like steamed dumplings to the rich and moist fried potstickers whet appetites for delicious Scechuan dishes inflatable park like chili chicken which came fried atop a plate full of fried chili peppers that were very spicy but more than edible. Nuggets of sole in a black bean sauce were light and a nice dish with the other more spicy ones. The Kung Pao shrimp was also very good.

It was a good place to grab food with a crowd. They have a large upstairs in addition to their first floor storefront and can accept a group.

While I went without my xiao long bao I did by accident find a wonderful addition to the Scechuan selection in Chicago.

Lao Sze Chuan
2172 S. Archer Avenue
(312) 326-5040