This is a guest post by New West Gal, who is desparately seeking better local take-out options!

I’m on a quest for great Chinese food take-out in New Westminster or even neighbouring Burnaby. We have lived in New West for nearly seven years and I have yet to eat good, much less great Chinese food here. What’s up with that? B.C.’s population is made up of many cultures but taking the lead are the Chinese and yet, I cannot find any great Chinese eats.

I’ve had Hon’s on Robson and they serve what my husband and I call fair Caucasian-fied Chinese food. Hon’s in New West serves an even more Caucasian version of Chinese food, that left a lot to be desired and yet, I hear people singing their praises. Lhy Thai on Edmond’s does great Thai food but you have to place your order by 5:30 p.m. on most days and you have to pick it up – they don’t do delivery and yes, they are that busy.

Royal Tandoori and Indian Star Indian Restaurants serve pretty good Indian fare – although I still hold that the Curry Express in Metrotown Mall food court has the best Tandoori chicken. Papa Dave’s on 20^th Street, in our opinion, serves the best delivery pizza around and it doesn’t hurt that the staff treat you like family. We’ve got Ole Ole Mexican Restaurant on 12^th, where you are treated to real and tasty Mexican food and a very warm welcome and Tamarind Hill serves up great Malaysian eats. But where, oh where is the Chinese food?

It seems that in order for some take-out restaurants to hash out a decent living, they rely on MSG and mountains of salt to give their food some flavour. When you ask for MSG-free you get tasteless food that even Fido would refuse.

Last night, we spent a bomb on Mr. Ho’s Wonton House. They’ve won Burnaby Record’s Best of Burnaby five years running. How they won once, much less five years in a row, is truly remarkable. It was horrible. What wasn’t overcooked was cooked poorly and the presentation was less attractive than what our five-year old can muster. I phoned the owner to complain and got the typical, “We will give you a discount on your next order” – yeah, that’s not gonna’ happen. What a waste of food and money that was.

Before moving to B.C. over 12 years ago, I lived in Ontario. We knew all the great Chinese restaurants and take-away eateries within a 10-mile radius. Anyone who was asked could give you anywhere from a fair to a great recommendation.

So, what gives New West? Do I have to go downtown to get great Chinese food?

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