X O Cafe and Grill

96 Walker St, 212-343-8625

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Cost per person: $10
"YGWYPF" factor: 8/10 (you get what you pay for)

What looks like a small, hole in the wall place opens up to a huge restaurant once you step inside this inconspicuous place on Walker Street. There are 3 seating rooms, choose the one inside for peace and quiet.

Prices are very reasonable. Choice of dishes is huge - so it's best to go in a group and try out a larger number of dishes. My personal favorite, a must have, is the Preserved Salt Fish with Mai-Fun (#110) - rice noodles with tiny bits of preserved, dried, salted fish - a very strong flavored dish. Also recommended in the noodles area - Beef Chow-Fun with Black Bean Sauce (#106). In fried rice, try #119, Yong Chow Fried Rice. The congee (rice soup, or liquid rice) selection is excellent - better than most places. I recomend Dried Scallop with Gingko and Dried Bean Thread Congee (#233), Beef, Squid and Pork Combo Congee (#241), or Sliced Fish Congee (#246). In Dim-Sum and appetizers, try #167 (Steamed dumpling)or #168(Pan Fried Dumpling Peking Style) - or both! There's a huge selection of unique dishes - anything that looks interesting probably is. Sesame pancakes, ma-potu (beef with tofu), pepper chicken - you name it.

For an interesting after dinner treat, try the Japanese style fried ice cream.

Please note - the item numbers mentioned here are from the take-out menu, since that's the only one I could bring with me!