Pork Fried or Steamed?

Chinese food is delicious. This is a story chronicling my quest for Grove City Chinese food.

There is a Chinese food monopoly in Grove City, with Victor Lee being the only provider. He is said to be descended from General Tso himself. Fueled by such stories, my roommate Tim and I skipped out on a goofy semi formal dance to go and snag the late night discount.

As we walk in, it becomes evident that there is something unique to the atmosphere: the restaurant's decor is similar to an eccentric old ladies living room. The tables are scattered around haphazardly, and joined by a couch, a treadmill, and a TV playing Chinese soap operas right in the middle of the floor. Also what is clearly the family PC is set up on one of the booth tables. (This explains the "Free WiFi" sign).

We were waited upon by what looked like the matron of the family, and sat down to wait for our food. It eventually came, delivered by the eponymous Victor Lee. He is only around 5'1" but seems determined to make for height with enthusiasm. He made confusing small talk while repeatedly offering to set us up with a back room Texas hold'em game. Eventually he just sat down next to me and continued to chat. Victor then proceeded to get us free drinks and donuts (Chinese donuts?) which more than makes up for any possible poker hustling he may have had planned. He then began to give us in-depth microwave instructions for how to prepare our food after it had gotten cold. He seemed very experienced with heating up old Chinese food (Ignorance is bliss?).

As we eventually moved to pay him, he kindly rounded our meal down a few dollars, and just as we were about to leave, he said, "Do you two want a ride back to the college?" Tim looked astonished so I quickly answered yes before he could think of a logical objection. He told us to meet him around back. Tim and I made our way to the back of the restaurant to find Victor waiting with his beat up Nissan rice burner awaiting us. Tim hopped in front and I in the back. Any shotgun privileges were soon overshadowed by the addition of six or seven boxes of food on his lap.

For the next few minutes we assisted Victor Lee in delivering Chinese food to the more sketchy inhabitants of Grove City. Between every stop Victor would call the customer on his cellphone and ask him or her to meet him at the "usual place." The customers were surprised, I think, to have their food handed to them by a six foot three white freshman rather than our friend Victor. After a few stops we were back at our dorm. Victor sighed with nostalgia, "My best customer lived on your floor." We bid Victor farewell, thanked him, and walked into our dorm, smelling of Rangoon and MSG.

General Tso (Or possibly Victor Lee) and His Chicken