By Andy Wise - bio | email
SOUTH MEMPHIS (WMC-TV) - THIS WEEK'S BIG TIP: Chop Suey House, 2285 Elvis Presley Blvd., South Memphis, (901) 947-4023.
For 10 years, thousands - maybe MILLIONS - of people have whizzed right past Chop Suey House and never given it a second thought.
They missed what just might be the best Chinese food in Memphis.
"That's why I travel so far to come to it," said loyal customer Linda Alexander, who rides over at least once a week from Hickory Hill. "Because it's good!"
Tony Lee's locked inside his sparkling kitchen. Wife Fanny Lee's behind the iron bars in the take-out lobby like an old-time bank teller. The first-generation Chinese immigrants who moved to Memphis via New York a decade ago churn out tasty dishes as the phone chortles endlessly with to-go orders.
"I like to eat, and I like to cook," said Fanny Lee. "Then my husband, he's a good cook!"
Tony can make a basic Asian dish like shrimp-fried rice sizzle, then turn around and whip up a Tony Lee special, like his Hunan Triple Delight -- beef, chicken and shrimp with sauteed Chinese vegetables.
"My co-workers said I had to come her and get lunch," said Kerwin Scott of Midtown Memphis. "I'm glad I came!"
We're glad Chop Suey House scored a 99 on its Nov. 17 health inspection. Well-deserved! Let's eat!
WHAT ANDY LIKES: Hunan Triple Delight, Tony's Homemade Sweet-N-Sour Sauce, Shrimp W/Lobster Sauce, Lunch Specials Under $5
LOW SCORES THIS WEEK:
Don Don's Hot Wings, 2926 S. Third St. in South Memphis, rated a 72 Nov. 15 with a food permit suspension notice:
"DIRTY" written 10 times (sink, vent-a-hood, cooking equipment, microwave, cooler, floor, storage shelves)
"...roach crawling on handsink"
"employee washed pan w/soap and rinsed but did not sanitize..."
"Ash tray w/cigarette butts stored on window sill/no smoking in food establishment"
"We were under the assumption that an ash tray could be put in the front of the restaurant," said Don Don's owner Gregory Reid. "It wasn't in the kitchen.
"(The inspector) was pretty rough on us. I've been in places that are a lot worse. The health department didn't find any violation of potential food service. All the temperatures of the food were true."
Don Don's Hot Wings upgraded to an 85 on re-inspection Dec. 1.
Memphis Big Burger, 1393 N. Hollywood St. in North Memphis, scored a 74 Nov. 15 with a permit suspension notice:
"rib tips (at unsafe food temp)"
"buckets of grease stored uncovered"
"food debris inside utensil drawer"
"rust on can opener blade"
Action News 5 left two messages for Memphis Big Burger's owner Teresa Mason. She never called back. It has yet to be re-inspected.
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