David’s Mai Lai Wah Restaurant

David’s Mai Lai Wah Restaurant
1001 Race St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-2610

I stopped by David’s Mai Lai Wah Restaurant in Chinatown earlier this week. It hasn’t changed at all since I started coming here in 1997 (or thereabouts). I used to work around the corner on Market St., so David’s was always within shouting distance when I had the Chinese food jones.

I had the Chicken with Garlic Sauce, my favorite dish at David’s. Not as spicy as I remember it being back then, but still decent. My Aussie friend had the Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables (I learned from her that shrimp are always called “prawns” in Australia. But - When in Chinatown, do what the Chinese do, I guess, so it was skrimps all the way!!)

One thing I like is the display of ducks hanging in the window. I guess on one level it’s kind of gross, especially to vegetarians and animal people, but ya just FEEL like you’re in Chinatown when you see that. I’m not even a big duck fan – the only time I’ve had it was at Marigold’s Kitchen.

Another neat thing is the huge, round table at the back of the restaurant. I like sitting near it, because it always seems that the workers are always using it to do some type of prep work – like making wontons, or like tonite – to break the ends off of a huge-ass pile of string beans.

The owner David wasn’t there that night. He’s always so friendly, so accommodating, no matter how many people in your party, or how long you want to linger at the table. As usual, there were more non-Asians than Asians there – not always the best sign to some people, I guess, but there were still a bunch of Asians eating there during our 2-hour stay.

Citypaper actually had David’s as the Best Chinese Food in 2000 in its Reader’s Choice award. And it's still worth a visit these days too.