To me, the word “bistro” conjures up images of a little French restaurant where people sit around in the afternoon drinking wine and eating cheese.  Not my kind of place.  But P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, is not that kind of place.

P.F. Chang’s operates 35 full service restaurants in California, and 189 nationwide *.  Before trying P.F. Chang’s, I had only eaten at smaller mom and pop type Chinese restaurants.  So when we moved to Riverside, we tried some of the smaller Chinese restaurants – even one that was voted “best” – but weren’t impressed.  When P.F. Chang’s opened at the Tyler Mall, we quickly became regulars.

Our favorite appetizers are the Northern Style Spare Ribs ($8.95) and the Crab Wontons ($6.95). When prepared properly, the Northern Style Spare Ribs appetizer is one of my favorite dishes anywhere. Sometimes the ribs are a bit crispy and overcooked, but at their best they are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor.  My wife loves the Crab Wontons. I like them, but to me the Yunnan Wontons they used to serve were better.

Some of our favorite main dishes are the Mongolian Beef ($14.95), Orange Peel Chicken ($12.95) and Salt and Pepper Prawns ($17.25). We also enjoy the fried rice and steamed broccoli (my daughter’s favorite).  The Mongolian Beef, my youngest son’s favorite, is always tender and delicious.  The Orange Peel Chicken, my wife and oldest son’s favorite, is not as crispy as it is at other restaurants and is best when we ask for a little extra spiciness.  The Salt and Pepper Prawns are just plain awesome.  If you don’t know what a prawn is (which I didn’t), it is basically a large shrimp.  So thank you to my wife’s friend Suzy for ordering something I never would have tried.  It’s one of my favorites now.

P.F. Chang’s is one of our favorite places to eat, and definitely our favorite place for Chinese food.

* as of 12/28/08 per the Company’s annual report