Normally when people order Chinese take-out they just place their order, pay, and walk out with a bag of food. What they don't realize is all the great extras and enhancements they're missing by doing this. Here's an easy to follow list to help you get more enjoyment out of your "on-the-go" delicious oriental feast.
1. Before ordering, always check the restaurant menu for coupons and special offers. These can usually be found at the bottom of the take-out menu. Would you
buy a new car at sticker price? Of course not! The same goes with Chinese take-out food. Save where you can, when you can.
2. When placing your order by phone, make sure to have the person taking your order read it back to you. Nothing is worse than bringing your food home and realizing too late that the order is either incomplete or partially wrong. A missing egg roll can spell disaster.
3. When placing your order in person be sure to check and recheck what you've circled on the menu BEFORE you hand it over to the counter person. A successful order relies on proper communication not just verbally, but in written form as well. The onus is on the customer to successfully choose the right items from each column.
4. Allergies: When ordering Chinese take-out for others such as friends, relatives or co-workers it's best to ask around and make sure no one suffers from allergic reactions to standard Chinese cuisine ingredients such as peanuts, shell fish or the dreaded MSG. A wonderful lunch or dinner can be ruined by your carelessness, resulting in a hospital visit or worse... death!
5. Condiments: Ususally during check-out the counter person will stuff tons of little plastic packets into your bag such as soy sauce, duck sauce and hot mustard. DON'T LET THEM DO THIS! Not many people know this, but if you request the "house" mustard and duck sauces they are forced to oblige and give them to you without question. They're much tastier than their plastic wrapped counterparts and are a definite enhancement to your dining experience.
6. During check-out you might see various items displayed at the counter under a glass such as bamboo wall calendars, lychee nuts and almond cookies. Sometimes these items are freebies, but only if you ask for them. Don't be ashamed to ask even if other customers are standing nearby. You're not a beggar but a smart shopper, and you might possibly encourage other customers to be as well by your action. Don't forget to ask for some oriental tea bags!
7. Refreshments: standard Chinese take-out restaurants usually reward their patrons with a can or bottle of free soda depending on the amount of food purchased. If they don't offer this common courtesy to you don't be afraid to politely ask for it. It may, or may not be, part of their standard policy unless you request it first.
8. Before leaving the restaurant with your food, ask the counter person to double check your order for correctness. Also, when having your food delivered make sure to check your order for its completeness before you pay the delivery boy and send him off. Don't worry if he looks to be in a hurry to leave, it's his job to successfully deliver your food and will respect you as a customer if you make him wait a few minutes so you can inventory your food items, which now brings us to...
9. Always tip! When you see a tip cup or bottle on the counter you should always leave a tip. They will remember you next time as the person who tipped them and you might just get your order a little bit faster. The same goes with your Chinese delivery person. You'll be amazed how much better your service will be, and your fried rice may be a tad more warm when delivered.
10. Leftovers: it's pretty common for take-out food, especially Chinese food, to be put awy in the fridge and forgotten until it turns rancid or grows mold. Why? Because people are adverse to reheating those leftover delicacies and just move on to other convenient foods. With a few extra minutes of easy prep on your part you can easily turn that cold container of slimy, rigid Mu Shu Pork into a feast once again by microwaving it in a safe bowl for a minimum of 2 minutes. Pick up your chopsticks and enjoy the money you've saved by eating leftovers!
