Fresno Famous

A few weeks ago, I started hearing a lot of questions about Nan's Kitchen, a little out of the way Chinese place on Palm, just south of Olive. Was it under new management? Had it been sold? Had anyone been there recently, or ever?

Nan's Kitchen had pulled out the big guns, and people were talking. In lieu of a generic white menu lacking in subject-verb agreement, Nan's produced a multi-colored, high design glossy menu, complete with perfect English and Spanish. Into Tower mailboxes they went.

The beefed up marketing effort paid off, because Nan's has generated more buzz than any neighborhood Chinese joint could ever deserve. Not that Nan's doesn't excel: its good, familiar Chinese favorites are served efficiently at rock bottom prices.

More suited to take out than dining in (an overweight man with his book; two church ladies alternately blessing their meal and cursing their ex husbands), Nan has your favorite Chinese dishes served in combination and a la carte. The Szechwan Pork was a standout, with its tender, thinly sliced meat and Szechwan flavor.

A combination plate of orange Chicken and Szechwan Pork with fried rice and chow main is a steal at $4.70. Prices like these are why people live in Fresno, so take advantage. A single plate of Teriyaki Chicken, served over white rice, is only $3.90 (be sure to specify white meat if you prefer).

A la carte items come in two sizes: 16oz and the larger 26oz. For less than $7, you can get more than a pound and a half of sweet and sour shrimp! For vegetarians, Nan's offers a Vegetable Delight (mixed veggies in a light sauce), eggplant and dry-cooked string beans (when in season), and Ma Por Tofu for those with spicy tastes. Soft morsels of fresh tofu are served in a spicy sauce speckled with chili flakes. Served over white rice, this dish will please any tofu fan for less than $4.

It's not difficult to feed a family of four at Nan's for less than $20.

So for those who received the menu, relax and order away. Your neighborhood just got a decent Chinese joint.

Nan's Kitchen is located at 1120 N. Palm Ave. just south of Olive. It is open Monday-Saturday 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Phone 559.266.3383.