Cheap Eats 2007: Hollywood East Cafe

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Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Michele Kayal , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Don Rockwell

Hollywood East Cafe

2312 Price Ave.
Wheaton, MD
Phone: 301.942.8282

Cuisines:
Chinese, Cantonese, Dim Sum

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Wheaton

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Late Night, Weekend Brunch

Best Dishes
Dumplings; noodle crepes with whole shrimp; steamed buns with water chestnuts, carrots, and bamboo shoots; steamed turnip cake; noodle crepe with fried bread; roast duck casserole; lamb casserole; oyster casserole; eggplant and pork casserole; crispy pork; soy sauce chicken; crispy shredded tofu; stirfried snow-pea-shoot leaves; Chinese cress with shrimp paste.

Price Details:
Dim sum $2.50 to $5.95, appetizers $1.25 to $12.95, entrées $5.75 to $27.95.

Dim sum or dinner? Janet Yu opened a second location so fans don’t have to choose. Dim sum is an everyday thing at Hollywood East Cafe on the Boulevard (the roving carts appear on weekends; weekdays you order from a menu). A dizzying array of treasures awaits: turnip cake studded with sausage bits, glossy barbecue pork buns, and noodle crepes filled with whole shrimp.

Both the Boulevard location and the original Hollywood East also serve lunch and dinner, which have their satisfactions, too. The original cafe has always been known for its succulent roast meats, notably pork and duck, and complex clay-pot casseroles. Now both restaurants serve them. Look for lamb with bean curd in dark gravy and roast duck with sweet taro. Stir-fried snow-pea-shoot leaves and bitter Chinese cress with shrimp paste make good foils for the meats and casseroles.

Late-night diners, take note: The Boulevard location is open Friday and Saturday until 2 am.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Gom Ba Woo

Huong Viet