The Mai Tai Chinese Restaurant Coventry, Rhode Island

Finding good Chinese food in Rhode Island has the potential to be the bane of your existence if you let it. Based on the recommendation of friends who included me and my son in their recent take out night from the Mai Tai Restaurant on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry we decided to try going to the actual restaurant for dinner one night. The traditional pagoda look of the building and the white lions standing guard at the door were a little kitsch but then what Chinese restaurant have you been in that didn't have a little kitsch going on? Usually it's not just the typical bargain Asian appearance but the addition of a counter with a built in display case selling Asian objects d'art.

Surprisingly the inside wasn't tacky or dated. A clean dining room with friendly staff and massive menus presented us with a big problem. What were we going to order? Fried rice is a staple whether you order a combination or not. Fried rice goes with anything. Three of us got combinations so there was plenty of fried rice. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was the best I've ever had but it was definitely good fried rice and I'd consider stopping there to pick some up as a side dish to dinner at home.

Two of the three combinations were lo mein, one chicken one shrimp. I am used to flat noodles in my lo mein but like many other local restaurants the Mai Tai uses round noodles. Perhaps it has something to do with price and availability in a predominantly Italian area. Taste wise it doesn't make a difference what shape the noodle is but flat noodles do lend a different texture that I enjoy. The taste was not lacking in this dish as it finished with a hint of sweetness and was loaded with crispy julienne vegetables and tender shrimp/chicken. Portions were very generous.

The moo goo gai pan was loaded with chicken mushrooms and water chestnuts. I'm not sure what all of the other vegetables were but some of it was bok choy, celery, and onion. Well seasoned and cooked it was again not the best we've ever had but good enough to consider going back again.

The egg rolls, chicken fingers, and wonton soup got thumbs up all around the table even though the broth of the soup was chicken stock. Our previous take out experience had included crab Rangoon, boneless spare ribs, and teriyaki steak. All four were palatable but the boneless spare ribs were the standout of the appetizer fare. Tender, juicy, and glazed to perfection they flew out of the container.

Final point for review the boys made the pilgrimage to the men's room. Boy number one came back to say it wasn't disgusting but could use some pain as it was covered in graffiti. He gave it a 5 on the 1-10 scale claiming restaurants are always good until you go into the bathroom. Boy number two came back from his trip with the same score.

Overall average for this restaurant was a 7.5.