Chapter 695
The next day at noon, Su Miao followed his father to the "Tiantianlai" restaurant in the west of the city.
The store is not big and the decoration is simple, almost shabby. The red sign hanging at the door with the three words "Come Everyday" on it has been bleached by the sun.
Although the store was relatively clean, the cement floor in front of the store was covered with oil stains and footprints, and a few flies were buzzing around the door.
"Is this the place?"
Su Yuanzheng wrinkled his nose. A strong aroma of braised food wafted through the air, mixed with oil smoke and some indescribable sweet smell.
Su Miao nodded: "During the Chinese New Year, Siya said that her family came to pack up cooked food almost every day. During the time when she was preparing for the college entrance examination, her parents were not so busy, so they ate less. But they still came every few days. I always miss them."
She noticed that there was already a line in front of the store, mostly nearby workers and residents, and there were also a few students in school uniforms.
As you walk through the door, you are greeted by a wave of heat and an even stronger aroma of braised food.
The ceiling fan in the store was turning slowly. There were seven or eight simple wooden tables, and almost all of them were occupied.
A handwritten menu was taped crookedly to the wall with transparent tape, and several boxes of beer were piled in the corner.
A plump middle-aged woman was busy collecting money behind the counter, shouting to the kitchen from time to time.
"What would you like to eat?" The proprietress looked up and glanced at them, her hands moving non-stop.
Su Yuanzheng glanced at the menu on the wall. It was probably a à la carte menu. "I'd like a braised food platter, a portion of braised pork belly, salt-baked chicken, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and two bowls of rice."
"What kind of braised food do you want? We have offal, duck, braised eggs, and dried tofu..."
"Let's have some of everything and try it all together," said Su Yuanzheng.
"Hey, a regular portion won't contain this much. How about you add two dollars and order a large portion so you can get a little bit of everything?"
"Can."
The proprietress took note of it quickly, called out to the kitchen, and then pointed to a newly vacant table in the corner: "Sit there, it will be ready soon."
Su Miao followed his father through the crowded aisle and sat down at a greasy table.
She looked around Xizhou and found that almost every table had ordered the braised food platter. The diners ate with gusto, and some even sucked their fingers, looking as if they were still not satisfied.
The uncle at the next table picked up a piece of braised pork intestine with chopsticks. The glossy sauce dripped down the intestinal wall. He squinted his eyes and took a bite. When his Adam's apple rolled up and down, even his wrinkles were filled with satisfaction.
"Business is really good." Su Miao said in a low voice.
Su Yuanzheng nodded, his eyes sweeping towards the kitchen thoughtfully: "It does smell good."
In less than ten minutes, their dishes were served. The portions were average and the presentation was pleasing.
The braised food platter is bright red and shiny; the braised pork is fat and lean, and the sauce is thick; the stir-fried seasonal vegetables are green and crisp.
Su Miao and his father first carefully looked at the color of each dish, then leaned in to smell it.
"Dad, this dish looks really good, let's try it."
The father and daughter began to look at and taste the dishes. They thought the braised pork and vegetables looked good, but Su Miao felt that they were a little too salty for her taste and could only give them an above-average score.
The store’s signature braised food platter is really good.
The seasoning is a little different from my own, but the texture and taste are very good, comparable to Su Ji's.
The taste here is slightly on the sweet side, the braised food is salty and fragrant with a hint of sweetness, the meat is tender yet chewy, and the flavors of the spices are distinct yet blended just right.
After taking one bite, she immediately wanted to take a second bite, as if something was urging her to continue.
As they chatted and ate, Su Yuanzheng thought he had ordered too much, which was almost equivalent to the amount of food for 4 people, but after slowly finishing it, he found that he had almost finished it.
Su Miao pinched a duck wing and said, "The rest of the food is just average, but the braised food is really good. No wonder the dining conditions here are so simple and the prices are not that favorable, yet the business is still booming."
"Yeah, oh my, I haven't eaten food outside for a while. The new taste really whetted my appetite. Look at how much we've eaten just two people. I'm full but still want to eat more."
"Dad, don't eat anymore. You'll get sick if you overeat. How about we pack some braised food and let Brother Yu and the others try it? Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to success.
Although our stores are so far apart that the impact on the business in the area is not significant, we still need to understand that, as we still have a fixed takeout business."
Su Yuan was going to the front desk to order some braised food to go. The lady boss asked with a smile, "How does it taste?"
Su Yuanzheng replied cautiously: "Very good, your chef is very skilled."
The lady boss proudly said, "Of course, it's our secret recipe. Everyone who has tried it says it's delicious. Many customers come every day!"
Walking out of the restaurant, Su Miao took a few deep breaths of fresh air. He felt that eating delicious food really made people happy. His stomach felt warm and his heart beat faster than usual.
During the afternoon break, Su Ji’s employees tasted the braised food from their “competitors” and received mixed feedback.
"It's pretty good, but I think the ones in our store are better. Maybe it's because I don't like sweet flavors."
"I quite like it, but I feel a little thirsty after eating it."
"I've tried a lot of braised food, but I still think ours is number one, and this one is now number two."
…
Everyone thinks Su Ji’s is better. Of course, it is also very likely because the boss is present or has a special feeling for his own store.
It doesn't matter. Su Miao just wants them to have a try and know that the market competition is gradually getting fiercer, and to urge everyone not to slack off and maintain the standard.
However, Su Miao soon felt a little uncomfortable.
The previous increased heartbeat could be attributed to the hot weather and coming back from outside.
But she rested for a long time in the living room and drank some herbal tea, but the symptoms did not improve. She even started to feel a little dizzy and sleepy.
But she clearly stayed in bed until ten o'clock in the morning. Normally, according to this time, she doesn't need to take a nap and can be energetic all day long.
She suddenly thought of Wei Siya's symptoms and her heart skipped a beat.
I had heard in my previous life that some restaurants, in order to retain diners, mixed toxic and harmful non-food ingredients such as poppy shells into the food, with braised food being the worst affected. Why did she look so similar now?
Su Miao hurriedly went to ask about the situation of his father and the store employees who had also eaten the braised food, but everyone said that there was nothing unusual and they were all working very energetically.
"Miao Miao, what's wrong with you? Did you eat too much and can't digest it?" Su Yuanzheng asked worriedly.
Su Miao told her father about her symptoms and speculation. Su Yuanzheng quickly pulled her into the car and rushed to the hospital.
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