By Craig Smith
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
They might not be recognized among America's top 100 Chinese restaurants, but Pittsburghers love them just the
same.
"It's good food, and that's all I need," said Andy Hardy, 48, a contractor from Point Breeze, who said he'll put
Pittsburgh's version of General Tso's chicken up against any offered in New York and Chicago.
Hardy and other patrons said it doesn't matter that the city's Chinese restaurants don't participate in an annual
ranking organized by Chinese Restaurant News, a monthly trade publication for owners and managers of the more
than 43,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.
The 150 restaurants that belong to the Pittsburgh Chinese Restaurant Association aren't willing to ante up a $488 fee
to participate in the annual ratings game. The monies cover the cost of marketing materials, CRN officials said.
"I like that magazine, but then you tell me I have to pay? Our organization said no," said Mike Chen, the group's
president.
The Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Award helps establish a standard of excellence for an industry with more
than $17.5 billion in annual sales, organizers said.
For the first time, the competition is using "mystery diners" to score restaurants across the country.
When a restaurant is nominated, it must pay the fee to receive the package of marketing materials that includes: 2
color posters, 500 color vote cards, a customized Web site for online voting and other materials, said Grace Niwa,
founder and CEO of Niwa Public Relations, of Boston.
Mario Cutruzzula Sr., 70, of Bloomfield, says he eats at a Chinese restaurant two or three times a month and could
care less about the Top 100 ranking.
"Not if they have to pay $500. That's a load of BS," said Cutruzzula, a bank security guard.
Niwa conceded the registration fee is a problem for some restaurants but said television chef Martin Yan endorses
the Top 100 Award as does chef Theresa Lin Chueng. The awards will be presented this year on Nov. 11 during the
Cultural Food New York Show.
Amy Chen, manager at Jimmy Tsang's in Shadyside, has heard about the Top 100 program but isn't interested.
Tsang's has won a number of local awards. Those are the ones that count, she said.
Mystery diners, provided by AboutFace, a leading secret shopping service, will be visiting Chinese restaurants
between now and the end of September. The mystery diners are part of a new selection criteria to evaluate
restaurants for the Top 100 competition.
"The mystery diner evaluates the restaurant from service, compliance, food and ambiance," said Paige Hall, CEO of
AboutFace.
Niwa said the ranking system is important to establish standards in an industry that has none.
"The people go in there and say who is good and who isn't," she said.
Fengping Geng, 42, manager of Sakura in Squirrel Hill, agreed that the fee probably would keep her from participating in the ranking program.
"I'd have to think about that," said Geng, who follows a simple standard.
"Make delicious food, and the customers will come back," she said.
