Okay, I’m on a new mission. Don’t you roll your eyes, it’s a good mission. I’ve finally calmed down from Saturday’s blog entry (holy cow, was it only two days ago?), and Mondays warrant a calmer, gentler start.
Today is easy. It’s for you Eastsiders, particularly those who work on the Eastside.
Every Monday you have a bit of a problem. Papa Roux is closed. Where ya gonna eat? Well, as much as it’s possible, we’ll help you out with entries on Monday suggesting places on the Eastside worth your time and money. Would you believe we have the same problem? We have what we call the “small restaurant owner’s curse” — most places we’d like to visit are also closed on Mondays!
Without delay, here’s the first suggestion on where you should eat when Papa Roux is closed:
Oriental Inn
1421 N. Arlington Ave.
352-0398
http://www.orientalinnrestaurant.com
Of course, Papa likes the spicy. No secret there. Oriental Inn is right in my neighborhood, but to be honest it’s not on my everyday path to work and home, so I tend to forget sometimes. I got reacquainted with them a few weeks back at A Taste Of Warren Township. That’s when I remembered they make the best Crab Rangoon and Spring Rolls I’ve had in this town (keep in mind, Papa doesn’t do buffets. Ever. And if you knew what we know, you wouldn’t either.)
Saturday, after watching Notre Dame define “luck of the Irish” (GO IRISH!), I had a real craving for something Chinese, real spicy, real crunchy. I spun over to Oriental Inn, and talked to the owner, Gary (yes, his name is Gary. No, it’s certainly not his real name). After discussing my preferences and cravings, Gary directed me to a dish I wasn’t familiar with that he thought would be exactly what I wanted. Twice-cooked beef, extra spicy, extra cabbage.
Boy howdy, was it ever!
So I ate it Saturday night. I ate the rest of it last night. I had two full dinners of it for under $10, and that ain’t bad! Plus, it was ready quickly, and was very very fresh.
Hmmm… Inexpensive, quick, and fresh. Remind you of anyone? 
So, when you’re hungry on a Monday, drop by Oriental Inn near 16th and Arlington, visit Gary (not his real name), and tell him Papa Roux says hi!
