Xi'an Famous Foods with Mike Hanford & Paul Rust (LIVE)

"Xi'an Famous Foods with Mike Hanford & Paul Rust (LIVE)" is an episode of the premium content podcast, *Doughboys Double*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Xi'an Famous Foods with Mike Hanford & Paul Rust (LIVE)" was released on September 24, 2019.

🔓 *This episode was later unlocked for free on to the main Doughboys feed on January 1, 2020.*

## Synopsis

We're joined live in NYC by Mike Hanford (*The Birthday Boys*, The Sloppy Boys) and Paul Rust (*Netflix's Love*, Don't Stop or We'll Die) to review a family owned chain serving western Chinese cuisine: Xi'an Famous Foods. Plus, a live edition of the Snack Stack.

Recorded live at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC on September 6, 2019.

## Nick's intro

'*Not spicy = not as good': a personal message from CEO Jason Wang.*

This is the text heading of a flyer prominently displayed in the lobby of a Chinese chain that's taken over New York City in the past decade and a half.

Founded by Wang and his father in 2005 in a tiny basement storefront in a Queens shopping mall, the restaurant quickly built a loyal following of both Chinese immigrants and born-and-bred New Yorkers with its hook: the cuisine of a city in the Wang's native Shaanxi Province, located in northwestern China. That city's food is described by the corporate website as "combining Chinese and Middle Eastern flavors" and often incorporates lamb as a protein - a pretty unique profile in the Chinese food-saturated Big Apple.

After opening, the restaurant steadily averaged building a new location every year, eventually growing its footprint to fifteen outlets across the Five Boroughs. Its delectable - and affordable - fare has led to glowing profiles by food celebrities like Andrew Zimmern and the late Anthony Bourdain, and even a visit by Bobby Flay, who would be ill-equipped to take on wunderkind chef Wang in his show *Beat Bobby Flay*.

And as noted by Wang himself in his impassioned warning, those with mild-mannered palettes need not apply. Its house chili oil made from thirty different spices generates heat levels that are, if not searing, at least sizzling.

And so, fourteen years after a two-employee father/son restaurant opened in the basement of a shopping mall, the entire city of New York has developed an obsession with the food of a city in China.

This week on *Doughboys*: Xi'an Famous Foods.

## Fork rating

 Mike Mitchell
 Mike Hanford
 Paul Rust
 Nick, Mitch, and Mike shared
* Spicy & Tingly Beef Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup
* Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings In Soup
* Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
* Stewed Pork Burger

## Snack Stack

In this segment, audience members before the show bring snacks to Yusong and Emma, which would be accumulated into a big pile. (They put out a call on Twitter before the show.)

The Doughboys then end up with a giant Snack Stack, but only pick a couple of things from it to try during the show.

 Mike Mitchell
 Mike Hanford
 Paul Rust

Nongshim Banana KickThe Whole Shabang Original PopcornTerrell's Potato ChipsNew York Style Everything Bagel Crisps

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