Xi'an Famous Foods

I went to this location because the one on Bayard street had a line out the door! Service was fast enough, I had the spicy cumin lamb noodles and spicy and tingly beef noodles. I'm a big fan of spicy food, I drench everything in Sriracha rooster sauce. I figured before I top off the noodes with the hot sauce, I'll just try it plain. It was surprisingly spicy! Not overbearingly spicy to the point you can't eat it, but enough heat to keep you coming back for more. The spicy cumin lamb was especially good. Now whenever I'm on Astor Place, I skip all the other Asian restaurants and head straight to Xian.

First time today, although I live only half a block away (East Village location). The storefront is not inviting so I had to find them on menupages. I'll be back. Had the lamb burger and buckwheat noodles. Eager to try the pulled noodles and oxtail now, and so on through the menu. The "burger" looked exactly as pictured – and when does that ever happen? I had no idea how it might taste but was pleased. Very greasy, but it should be. Got the noodles "spicy" with sauce on the side. Might try extra spicy next time, but it was very good. Clean-tasting and interesting. I'm rating Xi'an high on atmosphere because the vibe in the waiting line was mellow and the guy taking the orders (the manager, according to the video loop playing) was pleasant and efficient. People were eager to consult about dishes and show what they'd ordered. The seating is not inviting even if there are seats, which there weren't, but I was taking out anyway. The line moves pretty fast. Went across the street and got a chilled dry rose. Good pairing!

After seeing Xian Famous Foods on Anthony Bourdain's TV show "No Reservations", I finally tried it this weekend. All I can say is WOW! I ordered the Cumin Lamb Burger and the D4 Stewed Pork Noodles and both were amazing. The Cumin Lamb burger was SO flavorful, spicy (super spicy so do not order if you don't like heat!) and delicious. The burger was a lot bigger than I expected it to be- it's the size of a regular burger. The D4 Stewed Pork Noodles were absolutely incredible. The noodles was super fresh and you could tell that they were homemade, and the sauce was very flavorful and spicy. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender. My boyfriend got the Stewed Pork Burger which he said was amazing. He also got the D2 Spicy and Tingly Beef Noodles which was also out of this world. The only downside is the place is tiny with about 10 seats total. Xian Famous Foods is undoubtedly the best, freshest, most authentic Chinese food in Manhattan!

When they say everything is good- they're not kidding. Every time I've been back I've ordered a different dish. So far nothing has let me down. It's quite small so you can't assume you and your friend will get a seat. But don't let that discourage you, just get it to go.

Xi'an in Chinatown is always delicious, so I assumed the new location on St. Marks would be equally good. It was very disappointing: the cumin lamb noodles (D1) had no lamb at all. And it is a dollar more!! Basically just noodles. A real letdown compared to the other location. The noodles were good but the dish isnt the same dish without the lamb! But the lines are out the door so I'm sure they will do just fine.

After having just inhaled my first bowl of savory cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles ($6) at the newly opened East Village branch of Xi’an (pron “she-an”) Famous Foods, I am now dreaming about how long it will take to eat my way through the heavenly menu. Come to me Liang Pi "cold skin" noodles ($6), savory cumin lamb burger ($2.50), and tiger vegetable salad ($4.50). And with prices so good, there’s nothing getting in the way. The savory cumin lamb noodle dish is such a winner – spicy lamb in a rich cumin chili sauce – is big enough for two meals, but I polished it off in one sitting. The noodles are incredibly delicious – chewy, homey comfort. Service is clean, friendly and speedy. Go now before word spreads and the lines are out the door. It’s only a matter of time.