What's Your Go-to "To Go" Order?

Do you have a favorite place to pick up dinner? Though I've been living in the Castro for the last six years, it was only last year when I realized I truly had my spot. I realized how often I was looking up Mama Ji's to find the phone number – and in my frustration, added the restaurant to "Favorites" on my phone. Yep. Alongside my boyfriend, family, and a few close friends.

I love this Chinese spot in a way I've never really loved a restaurant. Maybe it's the proximity and friendly staff. Or sweet Mama Ji herself, who you will recognize from her picture on the menu and who smiles at you like you're the first person to ever walk into her restaurant. Or maybe it's just the food – delicious Sichuan dishes and a random-but-incredible assortment of Belgian beers (I'm partial to the Allagash White). I was probably also partially swayed by Bud the yellow lab, who's usually plopped outside the door.

Whatever lured me to Mama Ji's has kept me there. Whenever I'm feeling uninspired by my refrigerator options, or even need a little pick-me-up, I place an order and it's ready in 20 minutes.

My go-to is one order of Shanghai (soup) dumplings, one Chongqing chicken, and a side of white rice. The center of this meal, of course, is the fiery Chongqing chicken, which is also sometimes called Laziji. At its essence, it's deep-fried bite-sized pieces of chicken served under an avalanche of dried Sichuan chili peppers and tiny peppercorns.

The dish isn't for the faint of heart, but it's an experience – it's fun (Spicy! Crunchy!), a bit of sensory overload (Sichuan peppers can have a numbing effect!) and it's definitely not an easy dish to whip up at home. I highly recommend it, and if you go, there's at least a 40 percent chance you'll see me there. 🌶️

(Photo via CNN)