FOOD REVIEW: Bruce Lee Inc.

One of the best things about food is the memories it can trigger. 

Be it a slice of pizza taking you back to a childhood trip to New York, or even something so simple as the smell of popcorn reminding you of that nervous date you went on when you were 15, food has the power to take you back. 

There is one cuisine that always seems to send me into a fit of nostalgia for my college days, and that of course is Chinese food. Every time I order a steaming plate of General Tso I can’t help but see myself curled up on a thrift store couch surrounded by scattered textbooks just trying to drown my stress in some sweet, spicy chicken. Whenever I get the chance I like to sample the local Chinese offerings. This week I channeled the hungry college kid in me and headed over to .

I had no trouble finding Bruce Lee Inc. as the restaurant sits right off York Road in the Mars Supermarket shopping center. While Bruce Lee does offer several tables for dining, it is very clear that they make their money in carryout and delivery. The restaurant consists mainly of a large kitchen with a service counter and a small waiting area that doubles as a dining room.  The good news here is that Bruce Lee is well known for their speedy delivery, and best of all, it's free.

After a quick look at the menu it was clear that Bruce Lee Inc. is not trying to break any molds. Aside from the “Bruce Lee” special shrimp and the “House Special” soup (tempura shrimp in a sweet hot sauce, and a miso broth containing vegetables and three meats, respectively), there are no surprises on this menu. 

Usually I am put off when restaurants refuse to take risks, but considering Bruce Lee is a take-out Chinese restaurant just a few miles from a college campus, this is one instance when I understand the restraint.

Whenever I encounter a menu that sticks firmly to the old standards, I feel the best way to really determine the quality of the meal is to do the same myself. If you are going to keep it simple, you have to get the simple things right—at Bruce Lee that is exactly the case. The pork-fried rice we sampled was just the right texture and had just enough saltiness to highlight the pork. The steamed dumplings were tender without being sticky, and the fried wontons were actually crispy instead of the usual soggy pocket of grease you find so often. Our main dishes were executed perfectly, as well. That General Tso chicken I was missing so badly had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy around crispy tempura chicken.

Maybe this is my Italian roots coming out a bit, but I think there is something to be said for keeping it simple and doing it right. At Bruce Lee, the philosophy is to offer a selection of items that are proven winners and to simply not screw them up. On top of it all, the portions are generous and the prices are excellent—almost every item clocks in under $12, and a number of lunch and dinner specials come in around $6. 

So if those old classic Chinese treats set off memories of better times past for you like they do for me, or if you’re just craving some solid Chinese food for some really solid prices, then give Bruce Lee Inc. a try. And if you’re reading this during your study break, don’t worry—it gets better, I promise.

is located at 1815 York Rd, Timonium, MD 21093.