Kung Fu Plaza Is the First Asian Restaurant to Be Angus Beef Certified
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 18, 2011 — Kung Fu Plaza, which is the oldest and most authentic Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, has become the first Asian restaurant to become a Certified Angus Beef licensee among Las Vegas restaurants. The certification was approved after a six-month review process by Sysco.
Sysco is one of the largest food distributors in the world, with 89 broadline operating companies distributing a full line of food products and non-products. The company also distributes a wide variety of specialty fresh-from-the-field flavor to kitchens and restaurants. This includes custom-cut steaks and other meat.
"The certifying company reviewed our purchases for six months and visited our establishment during this period to make sure we were only using certified beef products," said Alan Wong, general manager of Kung Fu Plaza. "This is a big deal in that we are the first Thai and first Chinese restaurant to become 100 percent Angus beef certified."
According to Wong, most Asian restaurants use tenderizers, chemicals, and other methods – such as pounding the meat – to create the illusion of tender meat. However, he says most Asian restaurants also buy the cheapest quality and cut of beef on the market.
"I love to eat steaks and prime rib when I go to other restaurants, but never order it at a Chinese or Thai restaurant because I am never sure of the quality," he said. "You can destroy a dish if you don't use the best quality of beef available. My ancestors did not use the cheapest meats so it doesn't make sense for my family to serve the cheapest meats to our customers."
When asked if he thought many Asian restaurants choose lower quality meats to keep costs down, Wong said he did not think so. Most dishes on his restaurant's menu average about $10 per entree. The only reason for an Asian restaurant to order inexpensive meats is to increase their profit margin or because sometimes such meats are more readily available.
"Two of our most popular dishes have always been our Mongolian beef and spicy beef salad," said Wong. "We have never used any other method to tenderize the meat other than buying the best Angus beef available."
Certified Angus Beef is considered the world's premier brand of beef, usually known for its superior standards for marbling, tenderness, and leanness. Angus cattle are also evaluated by the USDA and never by independent graders or plant employees.
"Less than 8 percent of all beef can earn the brand's approval for flavor and juiciness," said Wong. "The beef must also pass ten quality standards before it can be called Angus beef."
These ten standards include marbling, texture, color, uniformity, and quality. It also ensures a uniform and consistent cut of steak. The qualifications were developed by scientists, researchers, and academics along with several generations of cattlemen who pursued a superior cut of beef in 1978.
To review a complete menu, visit http://kungfuplaza.com.
Logo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Kung-Fu-Plaza-logo.jpg
Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-Las-Vegas-Restaurants-Mongolian-Beef.jpg
Kung Fu Plaza delivers within a three-mile radius and is located at 3505 S. Valley View Blvd., which is just east of the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip. For reservations, call 702-247-4120.
Founded in 1973, Kung Fu Plaza is the oldest and most authentic Chinese and Thai restaurant in Las Vegas. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The average entree is under $10 and most patrons order family style. It is the most recent of Las Vegas' restaurants to become 100% Angus Beef Certified, and the only Asian restaurant to receive the certification.
Contact:
Alan Wong, General Manager
702-247-4120
3505 S. Valley View Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
http://www.kungfuplaza.com
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