Canton

Canton Restaurant Review:

Two decades ago Canton was known throughout Miami-Dade County as the affordable, Americanized Chinese chain that was home to the $4.95 lunch special, and to South Florida's most renowned honey garlic chicken --- a sweet deep-fried preparation that makes General Tso's seem like health food. These days, there have been changes in their offerings, including "healthy menu" selections (the latter mostly lightened, pretty pallid vegetable dishes) and sushi counters from the local Japanese/Pan-Asian chain Sushi Maki. Also, not surprisingly, the $4.95 lunch combos now range from $6.95 to $10.95. But the honey garlic chicken is still superior to most in town, though also, at nearly 16 bucks, the most expensive in town. And other classics, mostly protein-heavy dishes (with American vegetables, if any) like Canton steak, a super-size serving of sizzling beef, and barbecue ribs still satisfy. Count on venues that are always clean and authentically welcoming --- to people, if not to genuine Chinese vegetables.