You know that specific kind of nostalgia? The one where you can almost smell the sesame oil and hear the distant chime of a mall fountain? For anyone who grew up on the Southwest Side of Chicago, House of Hunan Ford City wasn't just a place to grab a quick lunch. It was a literal institution. It sat there inside Ford City Mall—a massive, sprawling complex that used to be a World War II aircraft engine plant—serving up the kind of Chinese-American comfort food that defined weekend errands for decades.
Honestly, the mall itself has seen better days. By 2026, the headlines are all about the $150 million plan to tear parts of it down and build a warehouse complex. It’s a bit heartbreaking for those of us who remember the "Peacock Alley" days. But even as the mall shifted from a retail powerhouse to a "dead mall" status, the memory of House of Hunan remains a bright spot for the neighborhood.
What People Get Wrong About the House of Hunan Name
First off, let's clear up some confusion. If you search for this place today, you're going to see a "New House of Hunan" in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Don't let the GPS fool you. That's a totally different spot at 502 Main St, famous for its own stuff like Vietnamese sweet potato fries and Thai curry.
The original House of Hunan we’re talking about was the Chicago legend. It shared a name with a few other high-end spots in the city—like the one on Fullerton Pkwy in Lincoln Park—but the Ford City location had its own vibe. It was accessible. It was where you went after buying school shoes at Sears or catching a flick at the AMC.
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The Menu: More Than Just Orange Chicken
People loved the classics here. We’re talking about the heavy hitters that fueled generations of shoppers.
- The Pot Stickers: These weren't those thin, wimpy things you get from a frozen bag. They were doughy, perfectly seared on one side, and served with a dipping sauce that had just the right amount of vinegar kick.
- Mongolian Beef: A fan favorite. Salty, savory, and loaded with those charred green onions. It was the kind of dish that made you realize why "Hunan" style—known for being bold and spicy—was a cut above the standard takeout.
- Crab Rangoon: Let's be real, you can't have a mall Chinese meal without these. The House of Hunan version was always crispy, never soggy, and stuffed with that sweet cream cheese filling.
Some folks might argue it was just "standard" Chinese food. But consistency is a rare thing in the restaurant world. You knew exactly what you were getting every single time you sat down.
Why the Location Was So Iconic
Ford City Mall is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. It’s built on a site that once employed 12,000 people making engines for B-29 bombers. When it turned into a mall in the 60s, it kept that massive, industrial scale.
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House of Hunan benefited from that foot traffic for years. But as the mall's ownership changed and major anchors like Carson Pirie Scott and Sears vanished, the ecosystem changed. It’s a pattern we’ve seen across the country. When the big stores go, the food court and the sit-down restaurants usually aren't far behind.
The Shift to Delivery
By the time the mall started its decline, the way we eat changed too. A lot of the regular crowd shifted to ordering through apps. The House of Hunan on Fullerton is still a beast on Grubhub and Uber Eats, but the physical presence in the mall became a relic of a different era.
The Reality of Food in "Dead Malls"
It’s tough for a restaurant to survive when the roof is leaking or the parking lot feels like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. Recent reports on the state of Ford City Mall have mentioned structural issues and a lack of maintenance. For a kitchen, that’s a nightmare.
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The loss of these community hubs is about more than just food. It’s about the "third place"—that spot that isn't home and isn't work, where you just exist. For a lot of families in West Lawn and Ashburn, House of Hunan was that place.
Actionable Tips for Finding That Flavor Again
If you’re craving that specific House of Hunan Ford City taste, you aren't totally out of luck. Here’s how to scratch that itch:
- Visit the Fullerton Location: If you’re in Chicago, the House of Hunan at 444 W Fullerton Pkwy is still going strong. They have those legendary egg rolls (the ones with the touch of peanut butter in the filling) and the same high-standard Mongolian Beef.
- Look for "Old School" Recipes: Most of the dishes were based on classic Hunan and Szechuan profiles. If you’re cooking at home, look for recipes that emphasize "Duo Jiao" (chopped chili) or "La Zi Ji" (spicy fried chicken) to get that authentic heat.
- Support Local Independent Spots: With Ford City transitioning into a warehouse district by 2028, the era of mall dining there is basically over. Small, family-run Chinese spots in the surrounding neighborhoods need that same loyalty now more than ever.
The landscape of the Southwest Side is changing fast. While the physical walls of the old House of Hunan might be part of a redevelopment plan soon, the flavor of those Saturday afternoons isn't going anywhere as long as we keep supporting the chefs who moved on to new kitchens.